THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has slammed Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for being more preoccupied with treating his own baldness than third world malaria.

The New York Post said Gates believes Berlusconi is stingy when it comes to foreign aid and is more concerned about his receding hairline than the world’s starving people.

“Rich people spend a lot more money on their own problems,” Gates said.

“Dear Silvio, I am sorry to make things difficult for you, but you are ignoring the poor people of the world,” he told German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau.

However, despite his clear reference to the notoriously image-conscious Italian PM, it’s not hair loss treatment costs that have the billionaire’s knickers in a twist.

In an annual report issued by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Italy’s aid was listed in 2008 at 0.21% of GDP. Gates said it was “uniquely stingy among European donors.”

The criticism comes just days after Berlusconi’s hairline was hotly discussed among the papers, with headlines such as “Berlusconi’s Hair – Gone in 48 Hours”.

More Information:
Male Pattern Baldness
Hair Loss in Women
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
Silvio Berlusconi’s Hair Scandal - Transplant Not Enough to Cover Loss
Why More Men Are Having Hair Transplants
The Cost of Hair Growth

There are many conditions that can cause hair loss, but most of those that affect a child’s hair growth are only temporary. Diagnosis is normally a simple evaluation of the risk factors and a visual examination of the type of loss. While there are clinically proven hair loss treatments for men and women, they will not be appropriate for children. If any of the problems listed below do arise, it is recommended that you seek personalised advice from your doctor.

Tinea Capitis

Tinea Capitis is the most common cause of hair loss in children, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Also known as scalp ringworm, it is a disease caused by a fungal infection that can cause patchy hair loss in children (usually round or oval, but sometimes irregular) and hair breakage that looks like little black dots on the scalp. Sometimes gray flakes or scales are seen. Children 3 to 10 years of age are more susceptible, and boys more so than girls. 

Cause: The condition is caused by a fungus that attacks the hair follicles and invades the hair shaft, causing the hairs to break. It is contracted from other children through the sharing of combs, brushes, hats, pillows and bath towels and it can also be contracted from infected animals and pets.

Treatment: Oral and topical antifungals are the most commonly advised treatments for tinea capitis. Griseofulvin is an oral prescriptive taken for 8 weeks, and Nizoral or another selenium sulfide shampoo is recommended for use 2-3 times a week. Even if evidence of the condition is still visible, most children are not contagious when using the oral medication and shampoo.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is the sudden appearance of one or more circular bald patches on the scalp. There are usually no other symptoms. The scalp looks and feels normal, without scaling or inflammation. Yet, while the condition is not harmful, occasionally it can progress to total scalp or body hair loss.

Cause: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease which means the child’s own white blood cells mistakenly turn on the hair follicles and cause hair growth to stop. It may occur in susceptible children of any age, but it’s believed certain factors may trigger it, such as illness, vaccinations or food allergies.

Treatment: There is no cure for alopecia areata in children and no medications have been approved for its treatment. Fortunately though, over 80% of children with alopecia areata will re-grow their hair within 12 months without any treatment. Still, because the hair loss can sometimes be distressing for the child, doctors may attempt to stimulate growth with topical medicines such as corticosteroids and minoxidil.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is ragged, uneven bald patches where hair breakage or empty hair follicles are evident. It is the result of an almost unconscious habit where the child twists or plucks out their hair from the scalp.

Cause: This type of condition is often related to stress, ongoing tension or other psychological or emotional problems. It may be the result of underlying anxiety in the child from a stressful home, school, or other social situation.

Treatment: If the pulling habit is stopped before there is permanent scarring of the follicle cells, the hair will grow back by itself. Studies have shown that the younger the child, the more likely he or she is to grow beyond the pulling behaviour. Some experts say the best treatment is to concentrate on why the child is anxious, nervous or frustrated and cultivate an interest in a hands-on, active pursuit.

Loose Anagen Syndrome

Loose Anagen Syndrome is a temporary condition most commonly seen in fair-haired girls between the ages of 2 and 9 years. Hair growth is sparse or it may look like diffuse thinning or trichotillomania.

Cause: There is an impaired attachment between the hair shaft and follicle due to weak connective tissue. This means that a child can easily and painlessly, but unintentionally, pull their hair from their scalp. The condition is typically sporadic but may be inherited.

Treatment: There is no known treatment for loose anagen syndrome. It is suggested that even without treatment, the problem will usually correct itself by the time the child has reached puberty. Some experts suggest a course of mineral therapy including silica and calcium fluoride, but you should discuss with your doctor.

Traction Alopecia

Traction Alopecia is most common in girls where physical damage to the hair and follicle result in hair breakage and loss, particularly around the hairline.

Cause: Styles that apply tension to the hair, such as tight ponytails, pigtails and braiding, can damage the hair and pull it out from the root.

Treatment: Generally no treatment is necessary, as normal hair growth will usually return if the hair is handled gently. While this may take up to 3 months, practice natural styles on the child in the meantime to avoid any further aggravation or damage.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen Effluvium is where excessive shedding results in thinning hair, yet there may appear to be no cause. It is also common in adult women, particularly after childbirth.

Cause: High fever, flu, severe stress or any other short-term but severe physical or emotional dilemma can cause the hair to enter its resting stage prematurely. With an above average number of hairs in this phase, it can come as a shock when they all shed 2 or 3 months later when the child is otherwise fine and the stress forgotten.

Treatment: Unless the initial cause is repeated, normally once the hairs have shed they all return, but it can take anywhere between 3 and 6 months. Ususally no treatment is required but speak to your doctor if you’re concerned about how long it’s taking for the hair to grow back.

The Veronicas twin Lisa Origliasso had a close call with some sparks that almost had her hair catch fire and could have left her with severe burns and permanent hair loss at the Australian music festival Big Day Out.

“She was fine, but it really got her adrenalin going,” a witness told The Daily Telegraph.

“Those kind of sparks were how Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire. It was quite serious.”

Michael Jackson was left with a bald patch following a Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984, when the late king of pop suffered second-degree burns to his scalp after pyrotechnics got out of control.

Lisa, the dark-haired half of the electro-pop band The Veronicas, was riding the dodgem cars at celebrations to mark the 100th Big Day Out show when she encountered the wayward sparks that could have resulted in a similar outcome.

Hair loss treatment for scarring types of alopecia is limited. If the Untouched singer’ hair fell out due to stress or genetics hair growth could be stimulated with a combination of clinically proven products and lifestyle adjustments. However, if the follicles are dead there is little that can be done without surgery.

If you’re worried about hair loss, contact The Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666, or message the centre to find out more about your particular condition and what can be done. For those who can’t wake it to the centre, an online consultation will provide access to expert advice, recommendation and treatment.

More Information:
Hair Loss in Women
Scarring Alopecia
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
Michael Jackson’s Hair Loss - What Happened to His Bald Spot?
Woman Blinded by Hair Dye Wins £20,000 Compensation
Celebrity Hair Loss

“I took the treatment for a year and wow!  What a difference it has made to my hair, my confidence, my self esteem and my life.  I am ecstatic with the results.  So many people have commented on the difference and how beautiful my hair looks.”

Preetha Leela Chockalingham

Diagnosis:  Female Pattern Hair Loss

Americans consider hair one of their best features, second only to eyes in fact, and almost half would prefer their other half to struggle with weight than hair loss.

In a survey of 1,001 U.S. adults conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Rogaine, an over-the-counter version of minoxidil, 57% said they are not physically attracted the people with thinning hair and 40% of married Americans would rather their spouse be fat than bald.

Hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis of The Belgravia Centre says that, although there are licensed treatments that can stabilise and even to a degree reverse the effects of thinning hair, many believe it’s easier to lose weight than to grow hair.

“If hair loss is in the late stages, it is easier to lose weight than to grow hair,” Doclis said.

“But if someone with a receding hairline or thinning hair takes early action with a course of treatment specifically tailored for them, hair loss can be stopped and regrowth results can be hugely successful.”

Forty-five percent of people try to hide thinning hair, according to the survey. Half will try a healthy diet to correct the situation and some will also try hair vitamins (49%), or hair thickening shampoos, conditioners and serums (46%).

“Most people will try all sorts of methods, products and supplements to try and retain their hairlines. A good diet will keep your weight and health in check, but if only that was enough to prevent hair loss,” Doclis said.

“These sorts of things will help the hair look as healthy as it possibly can, but only the licensed hair loss treatments have been conclusively proven to produce the results most people crave.”

Most people believe that stress is the number one cause of hair loss, 75% according to the survey. More than a third thinks that frequently wearing hats can thin hair and 24% blame over-styling.

“My experience makes me agree to this finding. Thank God it is not correct or we would all be losing our hair and hat manufacturers would be sued to bankruptcy,” Doclis said.

There are many things that can influence hair growth patterns including stress and over-styling, says Doclis, but of the majority of hair loss cases genetics are the main cause.

For more information contact The Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre to arrange a free consultation. Alternatively complete an online diagnostic form to receive a free hair loss assessment and access expert advice and treatment from anywhere in the world.

More Information:
Male Pattern Baldness
Hair Loss in Women
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
Norwood Scale - Stages of Hair Loss
Most Common Causes of Hair Loss in Men And Women
Man’s Hair loss Video Diary

Name: D.C Turner

Question: Does the LaserComb really work for hair loss?

Answer: The Hairmax LaserComb was declared both safe and effective for the purpose of promoting hair growth in 2007 by the FDA. Specialists at The Belgravia Centre do not recommend the Hairmax LaserComb as a stand-alone treatment for most cases of hair loss, but rather as a booster treatment to the clinically proven medicines to help augment their results.

Now, it may sound confusing but there is basic principle to how the LaserComb works (be imaginative with the image on the right). It uses low-level laser light to increase blood circulation to the hair follicles and allow nutrients to be delivered to the cells. It also helps to divide the hair cells so as to enable the storage of adenosine three phosphate (ATP), a coenzyme responsible for intracellular energy transfer and known to stimulate living cells including the hair follicles.  A similar concept to the sun’s role in photosynthesis. More information – LaserComb Proved an Effective Hair Loss Treatment

Although success of the LaserComb differs from person to person, from voluminous to minimal results, the results will depend on the type of hair loss, how far advanced the loss is, and if a combination of effective hair loss treatments are being used.

If you require more information, or would like to know what combination of hair loss treatments would provide you with the most superior results based on your particular condition, you can visit the centre by appointment or receive an online consultation and diagnosis.

“After 1 year of using the treatments from The Belgravia Centre the results have been fantastic.  I have and will continue to recommend The Belgravia Centre to friends interested in the results.”

Henry Campbell

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

 
Month 1                                      Month 13

     
Month 1                                      Month 13

Please note:  We have recently changed the cameras used for photo scans which is the reason for the difference in colour.

Name: Carole

Question: I was diagnosed with frontal fibrosing alopecia seven years ago but the hair loss seems to have stabilised. Would a hair transplant work with this condition?

Answer: Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is quite a rare and progressive type of scarring hair loss. Transplants are not deemed suitable for most cases of scarring alopecia unless the hair loss is inflicted through a burn or a scar resulting from a surgical procedure. This is because there is usually an autoimmune problem involved or, as in your case, there is scarring and inflammation underneath the skins surface that is causing the hair loss.

A clever hairstyle might help disguise the frontal hair loss so it’s worth discussing with your hairdresser. Although it is in fact possible to perform a hair transplant procedure on someone who has frontal fibrosing alopecia, most specialists would advise against it because there is always the chance that transplanted hair could be attacked also. Even if your hair loss has stabilised or is in remission, there is always the possibility that it could recur if other hair was transplanted to the affected area.

Name: Pat

Question: Will mindoxil for women work on someone over 60 years old?

Answer: Minoxidil is a product licensed for the treatment of hair loss in women and men over the age of 18. How old you are does not dictate whether or not the treatment will work, nor the extent of hair regrowth you will experience, but there are a few other things that will. The type of hair loss you have and how advanced the thinning is will essentially establish whether or not you are a good candidate for minoxidil, or any other hair loss treatment, rather than your age.

Read more here – Am I Too Old To Do Something About Hair Loss?

On the flipside, your specific condition and situation can dictate the concentration of minoxidil, or any other supporting products, that are required to obtain the best possible results. Minoxidil is licensed in a 2% concentration for women. This means that any woman over the age of 18 can obtain it over the counter from most pharmacies and the manufacturer’s backside is covered. Women are not limited to this one and only hair loss product, however, and sometimes a little extra is need to achieve the most effective result. But women will require a doctor’s prescription for a concentration any higher than 2%.

The Belgravia Centre’s registered pharmacy produces three unique versions of minoxidil which have the added benefits of concentration variation and medroxyprogesterone or azelaic acid. Each course of treatment is tailored specifically to suit the individual circumstances of each person, following a diagnosis conducted by one of our medically-trained specialists, and are also easily accessible to our clients as we have a resident doctor responsible for prescriptions.

You’ll find more information here – Minoxidil and Medroxyprogesterone | Minoxidil and Azelaic Acid

If you’d like to know more, or would like to arrange a free consultation to determine the most appropriate product for your condition is, call The Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, you could complete an online diagnostic form and a specialist will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your results.

“After being initially sceptical about the treatment, I was delighted to see incredible re-growth of hair within a 3 month period. 

I am completely satisfied with the results I have seen.  Thank you!”

James Hallam

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

  
Month 1                                            Month 19

            
Month 1                                            Month 19

Please note:  We have recently changed the cameras used for photo scans which is the reason for the difference in colour.