Read how clients felt about visiting The Belgravia Centre for their tricho-check. Here are some of last week’s comments emailed by clients following their free consultation. Each comment is from a different client…
“Both of the advisors I met with were very professional and helpful”
“I found both Vaida and Pam very helpful. They did not just try to sell me the most expensive products, which one of your “competitors” had tried to do! They were very honest and fair and Pam particularly had very good customer relation skills. There was no pressure to puchase any products which was pleasing. I haven’t yet bought anything but would expect to do so soon.”
“Edyta was very nice. She explained everything and made me feel much better about my worries. She was very imformative and caring. Pam was also lovely. She answered all my questions and made me feel very happy that I chose to come to the centre. Everybody at the centre were very welcoming. I’m glad I chose Belgravia, and will keep coming back for my treatment. Thank you for being so nice and helpful. I was so worried before but now I’m looking forward to the results I’ll hopefully see in the future.”
“I can confirm that my initial consultation with Vaida was friendly and informative as was the follow up with Gayzen who efficiently explained one or two of my concerns. It was a welcome change not to be pressurised there and then to sign up for treatment and Gayzen understood that as a pensioner I needed to discuss the financial aspect with my husband. I subsequently telephoned her the next day of my decision and have since made an appointment to start my treatment today.”
“The examination with Loida was very informative and she explained concisely as to what condition I have and how it can be treated. She told me exactly how the treatment works and made me feel comfortable while carrying out her examination and answering any questions I had. Cherie was nice and friendly and outlined the course of treatment and the relative costs leaving me with very few questions to ask. It was good to talk to her as she was very helpful and and reassuring. Overall service was really good.”
“I was pleased with the service and I am hopeful with the proposed treatments. Loida Cadiogan was very professional and knowledgable about her subject, and I enjoyed talking with her. Cherie Ridding was also very professional and took me through the ordering process so that I was happy with what I have paid for. Cherie added in a check up consultation into the package and I look forward to coming back in 6 months to see if there is any progress.”
Please scroll through our seven information videos below, each covering a different topic related to hair loss.
Worried about hair loss? View Belgravia’s recently launched information videos. They cover a number of different topics and treatments for men and women, and they should provide you with everything you need to know to get started on successfully clearing up your hair loss.
The Belgravia Centre - The UK’s Leading Hair Loss Clinic
Welcome to The Belgravia Centre - view our large and vibrant clinic and find out what makes us the most renowned single hair loss clinic in the whole of Europe.
Hair Loss Treatments and Products - A Guide
Watch our hair loss treatments video to learn about the only treatments that are proven to prevent and reverse hair loss and how to obtain optimum regrowth results from them. The video will also give you an insight into how to tell if a product might not be so effective.
Baldness and How To Prevent It
Find out about all of the options available for every stage of hair loss from mild thinning to total baldness. The video covers preventative treatments, surgical hair restoration and non-surgical hair replacement.
Hair Loss in Women and Preventing Female Hair Loss
Hair loss amongst women is a common condition. Find out about what might be causing female hair loss and what can be done about it.
Minoxidil - Information on Minoxidil Hair Loss Treatment
Details of minoxidil - One of only two treatments proven to prevent hair loss in men, and the only such treatment for the prevention of female hair loss or thinning hair.
Propecia - Information on Propecia Hair Loss Treatment
Details of Propecia - one of only two hair loss treatments proven to prevent and reverse hair loss in men.
Alopecia Areata - Information on the Condition and Treatments
Alopecia is a condition that presents itself as sudden patches of baldness and can in a small amount of cases result in total baldness of the scalp or the whole body. Find out about alopecia areata and what can be done about the condition.
A varied and balanced diet is important for healthy growth and development, but there are certain foods that can cause serious health problems for some people. Eggs, milk, peanuts, seafood, soy and wheat are the main food allergens that can instigate an immune system reaction, but the link between food allergies and hair loss is very weak.
One person in every 100 has a food allergy, according to statistics. In those who are affected, the body thinks it’s being attacked by that food and so sends out an allergic reaction to warn against it. An allergy is different to food intolerance because the latter doesn’t involve the immune system and usually produces different side effects. A rare but severe allergic reaction could lead to anaphylactic shock, but more common symptoms of food allergies include rash, nausea, vomiting, cramping, and diarrhoea. Sometimes people say they experience hair loss, but hair and scalp specialist Leonora Doclis of The Belgravia Centre says the relationship is remote.
“It is very rare that a person continues to lose hair due to reacting to a one or more food type,” Doclis said. “And assuming you would never eat a food again once you know you are allergic, the link between a food allergy and continued hair loss is remote.”
If one experiences hair loss that seems coincidental with a food allergy, there may be a number of reasons for this.
Firstly, hormonal imbalances often lead to hair loss and many food allergy sufferers have related illnesses that can alter hormones, such as thyroid imbalances and adrenal fatigue. Additionally, people with food allergies may not get enough certain vitamins and minerals. If this leads to a deficiency it can affect hair growth. Stress could be another contributing factor, which very often causes temporary hair loss. And finally, some believe there’s a link between food allergies and alopecia areata as they are both auto-immune problems.
“Perhaps if the allergic reaction is really bad, the mode of that reaction could trigger a hair loss condition called alopecia areata, since it is also linked to autoimmune balance,” Doclis said. “Or if the reaction leads to a skin condition that affects the hair follicles.”
Still, the risk of hair loss as a result of food allergies is fairly minimal. Doclis recommends a good multivitamin supplement to avoid nutritional deficiencies, but you should consult your doctor first. If hair thinning continues, there may be an underlying genetic susceptibility to hair loss. Licensed medical treatments for hair loss can help stabilise shedding and stimulate growth, but you need to get a personal diagnosis and find out which course would work for you.
The relationship between food allergies and hair loss may be there but it is minimal and more than likely an indirect link. If your food allergy is under control but your hair isn’t, maybe you should consider consulting a hair loss specialist to find out how to control excessive thinning or shedding.
For more information, contact the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or send a message. Alternatively, simply fill in an online diagnostic form to receive free expert advice, recommendations and access to the most advanced mail-order hair loss service.
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.Â
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.
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.
Gail Porter’s hair is growing back a few shades darker and although she is bleaching it, the model turned TV presenter says she really is ”indifferent” about her new hair because she accepted her baldness a long time ago.
Thirty-eight-year-old Porter showed off her hair regrowth as she attended a preview screening of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog in London recently with her daughter Honey.
“It’s come back black, which is strange because it was blonde before,” she said.
Although Porter’s hair is now growing back, she says she was happy being bald and on her Twitter page - Gail’s Fluff Report - reveals that she will continue to shave off the hair as it grows back.
“I put up pictures of my hair every day and then I shave it off and everyone says, ‘Ah, it was growing so well!’ You see, it’s growing back in patches so I have to keep cutting it and shaving it off so it’s quite annoying,” she said.
Twittering recently, Gail posted: “Don’t know what to do with my dodgy hair! I’m too used to being bald…I love being bald!”
The Scottish mother-of-one was diagnosed with the hair loss condition alopecia areata in 2005 during the divorce from her then husband, Toploader guitarist Dan Hipgrave.
Porter suspects there might be a link between her regrowth and her recent flame of four months, New Vinyl guitarist Jonny Davies.
“I’m getting very hairy so that must mean I’m quite happy now,” Porter told the Daily Mail. “I’ve got a bit of hair and a bit of a boyfriend and I’m very happy.”
Telling Closer magazine in August last year that she was experiencing sporadic regrowth in “random places”, Porter said she didn’t want her hair back.
“I’ve been bald for so long now - it’s been five years - and I suddenly think, what am I going to do if it came back? The majority of it, 75 percent, has come back but then I have patches round the front so it looks ridiculous,” she said recently. “It looks like a map of Europe or something.”
Hair loss treatment for alopecia areata can be hugely successful if it’s caught in the early stages, or when cases are relatively mild, but there are a few instances where hair growth does not resume or the nature of the condition, as in Porter’s case, is largely sporadic.
Porter accepted her hair loss with remarkable dignity and, though she refused to wear wigs throughout the condition, became an ambassador for the Little Princess Trust - a charity which provides wigs to children with hair loss and is also supported by The Belgravia Centre.Â
For more information about hair loss and the available clinically proven treatments, contact The Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, fill in the online diagnostic form and a specialist will contact you with the results and personalised advice and recommendations.
“After coming in in September after my alopecia areata returned with two patches I was very nervous and anxious and the Clinic calmed my fears and after the treatment I started the medication at home with the with the laser comb. After two months both patches started to grow back very healthily! Thank you and a success for the clinic!”
Question: I am 19. I have lost my hair completely four times in the last six years. The first couple of times I had suffered severe post traumatic stress, but the other times I have been fine. Why does this keep happening and the hair always return?
Answer: From your description it sounds as though you had alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis, conditions related to the autoimmune disorder, alopecia areata. They may originate from alopecia areata and slowly develop to totalis or universalis, or they might come on suddenly and hair loss may occur rapidly over a period of days or weeks. It’s understood that totalis and universalis are the result of an attack on the hair follicles by the immune system, and can be instigated by stress or genetics.
However, you don’t have to be stressed to for an autoimmune attack on the hair follicles. This is part of the mystery behind the conditions. It would appear you have a strong genetic inclination to autoimmune problems, but you are lucky that your hair always grows back.
Although there are some cases where complete restoration has occurred, the chances of recovery are generally small. And unfortunately, despite some companies claiming to be able to be able to treat totalis and universalis, no hair loss treatment has proved effective.
About 1 in every 125,000 men and 1 in every 250,000 women have alopecia totalis or universalis. Most sufferers are children and young adults under the age of 40, though it can affect people of all ages.
Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent the hair loss reoccurring. The long-standing and recurring nature of the condition means that, while some people might come to terms with it at some point, for others it might be beneficial to perhaps prepare a cosmetic solution or consider hair replacement, if at some point the hair does not grow back.
Question: Does hair loss affect only the head or can it be other parts of the body?
Answer: As unusual as it may sound, hair loss is not restricted to the scalp. There are many instances where skin conditions, hormone disorders and other medical illnesses, diet, and stress can cause hair loss on the body. The eyebrows and lashes, beard, underarms, pubic area, arms and legs can all be affected by hair loss.
Eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis can damage the hair follicles and surrounding cells making hair growth on certain parts of the body impossible. Usually if the cause of the problem is addressed, the hair loss can be reversed or at least controlled. Other times though, for instance in the case of scarring from ringworm or burns, the cell damage and loss of hair is irreversible.Â
Hormonal fluctuations and disorders can also cause body hair loss. Menopause, thyroid disease, diabetes, nutritional deficiency, and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, have all been linked to body hair loss.
Alopecia areata barbae is a condition that refers to patchy hair loss on the beard. It is not dangerous but can be a problem for men whose culture or religion requires growth of the beard.
Then there is also the autoimmune disorders alopecia areata and alopecia universalis. These conditions range from small, patchy and localised hair loss to complete and total body hair loss. They are not entirely understood but it is presumed stress and genetics play a part. Sometimes the hair grows back by itself within a year, but there instances that hair growth ceases indefinitely. While there are a few treatment options, success usually relies on early action.
When it comes to reversing hair loss on the body, it normally requires addressing the cause rather than treating the hair loss. Sometimes though, if a genetic trait is triggered, these conditions can lead to male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss. If this were the case, there are hair loss treatments that can stabilise, control and even reverse the effects of the condition.
If you require any further information, simply call on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, you could fill in the online diagnostic form for personalised information and treatment recommendations.
A varied and balanced diet is important for healthy growth and development, but there are certain foods that can cause serious health problems for some people. Eggs, milk, peanuts, seafood, soy and wheat are the main food allergens that can instigate an immune system reaction, but the link between food allergies and 
Still, the risk of hair loss as a result of food allergies is fairly minimal. Doclis recommends a good multivitamin supplement to avoid nutritional deficiencies, but you should consult your doctor first. If hair thinning continues, there may be an underlying genetic susceptibility to hair loss. Licensed medical 
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. 
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.
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 
Name: Carole
Gail Porter’s hair is growing back a few shades darker and although she is bleaching it, the model turned TV presenter says she really is ”indifferent” about her new hair because she accepted her 
“I put up pictures of my hair every day and then I shave it off and everyone says, ‘Ah, it was growing so well!’ You see, it’s growing back in patches so I have to keep cutting it and shaving it off so it’s quite annoying,” she said.
Porter suspects there might be a link between her regrowth and her recent flame of four months, New Vinyl guitarist Jonny Davies.
   
 
Name: Sarah
Answer: As unusual as it may sound, 
Hormonal fluctuations and disorders can also cause body hair loss. Menopause, thyroid disease, diabetes, nutritional deficiency, and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, have all been linked to body hair loss.
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