The Belgravia Centre Blog

“I wasn’t really sure about going to The Belgravia Centre at first, but after my first consultation and treatment I found the confidence to throw away my hat, and instantly felt better about myself because I was finally doing something about my embarrassing problem.  After twelve months all of my doubt is gone and I can see great progress.  I will never have to worry about going bald ever again!”

Joe

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

We recently looked at the hair loss suffered by R&B star Ne-Yo, and revealed how he had been teased by co-stars on the set of upcoming movie Red Tails because of his receding hairline. But what of the hairlines of his co-stars themselves?

Perhaps the most well-known actor amongst the ensemble cast of the upcoming movie about the Tuskegee Airmen in World War Two is Cuba Gooding Junior. At age 44, one might expect the veteran actor, who has previously starred in blockbuster smashes such as Jerry Maguire, Pearl Harbour and American Gangster, to be losing at least a little hair. But all signs so far suggest that his hairline is holding strong, despite the occasional close shave or crew cut for film roles.

So how is it that Cuba Gooding Junior’s hair loss is more or less non-existent while Ne-Yo, who is only 32, has suffered a rapidly receding hairline that has resulted in him frequently wearing hats in public?

Is age a reliable predictor of hair loss?

Though getting older is commonly thought of as the primary trigger for hair loss, the fact is that this is not always the case. The hair loss condition most frequently associated with middle-age hair loss is Male Pattern Baldness. This is a genetic hair loss condition which can be passed on in the genes from either the paternal or maternal side of the family. However not all individuals carry this gene in their DNA makeup, though it is estimated that 50% of all men and women will suffer from this kind of hair loss (scientifically known as Androgenetic Alopecia) to some extent by the age 50.

However many men do suffer the onset of Male Pattern Baldness much earlier than this in their lives, sometimes in their late teens or early twenties. This is why Ne-Yo has significant hair loss already, despite his relatively young age.

As for why Cuba Gooding Junior doesn’t appear to be suffering from any noticeable hair loss, it may be that he is simply not genetically predisposed to suffer from substantial hair loss.

In individuals with the gene for Androgenetic Alopecia, hair loss is triggered when the naturally occurring enzyme 5-alpha reductase transforms testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is this DHT which gradually causes hair follicles to shrink, so that eventually the hairs they produce are practically invisible to the naked eye. But in individuals who do not have the gene for Male Pattern Baldness, this process does not take place.

Treating hair loss

Or, it may be that Cuba Gooding Junior began treating his hair loss many years ago when it first presented itself. This is entirely speculation, but it is possible that if Cuba had begun using the appropriate hair loss treatments before his hair loss was noticeable, he could have reversed any hair loss that already taken place, and prevented any further hair loss by continuing to use the treatments.

Another of Ne-Yo’s co-stars, hip hop rapper/ actor Method Man, also shows little sign of experiencing hair loss, despite approaching the age of 41. Actor Terrence Howard (42), who stars in Red Tails as Colonel AJ Bullard shows some signs of a receding hairline and has a particularly prominent widow’s peak, but his hair loss is not as severe as that of his younger co-star Ne-Yo.

Once again, hair loss treatments may be the reason for this, but this is again pure speculation.  25 year old co-star Elijah Kelley meanwhile is showing early signs of also suffering from a receding hairline.

The differing levels of hair loss amongst the many actors who star in Red Tails are a perfect illustration of how genetic hair loss can affect everyone differently, and some people not at all.

Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness at The Belgravia Centre

It’s important to note though, that if you are suffering from hair loss, you don’t have to suffer in silence and let your genes dictate your hairline. At The Belgravia Centre we regularly help people who are suffering from Male Pattern Baldness, and its female counterpart – Female Pattern Hair Loss – to prevent further hair loss and reverse the process.

We use scientifically proven hair loss treatments and hair growth boosters to stabilise and re-grow, as part of a well thought out comprehensive strategy towards tackling hair loss. Our hair loss experts treat each case on an individual basis, to determine the best course of action for you.

To find out more about how we can stabilise and even reverse your hair loss, contact us today to arrange a consultation with no obligation. Alternatively, fill in our online diagnostic form to receive a home use treatment programme that can be shipped anywhere in the world.

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Research conducted by the University of Grenada suggests that there is a definite link between certain dental diseases and a patchy hair loss condition known as Alopecia Areata. Researchers noted that the hair loss appeared in a line projected directly from infected teeth and could therefore could cause hair loss in the beard, moustache, eyebrows or scalp depending on the patient. The study also concluded that the infection and hair loss affected men and women alike.

What is Alopecia Areata?

The study, overseen by professors José Antonio Gil Montoya and Antonio Cutando Soriano from the Department of Stomatology at the University of Grenada, noted that the subjects they observed experienced hair loss caused by Alopecia Areata.

The actual cause of Alopecia Areata is not yet known, but it is understood to be caused by a patient’s own immune system ‘attacking’ the hair follicles and causing them to enter a resting phase known as ‘telogen’. Hair follicles in the telogen phase shut down and all hair growth stops until the attached hair falls out. It is perfectly normal for hair follicles to enter telogen, but they do not normally tend to so in distinct patches as is the case in Alopecia Areata.

The observations of the University of Granada research team seem to confirm the relation between infection and the immune system, but for the affected people it would appear that they experience an extreme reaction. Instead of specifically targeting the infected area however, the patient’s immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the hair follicles too.

Regrowing the Hair

The good news is that for many people with Alopecia Areata, their hair tends to regrow without medical intervention over the course of several months. However, because the condition and its exact causes remain something of a mystery to doctors, they cannot provide exact timelines to people affected.

Using the information gathered by the team at the University of Granada however, one of the first actions a person affected by patchy hair loss or a receding hair line should be to visit a hair loss specialist such as The Belgravia Centre. A hair loss expert can accurately identify the type of hair loss and suggest a relevant course of treatment to the patient. The hair loss expert will also be able to advise whether another condition is at work, such as a receding hairline caused by Male Pattern Balding. In the event that a diagnosis of Alopecia Areata is given, the next step might be to visit a dentist for an oral check up.

If the dentist can find evidence of an oral infection they will be able to prescribe medication such as antibiotics to fight the infection. For the hair loss however, it might be an idea to contact the experts to enquire about treatment courses tailored specifically to your condition, pattern and stage of hair loss. Treatments such as minoxidil 12.5% cream are ideal for regrowing patches of hair loss caused by Alopecia.

Hair Regrowth for the Future

People who experience hair loss as a result of Alopecia Areata may find that it is not a one off occurrence. Around 25% of those diagnosed with the condition will experience a recurrence, making it essential that they obtain quality expert advice as soon as they can to deal with any underlying problems.

As well as dental infections, Alopecia Areata can also be caused by hormonal shifts during pregnancy, allergies, certain chemicals and even seasonal changes. The Belgravia Centre can help identify potential causes of hair loss for their clients and advise on lifestyle choices to lower the risk of future incidences.

People experiencing hair loss caused by Alopecia Areata, or believe themselves to be at risk of developing the condition, should be assured however that of those who contract the disorder, 75% will never have the same issue again. These people will find that their hair grows back normally given enough time although they are still advised to seek professional advice.

To find out more about Alopecia Areata and how The Belgravia Centre can assist, contact us to arrange a free, no obligation appointment with one of our hair loss specialists or if you are not within easy reach of London, fill in our online diagnostic form to obtain a personalised hair loss treatment programme that can be sent to you wherever you live.

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“Everyone who I spoke to and dealt with on Friday were very polite, understanding and knew what they were talking about, I am very happy with the way I was treated, they were all very professional people.  Thanks”

“Daiva was extremely pleasant, helpful, professional and sympathetic to my case.  She answered all my questions and showed genuine empathy.  She even gave me a follow up phone call to make sure everything was going well and if I had any further questions.  Tasha was also kind and very helpful and went further and beyond in providing information that I needed.  Both these ladies helped make my initially nervous experience a calm and pleasant one.”

“Davia was kind and gave me good explanations about my condition.  I also received a very good service from Trinity. She was clear in her explanations, and kind.  Reception were nice, giving me a fast and good attention.” 

“I found the service very quick and easy going.  The lady who did my hair massage was amazing (Japanese lady) and our Treatment Advisor Shamima was very pleasant and helpful.”

“Trinity Gardiner, my Treatment Advisor was amazing and was the deciding factor in my choosing to go ahead with the treatment.  She answered all my questions, was patient, approachable and could hold a conversation so I didn’t feel like it was an uncomfortable Q&A session.  Receptionists were fine, friendly and polite.  Since then I have had my treatment and have found the lady who carried out the process warm, friendly and very approachable so were the ladies at reception (I was also 15 minutes late so was expecting frowning faces all around).”

Most R&B stars are known for being particularly image conscious, often sporting fine suits, expensive jewellery and other fashion accessories. But like the rest of us, there is little they can do to avoid the factors foisted upon them by them by their genetics. One such factor is premature hair loss.

R&B singer Ne-Yo revealed recently that during the filming of upcoming war film Red Tails, he was teased by his co-stars about his receding hairline.

Red Tails follows the exploits of a group of African American fighter pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen, during World War 2, and Ne-Yo’s co-stars include Cuba Gooding Junior and hip-hop artist Method Man.

As part of their training for the film, the assorted actors and recording artists that make up the cast were sent to a ‘boot-camp’ at a military training facility. It was here that Ne-Yo’s hair loss was the subject of some good-natured ribbing.

Ne-Yo explained that due to boredom amongst the co-stars, “We would just crack on each other. During the bootcamp there was no TV or cellphone, so at night… we’d just sit up and talk about each other.”

“We would make up movies based on whatever affliction that person had. Like, everybody knows my hairline is ridiculously comical so one of the films was Where Did My Hairline Go? starring Ne-Yo – and the whole room would crack up.”

Last year, after a twitter user touched unkindly on the singer’s hairline, he responded by tweeting on his account “Me n’ my harline (sic) just raised 100k for Japan, what did you do today?” and “Not a problem. Why would I focus on my fleeting hairline when my credit line is SO prominent? LOL!!”

What’s under Ne-Yo’s hat?

29 year old Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, does have a particularly high hairline, caused by the common genetic hair loss condition Male Pattern Baldness. But it seems that rather than doing anything about it he has opted to conceal his diminishing hairline with a series of ever more stylish hats. As he is rarely seen without a hat, his fans may indeed be surprised by the extent of Ne-Yo’s hair loss, but a Google image search reveals one of few pictures sans hat – a mug shot taken after his arrest for reckless driving without a license.

Judging by the photograph, his hair loss has progressed quite a bit, with an ever receding hairline, but it’s not too late for Ne-Yo to do something to reverse it, should he choose to ditch the hats.

In the meantime, you may, or may not, be able catch a glimpse of Ne-Yo’s hairline when Red Tails, produced by Star Wars Jedi Master George Lucas, is released in the UK on an as yet unconfirmed date (US release is 20th January).

Treatments available for Ne-Yo’s receding hairline

At The Belgravia Centre, we could help Ne-Yo stabilise his hair loss and even re-grow his disappearing hairline, using scientifically proven treatments such as Minoxidil (with booster additives) and Propecia, and supportive treatments like the HairMax LaserComb or Hair Vitalics nutritional supplement.

So Ne-Yo, if you’re reading this, contact us to arrange a consultation to see how we can help you, or fill in our online diagnostic form to receive a home-use treatment programme which we can ship Stateside, or anywhere else in the world.

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“My hair was showing all the classic hallmarks of hereditary male pattern baldness.  Having read about hair loss treatment and asking my GP, the treatment offered by The Belgravia Centre does have efficacy.  After a few months treatment the photos showed my hair had regrown, and stopped shedding.  No side effects to report of to date apart from feeling happier.”

Martin

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss 

With all the glamour of Hollywood and heroic deeds performed onscreen, sometimes it’s easy to forget that the actors we see 30-feet high on the silver screen are in reality just men.

But men they are, and actors are included along with the rest of us in the 50% genetic sweepstakes for suffering from Male Pattern Baldness by the age of 50.

At 42, Christian Slater is one actor who has suffered some hair loss, though not as noticeably as some of his contemporaries (for a much more severe vision of how Slater’s hair loss could look, check out the film He Was a Quiet Man). A high forehead and receding hairline betray the actor’s age more truthfully than his relatively youthful complexion.

True Romance?

But now, the Daily Mail has claimed that he may have undergone treatment to restore his hairline to that of his more youthful days when his image graced the bedroom wall of many a teenage girl.

Slater had a seemingly revitalised look when he appeared at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, where he was promoting his latest television series, Breaking In. According to the Mail: “His usual brown, slicked back ‘do was replaced with a sharper, edgier dark blonde that his character Oz dons in the TV show. And his hairline appeared to be making a surprise comeback, perhaps the result of a replacement procedure.”

Lies and Illusions?

Looking at the pictures, Slater’s hair does indeed look different. However, a closer look reveals that the hairline is relatively unchanged, compared to pictures from several years ago, and the difference in appearance may be more easily attributable to the fact that the hair has been combed forward rather than being swept back as in the past. The lighter colour of course also does wonders for portraying a more youthful appearance.

Other pictures from the event in Pasadena, California, show that the actor’s hairline is still very much receding, casting further doubt on any ‘replacement procedure’, as the newspaper puts it. By this phrasing, the Daily Mail presumably means a hair transplant, in which normal healthy follicles are surgically removed from one part of the head and implanted in another area where hair loss is apparent.

Though such procedures are often popular with celebrities with money to burn, a hair transplant is far from the only treatment for hair loss, or even the best.

Hair loss treatments

While they may be popular with the rich and famous, hair transplant procedures are out of reach for many people with more modest means, costing anything between £3,000 and £30,000, depending on the number of follicles which need to be transplanted and the clinic you visit.

Money aside, it should also be remembered that a hair transplants is a surgical procedure, and caries the same risks as any other type of invasive surgery. There is also the requirement to use preventative treatments (usually indefinitely) following a hair transplant to maintain the hair that has not been surgically replaced.

Should Christian Slater wish to reverse his receding hairline, he has the excellent option of  getting in touch with the Belgravia Centre. We offer a range of scientifically proven hair loss treatments, which don’t involve massive costs or surgery. Propecia, Minoxidil, HairMax LaserCombs , Hair Vitalics and clinical therapy are just a few of the treatments which we use to achieve some fantastic results, as evidenced by our client success stories (the largest collection of its kind in the world).

So Christian, if you fancy a change that will really get the people talking, contact us for a consultation at our London clinic, or fill in our online diagnostic form to receive a home-use treatment programme that we can ship to Hollywood or anywhere else on the planet.

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Ms Harte is a Belgravia Centre home use patient who has products sent to her home and deals with her dedicated hair loss specialist and treatment advisor on the phone and internet. For this reason, she has no ‘before and during treatment’ photo-scans. For more details of our home use services, please submit an online diagnostic form.

“It is a year now since I first started using the Belgravia hair treatment and I am very pleased with the results. Although my hair has always been very fine, I had lots of it until the past few years when I noticed the hair on the top seemed thinner and I could see my scalp in certain light. I have kept it short for the past few years but now am able to wear it longer again which I am very pleased about and my confidence has increased dramatically. I call it my ‘wonder’ lotion and am so happy that I can actually see positive results. Having persevered with N******* tablets for 18 months and no difference whatsoever, I was a little sceptical when I first started this treatment, but would highly recommend it to anybody with thinning hair.”

Janet Harte

Diagnosis:  Female Pattern Hair Loss

According to new research by US scientists, the processes behind genetic hair loss, or Androgenetic Alopecia, may be linked to the way in which animals shed their coat on a seasonal basis.

The researchers, at the University of Southern California (USC), say that they have discovered that hair loss such as that which occurs in Male Pattern Baldness, is not just triggered by hormones present in the follicles, but in the tissue surrounding the follicle too.

The study’s lead author, Dr Cheng-Ming Chuong of USC, told MyHealthNewsDaily, “The hair-follicle stem cell is not only listening to the voice in the stem cell, but also the voice from outside.” He says that this is very similar to the way in which many animals grow thicker coats or shed fur according to the seasons, but that the signal which enables this to happen is not present in humans.

“This extra follicle-affecting factor has disappeared during human evolution,” Dr Chuong points out. But the scientists are hopeful that their research may pave the way for new hair loss treatments, using methods which not only focus on the hair follicle, but also the tissues surrounding the follicles.

“To deal with the hair growth you not only try to help the stem cell, but you can improve the ‘soil,’ like – you put a tulip bulb in a nicer soil, you will grow nicer hair,” said Chuong.

Understanding Male Pattern Baldness

The current understanding of the causes and processes of Male Pattern Baldness are that the follicles are affected by the chemical dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone triggered by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.This DHT causes the follicle to shrink, to the extent that it, and the hair it produces, may become microscopic in size.

While these new findings may further aid the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness, it should be remembered that there are already hair loss treatments on the market which can be used to effectively reduce hair loss and even re-grow hair.

Proven hair loss treatments

Some current hair loss medications, such as Propecia (which is licensed by the MHRA), work by reducing the amount of DHT present in the system. Propecia has been clinically proven to be both safe and effective for hair re-growth and stabilisation.

Other treatments, such as Minoxidil (also MHRA licensed) take a more holistic approach, as Dr Chuong suggests, dilating the blood vessels in the area surrounding the hair follicles, leading to an increase in nutrient flow. It should be pointed out though that, while Minoxidil has been scientifically proven to work, the reason why it works has not yet been established.

At The Belgravia Centre we use these two treatments together with a range of other personally tailored hair growth boosters, in order to maximise hair re-growth. One of our key goals is to get the scalp as healthy as possible to, as Dr Chuong puts it, ‘improve the soil’. To do so, we use hair growth boosters such as HairMax LaserCombs, and our own hair health supplement, Hair Vitalics, as well as clinical treatment sessions especially for the health and vitality of the hair and scalp.

To find out more about how we can help you re-grow your hair, contact us for a consultation at our London clinic, or fill in our online diagnostic form to receive a home-use treatment programme, which can shipped globally.

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Balding is a challenge for most adults to face but for children it can be a real trauma. Now, a new movement has emerged on Facebook, calling for toy manufacturers to make bald versions of their most iconic toys, to help children who are suffering from hair loss to come to terms with their condition.

Beautiful and Bald Barbie

The ‘Beautiful and Bald Barbie Facebook page’ currently has 125,000+ likes and counting, while its newly created ‘brother’ site  ‘Bald and Brave G.I. Joe’  has gained more than 5,000 likes in just 10 days.

The description on the Barbie page says: “We would like to see a Beautiful and Bald Barbie made to help young girls who suffer hair loss due to cancer treatments, Alopecia or Trichotillomania. Also, for young girls who are having trouble with their mother’s hair loss from [chemotherapy].” Their target is the toy manufacturer Mattel, which makes Barbie in all her many guises, and the page’s creators hope that if they get enough support for their idea the manufacturers will start to pay attention.

The idea of a bald Barbie is not without precedent, but is yet to see mass production. In early 2011 the company made a one-off bald version of Barbie for 4-year old Genesis Reyes from New York. In that instance the one-of-a-kind doll was made after a friend of a friend of a wife of the Mattel CEO tipped off the toy company that Genesis was sad about losing her hair due to chemotherapy cancer treatments.

Bald and Brave GI Joe

The Bald and Brave GI Joe movement meanwhile is pressuring toymaker Hasbro to make a hairless version of their iconic GI Joe action figure.

They hope that by creating a ‘cool’ boy’s toy without hair, young boys without hair will be more easily accepted at school, and find it easier to cope with their hair loss.

The Facebook group say that, “boys who suffer from hair loss due to Alopecia, Trichotillomania or chemo are often stared at and misunderstood. Most are assumed to have cancer when many have Alopecia. “

Hair loss, particularly in children, is often erroneously assumed to be caused by cancer, when in fact it is the cancer drugs and treatments which cause the hair loss. Alopecia meanwhile is a hair loss condition generated by an auto-immune disorder, and children who suffer from it are generally otherwise healthy.

They group on to say, “we would like to see a strong figure for young boys to relate to during play that has no hair, like them. With the up and coming new GI Joe movie being made it is rumoured Channing Tatum playing GI Joe will have a shaved head for the role. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the new GI Joe action figures in relation to the movie be bald with awareness information on the box and a portion of proceeds to go towards one of the three causes of hair loss in children.

Hasbro and Mattel are yet to comment on the twin campaigns, but supporters are hopeful that they can make a difference in the lives of children suffering from hair loss.

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