This time, under the supervision of a doctor, we will explain about "AGA", which we have been hearing about quite often recently.
About 10 years ago when I was working as a hairdresser, I hadn't heard much about "AGA."

What is AGA?

First of all, let me explain what "AGA" is.
"AGA" is an abbreviation for Androgenetic Alopecia.
Androgenetic means male, male, male hormone, or androgenic, and Alopecia means hair loss.
In Japanese, AGA isMale pattern baldnessThis is the name of the disease.
It doesn't affect your health, so whether you consider it an illness or not depends on your perspective.

Causes of AGA

What causes AGA?
The cause has been largely elucidated, and it is caused by genetics and the male hormone androgen.
The main cause is male hormones acting on hair follicle cells and disrupting the normal hair cycle.

In a normal hair cycle, hair is produced by cells in the hair root and grows during the growth phase.
After that, they shrink, reach the end of their life, and fall out, repeating this cycle.
Normally, this growth period lasts for 2 to 6 years.
In the case of AGA, this growth phase is much shorter than normal, lasting only a few months, and the hair falls out quickly.

This occurs when the male hormone androgen is activated by a substance called 5α-reductase in the cells of the hair follicle and converted into a strong substance called dihydrotestosterone.
And as a result, hair loss occurs.
The 5α-reductase enzyme that activates this androgen is found in particularly large amounts at the hairline and the top of the head, which is why hair loss due to AGA occurs exclusively at the hairline and the top of the head.

Everyone has male hormones, but not everyone will suffer from hair loss.
Genetics also plays a major factor in determining whether or not you will experience hair loss.
Thinning hair is caused by the inherited traits of "high sensitivity to androgens" and "high activity of 5α-reductase," which makes people more susceptible to developing AGA.

Percentage of people who develop AGA

What percentage of people actually develop AGA?
A survey conducted on Japanese people in 1981 found that the incidence of AGA was as follows:
On average, 32% of men suffer from AGA, meaning that one in three men suffers from the condition, which is not a low incidence rate.

In 2004, a survey was conducted on attitudes towards hair.
Unlike the 1981 survey, this one was not conducted by medical professionals who diagnosed AGA, but rather surveyed whether participants were aware of their own thinning hair or hair loss.
The results were as follows:

When compared with data from 1981, the proportion of people in their 40s and 50s has remained almost the same, but the proportion of people in their 20s and 30s has increased.
It is possible that the incidence of AGA has increased over the past 20 years, but it can also be seen as reflecting growing concern about thinning hair and hair loss among younger generations.
In fact, 20% ​​of people in their 12.5s are aware of thinning hair or hair loss, which is more than 10 in 1 people.

Even though we treat AGA, we also see many young patients in their 20s and 30s, and some of them experience problems in their daily lives, such as giving up on relationships and romance.

Treatment methods for AGA

How can AGA be treated? We will explain in detail under the supervision of a doctor.

AGA is basically treated with oral medication.
However, since it is a gray area as to whether it can be considered an illness, it is not a medical treatment covered by insurance.

■Types of oral medications
Oral medications are broadly divided into those that suppress hair loss.
Propecia
・Zagaro
(It has become a popular drug, and now there are generic versions available.)

Medicines that promote hair growth
・Minoxidil
(Although it is a highly effective drug, it has not been approved for use in Japan due to safety reasons and is not recommended in treatment guidelines.)

■ Ointment
An optional treatment is the topical treatment "minoxidil."
This is recommended in treatment guidelines and falls within the range of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, which are medicines that can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies, drug stores, and drugstores.
It is also recommended for those who are just starting treatment.

■ Mesotherapy
Another treatment option is mesotherapy.
This treatment involves injecting a substance called minoxidil directly into the scalp to promote hair growth.
There are several methods for injection, including injecting minoxidil directly into the scalp with a syringe, using a special machine with a needle, or using a carbon dioxide laser, which does not have a needle.
Different treatment methods are used depending on the progression of AGA. If it is in the early stages, oral medication alone may be effective, but once the condition has progressed, it is more likely to be effective to combine it with mesotherapy.

Once AGA has progressed to the point where the cells in the hair follicles have died, no matter how much medication is administered, there will be nowhere for hair to grow. Therefore, it has been proven that the earlier treatment is started to target the progression of AGA, the more likely it is to be effective.
Also, even if the stage of the disease is the same, the younger the patient, the more likely it is that treatment will be effective.

Summary

① AGA is male pattern baldness that affects one in three men
② If left untreated, the condition will progress, so early treatment is essential.