Treatment costs for AGA (androgenetic alopecia) vary greatly depending on the treatment method, scope of treatment, and treatment period. Below is a guide to the costs for each common treatment method.
1. Oral and external medicines
Finasteride (Propecia)
- cost: About 3,000 yen to 10,000 yen per month
- overview: An oral medication taken once a day that suppresses the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and slows the progression of hair loss [56†source] [57†source].
Dutasteride (Zagaro)
- cost: Approximately 5,000 yen to 15,000 yen per month
- overview: Similar to finasteride, it is an oral drug that suppresses the production of DHT, and is expected to have a more powerful effect [55†source].
Minoxidil (Reup)
- cost: Approximately 5,000 yen to 8,000 yen per month
- overview: This is a topical medicine that can be applied directly to the scalp to promote blood circulation to the hair follicles and help hair growth [56†source].
2. Hair transplant surgery
FUT法（Follicular Unit Transplantation）
- cost: Approximately 500,000 yen to 1,500,000 yen for one surgery
- overview: A method in which a strip of skin is cut from the donor area and the hair follicles are isolated and transplanted [57†source].
FUE法（Follicular Unit Extraction）
- cost: Approximately 600,000 yen to 2,000,000 yen for one surgery
- overview: A method in which hair follicles are harvested one by one from the donor area and transplanted. The cost varies depending on the scope of the surgery and the number of hair follicles to be transplanted [55†source].
3. Other treatments
Saw palmetto supplement
- cost: Approximately 2,000 yen to 5,000 yen per month
- overview: A supplement used as a natural DHT inhibitor [56†source].
Laser treatment at medical institutions
- cost: Approximately 5,000 yen to 20,000 yen per session
- overview: A treatment that uses low-power lasers to stimulate hair growth. Usually multiple sessions are required [57†source].
4. Estimated total cost
- annual cost: Treatment costs for oral and external drugs are generally around 50,000 yen to 200,000 yen per year. Hair transplant surgery costs about 500,000 yen to 2 million yen for a single surgery.
Note
- Insurance coverage: Treatment for AGA is basically not covered by insurance, and you will have to pay the full amount yourself.
- Clinic selection: Treatment costs vary depending on the clinic, so it is important to compare costs at multiple clinics and choose a doctor you can trust.
References
- Healthline: Hair Loss Treatments
- WebMD: Finasteride (Propecia) for Hair Loss
- Mayo Clinic: Hair Loss Medications
- FDA: Beware of Fraudulent and Unsafe Hair Loss Treatments
