Female Hair Loss

Oscar nominee Viola Davis’ striking look at this year’s Academy Awards look was inspired by her mum, who helped her choose a wig-free cropped hairstyle. The actress, nominated for her role in The Help, had appeared at many events during ‘awards season’ in a series of hairpieces, but at the 84th annual Oscars ceremony in Hollywood last weekend, the 46-year-old chose to appear on the red carpet with a relatively simple, curly Afro and looked stunning – with media commentators and columnists praising her for revealing her short hair in all its natural glory.

Afro hair and hair loss

Many African-American actresses opt for weaves, chemically straightened looks or hair extensions, with a large proportion citing the stresses of constant grooming as the main reason. But Afro hair is prone to damage and many styles can potentially cause hair loss.

In particular, Traction Alopecia is a condition where the hair is put under extreme tension, resulting in the hair on the scalp beginning to shed. This mainly affects women, as they are more likely to wear hairstyles conducive to the condition.

Traction Alopecia and its causes

When hair is subjected to prolonged or excessive tension, the hair shaft is pulled, damaging the hair follicle. In the first instance, hair begins to shed, but if the tension is kept up it can eventually cause hair growth to slow, and even stop.

Traction Alopecia is usually treatable however, providing that the affected hair follicles are still viable when treatment begins. Any hairstyle which requires a tight restraint on the hair can cause the condition. The most common hairstyles thought to contribute to this type of hairloss are braids and cornrows pulled excessively tight across the scalp.

Constant application of hair extensions can also cause Traction Alopecia as the weight of the artificial hair pulls on the shaft and follicle. If you frequently wear extensions, always get them fitted by a professional and take their advice on when your hair has had enough.

How The Belgravia Centre can help

If you are concerned about Traction Alopecia and want to do something about it, contact one of our specialists at The Belgravia Centre to find out exactly how we can help.

The Belgravia Clinic offers a personalised hair loss treatment plan of effective medications and hair growth boosters to ensure your hair grows back to its thickest and healthiest state. Have a look at our success stories to find examples of people we’ve helped: it’s the biggest collection of hair loss success stories in the world!

You can call us on 0800 077 6666 or message us at the clinic to arrange a free consultation.

If you are unable to attend a consultation at our Central London clinic, fill in our online diagnostic form to receive a home-use treatment programme that can be sent to you anywhere in the world.

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Jessica Wright, star of hit ITV2 show ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ has been photographed with a large bald patch on the right-hand side of her head. The 26-year old lingerie store owner has yet to reveal the exact cause of the sudden hair loss, but there are several credible explanations for her predicament based on recent circumstances in her highly publicised public and private life.

Hair extensions harming hair health

As with many other TOWIE cast members, Jessica is well known for wearing hair extensions on a near-permanent basis. Although great for providing volume and body to the wearer’s hair, extended use of extensions can damage the wearer’s own hair causing it to fall out in patches similar to those in the photographs of Miss Wright.

Extensions place the wearer’s own hair under great tension caused by the way that they are fitted. Over this time, the strain causes the wearer’s hair follicles to stretch and become misshapen, pulling the hair out. Unfortunately the damage to the follicle can result in permanent hair loss through a condition known as Traction Alopecia.

Stress-related hair loss

Women experiencing excessive hair loss may also be subject to a condition known as Telogen Effluvium which stems from their hair follicles entering a resting phase (known as Telogen) prematurely and continuing to lie dormant. Hair attached to follicles which are in Telogen falls out and does not grow again until the follicle is reactivated.

Men and women undergoing periods of severe emotional stress may develop Telogen Effluvium, resulting in patchy hair loss like that seen in Jessica Wright. Apart from being under constant media scrutiny, troubles at home may have placed Miss Wright under additional stress. Fortunately hair lost due to Telogen Effluvium tends to grow back of its own accord.

Treating female hair loss

The Belgravia Centre has a long record of providing expert advice to women experiencing hair loss through many different causes. Our online display of customer success stories contains hundreds of comments and photos from people who have lost and then re-grown their hair. The clinic uses medically proven treatments and accompanying hair growth boosters to prevent hair loss and regrow hair.

Whatever the cause of the hair loss, women are able to seek advice from The Belgravia Centre by calling 0800 077 6666 or messaging us at the Centre to arrange a free, no obligation consultation with one of our hair loss experts at our London hair clinic. For women unable to travel we also offer an online diagnostic form, allowing you to create a custom treatment plan which we will then mail anywhere in the world as required.

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Illnesses That Can Cause Hair Loss

Concern over baldness is not solely a modern issue; with Male Pattern Baldness being caused by genes, and 40% of men experiencing some hair loss by the age of 35, even our comparatively short-lived ancestors would have faced the same symptoms of receding hairline or thinning hair. And so, throughout history, people have sought to prevent hair loss in numerous – and sometimes fantastic – different ways.

The Ancient Egyptians cared a great deal about their appearance, and saw hair loss as a sign of falling out of favour with the gods. Descriptions of some of their remedies have survived to the present day. The most ancient therapy on record involved making a prayer to the sun god, followed by taking a concoction made from red lead, alabaster, onions, iron and honey. Another, more recent but even stranger remedy used the toes of a dog and a donkey’s hoof as ingredients! One of the most ingenious options involved goat dung – as goats were supposed never to lose their hair, this remedy was intended to fool the gods into thinking the patient was a goat, thus ensuring the gods overlooked them when meting out divine retribution!

In the medieval period, people believed that rubbing the fat of animals into your scalp would stimulate hair growth – with the choice of animals including fox, goose, ibex and even hedgehog! In Scotland, rotten mice were prescribed, whilst in North Carolina bat’s blood was the cure of choice.

Other American remedies such as a poultice of dung (either cow or chicken) and “gas water” – as in, the liquid through which coal gas is pumped to purify – were seen as effective when applied externally. Certain Native American tribes even recommended women’s urine, combined with crushed millipedes, scorpions and nettles, as a last resort!

In China crushed green snake and roots, boiled then matured for three days in a silk bag under a full moon was believed to produce long, silky black hair, whilst the Vikings swore by goose droppings for even the most advanced cases.

How times have changed: modern hair loss remedies

Dung and polluted water are unlikely to appeal to hair-loss sufferers in the modern-day. Fortunately, a range of much more scientific and less dramatic treatments are available. Here at Belgravia, we combine proven medications licensed by the MHRA such as Minoxidil and Propecia with the FDA-cleared LaserComb, herbal hair growth supplements and other hair growth-boosting therapies to re-grow hair. Our hair loss experts will create a treatment plan specifically tailored to your individual condition.

Instead of old-wives’ tales to back up our claims, we have an extensive collection (the largest of its kind in the world!) of  hair loss uccess stories with photographs to show you precisely how effective our regimens are. Our central London clinic is open 7 days a week, so tackling hairloss has never been easier.

Please call on 0800 077 6666 or message the clinic to organise a free consultation. Alternatively, complete the online diagnostic form for a treatment programme that we can post anywhere in the world.

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“Initially I was quite sceptical as to whether the treatment would work but, as the saying goes, the camera doesn’t lie.  After 4 months the re-growth was very apparent and now after an 8 month check-up the fullness of the hair in the affected areas is most definitely improved.  I am very happy with the treatment and the staff are very helpful and caring.  A very professional team.  Thanks for your help.  Kindest regards.”

A B

Diagnosis:  Female Pattern Hair Loss 

“They all received an A+ for service as they were all helpful and all provided an opportunity for me to ask anything.”

“I thought all the staff were excellent and the service extremely efficient.  Many thanks.”

“Daiva was courteous, helpful and hopeful, without raising false expectations.  Trinity was helpful and courteous.  I was also very happy with all staff I encountered at reception.  Everyone I spoke to was helpful, polite and welcoming, including the person who helped me find the lavatory when I got lost!”

“Everyone was very kind and the Hair Loss Specialist – wonderful!”

“I have found all of my dealings with BC to be friendly and very helpful, from my initial enquiry on 2010 to finally making it there yesterday! (How time flies).  Everyone I saw was extremely accommodating, I felt they offered honest, fair advice and did not try to ‘hard sell’ me anything or give me over-realistic expectations.  My overall impression being you would not be as successful as you are, without such a proven track record.  Loida, Trinity and Irina (who did the actual treatment) were all great, I felt comfortable and confident in their assessments and explanations for everything.  Any answers they didn’t have (re toxicity to cats) weren’t fobbed off but went off to check etc, and this again gave me confidence in the team.

So overall a very positive first visit, the reception staff put you at ease, and I felt there was no air of awkwardness, as you might possibly imagine there might be, particularly amongst other clients, who might not be feeling at their best.  I can only think this is encouraged from the atmosphere given off by the staff in the main reception.  Sorry if this is overly analytical, but as an Interior and Spatial Designer for the hospitality industry, these things are important to me as first impressions in spaces are often key.  Ok enough of the design critique now, overall A+++ thank you.

See you all again soon.”

Hair loss is often thought of as a specifically male problem. However, as illustrated by the various female celebrities who have been reported as suffering from some form of hair loss or another recently, women can suffer from a range of different hair loss conditions.

Here we take a look at some of the most common, and the women in the media spotlight who have suffered from them.

Female Pattern Hair Loss

Female Pattern Hair Loss, like Male Pattern Baldness, is a type of Androgenetic Alopecia, or genetic hair loss. While this type of hair loss in men often results in bald patches, a receding hairline and, in some cases, total baldness, in women it usually results in a more generalised thinning across the scalp.

It has been estimated that by the age of 50 half of all women will experience Female Pattern Hair Loss to some extent. This will usually present itself as hair which is less full and lacks the volume of youth, but it can also result in areas of scalp being more exposed.

For women working in showbusiness, this thinning can become a problem as it prevents them from styling their hair in the glamorous ways to which their fans and admirers have become accustomed.

This was the case for Country singer Dolly Parton, who took to wearing a wig on stage more than a decade ago because it could be more easily styled the way she wanted it.

Female Pattern Hair Loss is the most common form of hair loss in women, but it is not the only one.

Stress related hair loss in women

After genetics, stress is one of the most common causes of female hair loss. Telogen Effluvium is a hair loss condition which can occur as a direct result of stress or trauma. Women are more likely to suffer from it than men, in large part because they are exposed to more of the risk factors that can cause it.

Gender-specific causes for Telogen Effluvium include starting or stopping the contraceptive pill, abortions and child birth. Actress Selma Blair recently revealed that she had suffered from this form of hair loss following the birth of her son.

Telogen Effluvium can also be triggered by significant life events, such as moving house, divorce, changing jobs and other things that cause significant stress. In many cases, the hair loss is not noticed until up to three months after the incident that caused the stress.

Female hair loss: What role does styling play?

Traction Alopecia is a preventable form of hair loss which commonly occurs as a result of certain styling practices. It is caused by tension placed on the hair shafts and the follicle. Such excessive tension over a long period of time can result in the follicle slowing down or stopping production of new hair.

This tension may be caused by hairstyles which are worn too tightly, such as pony tails, corn rows and braids. It can also be caused by hair extensions, as the extra weight puts strain on the hair. Celebrities who have reportedly suffered from this type of hair loss include Katie Price and Jennifer Aniston.

Other causes of hair loss in women

Alopecia Areata is a less common but often more severe form of hair loss which can affect both women and men. The exact causes remain unknown, but it is thought that like Telogen Effluvium it can be caused by stress. Alopecia Areata is an auto-immune disorder in which the body’s own defences attack healthy hair follicles, causing hair production to slow down or cease.

Perhaps the most famous sufferer of this condition is Gail Porter, who has struggled with recurring hair loss because of it for many years.

Other causes of hair loss include illnesses in which the loss of hair is incidental to more serious aspects of the condition. One example of this is Graves’ Disease, a thyroid disorder which can also result in weight loss, fatigue and other symptoms. US Rapper Missy Elliot revealed last year that she had suffered hair loss and other less visible symptoms as a result of the condition.

Belgravia can help

Whatever type of hair loss you are suffering from, The Belgravia Centre may be able to help you to not only stabilise but reverse it. For a professional diagnosis and to find out more about how we can help, contact us for a consultation, or fill in our online diagnostic form to receive a personalised home use hair loss treatment programme.

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Former Miss Wales and Big Brother star Imogen Thomas has told Closer magazine that she is obsessed with her looks, not least because she experienced women’s hair loss when she was in her teens. Thomas went on to confide that despite the thick and healthy appearance of her hair, she still has stress-related Alopecia.

Thomas also claims that she has ‘never really been happy’ with her body and that she is ‘in binge-diet hell’. Given her high-profile lifestyle and eating habits, could Imogen be inadvertently setting herself up for further hair loss?

what caused Imogen’s hair loss?

Telogen Effluvium is a condition that has been shown conclusively to relate directly to periods of extreme emotional stress.

Worries about weight loss, appearance, performance on Celebrity Big Brother and a notorious super-injunction regarding her alleged affair with Ryan Giggs would all have created periods of extreme emotional distress. Shortly after enduring these phases Imogen could easily have expected to experience varying amounts of thinning hair.

Telogen Effluvium causes hair follicles to ‘shut down’ entering a resting phase whereby all growth in the affected areas stops entirely. After a period of time, up to three months, the attached hair falls out resulting in bald patches and thinned hair. Although unusual, the stressor or period of emotional turmoil may have long since passed by the time the hair is lost.

Longer term stress can cause an ongoing condition similar to Telogen Effluvium, called Diffuse Thinning. Diffuse thinning is not always a temporary condition and will last for as long as the factor triggering the hair loss continues. Causes include, stress, medications or illness.

Preventing Stress-Related Hairloss

Imogen Thomas has already noted that her hair loss seems to coincide with periods of extreme stress; therefore avoiding such situations will go some way to help maintaining her hair health. Her new diet regime could help to reduce the weight on her hips which she claims is causing her worry, but at the same time instigate a fresh round of hair loss.

Healthy hair is dependent on a constant supply of vitamins and minerals to the follicles and scalp, without which hair can become brittle, dull and lifeless. A healthy diet containing the full recommended daily intake of calories, vitamins and minerals is essential at all times, whether a man or woman is seeking to lose weight or not.

Hair loss experts have also identified certain diet drugs that can trigger episodes of Telogen Effluvium, suggesting that a simple, calorie-controlled diet may be preferable for losing weight without losing hair.

Treating Hair Loss Caused by Telogen Effluvium or Diffuse Thinning

People experiencing hair loss issues caused by Telogen Effluvium will often find that their hair grows back unaided. for Diffuse Thinning, solving the underlying problem is essential in order to cure the hair loss, although there are various treatments available from The Belgravia Centre that can help to clear up the problem and regrow varying amounts of hair.

Whenever a person experiences hair loss, we would recommend that they seek expert advice immediately, regardless of whether they have had a similar problem before or not. A hair loss expert will be able to provide an accurate diagnosis and create a personalised treatment plan to encourage hair regrowth.

We strongly suggest that Imogen Thomas avoids stressful situations in future to prevent future episodes of hair loss – but welcome her or any other woman affected by thinning or baldness to contact us for further advice and treatment.

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“I must say that I was very impressed by the level of professionalism and customer care from all of the staff. Things were explained clearly and all staff were more than happy to answer questions. All staff were friendly and I would certainly recommend the service.  Thanks.”

“Firstly I would like to send a big Thank You out to the Belgravia Centre for making me feel very welcome.  Loida Cadiogan, Hair Loss Specialist – was a very nice and professional woman who knew my problem straight away and took me through the steps of how to go about treating my hair and scalp.  Shamima Kulchuma, Treatment Advisor – Pretty, Young and Sweet lady who kept me in check with the re-run of what was previously mentioned plus demonstrated for me the way in which I should apply the solution to my scalp.  Then asked me if I was ok with what was being said and was open for any questions suited to the treatment in general plus guiding me through the price plan with great care.  Receptionists were very welcoming as I had the pleasure of being assisted by two on the day I was more than happy with their level of service.  Also I would like to say a big thank you to the beautiful woman who conditioned, washed and massaged my hair, head and scalp for me. Giving me good advice into maintaining healthy hair that lady had me very relaxed to the point where I was drifting off whilst having my hair washed.  Thank you so much Belgravia Centre!  See you soon for my next check-up.”

“You offer very good service.  Everyone I met was friendly, helpful, professional and thorough in answering my questions.”

“Loida made me feel very relaxed and explained clearly and easily my condition and also my treatment options. Gayzen made it very clear and easy to understand the Belgravia offerings.  Reception were a pleasure to deal with, I was assisted immediately and they were very helpful – All staff members I encountered made the whole experience very easy and simple.”

“Daiva was very informative and friendly, Susan answered all my questions and happy to help.  The receptionists were friendly and helpful overall really happy with all involved.”

One of many celebrities fuelling the latest craze in treatment of hair loss. Louis Walsh pictured here post Transplant and, right, before.

The celebrity craze for hair transplants has led to some rather strange attitudes to hair loss and its various treatments of late, particularly as many people see hair transplant surgery as the only way to correct a receding hair line. High profile surgery adherents including Wayne Rooney, Louis Walsh and Gordon Ramsay all had hair transplants.

As a result many men who notice hair loss may think of surgical solutions to their balding without properly investigating the alternatives. One man who posted on another hair loss blog is actually wanting to increase his hairloss so that he can undergo surgery sooner.

Hair Transplant Surgery – Let’s Consider the Alternatives

Before-and-after photos of Wayne Rooney certainly reveal a dramatic change in his hairline following the well-publicised transplant operation and there is little doubt that the results were initially impressive.

Rooney’s hair loss problems were much more high profile than most people’s would be so perhaps he opted for one expensive course of action without considering other, highly effective and reasonably priced options. Perhaps this applies to other celebrities experiencing hair loss too.

Retain and Regrow, Not Replace

Rather than rushing to lose hair so that a transplant can be initiated, a better course of action is to look into maintaining existing hair and wherever possible promoting various degrees of regrowth. Unfortunately many people believe that once lost, hair is gone forever, but there are medically proven treatments that make that statement untrue.

Treating Hair Loss Effectively

Our track record of success in treating hair loss has helped The Belgravia Centre attain the highly coveted distinction of being the UK’s leading hair loss clinic. We have a long list of satisfied clients from all walks of life, and many success stories.

The Belgravia Centre also offers international customers access to their expertise and treatment through a specialised mail order system. Using our online diagnostic form, men and women can obtain a confidential treatment plan, including medications, which can then be mailed anywhere in the world.

So there’s no need to pull your hair out if you notice hair loss. Contact us to find out more about restoring your locks, without resorting to surgery, or spending large sums of money. Your first appointment comes free with no obligation.

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“I have had alopecia for 4 years and I have tried several treatments such as:  Steroid injections, cream oil treatments, acupuncture but no improvements.  A year ago, I heard about Belgravia Centre and 10 months after I have full hair growth again.  A tiny new patch is showing but I will continue using the treatments from The Belgravia Centre as it has proven to be the only treatment that works.”

Lise K

Diagnosis:  Alopecia Areata