Aging, Hair Loss and Treatment
A leading dermatologist has given advice about how to treat acne, leg veins and hair loss which can all be signs of aging. Speaking yesterday at the American Academy of Dermatology’s SKIN Academy, dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, said that a number of changes take place when we age. Dr Jaliman explained that, “while we might expect to see fine lines and wrinkles as the years pass, many of us might be surprised to wake up one day with adult-onset acne, thinning hair or embarrassing spider veins. The reality is that many dermatologic conditions are more likely to affect us as we age, and the key is to address these problems early to rule out more serious medical conditions and start proper treatment.”
Although many people in their 20s or 30s, and sometimes younger, can be genetically predisposed to hair loss, the condition becomes increasingly common with age. Dr Jaliman pointed out that everyone over the age of 40 has less hair than they did when they were younger, even if the hair does not appear to be any thinner.
Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common form of hair loss and is often classified as Male Pattern Baldness or Female Pattern Hair Loss. Increased levels of the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) cause the hair follicles to shrink. This results in a shorter growth phase and the hair sheds more quickly. The person will then grow baby fine hairs that do not reach their full length or diameter. Men will start to show a receding hairline and hair loss from the crown. In women, the frontal hairline is not affected but there will be a noticeable thinning all over the crown.
Before commencing any treatment for the condition, Dr Jaliman said it is extremely important for any man or woman suffering hair loss to see a specialist in order to rule out serious health conditions such as anaemia, thyroid disease or lupus. Other non-genetic causes include rapid weight loss, childbirth, certain medications and stress.
There are two effective treatments for hair loss. Minoxidil (for men and women) and Propecia (for men only) can be tailored to suit an individual’s type and stage of hair loss and when combined with the correct hair growth booster, can bring about optimum re-growth. The Belgravia Centre has been successfully treating male and female hair loss for several years using a range of high quality prescriptive treatments. Belgravia’s in-house pharmacy is the only pharmacy in the UK dedicated to producing hair loss treatments. Its Minoxidil treatment comes in three formulations: Minoxidil 4% or 5% solution with added Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) or an extra-strength Minoxidil 12.5% cream with added Azelaic Acid (AA). When MPG and AA are added to these specific-strengths of Minoxidil, it becomes a prescriptive treatment. MPG and AA are hair growth boosters that may help to reduce the effects of DHT and thereby increase the efficacy of the Minoxidil.
If you are concerned about thinning hair or hair loss, the Belgravia Centre offers a free consultation with a specialist. To book an appointment, just call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. If you are unable to visit the London-based clinic, submit the online diagnostic form and a treatment advisor will contact you over the next two working days.
More Information
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