AGA Treatment
AGA Treatment in Tokyo
Omotesando · Male Pattern Hair Loss & Thinning Hair
5-minute walk from Omotesando Station, Exit A2 · By appointment only
Key points
- AGA (androgenetic alopecia, male pattern hair loss) is a progressive form of hair loss driven by DHT, a hormone derived from testosterone. It typically starts at the hairline or crown.
- At AFRODE CLINIC in Tokyo (Omotesando), treatment is built around medication approved in Japan (finasteride / dutasteride), combined where appropriate with scalp injections of growth factors or stem cell supernatant, based on a physician’s examination.
- As a guide: initial shedding around month one, first changes from about three months, clearer changes around six months, and maintenance from one year. Results vary between individuals.
- Self-pay care (not covered by Japanese public insurance). A 5-minute walk from Omotesando Station, Exit A2, by appointment only.
Androgenetic Alopecia
If you are looking for AGA and hair loss treatment in Tokyo, AFRODE CLINIC in Omotesando can help. AGA (androgenetic alopecia) is a pattern of hair loss, driven by male hormone activity, that mainly affects the hairline and the crown. Because it tends to progress over time, it is worth having a medical assessment as soon as you notice a change.
At AFRODE CLINIC in Omotesando, a physician examines you before any AGA treatment begins, to assess your condition and rule out other causes of hair loss. Based on this assessment, we propose a treatment plan that may combine oral medication with scalp injection treatment.
* Results vary between individuals. No specific outcome is guaranteed for everyone.
Concerns
Is This You?
- You feel your hairline, crown or the area around it has thinned compared with before
- You are shedding more hair than usual, or notice your hair becoming finer and softer
- Several people in your family have experienced hair loss, and you are concerned about how yours may progress
- Over-the-counter hair growth products or shampoos alone have not made a noticeable difference
- You would like to talk to a physician first, before deciding whether to start treatment
- You want to know about direct scalp approaches, not just oral medication
* Hair loss can have causes other than AGA. We assess your condition during consultation before determining whether treatment is appropriate.
What is AGA
What Is AGA?
AGA (androgenetic alopecia) is thought to progress when testosterone is converted by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which then binds to androgen receptors in the hair follicles on the scalp. In follicles affected by DHT, the “growth phase” — during which hair grows thick and long — is believed to gradually shorten, a process known as follicular miniaturisation, in which hair is progressively replaced by thinner, weaker strands (vellus-like hair).
Hair normally cycles through a growth phase, a regression phase and a resting phase. In AGA, the shortened growth phase means hair falls out before it can grow to its full thickness and length, so the crown and hairline gradually appear thinner overall. Its characteristic pattern is a receding hairline together with thinning at the crown, and without treatment it is understood to progress over time.
At the same time, AGA is not the only cause of thinning hair or hair loss. Conditions such as alopecia areata, thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency or undernutrition, and telogen effluvium associated with severe stress or lack of sleep can all cause hair loss through mechanisms different from AGA. Rather than judging by appearance alone, having a physician identify the cause is the first step in treatment.
Our Approach
Our Approach
AFRODE CLINIC is built around preventive medicine. For hair loss too, rather than simply prescribing medication, we begin with a medical interview and visual examination to check the pattern and course of your hair loss, and to rule out causes other than AGA — such as alopecia areata, thyroid dysfunction, nutritional status, or stress- and sleep-related telogen effluvium — before deciding on a treatment plan.
Blood tests are carried out when oral medication is being considered, or when the physician judges that other causes of hair loss or your general health need to be checked. They are not performed as a matter of routine for everyone; the decision is made individually based on your medical interview.
Sleep, nutrition and lifestyle are also thought to affect the condition of your hair. We do not treat hair loss as a scalp-only issue; our aim is for you to be able to discuss it from a preventive-medicine perspective that takes your whole lifestyle into account.
Treatment Options
Treatment Options
We offer three options: oral medication and two forms of scalp injection treatment. Depending on the outcome of your consultation, we may recommend one of these alone, or a combination.
| Treatment | Overview | Who it may suit | Typical time to assess effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral medication (finasteride / dutasteride) | Medication approved in Japan; a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that suppresses DHT production | Those who would like to start with oral medication as a first-line treatment | Generally assessed after around 6 months of continuous use |
| Scalp injection (growth factor cocktail) | An unapproved injectable formulation containing multiple growth factors, injected into the scalp | Those who want a direct scalp approach in addition to oral medication | Several sessions spaced a few months apart, with progress reviewed along the way |
| Scalp injection of stem cell supernatant | An unapproved treatment using cell-free stem cell culture supernatant, injected locally into the scalp | Those who want to address the scalp environment alongside other options | Several sessions spaced a few months apart, with progress reviewed along the way |
1. Oral Medication (Finasteride / Dutasteride)
Finasteride and dutasteride are both oral medications that suppress the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT. Finasteride mainly inhibits the type II form of the enzyme, while dutasteride inhibits both type I and type II; by reducing DHT production, both are expected to slow the progression of AGA. Both medications are approved in Japan and are indicated for AGA in men (they cannot be used by women or minors). The Japanese Dermatological Association’s 2017 clinical guideline for androgenetic and female pattern hair loss gives both a Grade A recommendation (strongly recommended) as oral treatment for AGA in men.
Oral medication is a treatment continued over multiple visits, with progress reviewed along the way. Where the physician judges it necessary, a blood test (for example, liver function) may be carried out.
2. Scalp Injection (Growth Factor Cocktail)
In this treatment, an injectable formulation containing multiple growth factors is delivered directly into the scalp using specialised equipment (a form of technique known as mesotherapy). Whereas oral medication suppresses DHT production throughout the body, scalp injection aims to act locally by delivering growth factors around the hair follicles. It is an option for those who feel oral medication alone is not enough, or who want a direct approach to the scalp. This formulation is an unapproved medication used in Japan, and treatment with it is self-pay care.
3. Scalp Injection of Stem Cell Supernatant
This treatment uses the supernatant — the fluid that remains after culturing stem cells, containing the growth factors and cytokines they secrete — injected locally into the scalp. Rather than administering the stem cells themselves (living cells), only the substances they secrete are used, making this a cell-free formulation. We use a formulation manufactured at a partner cell-processing facility in Japan, using only lots that have passed viral, sterility, endotoxin and mycoplasma testing. This formulation is an unapproved medication used in Japan, and treatment with it is self-pay care.
* Stem cell supernatant (a cell-free preparation derived from culture fluid) does not fall under “medical care using human cells” as defined by Japan’s Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, and is therefore outside the quality-control framework that Act establishes. As things stand, the quality of any given formulation depends on the practices of the manufacturing facility and the clinic providing it. We are happy to explain the quality-control measures for the formulation we use in more detail during your consultation.
Timeline
What to Expect: A Typical Timeline
AGA treatment works gradually, following the hair growth cycle. After starting oral medication, the typical course looks like this:
- Up to 1 monthInitial sheddingAs the hair cycle resets, some people notice a temporary increase in shedding (initial shedding). This is usually temporary. Please do not stop treatment on your own; talk to your physician instead. We check in at your one-month visit.
- Around 2 monthsMore body and firmnessSome people start to notice more body and firmness in individual hairs, for example that their hair is easier to style.
- Around 3 monthsFirst visible changesMany people begin to notice changes in hair volume or in how much scalp shows. We review your progress together.
- Around 6 monthsChanges become clearerThis is when many people find the changes easier to see. The Japanese Dermatological Association guideline also uses about six months as the point for assessing oral medication. Treatment is adjusted according to your progress.
- 1 year onwardMaintenance phaseTreatment moves into a maintenance phase to keep what has been achieved. Because pattern hair loss is progressive, stopping treatment may allow it to return. We plan a regimen you can realistically continue.
This timeline is a general guide only. The timing and degree of change vary between individuals, and not everyone will experience the same changes.
Start with a consultation: a physician will assess your hair and scalp and explain what you can realistically expect.
When We Recommend Scalp Injections
Alongside oral or topical treatment, we may suggest scalp injections (growth factor injections or stem cell supernatant scalp injections) if you:
- want to focus on encouraging growth in a specific area, such as the hairline or crown
- would like a more active approach to the scalp in addition to medication
- want to broaden your options while monitoring your progress on oral treatment
The formulations used for scalp injections are not approved in Japan. Please read the Important Notice above for details and risks. Suitability is decided by the physician at consultation.
Important Notice: Treatment Using Medications Not Approved in Japan
Our scalp injection treatments (growth factor cocktail and stem cell supernatant) are both self-pay care using medications that have not received approval under Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, and are therefore not covered by public health insurance. In accordance with the Japanese medical advertising guidelines, we provide the following information.
Scalp Injection (Growth Factor Cocktail)
- Unapproved status: This formulation has not received pharmaceutical approval in Japan.
- Route of acquisition: We use product obtained under the physician’s judgment, following the procedures required by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act.
- Availability of approved equivalents in Japan: No medication with the same ingredients and the same indication has been approved in Japan (approved oral medications for AGA, such as finasteride and dutasteride, do exist separately).
- Safety information from other countries: Scalp injection using growth factors (mesotherapy) is offered as self-pay care in a number of countries. Approval status varies by country and by product, and the events listed under “Side Effects and Risks” below have been reported.
- Principal risks and side effects: Please see “Side Effects and Risks” below.
Scalp Injection of Stem Cell Supernatant
- Unapproved status: Stem cell culture supernatant has not received pharmaceutical approval in Japan.
- Route of acquisition: We use a formulation manufactured, under the physician’s judgment, at a cell-processing facility in Japan.
- Availability of approved equivalents in Japan: No medication with the same ingredients and the same indication has been approved in Japan.
- Safety information from other countries: The US FDA has stated that no stem cell-derived exosome or supernatant product has been approved, that products intended to treat disease require premarket approval, and that it has received reports of adverse events, including serious infections, following administration of unapproved products of this kind.
- Principal risks and side effects: Please see “Side Effects and Risks” below.
* Both of the treatments above are self-pay care and are not covered by Japanese public health insurance. The full cost is borne by the patient, and neither treatment is intended to treat a specific disease.
* As a general guide, treatment is given as several sessions spaced a few months apart, with progress reviewed at consultation; details are advised individually.
* Before using an unapproved medication, the physician provides an individual explanation, and treatment proceeds only with your consent.
Side Effects & Risks
Side Effects and Risks
Oral Medication (Finasteride / Dutasteride)
- Sexual side effects such as reduced libido or erectile dysfunction
- Liver dysfunction
- Depressive symptoms
- Initial shedding (a temporary increase in hair loss after starting treatment; this is understood to be related to changes in the hair growth cycle, but its exact frequency is not well established)
- Reduced PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level (these medications are understood to roughly halve PSA levels; please always tell your doctor that you are taking this medication before having a prostate cancer screening)
- Caution around contact with women and children (this medication contains an ingredient that pregnant women must not come into contact with; please make sure broken tablets are not handled by women or children)
- Restrictions on blood donation (please refrain from donating blood for at least 1 month after stopping finasteride, or at least 6 months after stopping dutasteride)
Scalp Injection (Growth Factor Cocktail / Stem Cell Supernatant)
- Pain, swelling, redness or bruising at the injection site
- Headache or a sense of discomfort
- Infection (a general risk associated with injection procedures)
- Allergic reaction
- The possibility of long-term effects that are not yet identified, given the use of unapproved formulations
- The possibility that no change will occur (a result is not guaranteed for everyone)
If you experience any symptom that is unusual or more severe than expected, whether while taking oral medication or after a scalp injection treatment, please contact us promptly.
* The above lists the principal risks and is not exhaustive. Full details are explained by the physician at consultation.
Contraindications
Who Should Not Receive This Treatment
If any of the following applies to you, treatment may not be possible, or particularly careful judgment may be required. Please be sure to tell us at your consultation if you think any of these may apply to you.
- Women and minors (oral medication is intended for adult men only)
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or whose partner is trying to conceive (this medication contains an ingredient that pregnant women must not come into contact with)
- Those with severe liver dysfunction
- Those with a history of allergy to any ingredient in this medication
- Those planning a prostate cancer screening (this affects PSA levels; please tell your doctor in advance that you are taking this medication)
- Those planning to donate blood (after stopping oral medication, an interval of at least 1 month for finasteride, or at least 6 months for dutasteride, is required)
- Those with infection, inflammation or a skin condition on the scalp (for scalp injection treatment)
- Those taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication (for scalp injection treatment; bruising may be more pronounced)
- Those with a history of depressive symptoms
* Even if none of the above applies to you, we may advise against treatment based on the findings at consultation.
Flow
Your Treatment Journey
- 01EnquireSend us a message through the enquiry form, by email or via Instagram DM. No referral is needed.
- 02ConsultationA physician reviews your history and examines your scalp and hair, orders blood tests where needed, and explains the expected course, side effects, risks and costs.
- 03Start treatmentOnce you are comfortable, treatment begins. Oral or topical medication is prescribed, and scalp injections can be given the same day or later if suitable.
- 04One-month visitWe check for initial shedding and side effects, and answer any concerns you have.
- 053- and 6-month visitsWe review your progress together and adjust treatment, including whether to add injections.
- 06From one yearWe plan your maintenance treatment and agree a visit schedule that suits you, including if you live overseas.
Why AFRODE CLINIC
AGA Treatment in Omotesando — Why AFRODE CLINIC
A physician identifies the cause at consultation
Rather than judging by appearance alone, our physicians ask about the pattern and course of your hair loss and your medical history, and assess your condition — including the possibility of hair loss other than AGA or FAGA — before proposing a treatment plan.
A preventive-medicine perspective, beyond the scalp itself
As a preventive medicine clinic, we consider blood tests where needed, together with sleep, nutrition and lifestyle, and start by discussing with you whether treatment is even necessary.
Beyond oral medication, injection treatment is also an option
In addition to oral and topical treatment, we offer scalp injection of growth factors and scalp injection of stem cell supernatant, depending on your condition. We also offer stem cell supernatant IV therapy.
5 minutes from Omotesando Station, by appointment only
A 5-minute walk from Exit A2 of Omotesando Station on the Tokyo Metro. Treatment takes place in a private, appointment-only setting, so you can talk to us without concern for those around you. AGA treatment may be booked without a referral.
Consultation
What We Check During Consultation
- Medical interview: we ask when you first noticed hair loss or thinning and how it has progressed, your family history, past medical history, any medication you are currently taking, and lifestyle factors such as sleep and diet. For women, we also ask about pregnancy and menstrual history.
- Examination of the scalp and hair: the physician checks the extent and pattern of hair loss (hairline, crown, parting, and so on) and the condition of the scalp.
- Blood tests where needed: carried out when thyroid function, anaemia (iron levels) or another factor beyond the scalp is suspected, or when the physician judges a check is needed before starting oral medication.
- Explanation of treatment: we explain what can be expected from each treatment, the side effects and risks, the typical timeframe, and the cost, and begin treatment only once you are satisfied.
Access
Access from Omotesando Station
AFRODE CLINIC
BASE Jingumae B1F, 3-5-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
5-minute walk from Exit A2 of Omotesando Station, Tokyo Metro · By appointment only
Located in the Omotesando / Aoyama area, within easy reach of Harajuku, Meiji-jingumae and Shibuya. Please check our clinic information for opening hours.
Medical Supervision
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Shotaro Michishita (Representative Physician, AFRODE CLINIC; neurosurgeon)
2015 Graduated, The Jikei University School of Medicine
2017 Department of Neurosurgery, The Jikei University Hospital
2021 Founded AFRODE CLINIC
The medical content of this page has been reviewed by Dr. Shotaro Michishita. Last reviewed: September 2026
Our team
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About AGA Treatment
Q1. How soon after starting treatment might I notice a change?
As a general guide, some people notice temporary initial shedding in the first month; more body and firmness from around two months; first visible changes in volume from around three months; and clearer changes by around six months. From about one year, treatment moves into a maintenance phase. Results vary between individuals, and not everyone will experience the same changes.
Q2. What happens if I stop treatment?
The suppression of DHT achieved by oral medication is thought to be maintained only while treatment continues. If you stop, DHT activity that had been suppressed resumes, and over time the condition is understood to return to how it would otherwise have progressed. Please discuss whether to continue at your consultation.
Q3. What is “initial shedding”? Does it always happen?
This term refers to a temporary increase in hair loss after starting treatment. It is understood to occur as the hair growth cycle changes, but it does not happen to everyone, and its exact frequency is not well established. It is usually temporary, but please raise it at consultation if it concerns you or continues for a long time.
Q4. What side effects should I be aware of?
With oral medication, reported effects include sexual side effects such as reduced libido or erectile dysfunction, liver dysfunction, depressive symptoms, initial shedding and reduced PSA levels. With scalp injection treatment, possible effects include pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site, infection, and allergic reaction. Full details are explained individually by the physician at consultation.
Q5. I heard this affects PSA levels — do I need to mention it at a health check-up?
Yes. Both finasteride and dutasteride are known to roughly halve PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels. If you have a PSA test as part of a prostate cancer screening or general health check-up, please always tell the doctor that you are taking this medication. Without that information, your PSA level may be read as lower than it really is, which could delay the detection of prostate cancer.
Q6. Does this affect blood donation?
Yes. You will need to wait at least 1 month after stopping finasteride, or at least 6 months after stopping dutasteride, before donating blood. This is because if donated blood containing these medication-related substances were given to a pregnant woman, it could potentially affect a male foetus.
Q7. Is it safe to continue oral medication if I am trying to conceive, or if my partner is pregnant?
The medication itself is taken by the man alone, but it contains an ingredient that pregnant women must not come into contact with, so please make sure your partner does not handle any broken tablets. If you have any concern about fertility or pregnancy, please raise it with the physician at consultation.
Q8. Is this covered by insurance? How much does it cost?
AGA treatment is self-pay care; it is not covered by public health insurance, and the full cost is borne by the patient. Fees vary depending on the treatment, so we provide individual pricing information at your consultation.
Q9. Is women’s hair loss (FAGA) treated differently?
Yes, it is different. Finasteride and dutasteride are treatments for AGA in men and cannot be used by women. For women’s hair loss (FAGA), we combine a different set of oral, topical and injection treatments. For more information, please see our FAGA treatment page.
Q10. How long does the first visit take?
The first visit includes a medical interview, examination of the scalp and hair, and an explanation of treatment, so the time required varies depending on what is involved. Please allow extra time, as a blood test may also be carried out.
Q11. How often will I need to visit?
Oral medication is managed through regular consultations and prescriptions to review your progress. Scalp injection treatment is typically given as several sessions spaced a few weeks to about a month apart. We will advise the specific schedule at your consultation.
Q12. I am currently receiving AGA treatment elsewhere — can I transfer to AFRODE CLINIC?
Yes, please feel free to consult us. Please bring something that shows the name and duration of any medication you are currently taking (such as a medication notebook or the medication itself). The physician will review your history with you and decide on the appropriate treatment.
Q13. How do I get to the clinic from Omotesando Station?
It is a 5-minute walk from Exit A2 of Omotesando Station on the Tokyo Metro, at BASE Jingumae B1F. As we operate by appointment only, please book in advance before visiting.
Evidence
References
- Japanese Dermatological Association, Committee for Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia and Female Pattern Hair Loss. Clinical Practice Guideline for Androgenetic Alopecia and Female Pattern Hair Loss 2017. The Japanese Journal of Dermatology 2017;127(13):2763-2777. (In Japanese.)
- Mella JM, Perret MC, Manzotti M, Catalano HN, Guyatt G. Efficacy and safety of finasteride therapy for androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review. Arch Dermatol 2010 Oct;146(10):1141-1150.
- Zhou Z, Song S, Gao Z, Wu J, Ma J, Cui Y. The efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating men with androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Interv Aging 2019;14:399-406.
- Japanese package inserts for finasteride tablets and dutasteride capsules.
Booking Inquiry
Ask Us About AGA Treatment
AGA treatment may be booked without a referral. A physician always carries out a consultation before treatment begins, and will explain suitability, risks and cost. Send us a short message below and we will reply in English by email.
You can also reach us at procurement@mwp.work or by Instagram DM.
AFRODE CLINIC — BASE Jingumae B1F, 3-5-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan (5-minute walk from Omotesando Station, Exit A2)
Hours & Access