When minoxidil or dutasteride is used, initial hair loss may appear.
Many people considering Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment feel uneasy when they hear the term “early hair loss”.
The purpose of Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment using minoxidil and dutasteride is to suppress the bad male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) to achieve a normal hair growth cycle.
Why does hair loss occur with Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment drugs that are intended to restore the normal hair growth cycle?
In this article, we will introduce the causal relationship between Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications and early hair loss, as well as what to do when early hair loss occurs.
Male pattern boldness (AGA) symptoms, causes, and preventive measures are summarized in the following article.
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Kentaro Kato, Hospital director of Osaka AGA Kato Clinic group, specializing in comprehensive hair treatment. We specialize in cutting-edge treatments for a variety of clinically proven effective treatments for thinning hair and hair loss. Graduated from Faculty of Medicine, Kinki University in 2001 Worked at plastic surgery of Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital as an anesthesiologist from 2001 to 2005. Worked as a head of plastic surgery at major cosmetic surgery, Hair Transplant Department from 2005 to 2011. Opened Osaka AGA Kato Clinic in 2011. Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Regular Member. The Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, Regular Member. World Academy of Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine, Regular Member.
What is early hair loss?
Early hair loss is a temporary increase in hair loss observed after the start of use of minoxidil, a drug frequently used in the treatment of Male pattern boldness (AGA). This situation can be a source of anxiety for many people.
Initial hair loss is a process of treatment and is generally considered a precursor to successful treatment. The reason for this is that minoxidil regulates the hair cycle and promotes hair follicles that were in the resting phase to the growth phase. Specifically, newly growing hair pushes out old hair within the hair follicle, which appears as temporary hair loss.
Correct knowledge is important because early hair loss is a major cause of regret in Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment.
Increased hair loss → Not a Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment failure
A common misconception among men in general, especially those just considering or beginning treatment, is the notion that treatment is failing because of increased hair loss. However, this increase in hair loss is a necessary phenomenon to stimulate new hair growth and, in the long run, leads to increased hair volume.
It means that the old hair is in the way of preparing the new hair for regrowth. Early hair loss is a common phenomenon in the process of Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment and is likely to indicate successful treatment. Understanding this information can help alleviate some of the anxiety in the early stages of treatment.
The following article explains why you may want to stop Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment due to ineffectiveness.
How early hair loss occurs with Minoxidil and Dutasteride
Why does early hair loss occur? This section introduces the mechanism by which early hair loss occurs.
In order to eliminate concerns about early hair loss, we will explain in detail the mechanism of action of the major Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications, minoxidil and dutasteride.
An overview of the typical types of Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications is provided in the following article.
Minoxidil
When the hair cycle is normalized by the use of minoxidil, the original thin, short hair is replaced by new, thicker hair. This process is the early hair loss caused by minoxidil and is a necessary step for hair weakened by Male pattern boldness (AGA) to return to a healthy state.
Minoxidil is a hair growth stimulating ingredient approved in over 90 countries. This ingredient promotes the production of thicker, longer hair by guiding hair in the resting phase of the hair cycle into the growth phase and further extending the growth phase.
Which is more likely to cause hair loss, oral or topical?
Early hair loss can occur with both oral and topical medications. In general, early hair loss tends to occur more strongly with oral medications, which take the active ingredients directly into the body.
The following article explains the risks associated with stopping medication immediately due to early hair loss and how to avoid them.
Dutasteride (Zagallo)
Early hair loss may occur as the hair cycle is regulated by the use of dutasteride (Zagallo) and the hair is transitioning from its previous thinning state to a healthy hair state.
Dutasteride inhibits the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, thereby reducing hair loss. This component reduces the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and normalizes the hair cycle by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase.
Unlike minoxidil, the mechanism of dutasteride does not directly stimulate hair matrix cells. Since early hair loss is more likely to occur when hair matrix cells are active, dutasteride treatment is unlikely to cause early hair loss.
Propecia (Finasteride)
Early hair loss may occur as the hair cycle is regulated by the use of Propecia (finasteride) and the hair is transitioned from its previous thinning state to a healthy hair state. However, since Propecia does not act directly on hair matrix cells, early hair loss is less likely to occur than with minoxidil.
Propecia (finasteride), like dutasteride, is a Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment that prevents the progression of thinning hair by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase and suppressing the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
By inhibiting the production of DHT, it corrects disturbances in the hair cycle and slows the progression of thinning hair. Because existing hair is maintained in a healthy state during this process, the incidence of early hair loss is relatively low.
How long does Early hair loss last? How long does it Fall out?
Symptoms of early hair loss vary from person to person, but it is generally reported that it occurs most often about 2 to 8 weeks after starting minoxidil use and lasts about 4 weeks thereafter.
After this period, the hair cycle stabilizes and hair loss due to early hair loss tends to decrease.
Again, early hair loss is not a sign that Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications are not working. Early hair loss is actually a temporary phenomenon that occurs during the process of new hair growth. If you are surprised by the early hair loss and discontinue the use of the treatment, the hair that was transitioning from the resting phase to the growth phase will return to the shortened hair cycle again, increasing the likelihood of recurrence of hair loss due to Male pattern boldness (AGA).
The duration of early hair loss also varies from person to person, but even the longest person will have it within about three months. If early hair loss persists for more than three months, we recommend that you consult a doctor at the Male pattern boldness (AGA) hair clinic that you attend.
Will it be time to remove hair twice?
Occasionally, some patients experience early hair loss due to minoxidil twice, or early hair loss at a later time. This hair loss occurs about 6 to 9 months after the start of treatment. Hair that once regrew but failed to grow sufficiently falls out.
Amount of hair that falls out in early hair loss
The amount of hair that falls out in early hair loss is not very large. In most cases, fine hair falls out in early hair loss. Therefore, even if hair loss occurs in early hair loss, it can be thought of as “a slight thinning of the hair.
Normal hair growth cycle
Male pattern boldness (AGA) symptoms have a lot to do with the hair growth cycle. What is the difference between a normal hair growth cycle and a hair growth cycle in which Male pattern boldness (AGA) symptoms tend to appear? The normal hair growth cycle is shown above.
- Growth phase: the hair bulb is active and the hair grows.
- Regressive phase: Hair bulb begins to regress.
- Dormant phase: complete degeneration of hair cells and hair loss
- Return to growth phase: new hair cells begin activity.
In the normal hair growth cycle, the growth phase lasts from 2 to 6 years; in Male pattern boldness (AGA), the growth phase ends after a few months to a year, and the hair bulb begins to regress.
Male pattern boldness (AGA) is a thinning hair symptom caused by a disruption of the hair growth cycle, and the cause of the disruption of the hair growth cycle is the bad male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Male pattern boldness (AGA) drugs such as Propecia and Dutasteride inhibit the increase of dihydrotestosterone and lead to a normal hair growth cycle.
5 ways to deal with Early hair loss When it occurs
Early hair loss is a sign of Male pattern boldness (AGA) improvement and evidence that the hair growth cycle is improving. However, many people are concerned by early hair loss. Therefore, we will introduce the correct way to deal with early hair loss when it occurs.
Review of lifestyle
A healthy body promotes healthy hair growth. Imbalanced diets, lack of sleep, and accumulated stress can have a negative impact on new hair growth.
Specifically, be aware of your vitamin and mineral intake and ensure that you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep.
When early hair loss occurs, excessive alcohol should be avoided. A little alcohol is fine, but excessive drinking encourages the production of DHT. Smoking also causes blood vessels to constrict, which may halve the effectiveness of Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications.
Alcohol and tobacco should be discouraged during Male pattern boldness (AGA) treatment.
Use of wigs and hats
During the period of early hair loss, “wigs” or hats may be used to make thinning hair less noticeable. Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications such as Propecia and Dutasteride take at least 6 months to improve thinning hair.
When early hair loss occurs, you may consider using a wig or hat.
Use a non-irritating shampoo.
When early hair loss occurs with Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications, it is recommended to use a shampoo that is less irritating. A shampoo that does not contain synthetic surfactants, such as an amino acid-based shampoo, is recommended.
Also, after shampooing, dry the scalp properly to prevent the growth of bacteria.
No excessive use of hair growth products
Some people use over-the-counter hair growth products because they are concerned when early hair loss occurs. There is nothing wrong with using hair growth products.
However, excessive use of ineffective hair growth products increases the possibility of deterioration of the scalp environment, so please be careful.
Scalp massage
Nutrients necessary for hair are carried by the blood. Therefore, it is recommended to promote blood flow through scalp massage.
It is advisable to make it a habit to gently massage the scalp during bath time, before going to bed, or any other relaxing time.
Summary: Early hair loss is Preparation for New hair growth.
Do not panic when early hair loss occurs with Male pattern boldness (AGA) medications.
However, hair loss is still stressful. If you lose a lot of thick hair, or if hair loss continues over a long period of time, feel free to consult a clinic.
Early hair loss is a sign of new hair growth. Prepare to welcome healthy hair by developing a regular lifestyle.
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