For those suffering from AGA (male pattern baldness), over-the-counter medications are one of the easiest treatments to start.
Early care is important to reduce the progression of thinning and hair loss, and over-the-counter medications can be a step in this direction.
However, with so many options for AGA treatment, it is often difficult to know which one to choose.
What is AGA (male pattern baldness)?
What is AGA (male pattern baldness)?
Let’s take a look at its characteristics and causes!
Causes and Symptoms of AGA (male pattern baldness)
AGA (male pattern baldness) is a progressive alopecia that is mainly caused by heredity and hormones.
AGA is caused by changes in male hormones and the effects of a substance called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
DHT inhibits the growth of hair matrix cells and shortens the hair growth cycle.
Symptoms of AGA begin with the gradual thinning of hair on the top and frontal areas of the head.
This symptom progresses in a specific pattern, characterized by a receding frontal hairline and sparse hair on the top of the head.
The degree of progression of AGA varies from person to person, and in selecting over-the-counter medications and treatment options, it is important to make the right choice for your condition.
AGA Progression and Diagnosis
There are stages in the progression of AGA.
- In the early stages, hair gradually becomes thinner and more hair falls out.
- In the middle stage, hair loss becomes more pronounced, with thinning of hair in the front and at the crown of the head.
- In the final stage, hair is lost over large areas of the head, leaving the skin visible.
The most common methods of diagnosing AGA are self-examination and consultation with a dermatologist.
In a self-examination, the amount of hair loss, hair fineness, and the condition of the front and top of the head are observed.
At a dermatologist or specialized clinic, the doctor checks the condition of the scalp by visual inspection and palpation, and in some cases uses a microscope or scope to make a diagnosis.
Effective AGA countermeasures can be achieved by selecting over-the-counter drugs with the advice of a pharmacist.
Refer to the AGA over-the-counter drug recommendation ranking to choose the right product for you and take care of your condition as soon as possible.
How to choose an over-the-counter drug
When choosing an over-the-counter drug for AGA control, there are several important points to consider.
It is important to choose an over-the-counter drug that contains active ingredients that will have the best effect on your thinning hair or hair loss symptoms.
Side effects, method of use, and price are also important selection criteria.
Active ingredients and their effects
Over-the-counter drugs contain a variety of active ingredients, the most notable of which is Minoxidil.
This ingredient promotes blood circulation and stimulates hair matrix cells, thereby aiding hair growth.
Class I drug must be explained by a pharmacist.
Another important ingredient is Finasteride or Dutasteride.
These slow the progression of AGA by inhibiting the production of DHT, a type of male hormone.
However, Finasteride and Dutasteride are only available in prescription oral medications and not in over-the-counter topical medications.
Side Effects and Cautions
While the active ingredients are highly effective, side effects should also be noted.
For example, Minoxidil has been reported to cause side effects such as itching and redness of the scalp, as well as a temporary increase in hair loss known as early hair loss.
For this reason, caution should be exercised when using it.
In the case of Finasteride and Dutasteride, side effects such as sexual dysfunction and depression may occur.
Directions and Duration of Use
For example, it is recommended that topical medications containing minoxidil be applied in appropriate amounts to the scalp at set times each day.
Since the method of use varies from product to product, it is important to be sure to read the instructions before use.
In addition, AGA treatment is a long-term process.
It generally takes several months to six months to see results from over-the-counter medications.
Therefore, it is required that you do not give up immediately because you do not see any effect in a short period of time, but that you continue to use the product.
Top 5 Recommended Over-the-Counter Drugs
There are various types of over-the-counter drugs for AGA control, and their selection and effectiveness vary widely.
Here we detail the top 5 pharmacist-recommended over-the-counter drug rankings for 2024.
Use it as a reference to help you decide which drug is best for you.
No. 1: Scalp D Medical Minoki 5
Apply 1 ml twice daily to the scalp where hair loss is occurring
| Effect | Ingredient | Content (in 100ml) |
| Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression | Minoxidil | 5.0ℊ |
Scalp-D Medical Minoxi5 is a hair regrowth treatment containing 5% Minoxidil and is very effective in the treatment of AGA.
The active ingredient Minoxidil dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to hair follicles and promoting hair growth.
The price revision in October 2022 has made it more affordable.
No. 2: Taisho Pharmaceutical RiUP X5 Plus Neo
Apply 1 ml twice a day to the scalp where hair loss is occurring
| Effect | Ingredient | Content (in 100ml) |
| Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression | Minoxidil | 5.0ℊ |
| Supports the growth of strong hair | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | 0.05g |
| Improves the environment for healthy hair growth and regulates the natural cycle of hair growth | Tocopherol acetate | 0.08g |
| Give a feeling of coolness | l-menthol | 0.3g |
| Reduce the itch | Diphenhydramine hydrochloride | 0.1g |
| Reduces inflammation such as redness and itching of the scalp and kills bacteria that tend to grow on the scalp | Glycyrrhetinic acid | 0.1g |
| Reduces dandruff and itching and promotes normalization of the scalp environment | Hinokitiol | 0.05g |
Taisho Pharmaceutical’s RiUP X5 Plus Neo is the first hair regrowth treatment containing 5% Minoxidil launched in Japan.
In addition to Minoxidil, it also contains blood circulation stimulating and anti-inflammatory ingredients for comprehensive scalp care.
No. 3: Rohto Ligro EX5
Apply 1 ml twice a day to the scalp where hair loss is occurring.
| Effect | Ingredient | Content (in 100ml) |
| Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression | Minoxidil | 5.0ℊ |
Rohto’s Ligro EX5 is a hair regrowth agent containing 5% Minoxidil.
It is expected to promote blood circulation in the scalp and help regrow hair follicles.
No. 4: Allogain 5
Apply 1 ml twice daily to the scalp where hair loss is occurring.
| Effect | Ingredient | Content (in 100ml) |
| Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression | Minoxidil | 5.0g |
Allogain 5 is a hair regrowth agent containing 5% Minoxidil and is considered to be highly effective, especially for patients with early-stage AGA.
The pinpoint nozzle allows direct application to the scalp without wasting the chemical solution.
To reduce irritation to the scalp, no preservatives, antioxidants, or other unnecessary additives are added.
The price range is also very reasonable.
(Other) Anfer Medicated Hair Growth Scalp Tonic (Nonmedicinal product)
Finally, we introduce a quasi-drug hair growth tonic, although it is not a pharmaceutical product.
It supports hair follicles to grow easily.
Twice a day, spray one push 5-10 cm away from the scalp.
| Effect | Ingredient |
| Reduces dandruff and itchiness | Dipotassium glycyrrhizate |
| Supports blood circulation to the scalp | DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate |
| Supports blood circulation to the scalp | tamasaki-tsuzurafuji alkaloid |
It contains eight types of scalp care ingredients, which are expected to promote blood circulation in the scalp and deliver nutrients to hair follicles, helping to prevent hair loss and improve the scalp environment.
Summary
There are a variety of over-the-counter drugs available for AGA treatment, but in order to find the right drug for you, it is important to first check whether it contains the right active ingredients for your thinning hair and hair loss symptoms.
Take advantage of over-the-counter medicines and medical institutions to prevent AGA!
コメント