THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Have you noticed you are losing more hair lately? Perhaps you can see more scalp than usual or your hairline seems to have moved backwards?

Hair loss is an extremely distressing event to experience and as such it is highly tempting to reach for the nearest product that promises to make your hair thick and luscious. But before you go rushing out and buying these wonder cures, take some time to find out the facts about the range of available hair loss products and understand which ones work and which one is best suited to your condition.

Minoxidil
First used to treat high blood pressure, Minoxidil was shown to be more effective in treating hair loss in men and women. In large scale clinical studies over two thirds of users experienced hair loss stabilization and re-growth. Minoxidil has been rigorously tested and has demonstrated that it is both safe and highly effective if used in the right concentration.

Rogaine or Regaine, the most well-known brand name for Minoxidil, comes in a ‘regular strength’ 2% concentration (for men and women) and an ‘extra-strength’ 5% concentration (for men only). These can be bought over-the-counter, however, Minoxidil is a dose-dependent so choosing the right strength for your condition is crucial to the treatment’s effectiveness.

Evidence from clinical studies confirms that the 5% works better for Female Pattern (genetic) Hair Loss. However, some men and women find the 5% Minoxidil is not strong enough to produce the optimum level of hair regrowth.

The Belgravia Centre’s in-house pharmacy prepares Minoxidil in three concentrations: a 4% and 5% solution with added Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) and an extra-strength 12.5% cream with added Azelaic Acid. These prescription-only formulations are carefully prepared to ensure that clients of Belgravia use Minoxidil of only the highest quality.

MPG is an unproven product when used on its own however when combined with Minoxidil it may prevent Dihydrotestosterone (DHT - the hormone that causes Male Pattern Baldness and Female Pattern Hair Loss) from attacking the hair follicles. As a result of the DHT being weakened, the Minoxidil is able to produce better results.

Azelaic Acid is a natural substance found in some wholegrains and in trace amounts in the human body. It can reduce the level of 5 alpha-reductase, which is the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. This improves the efficacy of the Minoxidil when treating particularly stubborn patches of hair loss such as that at the temples, frontal hairline or patches on the vertex or crown.

Propecia
Available only to men, Propecia is the single most effective treatment for hair loss. Its active ingredient, Finasteride, was first used in a drug called Proscar that was approved for the prevention of of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). When combined with a specific-strength Minoxidil, Propecia can be used to successfully treat Male Pattern Baldness.

In a 2 year clinical study of 1553 men with hair loss, over 83% maintained or increased their hair count from baseline. In a 5 year clinical study of 279 men, 9 out of 10 achieved visible results, 48% had visible hair re-growth and 42% stopped further hair loss. Nearly 70% of the men taking Propecia experience regrowth as measured by hair count and all of the men not taking Propecia continued to lose hair.

Hair Growth Boosters
The Belgravia Centre will diagnose a client’s hair loss and recommend a treatment course based on Minoxidil and/or Propecia. In most cases, these treatments can be supported by a suitable hair growth booster such as the Lasercomb or Hair Vitalics. These are not stand-alone hair loss treatments however they do compliment proven products such as Minoxidil and Propecia.

The Hairmax Lasercomb has been FDA-cleared for the prevention of hair loss. This means that it has undergone rigorous testing and been shown to be effective at preventing hair loss and encouraging hair growth. The reason that Belgravia provides this Lasercomb and not others is because it is the only Lasercomb that has evidence to show it works. The Lasercomb has a unique (patented) mechanism whereby the comb moves the hair so that the light can shine directly on the scalp, making the treatment more effective.

Hair Vitalics is a nutritional supplement that helps to maintain the health and condition of the hair. It contains a range of vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts that are essential for a healthy hair growth cycle. It contains many of the ingredients of similar but more expensive hair loss supplements. Female clients often find Hair Vitalics of particular benefit due to the nutritional deficiencies that result from hormonal changes. Again, these are not offered as an individual solution to hair loss but rather compliment the pharmaceutical products prescribed by the clinic for those clients seeking optimum levels of hair re-growth.

How Can I Find Out More
The Belgravia Centre is happy to offer a free consultation with a hair loss specialist. In the consultation, you will be given a diagnosis and treatment recommendation. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions and receive expert advice. To book an appointment, call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, complete the online diagnostic form for a consultation via the website and a mail order treatment service.

More Information:
Hair Loss in Men
Hair Loss in Women
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
Dr Andrew Messenger on Hair Loss - Daily Mail
Whats the Significance of the MHRA and FDA When it Comes to Medications?
Hair Loss Facts, Figures and Statistics
Tom Cruise Using Minoxidil for Thinning Hair