Popular AGA Treatments Abroad: Options, Effectiveness, and What to Know Before Treatment

AGA treatment has become more accessible in Japan as well.

From AGA medications and treatment methods to the service provided by clinic staff, AGA treatment in Japan is improving day by day.

There are also AGA treatment clinics overseas that specialize in this field.

Recently, there have been many reports of problems arising from undergoing AGA treatment abroad.

However, this does not mean that the standard of AGA treatment overseas is low.

In fact, some countries are more advanced in AGA treatment than Japan.

So, is it possible to undergo AGA treatment safely overseas?

What kinds of risks might be lurking at overseas AGA treatment clinics?

In this article, we’d like to introduce the issues and precautions to keep in mind when undergoing AGA treatment overseas.

AGA Treatments Gaining Attention Overseas

Many of the AGA treatments and medications used in Japan are developed overseas.

For example, this applies to AGA medications such as minoxidil and Zagallo.

It’s fair to say that AGA treatment technologies in some developed countries are more advanced than those in Japan.

I’d like to introduce some of the latest AGA treatments that are popular overseas.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy

It’s still fresh in everyone’s memory when former Major League Baseball player Masahiro Tanaka made headlines for using PRP therapy to treat a ligament injury.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy involves extracting “PRP” from the patient’s own blood and injecting it into the areas affected by AGA.

The mechanism works by promoting hair regrowth through the body’s own regenerative capabilities.

Depending on the individual’s constitution, it takes at least six months to see results.

Because it uses the patient’s own blood, it is sometimes called “vampire therapy.”

Since PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is expensive, it is said that it will take time for it to become widely adopted as a standard AGA treatment in Japan.

Hair Transplantation: “FUT Method” and “FUE Method”

One of the most popular AGA treatments overseas is hair transplantation.

Overseas, the “FUT method” and the “FUE method” appear to be the mainstream procedures.

The “FUT method” involves using a scalpel to remove a strip of scalp containing hair and transplanting it to the area of thinning hair.

On the other hand, the “FUE method” involves extracting individual hair follicles and transplanting them to the patient’s thinning areas.

With the FUE method, the doctor determines the number of grafts to transplant—typically ranging from 1 to 4 hairs per graft—based on the patient’s physical constitution and overall health.

Overseas, the FUT method, which involves transplanting a strip of scalp, and the FUE method, which involves transplanting hair follicles one by one, appear to be the most popular options for hair transplantation.

The following article provides a detailed explanation of hair transplantation procedures, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Laser treatment

This treatment involves applying low-level laser therapy to areas of thinning hair to stimulate blood vessels and improve blood circulation, ensuring that the scalp receives sufficient nutrients.

While this treatment appears to be popular overseas, many experts believe that laser therapy alone is unlikely to effectively treat hair loss.

Medication

AGA treatments using Zagallo and minoxidil, which are used in Japan, also seem to be popular overseas.

Since AGA treatments were developed overseas—in countries such as the United States—medications like Zagallo and Minoxidil seem to be widely recognized.

In addition to the treatments mentioned above, there are many other effective AGA treatments used overseas.

However, it appears that many people have experienced health issues or further hair loss after undergoing AGA treatment abroad.

What kinds of risks are associated with AGA treatment overseas?

The Risks of AGA Treatment Abroad

The level of care and treatment methods for AGA vary from country to country.

However, there isn’t much difference between Japan and other countries in terms of treatment methods or the types of AGA medications used.

Even when the same medications or procedures as in Japan are used, you may not achieve the desired results.

What are the reasons for failure when undergoing AGA treatment overseas?

Issues with AGA medications

In some cases, overseas clinics prescribe the same medications as those used in Japan—such as “finasteride (Propecia)” and “minoxidil”—to treat AGA.

While it is believed there is no issue with receiving AGA treatment at an overseas clinic if the medications are the same, the problem seems to lie not in the type of medication but in the “concentration” of the AGA treatment drugs.

The concentration of finasteride prescribed at Japanese AGA treatment clinics is typically around 1–5%.

In contrast, the concentration of finasteride overseas is said to be approximately four times that of Japan, ranging from 7–16%.

The concentration of finasteride in Japan is designed to minimize the likelihood of side effects.

This means that using high-concentration finasteride overseas increases the likelihood of experiencing severe side effects.

Here are the main side effects of finasteride.

• Low blood pressure
• Arrhythmia
• Decreased libido
• Hirsutism

It seems that many people experience health problems after using finasteride purchased overseas.

The side effects of Propecia are as follows.

• Decreased libido
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Loss of appetite
• Mood disorders
• Liver dysfunction

The side effects of Zagallo are as follows.

• Decreased libido
• Ejaculation disorders
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

The ingredients and concentrations of AGA medications vary by country.

If you are Japanese, we recommend using AGA medications prescribed by domestic AGA treatment clinics.

You should exercise caution when using AGA medications prescribed by overseas clinics, as they are more likely to cause severe side effects.

Autologous hair transplantation

Autologous hair transplantation is a treatment in which the patient’s own hair (primarily from the back of the head) is transplanted to areas of thinning hair.

Because autologous hair transplantation places a significant burden on the patient, it is typically performed by patients who have not seen results from monotherapy or combination therapy using Zagallo or minoxidil.

The following article explains the different types of hair transplant treatments and compares autologous hair transplantation with artificial hair transplantation.

Popular methods for treating male pattern baldness (AGA) overseas include “hair transplants” such as the FUT and FUE techniques.

Many people overseas believe that hair transplants deliver immediate results, and some even choose to start their AGA treatment with this procedure.

One reason for the popularity of hair transplants is that, since the patient’s own hair is transplanted, the risk of rejection is lower than with artificial hair transplants.

The benefits of hair transplants are as follows.

1. A temporary increase in hair volume
2. There are fewer rejection reactions compared to artificial hair transplants
3. Less susceptible to the effects of dihydrotestosterone

The disadvantages of hair transplantation using your own hair are as follows:

1. There is a limit to the amount of hair that can be transplanted
2. Transplanted hair does not always take root
3. It is more expensive than other AGA treatments
4. The quality of treatment varies depending on the doctor’s skill

When considering hair transplantation abroad, it is important to pay close attention to the surgeon’s technical skill.

There have been reports of cases where hair transplantation using the FUT method—which involves harvesting scalp tissue—failed, resulting in even more noticeable hair thinning.

Even at AGA treatment clinics in Japan, hair transplantation requires a high level of technical skill.

Since hair transplants are expensive, many people are considering undergoing the procedure at AGA treatment clinics or cosmetic surgery clinics overseas, where costs are lower than in Japan.

A Comparison of AGA Treatment Costs in Japan and Overseas

How much does the cost of AGA treatment differ between clinics in other countries and those in Japan?

Using clinics in neighboring South Korea as an example, I’d like to compare the cost-effectiveness of AGA treatment there with that in Japan.

Common AGA treatment methods and costs in South Korea

Cosmetic surgery has become so commonplace in South Korea that the country is often referred to as a “cosmetic surgery powerhouse.”

Technologies for treating male pattern baldness (AGA) have also advanced in South Korea.

The most popular AGA treatment in South Korea is “hair transplantation.”

It appears that hair transplantation costs are lower at AGA treatment clinics in South Korea.

Below is an overview of the typical costs for hair transplantation at AGA treatment clinics in South Korea.

• FUT Method: 500,000 yen + 50,000 yen (airfare, accommodation, and other expenses) = approximately 550,000 yen
• FUE Method: 600,000 yen + 50,000 yen (airfare, accommodation, and other expenses) = approximately 650,000 yen

Average costs for AGA treatment in Japan

The average cost of hair transplantation in Japan is said to range from 700,000 to 1,500,000 yen (costs vary depending on the procedure).

For a detailed comparison of hair transplantation techniques and an explanation of costs, please refer to the article below.

Some people may feel that Japanese AGA treatment clinics are slightly more expensive compared to hair transplant costs in South Korea.

In Japan, AGA treatment often begins with “monotherapy” using Zagarro or Minoxidil.

It is generally understood that monotherapy or combination therapy requires at least six months to show results.

Monotherapy and combination therapy place less of a financial burden on patients, and at reputable clinics, the cost of AGA treatment can be kept reasonable.

Below, we outline the treatment costs at reputable AGA treatment clinics in Japan.

The oral medication that many people start with costs between approximately 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen per month.

Average treatment cost required to improve thinning hair: 10,000 yen × 6 months = approximately 60,000 yen

The following article explains the general cost range for AGA treatment and ways to keep costs down.

Points to Consider When Undergoing AGA Treatment at a Clinic Abroad

It’s not that all overseas AGA treatment clinics lack technical expertise.

The issue seems to lie in the fact that the treatment is being received overseas.

I would like to outline the potential issues and precautions to keep in mind when seeking treatment at an overseas AGA clinic.

Post-treatment aftercare is difficult

The biggest issue with receiving AGA treatment overseas is “post-treatment aftercare.”

Clinics in South Korea offer hair transplants at lower prices than Japanese AGA treatment clinics.

The problem is that the cost of hair transplant treatment in South Korea may not include fees for aftercare services.

When undergoing a hair transplant at a Japanese AGA treatment clinic, patients receive comprehensive aftercare, including regular check-ups to monitor their overall health and the condition of their scalp.

It appears that many people who undergo hair transplants overseas experience abnormalities in their scalp or hair after returning home.

Even if you consult a Japanese AGA treatment clinic about physical or scalp issues arising from overseas treatment, it may take time for the condition to improve.

Consequently, many people seem to feel that it would have been better to have the hair transplant performed in Japan.

When considering advanced procedures such as hair transplants, it is advisable to consult a Japanese AGA treatment clinic with a proven track record and comprehensive aftercare services.

Language barrier

Even if you find a well-known clinic overseas and travel there for treatment, there is a chance it may not be successful.

The language barrier appears to be a major cause of failure in AGA treatment.

Some people say it is difficult to explain their specific hair loss issues to overseas doctors in a way that is clearly understood.

Recently, some overseas AGA treatment clinics have staff who speak Japanese.

Additionally, some people ask tour interpreters to request treatment on their behalf at the clinic.

However, due to differences in language and expression, the treatment method may not be conveyed effectively, and it seems many people have experienced failure with overseas AGA treatment.

Get AGA treatment at an AGA clinic in Japan!

There have been various issues with AGA treatment overseas, haven’t there?

AGA medications used overseas, such as Zagarro and Minoxidil, have different concentrations than those in Japan, which can lead to more severe side effects.

It seems that language barriers often get in the way of AGA treatment overseas, resulting in many cases of treatment failure.

Before considering AGA treatment overseas, we recommend seeking treatment at an AGA clinic in Japan with a proven track record.