Hair Loss Awareness

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.

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.”

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. 

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.

Hair loss affects roughly 80% of men and 40% of women and although is not a physically harmful condition, there does appear to be a demand in effective treatment options. In 2008, 14,855 hair restoration patients were treated in Australia alone and of those, 3,116 underwent surgical procedures, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), suggesting that many perhaps desire alternative methods of hair restoration.

Treating hair loss is not limited to surgical transplants or hair replacement pieces. Depending on the nature and cause of the condition, hair loss can be prevented and treated with medically-licensed products that work at root level to stabilise and halt loss, and stimulate the natural hair’s re-growth. Although there are quite a few hair centres in Sydney and other Australian cities, many lack these non-surgical solutions that can provide men and women with the best opportunity for natural hair re-growth.

The Belgravia Centre is the UK’s leading hair loss clinic and also provides safe and effective solutions to many Australians, thanks to their Online Hair Loss Service. With an in-house pharmacy that is registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (registration number 1085323) and resident Doctor, Belgravia is licensed to prepare and prescribe its own treatment programmes, which consist primarily of clinically proven hair loss treatments that can be tailored to suit an individual’s diagnosis with added hair growth boosters.

Despite the belief of some, hair transplants do not always provide a permanent solution to genetic balding. Hair follicles that are implanted to areas of baldness may still be susceptible to the effects of hair loss. There may be instances where a transplant is the most suitable option, but medical hair loss treatments are often recommended to first be trialled for at least a year. If the patient still desires a transplant, these treatments may still be prescribed to help maintain growth after the procedure.

Many prefer, however, prevention as opposed to a cure. Not only to clinically proven hair loss treatments offer an effective and non-invasive alternative, they can be prepared to suit each person’s condition to help re-grow what has already been lost and tailored to complement their lifestyle so administration can be maintained in the long term and further hair loss can be prevented.

For more information, contact The Belgravia Centre on +44 (0)20 7730 6666 or send an email. Their online hair loss service means specialists at the clinic can diagnose your condition via email or telephone and offer you an effective, personalised, mail-order treatment service.

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

Interesting Articles:
Australian PM Kevin Rudd’s Stress Over Hair Loss
Bald Women Reveal What Life With Alopecia is Like
Hair Loss – Lifestyle Causing Premature Baldness

Name: Mustapha

Question: I would like some advice as I have been taking the Propecia for a month now and have experienced some side effects such as a slight decrease in libido and semen not being as thick as it was previously. I am a happily married with children and have not in the past had any issues with libido.

Are these side effects something that I should be concerned about and therefore stop taking this drug or are these minor side effects that should decease after my body becomes used to the drug? My real concern and worry is, will taking Propecia have a damaging affect sperm morphology and limit my ability to have more children?

Answer: It would not be advisable to stop the treatment just yet. The side effects of Propecia, such as the ones you mentioned, are rare (less than 2%) and diminish with continued use. Propecia has not been found to cause fertility issue, or affect sperm quality.

In the clinical studies that proved Propecia to be safe and effective for the treatment of hair loss in men, all side effects disappeared in men who stopped the treatment, and by the end of the study, the incidence of those side effects was less than 0.3% in men who continued treatment.

Decreased semen volume may equate to decreased sperm count, but this effect reverses after the medication has left the body. Propecia should not be used when attempting to conceive, which is why we advise users to stop a week before trying for a baby. Propecia has a very short half-life, which means is will be out of your system seven days once you stop taking it. Most of the men involved in the clinical trials of Propecia were of childbearing age (18-41) and there have been no reports of fertility issues among them, or our own clients.

Further Reading:
Long-term Safety of Propecia
Propecia and DHT in Adult Males
Propecia Success Stories – How to Get Better Results

Name: McDavids Nimo Yeboah

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. 

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.

The “alternative doctor” who sexually assaulted a woman claiming it would cure her hair loss, yelled he was innocent as he was led out of Eastern Magistrates’ Court after being sentenced to nine months in jail.

Chan Tung-Choi, 68, claimed to be a practitioner of natural therapy and told a 28-year-old woman who was referred to him that the sexual acts he performed on her would help make her hair grow. Chan denied four counts of indecent assault and said he would appeal the decision made by Magistrate So Wai-Tak.

So called Chan’s acts obscene and slated him for abusing his patient’s trust. So said Chan took advantage of a woman who was anxious about her hair loss by indecently assaulting her. He said a deterrent sentence was necessary and that Chan’s denial of the charges showed he lacks remorse.

“The woman put her trust in doctors. This kind of trust should not be abused. I have the duty to send this message out,” Magistrate So said.

Earlier in the trial, the court heard how Chan fondled the private parts and breasts of young woman, who cannot be named, and even kissed her between late 2005 and October 2006 at his Sheung Wan clinic.

The court heard that the woman had told Chan that she did not like him touching her that way but that she continued with the treatment because she found her hair had grown slightly since starting therapy.

Hair loss affects both men and women and can be highly distressing, but it is important to seek professional advice from medically trained and reputable specialists. Sometimes hair loss is temporary, requiring little or no treatment. Other times it may be genetic, in which case there are only two clinically proven medical hair loss treatments that have been proven to work.

For more information, contact The Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or send an email. If you require a quick and easy way to access specialist advice from a remote location, simply complete and submit the online diagnostic form and you will be contacted shortly with the results and recommendations based on your specific condition.

This story is the follow up to Sex Therapy for Women’s Hair Loss Taken to Court

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

Interesting Articles:
Female Hair Loss Should Be Treated
Why You Should Be Skeptical About Hair Loss Products
Hair Loss in Women: Gail Porter’s Alopecia

Name: Terry

Question: I have recently been reading about scalp tattooing. I was wondering whether you undertake this, and maybe your thoughts about the effectiveness of the process or whether you would recommend this?

Answer: The Belgravia Centre does not offer or recommend scalp tattooing. A scalp tattoo is obviously more permanent than using scalp cover up products such as powders or nanogen. However, as to the effectiveness of a tattoo to cover up hair loss, it is advisable to consider medicated treatments before undertaking such a procedure. A tattoo will last for life and if you continue to lose your hair (which the large majority of men do as a result of genetics), then the tattoo will look increasingly unnatural. Hair loss treatments, on the other hand, can prevent further hair loss and restore your lost hair allowing you to maintain a natural looking head of hair for as long as you choose.

Other options that we would recommend over and above a tattoo are hair surgery or non-surgical hair replacement.

If you would like to find out which treatment method is best suited for your hair, the Belgravia Centre offers a free consultation, either in its London-based clinic or via the website. A specialist will diagnose the hair loss and discuss the best treatment options with you. To book an appointment, call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. For a home use treatment course via mail order, simply submit the online diagnostic form and a treatment advisor will contact you.

More Information
Male Pattern Hair Loss
A Guide to Hair Loss Products
Non-Surgical Hair Replacement
When Are You Not Suitable for a Hair Transplant?

Although some doctors don’t regard hair loss as a major physical concern, it may not have just psychological implications. Researchers have found a strong association between baldness, high blood pressure, heart disease and prostate cancer. It may or may not be surprising then, that minoxidil and Propecia, medications traditionally used to treat hypertension and prostate enlargement, are also the most effective treatments for hair loss.

High blood pressure has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and early mortality, but a study published in the European Journal of Dermatology in 2007 also found a strong association with hair loss. Researchers looked at 250 men aged from 35 to 65 and found that those with a reading above 120 over 80 also had double the risk of hair loss compared to others.

It may seem coincidental then that in tablet form, minoxidil was first used to treat high blood pressure. When hypertrichosis (hair growth) was a noted side effect, scientists developed it into a topical treatment for hair loss patients. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that relaxes and widens blood vessels to improve blood flow, but it is not known for certain how it works to stimulate hair growth. Unlike other vasodilators however, minoxidil is the only one that has proven to be an effective treatment for hair loss.

Other studies have also suggested that hair loss may be a marker for heart disease. According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2000, men with mild balding of the crown had a 23 percent higher risk for heart disease compared to men with no hair loss, and those who were completely bald had a 36 percent greater risk. The study involved more than 22,000 men aged 40 to 84 and researchers examined many aspects of their health over 11 years.

Another study indicated that male pattern baldness could be a risk factor for prostate cancer. The study conducted by the US National Cancer Institute of the National Institute of Health Division of Cancer Epidemiology, took into account almost 4,500 men between the ages of 25 and 75, and found that those with hereditary hair loss but no history of prostate cancer had an elevated risk of the disease compared to men who did not suffer from hair loss.

Significantly, finasteride was first developed in the 1990s for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate cancer) but it was later discovered that in smaller doses it could also help stabilise and reverse hair loss. Proscar is the licensed treatment for prostate cancer and Propecia is the licensed treatment for male hair loss.

Although, while it is possible that a link between hair loss and high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer exists, experts warn that the relationships are only correlations. Hair loss may be a trigger of these conditions or it could simply be a symptom of another risk factor. Heart disease and hair loss are both related to poor blood circulation and prostate cancer and hair loss are both the result of a genetic predisposition.

In fact, the vast majority of male hair loss cases are genetic. Most hair loss treatment programmes incorporate the use of Propecia or minoxidil or both, along with other possibly supportive products. The correlation between the conditions could be coincidental, but regardless, if you are using these treatments for hair loss you should inform your doctor. And likewise, it is important you let your hair loss specialist know if you have any health concerns, such as high blood pressure, so they can perform an accurate diagnosis.

More Information:
Male Pattern Baldness
Hair Loss Treatments
Hair Loss Success Stories

Interesting Articles:
Reasons for Hair Loss in Men
When Hair Loss Can Be Dangerous
The Facts: Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Propecia

A woman was made to watch pornographic videos and had her breasts and private parts fondled by an alternative doctor who claimed it would cure her hair loss, a Hong Kong court was told.

Chan Tung-Choi, a 68-year-old man who claimed to be an alternative medicine therapist and to have also studied Western medicine in the United States, denies four counts of indecent assault.

The 28-year-old woman believes the stress of working as an online journalist contributed to her hair loss, and after seeking Western, Chinese and even steroid treatment, she came to consult the accused who was recommended to her by a priest.

Eastern Magistrates’ Court heard that when the woman met Chan for the first time in his Sheung Wan clinic in September 2005, he persuaded her to buy a package of 10 massage treatments for HK$2,000.

Chan instructed the woman to strip off during the massage, the court was told, and began touching her, saying he was trying to “stimulate her locus.”

In early 2006 when she went for the next round of “hair loss treatment“, she told the court, he fondled her breasts and said she needed more intensive “sex therapy” to help her hair grow.

“Chan told me I should watch pornographic videos,” she told the court. “He said I needed better [sex] education and I needed to cure my sexual apathy.”

The defense lawyer yesterday objected when the woman offered to show the Magistrate a photo of how she looked before her hair loss.

“I used to have very strong self-confidence,” she said. “I was the first among my university group to find a job after graduation. But the hair-loss problem seriously undermined it.”

When the woman discussed Chan’s methods with friends, they told her they had never heard of such a therapy for hair loss.

“Since the incidents, I have been having nightmares and very low self-esteem,” she said. “I needed a long period of counselling to recover.”

The case continues before Magistrate So Wai-tak today.

More Information:
Women’s Hair Loss
The Best Treatment for Thinning Hair in Women
Before and During Hair Loss Treatment Photos

Interesting Articles:
Hair Loss in Women Doubles Due To Stress
How Hair Loss Affects Women’s Quality of Life
Hair Loss Treatment Options