Hair Loss

Our hair is a pretty powerful indicator of our overall health. Hair loss is not simply a hereditary condition or a condition at all – it can be the symptom of a range of problems and the result of hormonal changes, poor diet and nutritional deficiencies, a variety of medications, surgery, and many medical conditions. When the body is in crisis, the hair cells can shut down to redirect energy elsewhere. One specific cause of severe hair loss is a thyroid condition.

The thyroid is an endocrine gland and responsible for producing hormones necessary for growth and proper metabolism. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the result of hormonal dysfunctions and are responsible for causing severe early onset of hair loss in both men and women of all ages, however, it is interesting to note that diseases related to the thyroid are more common in women than in men.

“Thyroid hormones are metabolised in all tissues in the body, including the hair follicle,” Dr. Elena Dimitrova at the Belgravia Centre said. “It essentially works to create energy that builds cells in the body.”

Hyperthyroidism is the result of an excessive amount of thyroid hormone in a person’s system. It occurs approximately eight to ten times more often in women than in men, with women in their twenties and thirties the most commonly affected.

“The production of more hormones, or energy, than is required is essentially wasted and can be harmful to the cells, resulting in thinning on top of the scalp,” Dr. Dimitrova said.

Hypothyroidism on the other hand is when not enough hormones are produced. Again, women develop hypothyroidism more frequently than men (15 in every thousand females compared to one in every thousand men), and it is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of thirty and sixty.

“With an underactive thyroid, people may experience a change in all body hair, diffuse thinning and the hair may become thin and brittle.”

Genetic male and female pattern hair loss occurs when dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a chemical derivative of testosterone) shrinks the hair follicles and eventually causes them to disappear completely. Because of their strong association with hormone function, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism encourage the conversion process of testosterone into DHT which accelerates hair loss in both men and women of all ages.

“Thyroid related hair loss does not make the roots disappear but they do get smaller,” Dr. Dimitrova said.

“Treatment for the thyroid condition will ultimately allow the hair to regrow naturally and gradually but sometimes minoxidil can be beneficial as a second-line treatment.

“Minoxidil is a blood circulator and hair growth stimulant so it will promote quick regrowth and minimise the damage the condition can cause to the hair.”

 Hyperthyroidism is often accompanied by apathy, depression, weight loss, and irregular heart-beats whilst hypothyroidism is often characterized by lethargy, menstrual imbalance and decreased metabolism. Ask your GP for a blood test immediately if you suspect the condition and consult a trichologist early on for advice about hair loss.

If you’re feeling concerned, contact the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or email the centre to arrange a free consultation with a hair loss specialist. Early, monitored treatment can prevent severe hair loss from this condition.

(image courtesy of lepiaf.geo at flickr)

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Hypnosis may play a beneficial role in the outcome of alopecia areata according to a study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is a holistic form of medicine thought to improve a person’s health from the inside and out.

“Not only is hypnotherapy beneficial for those suffering from hair loss, but it can even improve the patients’ conditions both physically and mentally,” the authors of the study wrote.

The study, which included 28 participants between 15 and 66 years of age with severe alopecia areata, were given hypnotherapy sessions every two to three weeks and asked to practice self-hypnosis exercises at least twice a week. They were monitored over a six month period but during that time seven participants dropped out of the study due to lack of motivation. Along with hypnosis therapy for hair re-growth, the participants were given therapy to help reduce stress.

The results showed a significant decrease in the stress and anxiety levels of all participants however only 12 of the 21 participants showed significant improvement in hair growth. Interestingly though this included four participants who had alopecia totalis.

“Results demonstrate that hypnotic interventions may ameliorate the clinical outcome of patients with alopecia areata and may improve their psychological well-being,” the authors concluded.

Hair loss is more dynamic than you might think. Even the healthiest individual with no evidence of hair loss in the family can be subjected to the devastation it can cause.  Alopecia areata is a highly unpredictable condition but has been linked to the presence of stressful events in the period 6 months up to one year before the outbreak of the disease and appears to be more prevalent in people who are less able to deal with stress.

Alopecia areata, a condition that affects about one person in every thousand, is an organ-specific autoimmune disease which means, for one reason or another, the hair follicles come under attack by the body’s own immune system. The result is sudden, patchy hair loss on the scalp or body, usually starting with one or more, round, smooth bald patches. In extreme cases it can lead to complete baldness of the scalp (alopecia totalis) or even loss of all body hair (alopecia universalis).

Many people can identify that an increased level of stress can cause a higher chance of experiencing hair loss. For those suffering from alopecia areata, it`s a vicious cycle. Not only can the cause be due to stress, but so can the side effects. Other than the physical loss of hair, alopecia areata doesn`t affect any other part of a person`s health, but it can be socially debilitating which is enough to cause even more severe distress.

Dr. Elena Dimitrova, hair and scalp specialist at the Belgravia Centre says stress management is an important part in the treatment of alopecia areata.

“It has been proven that a couple of sessions with a psychiatrist can be beneficial in the treatment of alopecia areata. Individual therapy can help to pin-point the trigger so that problem can be addressed and the condition can hopefully be reversed,” Dr. Dimitrova said.

“Hypnosis is used to insert some other ideas because when you’re subconscious you can accept ideas you otherwise might not. Hypnosis could possibly be beneficial as part of a treatment course program.”

However, the study revealed treatment was unsuccessful in nine participants and five of the 12 successful participants experienced severe relapses in the four month to four year follow up period.

“Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. Stress compromises the autoimmune system but controlling stress may not be enough,” Dr. Drimitrova says.

“It is not harmful to try hypnosis but the main treatment for alopecia areata is steroid injections or MINOXIDIL.”

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For most women hair loss isn’t about going bald, it’s about thinning lifeless hair. There are lots of hair care products on the shelves promising to give women the volume and thickness they want but if you’re finding more hairs in your brush or running your fingers through thinner hair than you once had, it may be hair loss that you’re actually dealing with.

Hair loss is not limited to middle-aged men – look around and you’ll notice more and more women are experiencing thinning hair. In fact, up to 50 percent of women will be affected by hair loss by the age of 50 but many women don’t acknowledge it’s happening to them until it’s too late. It’s important to acknowledge female hair loss when it begins so it can be addressed early, comfortably and successfully.

Female hair loss differs from male hair loss in that it very rarely leads to baldness but rather results in overall thinning all over the scalp. Despite this difference, both male and female pattern hair loss are caused by the same thing. We think of testosterone as a male sex hormone, but women also produce it and when it comes into contact with an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase it converts to dihydrotestosterone. Hereditary hair loss is the result of a follicular sensitivity to DHT which causes genetically predisposed hair follicles to shrink and gradually, stop producing hair.

Propecia is the most effective hair loss solution as it stops the formation of DHT on the scalp but unfortunately the current formulation is not yet safe for women’s use yet as it can cause birth defects in male fetuses.  Minoxidil is the only FDA approved medication that has been clinically and scientifically proven to treat hair loss on women. It is a circulation stimulant and encourages hair regrowth often producing excellent results but the effective treatment of female hair loss requires a combined approach, since DHT-blocking Propecia is out of the question, to stop and reverse female hair loss.

Treatment results are often far superior when aided by a HairMax Laser Comb – the only FDA ’cleared’ drug-free alternative hair loss treatment clinically and scientifically proven to encourage hair growth – along with other hair loss products such as specially developed shampoos and conditioners and hair supplements. Hair Vitalics in particular is a specially formulated supplement containing a product that helps to block DHT as well as a number of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to ensure strong hair and healthy hair growth goes hand in hand with hair loss prevention.

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If you had acne, would you treat it the same way you’d treat wrinkles? Many people assume that all hair loss is the same and can therefore be treated in the same way, but this is not the case.

Most cases of male and female hair loss are the result of androgenetic alopecia, or male and female pattern baldness, which is caused by a genetic sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Unfortunately, if you carry the gene for hair loss there is not a lot you can do to prevent it occurring but you can take action as soon as you notice the telling signs to stop it developing.

Thinning hair, receding hairlines, excess shedding – these may not seem too concerning now but they are precursors to hair loss and baldness. If you ignore these warning signals and do not seek trichological advice, the condition could progress and treatment may not be as effective as it could have been in the early stages.

Propecia, minoxidil and the HairMax Laser Comb are the only treatments for hair loss that have been clinically and scientifically proven and approved by the FDA. Any of these or a combination may be prescribed to someone experiencing male or female pattern hair loss.

Male and female pattern baldness are hereditary conditions that won’t be made any worse by external factors, yet they could trigger an earlier onset. Other forms hair loss on the other hand can be the result of stress and anxiety, severe illness, physical trauma and a whole range of other factors. In some cases, if the underlying problem is addressed, lost hair may be restored without treatment.

Alopecia areata and telogen effluvium are hair loss conditions where genetics may play a role or they may not. Some people may be more prone to these conditions than others because of their genetic tendency toward hair loss, however, people without any sign of baldness in their family can and are still affected.

Alopecia areata is a relatively mysterious hair loss condition which affects one person in every thousand at some stage of their life. The cause of alopecia areata is unknown but people who have extremely stressful lives can sometimes develop the condition. It is an autoimmune disease and can be initiated when psychological or physical stresses completely disrupt the body’s immune system which makes it attack and destroy the hair follicles. Hair starts to fall out in big clumps, leaving haphazard bald patches which in turn increases the person’s stress and aggravates the hair loss condition even more.

Alopecia areata is brought on by completely different reasons than hereditary hair loss and thus must be treated differently. You should always get professional, trichological advice before getting treatment for any type of hair loss. Many doctors recommend steroid injections which involves multiple injections to the scalp. However, minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid cream has demonstrated good results for mild (patchy) forms of alopecia and is a more comfortable treatment.

Another hair loss condition brought on by physical or emotional stress is telogen effluvium. It is seen mainly in women, especially after giving birth, and is a reversible condition. A death in the family, a high fever, sudden or excessive weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, surgery, or serious illness can trigger the condition which results in hair thinning which is spread over the whole scalp. Hair typically grows back once the condition that caused the hair loss corrects itself, but it can takes months. Hair loss treatments can help to minimize the damage, particularly if there is a tendency toward male or female pattern baldness, whilst the body is dealing with the crisis.

There are quite a few different types of hair loss which affect men and women and it cannot be assumed that all conditions can be cured by one miracle treatment. Those who seek advice sooner rather than later and receive the best treatment available for their condition are far more likely to stop and reverse hair loss than those who don’t.

(Images courtesy of tothalvadi and Vanessa D at flickr)

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“Thank you, I cannot tell you enough how incredible the results are and what a difference this treatment makes to my daily life.

I am not sure how often you hear this, but 2 years ago it was a real struggle walking around knowing I was losing my hair and I was so conscious of it, now I feel like a new man!

I hope I can continue to have my stupid outrageous spikey hair into my 40’s!

Please thank everyone at the centre for me, they are doing an amazing job!

Best regards”

Ahmad Atalla

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

    
Month 1                                           Month 4

 
Month 1                                            Month 4

Some people believe hair restoration means painful, expensive and possibly dangerous surgery. With this grim outlook in mind, many people may let the years pass by and let the condition progress before looking into the matter more thoroughly. FDA approved hair loss treatments, surgical hair transplants and non-surgical hair replacement systems are the most accepted and effective means of hair restoration but timing is crucial in determining which method is for you.

As soon as you start to notice thinning hair, excessive shedding or a receding hairline, you’re immediate step should be to see a trichologist. If you had a skin condition you would consult a dermatologist, likewise, if you’re concerned about hair you visit a trichologist who is a specialist in hair and scalp care. They will be able to diagnose the condition properly and inform you if there’s anything other than genetics playing a role in your hair loss and advise you on what action to take.

In 80 percent of male hair loss cases and around about 40 percent of female hair loss cases, the condition is hereditary. The most likely outcome is that you will be prescribed one to three treatments. These are the only treatments for hair loss that have been clinically and scientifically proven to treat hair loss and have been approved by the FDA for efficacy and safety. Propecia, minoxidil and the laser comb are safe, economical and effective ha ir restoration methods that if prescribed in the right doses and in suitable combinations to suit each individual, will usually effectively put an end to hair loss and restore any lost hair.

If hair loss is not addressed soon enough and the hair follicles become dormant, medications may not help the condition. There are really only two other alternatives and these may prove less effective than natural hair restoration with the FDA approved treatments for hair loss, more expensive or even dangerous.

A surgical hair transplant would be the only other option of restoring your natural hair. However, the prerequisite for this procedure is that you still have some active hair follicles that produce hair. Men usually have hair remaining at the sides and back of the scalp which is where the hair would come from. With women however, the procedure can be less effective because they tend to experience general, all-over thinning rather than a predominant loss on the crown like men. So, instead of transplanting healthy hair to bald patches, women may have hair transplanted that may still eventually thin out.

In the case of complete hair loss, non-surgical hair replacement can artificially restore hair. Hair pieces have been used for centuries, not just as a hair loss treatment but for ceremonies and traditions throughout history. The quality of hair replacement has definitely come a long way and they can look completely natural but of course, if natural hair is used it will naturally come with a higher price tag. Maintenance is a big thing with hair replacement systems and you may need to tend to it just as much as you did with your original hair, if not more so. This can become an expensive endeavour.

FDA approved hair loss treatments, surgical hair transplants and non-surgical hair replacement systems are the most accepted and effective means of hair restoration. If you know there’s something you can do about hair loss, you should do something about it early. You could safely, effectively and economically stop hair loss and restore your hair and your youth. There are other options if the condition is too far gone but in any case, you should consult a hair loss specialist first to get the best advice.

You enquire about the most effective treatment combinations for hair loss you can contact The Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or MESSAGE US for a free consultation, or alternatively complete an ONLINE DIAGNOSTIC FORM for our world-wide hair loss mail-order serviice.

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Prevention is better than a cure they say but some conditions are not yet preventable. In such cases the best thing that can be done is to treat the condition early, that is, as soon as it shows the warning signals, and keep it under control. No one goes bald overnight, hair loss is a gradual condition and it shows the symptoms long before baldness exposes itself. Thinning hair may not seem to present a great concern but it could be a red flag that warns worse is yet to come.

Thinning hair is a precursor to various hair loss conditions, namely male and female pattern hair loss, and without treatment, thinning hair can eventually lead to baldness. Thinning hair is caused by the effects of DHT on the hair follicles but can sometimes be caused by other conditions. Effectively, the hair follicle gradually shrinks so as hair sheds (and 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal), the hair that grows to replace the lost hair is thinner than the hair before it.

Thinning hair can have a different outcome for men and women. Female hair thinning conditions are usually limited to diffuse hair loss where the increased rate of hair fall results in general thinning from all over the scalp. Men’s thinning hair will generally result in baldness without treatment, although this is not always the case and depends on the severity of the condition. Although most women with genetic thinning, diffuse hair loss or telogen effluvium will experience hair loss as well as thinning hair, women will not usually reach the point of complete baldness.

Thinning hair indicates that action to combat further hair loss is required now. A trichologist will be able to give an informative diagnosis and let you know if there may be any underlying reasons for the hair loss. Sometimes, especially in women, thinning hair could be a symptom of a reversible form of hair loss. In any case, three FDA approved treatments for hair loss may be prescribed to treat the condition.

The treatments work to stop any further hair loss by blocking the formation of DHT to prevent the follicles from shrinking, increasing blood circulation to the scalp to dilate the hair follicle and allow much needed nutrients in to nourish the follicle and stimulate the follicles to accept the help they’re receiving and promote regrowth. In some cases hair supplements may be recommended. They will not prevent hair loss or make lost hair grow back but they will ensure that hair follicle receives adequate nutritional benefits to produce strong, healthy, and overall good quality hair.

Hair loss is not a condition that anyone needs to live with. If thinning hair is treated early, hair loss and baldness may well be preventable.

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Mr Shahzad’s is a very interesting case. Underneath his comment you will see a photo from when he visited Belgravia for a consultation in April 2008. He decided not to undertake treatment at the time and came back in December. As you will see, his hair naturally thinned quite dramatically in that space of time without treatment. He started using treatment in December and at the three month mark is very satisfied. We are hoping to get his hair back to its original density by the end of his current 12 month programme.

Comment: “I improved very much my hair.  When I started, I was losing my hairs, I didn’t even touch my head because my hair was falling very badly.  Now I am happy, in three months my hair has stopped falling and is growing.  I am very happy with the Belgravia Medication.  Before I used six months Philip Kingsley – but I was upset.”

Saleem Shahzad

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

8 Months before starting treatment

Mr Shahzad did not use Belgravia’s treatments until 8 months after the above photo. As you can see his hair thinned quite dramatically, but we are happy that since starting a treatment course it is beginning to grow back – hopefully it will continue.

   
Month 1                                        Month 3

If you want a hair loss product that offers a 100 percent proven, money back guaranteed solution, you will find one on the internet. But if you want a hair loss treatment that works, that’s another thing entirely. Of course some hair loss treatments work but unfortunately you can’t trust them all. Some may have testimonies from satisfied customers, claims of clinical testing and cheap, enticing offers but despite all this, the fact is that a lot of of what is sold on the internet is completely useless.

Anyone can make convincing allegations about fake hair loss products and get away with it on the internet because unlike TV and print media who have to adhere to the Advertising Standards Authority, there are no strict rules and regulations regarding the advertising of such claims. There is no law that states clinical evidence is needed to verify any claims made on the internet and even if there was such a law in the UK, web sites can operate from anywhere in the world so fraudulent web sites would still get away with false advertising.

Hair loss is a problem that needs effective treatment right at the outset to get the best results possible. With hundreds of different hair loss products and remedies floating about the internet it can be hard to know what or who to trust. Remember this – only products which have been tested over many years by reputable organisations should be considered for the treatment for hair loss.

Two medications have been approved and one device has been cleared by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) for the treatment of hair loss. The organisation which is known to be one of the strictest and most thorough drug approval authorities in the world subjects anything that is brought before them not only to testing for safety but also for effectiveness. Drugs that cannot be proven to work are not allowed to be sold in pharmacies.

However this can be half the problem. A lot of hair loss sufferers would prefer to deal with the problem discreetly rather that discus the problem with a pharmacist at the counter. A confidential consultation with a trichologist at a reputable hair clinic will not only provide you with an effective hair loss treatment but with a greater understanding about the hair loss condition itself. An online diagnosis is even available for those who are not able to travel to the centre. A doctor from the UK can prescribe FDA approved medication which can be dispatched from a UK pharmacy and delivered to your door.
 
The most prescribed and most effective hair loss medication for men is Propecia which is presently being used by millions of men around the globe. It cannot be disputed that clinical trials involving thousands of men over a decade in different parts of the world have proved it to be the most effective individual treatment for male hair loss.

The other hair loss medication approved for use by the FDA is minoxidil, the most effective topical solution for hair loss. There are many alternative topical solutions marketed for hair loss but no others that are medically proven, or approved by the FDA. The results of minoxidil are maximised when combined with one or more medically proven treatments.

The HairMax Laser Comb is the most recent addition to the FDA’s approved, or cleared, treatments for hair loss. Whilst it may not be as effective at preventing baldness or stopping thinning hair, it encourages hair growth and makes the hair stronger when combined with the above treatments.

If you use a hair loss product or remedy which has not been subjected to clinical testing by the FDA there’s a good chance you are wasting your time. Supplements, vitamins and changing your diet will not reverse the effects of genetic hair loss and very rarely will it go away on its own. The sooner you act the more likely these medically proven treatments will work for you.

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Rocker Jon Bon Jovi is losing his hair and he’s terrified he’ll end up bald. The Livin’ on a Prayer singer, as famous for his luxurious mullet in the 80s as he is for his music, admits male pattern baldness, a distressing issue to the average man, is causing him a lot of concern.

The 46-year-old singer, who has been long been known for his long tresses, has opted for a shorter style in recent years and ascribes the change to his receding hairline.

“Oh, let me tell you, I am so worried (about my hair). I look at guys like Sting and think, ‘Well, he’s cool about it,’ but I’m already losing it a bit and I’m so aware of it,” Bon Jovi said.

Despite rumours it’s still unclear if Bon Jovi’s using Propecia as a hair loss treatment, but he admits to trying conventional methods to fend off baldness.

“Someone told me that you have to regularly massage your scalp, so I do that all the time. You look like a jerk, but it’s got to be worth a shot, right?”

Men who tackle male pattern baldness as soon as the warning signs appear are far more likely to end up with a full mane of hair then those men who wait until their hair loss has advanced. Three hair loss treatments are approved by the FDA for efficacy and safety and if your hair is important to you, action needs to be taken immediately when male pattern baldness begins to appear. Men who use Propecia and/or minoxidil at the first sign of male pattern baldness generally have much higher success rate than those who delay taking it for a number of years. More information on the OPTIMUM TREATMENTS FOR HAIR LOSS.

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