Female Hair Loss

Ever since my husband’s business started having financial problems last year, I’ve noticed that his hair is getting thinner and his scalp is beginning to show through. Is it possible that stress is causing him to lose his hair?

The recent financial downturn has seen a lot of people suffering health problems due to the stress of mounting debts, according to a survey by the UK’s leading debt advice charity. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) found that 46% of the 372 respondents believed that financial problems had affected their health, with symptoms including heart palpitations, hair loss and nervous breakdown.

Delroy Corinaldi, external affairs director at CCCS, said, “There is a lot of focus on the economic implications of the personal debt crisis but we are only starting to understand the human cost of debt problems.”

It is thought that stress causes hormonal changes in the body, which can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Hair follicles affected by these hormonal changes enter the resting phase of the cycle prematurely. During this period there is no new growth, but hair will continue to shed, causing it to become thinner over the whole head. This can affect both men and women, and is a separate condition from male pattern baldness, which manifests as a characteristic bald patch on the top of the head.

Stress-related hair loss may occur after a major life event such as divorce or surgery, or may develop gradually in response to an ongoing issue such as money worries. It can sometimes correct itself, particularly if the cause of the stress is removed, but it can also worsen, and in men can eventually lead to baldness. Tackling the source of the problem and learning stress management techniques such as meditation is clearly advisable; however, since hair loss can in itself increase anxiety levels, treatment to address it may also be beneficial.

The hair specialists at the Belgravia Centre are experienced at diagnosing and treating a wide range of hair loss conditions, including stress related hair thinning. Our comprehensive hair loss treatment programmes are based on clinically proven medications that stabilise hair loss and promote regrowth, along with various hair growth boosters and specialist aftercare. You can see how effective treatment can be by viewing some of our many success stories.

To book a free consultation with one of our specialists who can assess your individual hair condition, call 020 7730 6666 or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. Alternatively, complete the online diagnostic form and an advisor will be happy to recommend a personal home-use treatment course, available worldwide.

A Channel 4 documentary series featuring provocative work from up-and-coming directors has followed three women living with trichotillomania, an impulse control disorder that causes people to pull out their own hair, often to the point of baldness.

‘First Cut: Girls on the Pull’ is available to view online on Channel 4′s on demand service at http://www..channel4.com/programmes/4od

Trichotillomania affects up to 3% of people suffering from hair loss, and is ten times more common in women. It frequently starts around the onset of puberty, although it can affect any age group. Individuals will tug, twist or pull out their hair unconsciously or habitually, and stress, boredom or anxiety can act as triggers. Many will also chew or eat the hair, a condition known as trichophagia, and this can lead to digestive problems.

It is thought that hair pulling may come from a desire to exert control over one area of life. Hypnotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy may help sufferers to learn how to interrupt the impulse and thereby overcome the condition.

Some people find that stimulants such as sugar, alcohol and caffeine increase the urge to hair pull, and reducing intake of these can make the physical urge more manageable. There is also anecdotal evidence to suggest that the amino acid NAC (N-acetylcysteine), which occurs naturally in foods such as chicken, eggs and broccoli, may help alleviate the condition, although more research is needed.

There is some evidence to suggest that there may be a genetic component to trichotillomania, as research has discovered that it is often found in families where members have other impulse control disorders such as OCD, addictions or Tourette’s syndrome.

People living with trichotillomania may choose to combine therapy with hair restoration treatment, to improve the appearance and boost self-confidence. If the hair follicles are still functional it is possible to promote regrowth, using clinically proven medications. At the Belgravia Centre we also find non-surgical hair replacement to be a very successful treatment for the condition, as it not only covers up the appearance of any bald patches but stops the sufferer from picking at the area, which can help to get the habit under control.

If you have any concerns about trichotillomania, or any other hair loss condition, we recommend you discuss it with one of our experienced specialists, who can assess your condition and recommend a suitable treatment programme. To book a free consultation, call 020 7730 6666 or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. Alternatively, if you can’t get to the London centre, you can complete the online diagnostic form and an advisor will be happy to contact you to discuss treatment options.

Extracts from the berry of the dwarf palm plant serenoa repens – better known by the common name saw palmetto – have traditionally been used to treat urinary tract infections. Its use can be traced back to the Mayans, who used it as a tonic, and the Seminoles, who employed its antiseptic qualities.

There is some evidence that saw palmetto, which takes its botanical name, sabul serrulatum, from its serrated leaves, can have a slight beneficial effect upon the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate), and this is its most common modern usage. Leading on from the research that has been undertaken into the mechanism by which saw palmetto works to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy, it seems likely – though still unproven – that it can also be of benefit in the treatment of androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness.

Androgenic alopecia is caused by the effect of male hormones (androgens) on genetically predisposed hair follicles. Within these follicles, testosterone is converted into the androgen DHT (dihydrotestosterone) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT inhibits the growth of new hair cells, causing the follicles to shrink with each growth cycle until the follicles become dysfunctional and hair no longer grows.

5-alpha reductase enzymes are present primarily in the scalp and the prostate, and research suggests that saw palmetto has an inhibitory effect on the enzyme, thereby blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT. It also has a direct inhibitory effect on androgen receptors, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

To date there has been only one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (the ‘gold standard’ of clinical trials) into the effectiveness of saw palmetto in treating androgenic alopecia. The report by Prager et al. (2006) was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

The pilot study used male subjects between the ages of 23 and 64, in good health, with mild to moderate androgenic alopecia. 60% of the subjects dosed with the active formulation were rated as improved at the end of the study. However, the study was very small in scope, and therefore much larger clinical trials are needed to further substantiate any claims for saw palmetto’s efficacy.

At present, only two pharmaceutical products are clinically proven to stabilise hair loss and promote regrowth. The Belgravia Centre bases its comprehensive hair loss treatment programmes around Propecia and Minoxidil, both of which are licensed for this use, due to the substantial body of evidence that they are safe and effective.

Belgravia also uses various hair growth boosters, including Hair Vitalics, a daily supplement that contains saw palmetto as well as many other nutrients selected to enhance the hair’s health. It is designed to complement treatment based around our tried and tested primary medications. You can see how effective our treatment programmes can be by viewing some of our many success stories.

To book a free consultation with one of our specialists who can assess your individual hair condition and advise on the best course of treatment, call 020 7730 6666 or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. If you can’t get to the London centre, you can complete the online diagnostic form and an advisor will be happy to recommend a home-use treatment course, available worldwide.

If you’ve ever wondered how celebrities manage to look so perfectly coiffed, you may derive a little guilty pleasure from this latest candid snap of Britney Spears. The troubled pop star was spotted shopping in Sherman Oaks, California this week with possibly the worst hair do ever seen on a former style icon. Her dark roots are visible, her hair extensions look ratty and she even appears to have bald patches where her extensions have damaged her own hair.

Traction alopecia has been in the news a great deal lately, as unfortunate celebs such as Naomi Campbell have been captured on camera with obvious hair loss where extensions have taken their toll. The constant tension and pulling on the hair can damage the follicles, causing hair production to slow down and eventually stop. The condition can be reversed with suitable hair loss treatment, provided no further tension is applied while it recovers – so constantly renewing hair extensions is not a great idea.

If you have any concerns about traction alopecia or other hair loss conditions, one of our specialists at the Belgravia Centre will be happy to advise you on effective treatment options. Call 020 7730 6666 for a free consultation, send us a message or complete the online diagnostic form for worldwide assistance.

I play a lot of sport so I like to wash and straighten my hair every day, but lately I’ve noticed a lot is coming out when I brush it, and it is starting to look noticeably thinner than before. Am I washing it too often?

Washing will not in itself damage your hair, as modern hair care products are designed for frequent use and tend to be quite mild. You should be careful not to scrub or twist it too much though, as friction can cause brittleness and tangling. When brushing, start at the tips and gradually work up to the roots, to reduce the amount of stress on the hair. Over-styling, particularly when using very hot tools such as straightening irons or curling tongs, can exacerbate traction alopecia, a form of hair loss caused when constant tension and pulling damages the hair follicle. Hair production in the affected area may slow down and eventually stop altogether. Braiding and hair extensions are the most common cause of traction alopecia; recent photos of Naomi Campbell suggest the supermodel is experiencing considerable hair loss due to years of wearing hair extensions.

You may also be showing the signs of androgenic alopecia (genetic or female pattern hair loss) or diffuse thinning, which manifests as an increased rate of hair loss and consequent thinning all over the scalp. Causes of this range from nutritional deficiencies to thyroid and haemoglobin problems, so it is important to see a specialist who can diagnose and address the underlying cause as well as planning a treatment programme to tackle the hair loss.

Stress can be a contributing factor in women’s hair loss conditions, and hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause can also lead to thinning hair. 50% of women will experience some degree of hair thinning by the age of 50, whether from androgenic alopecia or other causes.

Treatment to prevent further hair loss and promote regrowth can be very successful for women, especially when it is started before the problem gets too severe. At the Belgravia Centre we base our comprehensive treatment programmes for women around Minoxidil, the only medication that is clinically proven to be effective in treating female hair loss. You can see some of our ‘before and during treatment’ photos which demonstrate the impressive results we have achieved for so many female patients.

If you would like to discuss your particular hair loss condition with a specialist who can diagnose the cause and prescribe a suitable treatment plan, call 020 7730 6666 to book a free consultation, or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. If you’re not able to visit the London centre, you can complete the online diagnosis form for advice on home-use treatment options.

Yoga aficionados frequently assert that performing a headstand prevents hair loss, as it increases the blood flow to the scalp. Sadly, this is just an urban myth; although good blood circulation to the hair follicles is necessary for healthy hair growth, this is just one piece of the puzzle and will not in itself prevent baldness.

Certainly yoga can be helpful in reducing stress, which can be a factor that contributes to hair loss. The yogic headstand or ‘salamba sirsasana’ should only be performed as part of regular yoga practice, and must be taught by an experienced instructor, as executing it incorrectly can lead to neck injuries and headaches. When performed correctly, it is known as the ‘king of asanas’ because of its beneficial effect on body alignment and circulation. The posture can be held for around ten minutes, but should not be performed if you have high blood pressure or eye problems. Some people may find the shoulder stand to be an easier position that conveys many of the same benefits.

Daily headstands, then, may be good for the circulation and general health, but it is important to recognise that hair loss may have many different causes. The most common cause in men is male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia, which manifests as the classic ‘bald spot’ on the top of the head, leaving hair still growing at the sides and back. This is a hereditary condition, caused by the action of male hormones on genetically programmed hair follicles. Within these follicles, testosterone is converted into the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which inhibits the growth of new hair cells and causes follicles to shrink with each growth cycle.

Other causes of hair loss may include telogen effluvium, a women’s hair loss condition often triggered by hormonal changes or sudden stressful events; alopecia areata, characterised by sudden patchy hair loss with various underlying causes; scalp problems; or medical issues such as diabetes, anaemia and thyroid problems.

The specialists at the Belgravia Centre are experienced in diagnosing and treating hair loss and scalp problems. Most hair loss conditions do not improve without treatment and are likely to get worse, so seeking timely professional support is advisable. Our comprehensive hair loss treatment is based around clinically proven primary medications, along with various hair growth boosters and close trichological monitoring. You can look at our ‘before and during treatment’ photo scans to see how we have helped to stabilise hair loss and promote regrowth for clients suffering from a range of hair loss conditions.

To book a free consultation with one of our specialists, call 020 7730 6666 or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. Alternatively, if you can’t get to the London centre, you can complete the online diagnostic form and an advisor will be happy to recommend a home-use treatment course individually designed to address your particular hair loss condition, available worldwide.

“I came in today for my Hair Treatment & Check-up.  I have been very impressed with the results, the staff are very friendly & Pam, my Treatment Advisor – it’s always a pleasure to see her.  The results have been out of this world, I came in thinking is it going to work or not?  Let me tell you it works.  Am very very pleased I can’t stop smiling, Edyta, my Trichologist, has been very encouraging – I would recommend to anyone who has hair problems to visit The Belgravia Centre they’re there to help!!! ”

A Belgravia Centre Patient

Diagnosis:  Traumatic Alopecia

 
Month 1                                        Month 6

    
Month 1                                         Month 6

The health risks of smoking are well documented, but experts now hope they can encourage more people to quit by highlighting the link between smoking and baldness.

A study into the impact of smoking upon male hair loss in a population survey of Taiwanese men was published in the Archives of Dermatology (Su, L.H. and Chen, T.H., 2007). It found that after controlling for age and family history, there was a statistically significant positive association between moderate or severe androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and smoking 20 cigarettes or more per day. This supports previous research published in the British Medical Journal and other peer-reviewed sources.

The mechanisms by which smoking causes hair loss are multi-factorial. Cigarette smoking appears to damage the DNA of the hair follicle, and also affect the micro-circulation supplying blood to follicles. Without an adequate blood supply, the follicles will gradually shrink and die.

Smoking is of course a risk factor for accelerated biological aging and many chronic diseases; the difficulty is in isolating smoking-related outcomes from other lifestyle factors, since smokers may generally tend to be less health-conscious. Certainly, your overall health and fitness may impact on your hair’s health; however it is important to recognise that for the majority of men, hair loss is due to genetic rather than external influences.

Male hair loss is caused by the effect of male hormones (androgens) on genetically predisposed hair follicles, so if there is baldness in your family, it is likely to be hereditary. Within these follicles, testosterone is converted into the androgen DHT (dihydrotestosterone) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase.

DHT inhibits the growth of new hair cells and causes follicles to shrink with each growth cycle. The hair gradually gets thinner and the follicles become less functional, until hair no longer grows on the area at the top of the head that is affected by DHT.

If you are experiencing thinning hair or the early signs of male pattern balding, it is advisable to seek professional help. The good news is that with appropriate treatment, hair loss is not inevitable. The Belgravia Centre’s hair loss treatment programmes are designed to work both by blocking DHT from reaching and destroying vulnerable hair follicles, and by stimulating the blood circulation to nurture the existing follicles and maintain them in good health.

Belgravia’s comprehensive treatment courses are based around clinically proven primary medications to stabilise hair loss and promote regrowth, along with various hair growth boosters. You can see some of our ‘before and during treatment’ photos to see how rapid and impressive our results can be when using these medically proven products. Of course, giving up smoking and making other positive lifestyle changes can only help your progress!

If you are concerned about thinning hair, a receding hairline or any other hair loss condition, we recommend arranging a free consultation with one of our specialists who can advise on the best treatment for your individual needs. Call 020 7730 6666 to book a consultation, or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. Alternatively, if you can’t get to the centre you can complete the online diagnostic form and a treatment advisor will be happy to tailor a home-use treatment course to your requirements.

Iron deficiency has been associated with dull and thinning hair in women of childbearing age who deplete their iron stores each month through their periods. A review of the evidence in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Trost et al, 2006) suggests that treatment for hair loss may be enhanced if iron deficiency is addressed.

Women can ensure their iron intake is adequate by eating iron-rich foods such as red meat, seafood, pulses, dried fruit, fortified breakfast cereals and green vegetables. Vegetarians and endurance athletes are at greater risk of shortfall. Vitamin C helps with absorption, and many multivitamin and multimineral supplements will contain both at the recommended daily amount; or you can drink a glass of orange juice when you eat foods that contain iron.

However, in the absence of clinically diagnosed iron-deficiency anaemia, iron supplementation at high levels carries the risk of chronic disease, and should not be undertaken without medical supervision.

Female hair loss has many potential causes, ranging from genetic to hormonal or environmental, and may also be stress related, so if you are worried about thinning hair or your hair’s general condition it is advisable to seek proper advice. Many hair loss conditions will worsen if left untreated, so it is best not to delay in seeking professional help.

The specialists at the Belgravia Centre have a wealth of experience when it comes to diagnosing and treating a wide range of different hair loss conditions. You can see some of our ‘before and during treatment’ photos to see how effective our treatment can be at stabilising hair loss and promoting regrowth.

Our hair loss treatment programmes are based around clinically proven primary medications, along with various hair growth boosters, and close trichological monitoring. We have an in-house registered pharmacy, so we are able to provide a comprehensive service to meet all your needs.

To book a free consultation with one of our specialists who can assess your hair condition and advise on the best course of treatment, call 020 7730 6666 or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. If you can’t get to the London centre, you can complete the online diagnostic form for worldwide advice on a home-use treatment course designed to address your individual condition.

Many people these days prefer to opt for alternative medicine and more natural treatments for some conditions.  Occasionally experts at Belgravia are asked whether there is a more natural treatment for hair loss, such as regular scalp massage.

Certainly a scalp massage can help to increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, which will nourish the hair follicles and can strengthen the hair roots.  This is why Belgravia’s clinical treatment sessions include scalp massage. In addition, any type of massage is great for relaxation and de-stressing, which can also be a contributing factor with hair loss.

Although good blood circulation is an important component for healthy hair, there is no scientific indication that scalp massage can help hair grow.   According to Senior Trichologist Leonora Doclis: “Scalp massage enhances general blood circulation and relieves scalp tension. However, massage alone has neither effect on hair growth nor helps to stabilise hair loss.”

While it is a commonly held belief that improved blood circulation from regular scalp massage will help to stop hair loss there is no evidence to support this.

Effective hair loss treatments

There are only two proven treatments for hair loss.   First there is Minoxidil which is used topically on both men and women.  Propecia is the second hair loss treatment, which is just for men and is taken as an oral tablet.  These are the only hair loss treatments that have been licensed by the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  We find that when used alongside the appropriate hair growth boosters, these two treatments can provide a safe and highly effective solution for hair loss.

As Minoxidil  is used as a topical solution or cream some clients wonder whether massaging the scalp with this product will make it more effective.  However our Senior Trichologist Leonora Doclis warns that while “massaging these creams or solutions will aid absorption, it does not boost the effectiveness of the products.  However, some of our clients complain that their scalp is sore or it feels tight.  This is where a scalp massage may help.”

While scalp massage isn’t a solution for hair loss, regular gentle massaging of the scalp can help to reduce tension.  For clients that are experiencing a dry itchy scalp gentle massaging with a bit of warm oil can help to relieve dryness and increase suppleness.

How to do a traditional scalp massage

Slightly warm a small amount of oil.  Start along the hairline with your fingers spread out along the crown.  Apply a small amount of pressure and move your fingers in a small circular motion. Slowly massage over the head and down towards the neckline.  Next complete the same circular motion on each side of the head by massaging above the temple, behind the ears and down to the neck.  Once you have covered the whole head you can repeat the process with slightly more pressure.  For extra conditioning you can leave the massage oil in the hair for up to 30 minutes before shampooing out.   If you have any cuts, swelling or irritation on the scalp you should forgo the scalp massage until it has healed.

If you would like more information on the most effective combination of treatments for hair loss or want to arrange a free consultation, call the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666.  If you prefer you can message the centre to arrange an appointment or ask a question.  We also offer an online diagnostic form for those people who are unable to visit the Belgravia Centre’s London clinic.