Over 20 diseases cause loss of hair. Alopecia areata, male pattern hair loss, and female pattern hair loss are the most common. Under healthy condition, lymphocytes called T-cells attack foreign bodies such as virus, but T-cell attack hair follicles in alopecia areata. The causes of alopecia areata are unknown, but viral infection, trauma, hormonal change, and emotional/physical stress are said to be the one in some cases. In many cases, they occur with no known causes. Other causes include collagen diseases such as SLE, thyroid diseases such as Graves disease and Hashimoto disease, and skin lymphomas. To diagnose the cause of hair loss, blood test and skin biopsy may be performed.

If the patient claims that there has been a recent increase in hair fall, but there is not an obvious hair loss spot examined at the clinic, the management at the clinic is not possible and we refer you to the special clinic of the affiliated university hospital.

Commonly used therapy for alopecia areata include topical carponium chloride hydrate (brand name - Furozin solution 5%) ,topical steroid, and focal liquid nitrogen. Ancillary therapy include oral cepharanthine and combined monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, glycine, and DL - methionine (brand name - Glycyron). We do not provide immunotherapy using diphenylcyclopropenone (diphencyprone) and dinitrochlorobenzene.

For male pattern hair loss, oral dutasteride (which inhibits both isoforms (type I and II) of 5 alpha-reductase) and finasteride (which inhibits the action of type II 5α-reductase) are available, which are not covered by Japanese Health Insurance. We also offer Dermapen4, microneedling procedure for this condition, which is also not covered by Japanese Health Insurance (click here).

For female pattern hair loss, oral supplement tablets are used, which are not covered by Japanese Health Insurance. The medicine is available at an internet website. We also offer Dermapen4, microneedling procedure for this condition, which is also not covered by Japanese Health Insurance (click here).