As men enter their 40s, this is the age at which thinning hair becomes a concern for men. Among these, androgenetic alopecia is particularly common in the 40s and 50s.
This androgenetic alopecia is caused by the male hormone DHT, which disrupts the hair growth cycle; unlike Male pattern boldness (AGA), this condition progresses mainly in the 40s and 50s age group.
This article details the symptoms and causes of androgenetic alopecia, how to self-check, and how to treat and improve it. It also introduces thinning hair and hair loss in women and summarizes measures to prevent thinning hair in one’s 40’s. If you are concerned about thinning hair in your 40’s, please read this article.
この記事で説明する内容は？
- What is Androgenetic alopecia?
- What causes Androgenetic alopecia?
- What is the difference between Androgenetic alopecia and Male pattern boldness (AGA)?
- How to Self-Check for Androgenetic alopecia
- How to treat and improve Androgenetic alopecia
- Is thinning or hair loss in women due to Androgenetic alopecia?
- Conclusion: Thinning hair in the 40s is a quick fix!
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 Androgenetic alopecia?
Alopecia areata progressiva is a progressive form of alopecia that appears mainly in men in their 40s to early 60s. It is believed to be caused by the weakening of hair matrix cells in the scalp due to the effects of male hormones.
According to the Japanese Dermatological Association’s 2017 statistics for male and female pattern baldness treatment guidelines, 30% of men in their 40s and more than 40% of men in their 50s and beyond suffer from androgenetic alopecia.
Symptoms of androgenetic alopecia
Symptoms of androgenetic alopecia are gradual thinning of hair, with hair loss beginning at the crown (top of the head) and frontal area (forehead).
The shape of the area where the hair falls out is likened to a letter of the alphabet and is called an O-shape, M-shape, or U-shape. The respective shapes are as follows.
O-shape
The hair gradually thins from the top of the head and then spreads to the entire head. In advanced cases, the top of the head may become almost hairless.
M-shape
It recedes from the hairline, leaving the middle from the frontal area. As it progresses, the left and right ends of the frontal area recede further, and the hair in the center may also become thinner.
U-shape
It recedes from the frontal hairline, but does not have the same residual growth as the M-shape. When it is not too advanced, it gives the impression of a slightly wider forehead.
As the disease progresses, the entire frontal area may become thinning or hairless.
The above symptoms may develop simultaneously, or hair loss may progress in different ways.
Since the progression and shape of hair loss varies from person to person, it is important to select a treatment method that is appropriate for each situation.
What causes Androgenetic alopecia?
A male hormone called testosterone is a major factor in androgenetic alopecia. Testosterone is known to cause thinning hair while also affecting the muscular body shape and the development of dark body hair.
The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), produced when testosterone is converted, inhibits hair growth; DHT causes thin, short hair to grow and fall out before it has grown fully.
As this condition continues, more hair falls out than grows in, and the hair progresses to thinning.
More thin, short hair falls out before it grows fully.
If this condition continues in many hairs, more hairs will fall out than grow, leading to thinning hair.
The more testosterone you have, the more likely you are to have thinning hair?
The age at which hair loss begins to switch on varies from person to person.
Generally, testosterone levels are higher when younger and decrease after the 40s. If testosterone levels were directly related to the onset of male pattern baldness, many people would suffer from alopecia when they were younger.
However, the number of people who develop alopecia actually increases with age. This indicates that the age at which the onset of hair loss occurs varies from person to person.
Stress and lifestyle also cause androgenetic alopecia
Stress and lifestyle disorders are causes of thinning and hair loss.
Smoking, unbalanced diets, and autonomic nervous system disturbances can cause hair follicles to not receive nutrients, leading to thinning and loss of hair.
A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of thinning and hair loss.
Common causes of thinning hair, including causes other than androgenetic alopecia, are discussed in the following articles.
What is the difference between Androgenetic alopecia and Male pattern boldness (AGA)?
Both androgenetic alopecia and Male pattern boldness (AGA) are symptoms of thinning hair, but there is a difference in the target age group.
Male pattern boldness (AGA) refers to all thinning hair symptoms that appear in men past puberty. On the other hand, androgenetic alopecia areata (AGA) refers to thinning hair symptoms among Male pattern boldness (AGA), especially for men in their 40s and 50s.
Alopecia areata (Male pattern boldness (AGA)) is a symptom of thinning hair among Male pattern boldness (AGA), especially targeting men in their 40s and 50s.
Typically, 95% of male thinning hair progresses from the top of the head and frontal area, and the majority of men in their 40s and 50s who suffer from thinning hair can be said to have androgenetic alopecia.
Symptoms, causes, and preventive measures for thinning hair caused by Male pattern boldness (AGA) are summarized in the following article.
How to Self-Check for Androgenetic alopecia
| Checklist | Description |
|---|---|
| A relative on my father’s side with thinning hair | If someone on the paternal side of the family has thinning hair, there may be a genetic component. |
| A relative on my mother’s side with thinning hair | There may also be a genetic component if a family member on the mother’s side of the family has thinning hair. |
| Hair is thinning | Gradual thinning of hair thickness is a sign of thinning hair. |
| Hair is losing its firmness | If your hair is losing elasticity and suppleness, it is a sign of thinning hair. |
| The forehead area is getting wider | If your hairline is receding and your forehead is getting wider, you may have thinning hair. |
| Thinning of hair on the top of the head | Gradual thinning of hair on the top of the head is a sign of thinning hair. |
| Thinning of hair on both the top of the head and forehead | Thinning of hair on both the top of the head and forehead may indicate a thinning of the hair. |
| Increased hair loss | If the amount of hair loss is increasing, the thinning of hair may have begun. |
If you are concerned about whether you have alopecia areata, check the above self-checklist regularly.
If even one of the above items applies to you, the possibility of androgenetic alopecia is suspected.
Of course, it varies from person to person, but if you are concerned, have your thinning hair checked by a doctor at an Male pattern boldness (AGA) clinic.
The following article explains how to perform a self-check for early symptoms of Male pattern boldness (AGA).
How to treat and improve Androgenetic alopecia
It is important to get a medical professional’s opinion on androgenetic alopecia.
A clinic specializing in hair loss should be able to suggest measures and treatments that are appropriate to the cause of the problem.
Nevertheless, lifestyle also greatly affects the effectiveness of treatment.
Below we describe how to treat and improve androgenetic alopecia.
Using oral medications
Two medications approved in Japan, Propecia and Zagallo, are also effective for androgenetic alopecia. These medications can stop the progression of thinning hair because they suppress the production of DHT, the cause of Male pattern boldness (AGA).
However, these oral medications carry a risk of side effects, so it is important to follow the correct dosage based on a doctor’s diagnosis and prescription.
Osaka Kato AGA Clinic specializes in medication treatment, so please feel free to contact us.
Propecia
Propecia suppresses the production of DHT, which is produced from testosterone, by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is produced by 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme present in the scalp, and is believed to prevent hair growth.
Zagallo
Zagallo suppresses DHT production by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase as does Propecia, but it is expected to have a stronger inhibitory effect. Therefore, it is considered to be highly effective in treatment.
Improve lifestyle habits
Lifestyle modifications are critical to the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Maintaining proper lifestyle habits can slow or improve the progression of thinning hair.
First, it is important to maintain a regular lifestyle. Spending time in an irregular lifestyle or in a stressful environment can exacerbate thinning hair. Try to lead a regular life and avoid accumulating stress.
Excessive lifestyle habits such as dieting and smoking can also cause thinning hair. Exercise in moderation and eat a well-balanced diet.
Good sleep also improves thinning hair. Lack of sleep can increase stress and disrupt hormonal balance, so be sure to get a good night’s sleep.
In addition, a nutritionally balanced diet can also improve thinning hair. Proper intake of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can promote hair growth. B vitamins, zinc, and iron are especially important nutrients.
Exercising
Once the rhythm of life is established, light exercise will stimulate blood circulation and ensure that sufficient nutrients are delivered to the hair.
Even if hair regrowth agents and hair growth agents inject nutrients into the hair from the outside, if they do not circulate within the body, they will just end up being worn.
It is important to circulate nutrients from within the body first.
Hair care
The following hair care habits are important to improve blood circulation in the scalp to maintain a healthy scalp.
- Do not use shampoos that overstimulate
- No perms and coloring within a short period of time
- Shampoo the right way
Careful brushing and a scalp oil massage once a week before shampooing are effective.
Head spa to promote blood circulation
Head spas are effective in cleansing the scalp, promoting blood circulation, and relaxing the body.
While there are limits to one’s own hair care, regular head spas are very effective in combating thinning hair and hair loss.
Thorough scalp cleansing and scalp massage by a professional will stimulate blood circulation, ensuring that nutrients reach the hair, which in turn increases the effectiveness of hair growth products.
Many people suffer from thinning or falling hair due to stress, so relaxing the body leads to overall health, not just the scalp.
Is thinning or hair loss in women due to Androgenetic alopecia?
Thinning hair and hair loss in women have different symptoms than androgenetic alopecia. Most thinning hair in women is called “diffuse alopecia,” and is characterized by the transparency of the split ends and the skin at the crown of the head.
Women’s hormone levels peak in their early 30s, and hormone imbalance causes hair loss and thinning. Pregnancy and childbirth may also cause a temporary increase in hair loss (postpartum alopecia), but it usually recovers spontaneously within a year or so.
Alopecia in women does not cause all the hair to fall out of the pores and the hair follicles to die as in men. It is characterized, however, by thinning of the hair and loss of volume.
Note long hair and same split ends.
Long hair tied up tight or kept in the same parting for long periods of time can also cause partial hair loss. This can be treated by regularly changing the hairstyle or parting of the hair.
Stress specific to women also causes thinning hair.
Stress specific to women can cause hair loss and thinning.
They may often experience stress in their lives as housewives, such as child rearing, family issues, and balancing work and marriage. Some people go through menopause.
Through proper hair care, diet changes, and stress reduction, thinning hair and hair loss can be improved in a relatively short period of time. However, if there is no improvement, we recommend that you visit a clinic specializing in hair loss treatment.
Osaka AGA Kato Clinic specializes in female thinning hair treatment, so please feel free to contact us.
Conclusion: Thinning hair in the 40s is a quick fix!
For men in their 40s and 50s, in addition to the onset of Male pattern boldness (AGA), the stress and overwork caused by their roles and positions in society can make it even more likely to progress.
Therefore, it is important to immediately start hair thinning and hair loss treatment if you notice short hair falling out frequently or if you feel that your hair has become thinner.
This will make the difference between the progression and recovery of thinning hair in the future.
The cost of treatment is minimal if the symptoms are addressed in the early stages.
Once Male pattern boldness (AGA) symptoms appear, recovery can be achieved by using Propecia, Zagarlo, or Minoxidil for early treatment.
Early consultation with a clinic specializing in hair loss treatment is recommended.
通院予約もLINEで
