THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Minoxidil is one of only two treatments proven to prevent and reverse hair loss and it can be used successfully by both men and women.

Minoxidil is a liquid or cream applied to the scalp once or twice a day and is a vasodilator which means it works by increasing the blood circulation to the areas of application. Although there are many other vasodilators out there, minoxidil is the only one that has been found to prevent hair loss and increase hair growth.

Following a large-scale clinical study carried out by a US pharmaceutical company, minoxidil is one of only two treatments that are licensed for the prevention of hair loss in both the UK and USA. In the UK it’s been licensed by the MHRA and in the US minoxidil has been ‘FDA approved’ – The MHRA and FDA are the government medical regulatory bodies in the UK and USA respectively so unlike with many of the supplemental hair loss products, you can be sure that minoxidil works.

In the clinical trials for minoxidil, 65% of men maintained or increased their hair count and 2 out of three women re-grew hair.

There are many other advertised treatments that claim to re-grow hair but the fact is minoxidil is one of only two that has been clinically proven to do so. The other is Propecia and it’s only available to men.

Unless a product has been licensed by the MHRA or approved by the FDA there is no way of knowing if the product actually works. Many make exaggerated claims about hair growth which they are not authorised to make so it’s easy to be misled. More information and reviews on most of the unlicensed products (and the licensed ones) can be found on our hair loss product reviews page.

The Belgravia Centre produces minoxidil in a 4% or 5% solution and also produces an extra-strength minoxidil 12.5% cream. They also add booster products that might help to block Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is the fundamental cause of the most common form of hair loss – androgenetic alopecia, also known as genetic hair loss.

Side Effects

When a clinical study is carried out, any side effects must be recorded. Side effects from Minoxidil ranged from mild facial hair growth, headaches, rashes and palpitations. All were mild and needed no medical treatment and either diminished in a short time during use, or shortly after stopping Minoxidil.

Getting the best out of Minoxidil

Although minoxidil can be an effective treatment if used alone, Belgravia’s hair loss specialists have found after treating thousands of hair loss sufferers that there are ways of vastly improving its effects. As already mentioned, the Belgravia Centre combines its minoxidil with DHT blockers. These DHT blockers are unproven for hair loss but they may help to ensure the extra blood being delivered to the follicles is hair friendly blood.

Men can combine minoxidil with Propecia. This combination forms the most effective treatment basis for hair loss available.

Then there’s the HairMax LaserComb. The LaserComb is also acknowledged by the FDA – it’s the only device to have been FDA cleared for hair loss prevention.

And although there is no firm evidence to indicate that a hair loss supplement can individually aid in the prevention of hair loss, it’s useful to use one alongside the proven treatments in order to maximise results. Hair Vitalics is an example of a hair supplement that contains numerous ingredients that will help to maintain and improve the condition of the hair and aims give hair growth that extra push. Please note: We never recommend Hair Vitalics or any other supplement to be used individually for the treatment of hair loss as there is no significant evidence that any will be significantly effective.

Where’s the Evidence?

Hundreds of before after photos of actual combination treatment course users can be found on belgraviacentre.com. These will give you an idea of the results that can be expected from the use of the right combination of hair loss treatments to suit each individual. You will also find video diaries of treatment users, as well as more videos and a wealth of information regarding each of the proven hair loss treatments and most of the unproven treatments, and many other topics related to hair loss.

If you’re losing your hair there’s no need to be worried. As long as you seek the right advice and catch it early as possible, it’s most likely that your hair loss can be stopped.

To arrange a free consultation at The Belgravia Centre you can call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively you can complete and submit an online diagnostic form for an effective treatment course by mail.

Search for ‘hair loss treatments’ on the internet and you’re likely to hear loads of rave reviews about Propecia. It’s the first and only pill to treat male pattern baldness and only available via prescription. But despite being clinically proven and medically approved, some doctors are still hesitant to prescribe Propecia as there have been no ten years studies regarding its long-term safety. Yet there is ample evidence that Propecia is a safe and effective hair loss treatment.

Propecia was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997, and it is also approved by the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Its efficacy and safety was originally demonstrated in three one-year, double blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trials involving 1,879 men aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss on the vertex and anterior mid-scalp areas. After more than ten years of being medically approved as a treatment for hair loss, there have been no reports of serious long term side effects as a result of using the 1mg, one-a-day treatment.

Investigational extension studies were also carried out following Propecia’s approval as a treatment for male pattern baldness. Results showed a difference of 277 hairs in a one-inch diameter of the scalp in favour of men treated with Propecia, a stabilisation of hair loss in nine out of 10 of users, and hair re-growth for 48% of users. The five-year study, the longest controlled clinical trial of a hair loss treatment ever reported, provided not only long-term scientific data of Propecia’s effectiveness, but also confirmed the excellent safety profile of Propecia.

Yet in March 2003, the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter suggested cutting the standard 1mg dose into quarters because it was concerned about Propecia’s long-term safety. However a 5mg dose of finasteride (Propecia’s key ingredient), was initially approved by the FDA in 1992 under the branded name Proscar for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). A subsequent long-term, follow-up study of finasteride 5mg per day during a 10-year period found that the drug was well tolerated, with no new adverse experiences occurring with increased duration of exposure.

Extensive clinical studies proved that Propecia, with just 1mg of finasteride, could safely and effectively treat male pattern baldness. Additionally, the FDA states that studies have confirmed a 1mg dose has greater benefits than a 0.2mg dose, and that doses of 0.01mg per day are ineffective in treating hair loss.

The British National Formulary (BNF), a joint publication of the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, aims to provide prescribes, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with sound, up-to-date information about the use of medicines. The BNF recommends Propecia 1mg as an effective dose to treat male pattern baldness and any less is not sufficient to affect the problem.

Some men (and doctors), are concerned about Propecia’s side effects. However, clinical studies showed that they were uncommon and had no long term effects. In the first year of clinical studies, noted side effects included less desire for sex (1.8% vs. 1.3% on placebo), difficulty in achieving an erection (1.3% vs. 0.7%) and a decrease in the amount of semen (0.8% vs. 0.4%). All side effects disappeared in men who stopped the treatment because of them, and by the end of the fifth year, the incidence of those side effects was less than 0.3% in men who continued treatment. 

Propecia can also affect PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test outcomes so you need to tell your doctor if you’re taking the pill and being screened for prostate cancer. But Propecia has a very short half-life which means once you stop taking it, it should be out of your system in seven days.

Further Reading:
Propecia vs. Procerin vs. Provillus
Best Treatment for a Widow’s Peak
Propecia Found to Reduce Cancer Risk
Propecia Success Stories and How to Get Better Results

FAQs:
Does Generic Propecia Work the Same Way as a Branded one?
My Doctor Told Me Not to Use Propecia
DHT and Propecia in Adult Males

“Fantastic results after just 3 months which far exceeded my expectations.”

Anon

Diagnosis: Male Pattern Hair Loss

 
Month 1                               Month 3

If the thought of losing your hair seems somewhat unfair, you may find small respite in knowing that another seven out of ten of your friends will be heading down the same path and they probably have the same enthusiasm about the prospect as you. Some will probably accept their hair loss and take it in their stride, some might shave their heads to get in early and cheat baldness and some might look to hair loss treatments to keep a receding hairline in check. Let’s take a look at three male celebrity examples who have each taken a different route to deal with their hair loss…

Evan Handler

Most men lose their hair to male pattern baldness but it’s likely that few would know that Sex and the City’s Harry Goldenblatt actually lost his hair when he was 24 years-old during a battle with a deadly form of leukaemia.

There are some cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, that can cause temporary hair loss. There’s a high chance of hair growth after treatment but occasionally some aren’t so lucky. Temporary hair loss like that caused by cancer treatments can also trigger male pattern baldness in those who would have eventually encountered it somewhere down the line. Hair loss treatments may be able to help in such cases but the Californication star, who used to wear wigs, eventually came to accept his new appearance.

“I hoped my hair would grow back for a long time, but when it became clear that it would not, I shaved off whatever grew there,” he said. “I am now known for the way that I look.”

Handler is now completely bald and cancer-free, and surely when you’re fighting for your life you come out of it realising that hair loss isn’t the end of the world.

Billy Zane

Now, if this Titanic star thinks for a minute that we’re fooled into believing he shaves his head for aerodynamic reasons he’s sadly mistaken.

Zane may be an avid swimmer, but when he started shaving his head in 1997, he appeared to be a classic example of a man trying to cheat baldness rather than one who was simply passionate about his hobby. He still sometime wears a wig for certain roles but out of character he usually sports a very commanding bald look. And it suits him.

Wayne Rooney

Perhaps the most publicised celeb to have taken up the use of Propecia is Manchester United’s striker. Wayne Rooney’s hair loss made headlines so it’s no wonder he felt insecure about his receding hairline.

The 23 year-old is not alone however, in fact hair loss is becoming increasingly common among younger men. Many feel the same hesitation about losing their hair and a lot of them turn to hair loss treatments, like Propecia, to stabilise and reverse the effects.

We can see in the papers and on TV that Rooney’s hair problem is well under control and there are many similar success stories like his that you may not hear about, as more people are now beginning to realise that there are clinically proven hair loss treatments that can help them out.

For a greater understanding about hair loss and to find out more about what can be done, contact the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or send an email. If you like a fast and convenient way to gain personalised advice and recommendations, fill in the online diagnostic form and a treatment advisor will contact you shortly with the results and be able to answer all your questions.

More Information:
Hair Loss Product Reviews
Thinning Hair

Interesting Articles:
Am I Too Old to do Something About Hair Loss?
Balding - Is it Happening to you Already?
Why Men Worry About Baldness but do Nothing

There is a general consensus that most humans are only able to grow their hair between one and one-and-a-half metres in length, but there are some examples that remind us that this is by no means the upper limit. They may be extreme examples of unlikely hair growth, but as almost half the population suffers some degree of hair loss, people like Xie Qiuping and Tran Van Hay have been able to defy the odds.

The majority of men will experience varying degrees of baldness, but in 2004, Tran Van Hay’s hair measured in at 6.2m, or 20ft. The 73-year-old from Vietnam let his hair grow after he claimed a haircut made him ill. He hasn’t had his hair cut since 1973 and has forgone washing it for about 12 years. The result is one great big massive dreadlock - that could easily be mistaken for a giant python - which he balances on his head in a Mr Whippy style ‘do, but a local admitted it has affected his work.

“He can’t work anymore as a farmer because of the volume of hair so he’s just collecting herbs for traditional medicine as charity work,” he said.

Studies have shown that loss of hair can negatively affect a person in the workplace, but it’s rare to hear that too much hair can be an impediment. While most men keep their hair short and often turn to clinically proven hair loss treatments, such as Propecia, when the balding process begins, Tran Van Hay - who clearly doesn’t have a hair loss problem - has given a whole new meaning to the words ‘hair retention’.

Hair is often touted as a woman’s crowning glory, and many are constantly searching for hair growth boosters that will make their hair grow longer, faster. However, few would strive for the extreme lengths of China’s Xie Qiuping. Like Mr Tran, Xie hasn’t had a haircut since 1973 and in 2004, her Rapunzel-length tresses measured in at 5.627m, or 18ft 5.54in. For her, she says “it’s no trouble at all. I’m used to it.” However, Xie admits that long hair it’s not for the faint hearted.

“Such long hair needs not just external care but internal adjustment,” she said. “You need patience and you need to hold yourself straight when you have hair like this.”

Xie Qiuping is nearing 50 and as almost half of women her age will be looking to treatments like minoxidil to avoid thinning hair and maintain hair growth, Xie needs to an assistant to help her carry her bountiful tresses.

Hair growth is a complex system and the longest length a person’s hair can grow depends on a few things. Some people naturally have the ability to grow longer hair than others, and some have the potential to grow longer hair than they think. Genetics is one of the main factors and while many people believe their hair isn’t able to grow past a certain length, it’s often down to damaging hair care practices that cause breakage rather than an inability for hair to grow any longer.

Some reasons for slow hair growth include nutritional deficiencies, health problems, hormonal changes and stress. Not only can these factors inhibit hair growth, they can also cause hair fall. Clinically proven hair loss treatments can prevent and stop hair loss as well as stimulate growth, but there is no sure fire way to make hair grow longer or faster. The best you can do is feed your hair with the nutrients it needs and keep your whole body in a healthy and prime condition.

For more information about hair loss and growth, contact the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 666 or send an email. Alternatively fill in the online diagnostic form for a personalised hair analysis and access to expert advice from anywhere in the world.

More Informatiom:
Male Hair Loss
Female Hair Loss
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
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Propecia Success Stories and How to Get Better Results

This year’s biggest music festival ended last Sunday night and going by the coverage on the BBC and online, a good time was had by all. The weather was mostly good and the music offered was a diverse mix with something for everyone. However, a few eyebrows were raised when, back in May, the full line-up was announced for this year’s main stage. With Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Blur holding the main spot on the Pyramid Stage over the weekend and other headlining acts including Crosby, Stills and Nash, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, and Status Quo, the emphasis, with perhaps the exception of Blur, seemed to be on what some were calling ‘dad rock’. And even Blur have semi-retired from being full-time rock stars.

However, the man in charge is Glastonbury head honcho Michael Eavis and not only a bald man himself, but also a man loved by the hundreds of thousands of music fans who attend or watch the festival on TV. The man knows what works and this year, with its fine array of musicians with receding hairlines confidently gracing the main stage, Eavis declared it ‘the best year ever’.

One of those acts, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, has been playing for 26 years. The members of the Bad Seeds have changed over the years with the current line-up comprising Thomas Wydler, Conway Savage, Ed Kuepper and Cave’s Grinderman partners. Australian singer-songwriter Cave has been at work for over two decades by making music that is full of doom and gloom. He is best known for a 1996 duet with Kylie Minogue, “Where the Wild Roses Grow”, in which he imagines smashing, with a rock, the head of his petite partner.

Grinderman is a side-line project formed by Cave in 2007, the year he turned 50. For those that are unfamiliar with the group’s music, they like to describe it as “foul-mouthed, noisy and hairy”. Grinderman’s debut self-titled album was released in February 2007. In his review, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian particularly praises ‘No Pussy Blues’ describing it as ‘hilarious’ and ‘thunderously exciting’. He describes how Cave “howls his way through a tale of unrequited lust, scarred by the ravages of middle age” with the line “I combed the hairs across my head, I sucked in my gut and still she said she just didn’t want to.”

Despite what Petridis describes as a ‘tumultuous racket’ of guitars, drums and a ‘relentless scream of feedback’, he says there are moments of ‘ethereal loveliness’ in the album that “seem as indicative of maturity as No Pussy Blues’ ruminations on hair loss and paunches”.

This is not the first time that The Guardian music journalist & GQ music editor Petridis has reflected on the locks of rock. Back in 2003, he was a little more forthright in describing musicians and their hair: “A receding hairline is no fun whoever you are, but for the rock star, hair loss induces mania. Deranged solutions are sought, ones involving headbands, or, in the case of Elton John, a transplant apparently based on the coiffure of homely northern playwright Alan Bennett. The late Maurice Gibb spent his last decade wearing a fedora at all times, under the mistaken impression that this would fool the world into believing he had a full head of hair underneath it.”

However hair, or lack of it, did not seem to bother this year’s main bands at Glastonbury nor their fans. Indeed, the reviews of this year’s set at Glastonbury have been full of praise for Cave and his motley crew. Full marks were given for appearance and music with Dafydd Goff of The Guardian commending them for setting the standard for “sartorial splendor with black pin-striped numbers, aquamarine shirts, gold cufflinks and pendants. Think 1970s Miami Mafiosi. Or Scarface meets Pulp Fiction”.

Goff says that, even minus instrumentalist Mick Harvey, the Bad Seeds are “still an accomplished, versatile backing band” and that Cave continues to push himself as an artist and performer, producing some of his best work. And going by the large number of positive comments made on Twitter, the fans seem to agree.

If you are experiencing hair loss or hair thinning and would like to learn more about available hair loss treatments, please feel free to email us or call on 0207 730 6666 where we can arrange for a free initial consultation with one of our hair care specialists. Alternatively, if you are unable to make it into the clinic, you can fill out the online diagnostic form and a treatment advisor will be in touch with you shortly.

More Information:
Male Pattern Baldness
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
Bald Men Who Drive Sports Cars
Phil Spector – What’s Wig the Bald Mug?
Status Quo’s Francis Rossi Cuts Ponytail as Hair Loss Sets In

“My story starts a few years ago now. I was in my late 20’s & I had become aware that my hair had thinned a bit since my early 20’s. I wasn’t too worried because my Dad had a good head of hair, so figured I’d be fine. It only started to concern me when a colleague at work who, taller than me & sitting behind me at a meeting commented that my crown was looking ’see-thru’!!  I laughed it off & said I’d put too much gel in that day. Underneath though, that comment really triggered some alarm bells.

I started to research about male pattern hair loss & started to get increasingly paranoid about people being able to see my crown through the thinning hair. The stress from worrying I think actually accelerated my hair loss! I spent a few months torturing myself about what to do. During my research online I found the Belgravia website. It showed subjects who’d started with similar if not worse thinning to mine & how, after a year or so, the improvements were obvious. I’m quite sceptical about such results when anyone on the street could ‘photoshop’ the image to make the improvements look more effective but what choice did I have? I could either bury my head in the sand & eventually become another ‘baldy’ or be proactive and do something about it.

I filled out the online diagnositic form on the Belgravia website & waited. A few days later Susan rang me. She was understanding, informative, funny & really easy to talk to. She had reviewed my details & advised me on the best course of treatment to take for maximum results. She answered all my questions & then asked if I could email her some photos of my head to show exactly what stage of male pattern hair loss I had, as there are several stages.  I did as she asked & she sent the medication to me by post. And so began my treatment.

Now one of the hardest things to come to terms with is that when you start treatment, you will lose more hair to start with. I’ve had a couple of friends who, by coincidence were also having treatment from Belgravia but stopped because they weren’t getting results. The key thing here is to persevere. The first 3 to 6 months are definitely the hardest because you can’t see positive results. That certainly changed after about 4 months for me. From that point on my hair has gradually got fuller & thicker. I’m not conscious or paranoid about my crown anymore, & no-one makes any comments. The stress & worry is gone, so life is good.

Belgravia has changed my life, & given me the choice of what haircut I want. I know treatment isn’t cheap - but it works & the peace of mind makes it certainly worth it for me.

Thank you Belgravia, & Susan.”

David, by email.

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

       
Month 1                          Month 5                       Month 39

Entertainment Daily recently reported that Kelly Osbourne was devastated to find out she was losing her hair after she changed her hair colour from black to blonde. The 24-year-old celebrity, who is engaged to model Luke Worrall, explained to FOX News: “I went to dye my hair blonde from black and it was going really well and then something happened during that last process where they put the toner on and it made all my hair fall out and I was just like, ‘Cut it!’

“Luke laughed at me and told me he wasn’t going out with me if I looked like that! He went and bought me some blue shampoo so that my hair would not be so yellow.”

This isn’t the first time that the daughter of notorious rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has suffered from hair loss. Back in 2003, the same thing happened when she died her hair.

“What happened was I went from black to a weird colour blond, and I didn’t like it. It was too orange. So I went and bleached it again and it fell off, so I just shaved it into a mohawk.”

At the time, Kelly was only 18 and found the experience quite a shock. Hair dye does not always lead to hair loss but over-colouring can stress the hair and may cause breakage. Then again, Sharon Osbourne was rumoured to be experiencing hair thinning so perhaps it simply runs in the family.

Female pattern hair loss is hereditary and is most common in post-menopausal women. However it’s not uncommon in younger women and any number of factors, such as a lack of nutrients, hormonal changes, stress, and even damage caused by over-coulouring could instigate an earlier onset.

If you feel you are experiencing hair loss or hair thinning and would like to discuss the range of treatment available, please email us or call us at the clinic on 020 7730 6666 where we can arrange for a free initial consultation with one of our hair care specialists. Alternatively, if you are unable to make it into the clinic, you can fill out the online diagnostic form and a treatment advisor will be in touch with you shortly.

More Information:
Best Treatments for Women’s Hair Loss
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
Celebrity Hair Loss
Is Hair Dye Causing Baldness for Joss Stone?
Hair Loss in Women – A Summary of Causes and Treatments

Michael Jackson was known for much more than his controversial lifestyle. He was a passionate supporter of charity, a loving father and a pop legend. Still, controversy reigns following the superstars death and a “leaked” autopsy report now appears to be fabricated.

The Belgravia Centre had speculated on Michael Jackson’s bald spot once before and although we could not come to any final conclusions, The Sun yesterday brought the issue of Michael Jackson’s hair loss to light once again.

Among other harrowing details, The Sun claimed Jackson was “Virtually bald – and wearing a wig when he died” and quoted pathologists as saying his scalp was covered in little more than “peach fuzz”. The newspaper sparked immediate disbelief from loyal fans and intrigue from others, but according to the assistant chief of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, “some” of the details are wrong.

“The report that is being published did not come from our office,” said Assistant Chief Ed Winter. “I don’t know where that information came from, or who that information came from. It is not accurate. Some of it is totally false.”

The Sun’s details painted the picture of an extremely ill man – bald and “severely emaciated”, weighing in at 8st 1oz on his 5ft 10in frame, covered in scars from cosmetic and plastic surgery operations and injection marks over much of his body.

The Sun’s details about Jackson’s condition when he died were based on “leaked autopsy” information which officials have swiftly dismissed as fake. Two autopsies were conducted, one on Friday by the Los Angeles County coroner which was inconclusive pending the results of toxicology tests, and another on Saturday by a private pathologist hired by the Jackson family.

“The (Sun) report did not come as a result of our autopsy, or of the private autopsy,” Winter said.

At the time of writing, Joe Jackson has said he is suspicious of the way his 50-year-old son died and insists on seeing the results of the second autopsy before he buries his son.

Whether Michael Jackson’s hair was real or just a wig is not known for certain, but the idea that he suffered baldness is not likely to be substantiated any time soon by family or friends. And why should it? The man was a legend, regardless of whether he had hair or not, and more than 80% of men will suffer hair loss at some stage of their lives anyway. Sure, the transformation from his cute 70s afro to his slick version of the Jheri curl and to a sleek and straight mane might raise suspicion that he tampered with his natural hair, but who doesn’t like to experiment? And sure, his hairline appeared to have changed a bit over the years, but not every man’s hairline will remain the same throughout his life.

If the Thriller star was indeed bald, there are plenty of reasons why he could have lost his hair. Apart from heredity male pattern baldness, the most common type of hair loss in men, there are a number of lifestyle factors that can affect hair growth. Stress also plays a big part, and the superstar had no shortage of that in his life. Illness, surgery, medication and physical exhaustion - do these sound like words the tabloids used to attribute the King of Pop? All of these are known to contribute to hair loss.

While some men choose to keep their natural hair using hair loss treatments, others shave it off and some turn to hair replacement systems. Perhaps Jackson didn’t have a balding problem and his hair was just chemically straightened, or perhaps the front-lace wig - which is exceedingly popular in Hollywood these days - was just another trend that the King of Pop was well onto before it even began.

Michael Jackson died on Thursday 25 June 2009 age 50. Just before his 50th birthday, he told the Daily Mail: “It all went by so fast didn’t it? I wish I could do it all over again, I really do.”

More Information:
Hair Loss in Men
Hair Loss Before and After Photos
Hair Care for Afro-Caribbean Styles

Interesting Articles:
Celebrity Hair Loss
Lifestyle Factors that Affect Hair Growth
Celebrity Hair Secrets: The Women Who Wear Wigs

Ever wondered why bleaching your hair was the worst thing you ever did to it when Gwen Stefani’s hair always looks so healthy and silky smooth? Or why hair extensions have left you with patchy bald spots while Beyonce continues to flaunt the enviable mane of a lioness? It’s because the women in Hollywood now know better than to subject their hair to that kind of damage and shortly, you will too.

The platinum blonde look, made famous by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy and Gwen Stefani, is still one of the hottest looks around but also one of the most damaging styles. Bleaching will always damage the hair as it penetrates the cuticle with chemicals and strips it of its natural pigment. It alters the strength of the hair, makes it susceptible to damage and can lead to dullness, split ends and breakage. If you attempted to emulate the bleach blonde look with disastrous outcomes, you’re not the only one.

In 2003, a source revealed to the Daily Starthat hair dye and extension had left Christina Aguilera with bald patches (traction alopecia) that she ended up covering with wigs.

“Christina’s had to wear wigs for a while because she lost so much hair… Obviously it’s important that she hangs on to her glamorous image,” the source said “No one likes a bald pop star. That long, thick hair - in particular, the black mane she has at the moment - is a wig.”

Let’s set the record straight - famous bald women are ambassadors for all women with hair loss. Almost half of all women will suffer hair loss or thinning and although baldness is rare, it can happen. There are hair loss treatments that can successfully stop excessive hair fall and stimulate re-growth in majority of cases. Hair supplements are also helpful in maintaining the appearance of healthy, lustrous hair, but they alone are unlikely to transform delicate locks like Keira Knightley’s into the abundant tresses she had in The Duchess.

For years wigs have been a hot accessory for women in Hollywood and the source behind much of our yearning for hair that looked half as glamorous as the likes of Beyonce and Gwen Stefani. Their evasion of hair thinning was never down to luck, coincidence or good genes, and you too could have hair like Beyonce’s for £500,000. A friend of the star’s told In Touch magazine that Beyonce has a wig for all occasions and her collection is “part of the reason why she always looks so gorgeous.” (That and her Bootylicious body, unbelievable talent and glowing inner beauty!)

“The majority of them are custom-made from real hair and she’s probably got $1 million worth of stunning wigs,” the source said.

Wigs weren’t always the number one choice for celebs though. Jessica and Ashley Simpson, Victoria Beckham and Britney Spears have all been touted as fans of hair extensions but like most women, they’re now realising the stress they’re putting on their hair and opting instead for wigs as the more effective and safer choice.

Most celebrities wear front-lace wigs. They’re generally more expensive than regular wigs but are much higher quality too. The cap underneath is comprised of thin transparent lace to give the hairline and scalp a more natural look, and real human hair is hand-tied into the lace itself. They’re virtually impossible to detect but if you look close-up look, you may be able to just make out the secret behind your favourite celebs crowning glory. Other fans of the front-lace wig are reported to include Ashanti, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Lopez and Oprah.

So the secret’s out - you could try every hair-thickening product on the shelf and not come close to the kind of big hair results sported by some celebs. Hair extensions aren’t the answer and constantly revolving hair colour will eventually take their toll. So, if you suffer hair loss as a side effect of this kind of damage and have trouble restoring your locks, get the right hair loss treatments for you and then, maybe consider the latest trend in Hollywood if you want instant and dramatic colour, texture and fullness, while keeping your natural hair in prime condition.

For more information and personalised advice,contact the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666, send an email, or fill in the online diagnostic form.

More Information:
Hair Loss in Women
Hair Loss Product Reviews
Hair Loss Success Stories

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Foods for Healthy Hair
Hair Styling’s Affect on Hair Growth
Hair Loss in Women - Common Causes and What to do