Male pattern baldness is caused by DHT, a hormone derived from testosterone. The good news? There are options to slow hair loss or even regain hair growth.
Find a hair loss treatment plan that works for you
Prescription medication
Free online consultation
US-licensed healthcare providers
Free, discreet shipping
Compare your options
Tell your provider what’s going on through our consultation, and they’ll help find the best treatment for your goals.
Slow hair loss and regrow hair
Roman Hair Solution
Topical Finasteride, Minoxidil, & Tretinoin Spray
$50/month (on a quarterly plan). Cancel any time.
Start now
Roman Hair Solution Rx is a compounded prescription medication formulated with finasteride, minoxidil, and tretinoin, applied topically. It is for men only. Children, and women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, should not handle this product. The most common side effect is potential irritation where it is applied. Protect your scalp from the sun. Sexual side effects and depression have been reported with oral finasteride. See here for full safety information about each ingredient.
Help prevent further hair loss
Oral finasteride
Generic Propecia
$20/month (on a quarterly plan). Cancel any time.
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Finasteride is for male pattern hair loss in men only, and is not for women or children. Pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets due to fetal risk. For more information, see Important Safety Information.
Help slow thinning and regrow hair
Oral minoxidil
Generic Loniten
$30/month (on a quarterly plan). Cancel any time.
Start now
Oral minoxidil is not FDA-approved for hair loss, but may be prescribed off-label at a lower dose at the discretion of a healthcare professional. Oral minoxidil may cause serious side effects that impact the heart, including pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and tamponade. Important Safety Information and Boxed Warning.
Before and afters: Real members, real results
These Ro members received their treatment at no cost in exchange for their testimonials.
"I feel like myself again"
"Roman helped me to regrow my hair and regain my confidence. I used to wear a lot of hats, but now I prefer not wearing one."
"Gives me confidence"
"Roman has helped me regrow and thicken my hair. I’m excited to see more improvement."
"Changed my life"
"I’m happy and excited to see that the balding of my crown is actually starting to see new hair growth."
"No more comb-overs"
"My hair is [fuller] than it’s been in over a decade, and the bald[ing] spot I was so worried about has shrunk by almost half."
"Happy and youthful"
"I feel great about my hair and love that I am more confident. I can still feel young and have a full head of hair."
Join 185,000+ members who have treated hair loss with Ro
“Within a few months I saw results. Now my hair is back!”
Veljean, Ro member
“Getting my medicine from Ro has been easy and convenient. I know I’ll have what I need to feel like myself.”
Gordan, Ro member
“Everything has been fantastic! It’s part of my daily routine now.”
Rob, Ro member
These Ro members received their treatment at no cost in exchange for their testimonials.
About hair loss
The root of the issue
*In clinical studies in men with hair loss at the crown of the head, 83% of men who used finasteride had no further hair loss after 2 years (vs. 28% in the placebo group).
What causes hair loss?
Can hair loss be treated?
Early on, it's possible to stop or even reverse hair loss. But, at a certain point, the hair follicle also loses attachment to the small muscles in the skin (called the arrector pili muscles), which makes that hair loss permanent.
How long does it take for hair loss treatment to work?
Finasteride and minoxidil typically take three to four months of daily use to start seeing visible changes. It can take up to a year to see the maximum results. As long as you don't experience side effects, it's best to continue the medication for one full year before deciding on whether the medication is doing all it can for you. Like all medications, finasteride and minoxidil will work differently for different people. To sustain benefits, you have to continue using hair loss medication. If you stop, your hair loss may return.
When did you first notice your hair loss?
Your timeline
Hair growth takes time, so here’s what to expect and when:
Share your health history and hair growth goals with a Ro-affiliated provider.
You might not see a visible change in the first two months, though some people may shed more fine hairs than before. Not to worry—this is temporary and normal.
You might notice that hair loss has slowed, stopped, or in some cases, even reversed. Remember to take a photo to track your progress.
By now, hair loss may have considerably slowed or stopped, and some people may see signs of regrowth (usually at the crown of the head). To maintain results and increase the chance of regrowth, be sure to continue with consistent daily treatment.
The Roman way
How Roman works
We embrace technology to provide healthcare as conveniently as possible. With Roman, you can expect quality care from your phone or computer, without ever leaving the comfort of home.
Answer a few questions about your health
After your free online visit, a US-licensed healthcare provider will determine which treatment is best suited for you, then follow up via secure messaging.
Get it shipped for free
If treatment is prescribed, you’ll get it fast, free, and in discreet packaging.
Get free ongoing support
Have questions or want a follow-up? We offer free, unlimited follow-ups with your provider, so there’s always someone there to help you out. Of course, you should continue to receive regular in-person care in addition to using Roman.
Backed by experts
Our team of experts are committed to helping you reach your goals
Dr. Melynda Barnes, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Ro
"We believe in delivering supportive and empowered care to improve health-related quality of life so people can have full, satisfying, and productive lives."
Dr. Deepa Ravikumar, MD
Senior Medical Director
"We’re changing the way patients think about—and get—healthcare. Now through Ro, patients can visit with a provider, get a diagnosis, and receive treatment—all without leaving home."
Dr. Raoul Manalac, MD
Senior Director, Clinical Product Strategy
"From diagnosis to delivery, our healthcare providers are with patients every step of the way. We’re here to guide them, celebrate their wins, and help them hit their health goals."
Common questions
Ro is a telemedicine company that provides a discreet, convenient, and affordable way for you to receive hair loss treatment from a doctor or nurse practitioner—all without leaving the couch. Minoxidil (generic Rogaine) is available for purchase directly from the website as an over-the-counter (OTC) product. If you are interested in prescription treatment, it starts with an online visit. The online visit will ask you about your symptoms, your medical history, and other basic information. You'll also be asked to upload a photo of your ID to verify your identity. Once you have done all of this, a doctor or nurse practitioner will review everything to determine if you're a candidate for hair loss treatment through telemedicine and decide which treatments are (or are not) safe and appropriate for you. Hair treatments available through Roman are Roman Hair Solution Rx, oral finasteride, oral minoxidil, and topical minoxidil.
There are two prescription-strength oral hair loss medications available through Roman (oral finasteride and oral minoxidil) and one prescription topical spray.
Oral finasteride is an FDA-approved prescription hair loss treatment, while oral minoxidil is considered an off-label prescription for hair loss. This means oral minoxidil is not FDA-approved for that particular use, but a provider can still prescribe it if they deem it safe and appropriate for the patient.
Oral minoxidil may be preferred by men who do not want to risk the known slight chance of sexual side effects from taking finasteride. Oral minoxidil and oral finasteride have different mechanisms of action to tackle hair loss. Your provider will recommend a treatment based on your medical history, lifestyle, and any particular treatment preferences or side effect aversions you may have.
Roman Hair Solution Rx is a 3-in-1 treatment that combines finasteride to slow hair loss, minoxidil to regrow hair, and tretinoin to enhance minoxidil absorption—all in one convenient once-daily spray.
Scientists aren't entirely sure how minoxidil works, but it is thought that it helps increase blood flow to the hair follicle. This helps more nutrients to get to the follicle, which can support hair growth.
Minoxidil comes in two forms: oral medication and topical solution.
Topical minoxidil is an FDA-approved hair loss treatment that does not require a prescription whereas oral minoxidil is considered an off-label prescription for hair loss and does require a prescription. “Off-label” means it’s not FDA-approved for that particular use, but can still be prescribed at the provider’s discretion.
Topical and oral minoxidil contain the same active ingredient. While there have not been clinical studies comparing their efficacy, there appear to be some benefits of using an oral treatment method vs. a topical treatment method, such as more precise dosing and better treatment adherence & consistency.
Male pattern baldness (also called androgenetic alopecia) is a common form of hair loss. It is typically associated with a receding hairline and hair loss at the crown (top) of the head. Not all men experience male pattern baldness but some men are genetically susceptible.
Male pattern baldness occurs when hair follicles undergo a process called follicular miniaturization. This is when the longer, darker hairs that once grew on the scalp get replaced by thinner, shorter, less pigmented hairs. This process occurs as a result of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is derived from testosterone. Early on, it's possible to stop or even reverse this hair loss. However, at a certain point, the hair follicle also loses attachment to the small muscles in the skin (called the arrector pili muscles). When this happens, hair loss is permanent.
Finasteride and minoxidil typically take three to four months of daily use to start seeing visible changes. It can take up to a year to see the maximum results. As long as you don't experience side effects, it's best to continue the medication for one full year before deciding on whether the medication is doing all it can for you. Like all medications, finasteride and minoxidil will work differently for different people. To sustain benefits, you have to continue using hair loss medication. If you stop, your hair loss may return.