hairlossANSWERS

Name: Anisa

Question: I noticed I was losing my hair from the front 17 years ago. I am 50-years-old now. I have tried everything to bring it back by refraining to use chemicals; instead I was using herbal stuff. Could it be that the follicles are now closed? The interesting thing is I have a lot hair from the middle to the back of my head but not in the front of my head (my hairline). I have lost all confidence in myself and I need to gain it back but I cannot afford the fees as I am unemployed.
I await your kind advice as to what I should do to gain my confidence back.

Answer: It’s difficult to assess without seeing the area of hair loss, but I would presume that your hair follicles are not dead; rather, the herbal products you have been using are not enought to treat the condition.

Assuming you have genetic thinning, which is similar in men and women in that it is restricted to the crown (top of the scalp), medically licensed hair loss treatments should theoretically work to at least some degree. The rule of thumb is that only once the area has gone completely smooth and is in fact “bald”, are the hair follicles closed and unreceptive to such treatment. It does not sound like this is the case for you.

Hair loss in women is often accompanied by feelings of lowered confidence and self-esteem, but there truly is something you can still do. Have a look at our patients’ before and during treatment photos and one young woman’s hair loss video diary – many women who were once in your position too, have seen amazing improvements in their hair and confidence.

Like these women you can book an appointment to see a specialist, or fill in an online diagnostic form if you can’t travel to London, to find out more about your condition, what treatment or combination of treatments would work best for you, and the kind of results you can realistically expect from them.

Please call the centre on 020 7730 6666 if you’d like to arrange a consultation, or for more information. In the meantime, I would suggest talking to your hairdresser and asking for tips and advice about hairstyles or accessories that could disguise the thinning.

Name: Ambreen

Question: My hair is falling after oiling, shampoo and conditioning. I use Pantene shampoo. My hair is coloured blonde. I try home remedies to stop it falling but it could not help. What should I do to prevent hair loss? Please help.

Answer: There are a number of things that can instigate or aggravate women’s hair loss. It is unlikely that your shampoo and conditioner is causing the hair fall, but dyeing it blonde could have caused some damage.

If you are susceptible to female pattern hair loss, it is possible that the peroxide could have initiated genetic thinning. In which case, there are hair loss treatments that have been scientifically proven and licensed by medical regulatory bodies for the express purpose of stabilising and preventing this type of hair loss.

However, what’s even more likely is that the dye has dried your hair out so much that it has become brittle and is breaking along the shaft, rather than falling from the root. This would be my immediate assumption, but I would encourage you to at least fill in an online diagnostic form, or come in to the centre for a diagnosis, so we can find out if there’s more to it than that.

A number of medications, illnesses and medical problems can cause excessive hair fall and sometimes it’s the hair loss that alerts you to that problem. The diagnosis may reveal that you don’t even require any special treatment. There may be simple measures you can take to stop the hair fall. For instance, swapping to an alternate medication if a current one is the culprit, or if it’s the hair dye that’s simply causing breakage (as opposed to real hair loss), stop using the chemical and let your hair grow out. 

In any case, there should be something that can be done about your hair loss. Please call the centre on 020 7730 6666, or send a message, to arrange an appointment or if you require further information.

Name: D.C Turner

Question: Does the LaserComb really work for hair loss?

Answer: The Hairmax LaserComb was declared both safe and effective for the purpose of promoting hair growth in 2007 by the FDA. Specialists at The Belgravia Centre do not recommend the Hairmax LaserComb as a stand-alone treatment for most cases of hair loss, but rather as a booster treatment to the clinically proven medicines to help augment their results.

Now, it may sound confusing but there is basic principle to how the LaserComb works (be imaginative with the image on the right). It uses low-level laser light to increase blood circulation to the hair follicles and allow nutrients to be delivered to the cells. It also helps to divide the hair cells so as to enable the storage of adenosine three phosphate (ATP), a coenzyme responsible for intracellular energy transfer and known to stimulate living cells including the hair follicles.  A similar concept to the sun’s role in photosynthesis. More information – LaserComb Proved an Effective Hair Loss Treatment

Although success of the LaserComb differs from person to person, from voluminous to minimal results, the results will depend on the type of hair loss, how far advanced the loss is, and if a combination of effective hair loss treatments are being used.

If you require more information, or would like to know what combination of hair loss treatments would provide you with the most superior results based on your particular condition, you can visit the centre by appointment or receive an online consultation and diagnosis.

Name: Carole

Question: I was diagnosed with frontal fibrosing alopecia seven years ago but the hair loss seems to have stabilised. Would a hair transplant work with this condition?

Answer: Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is quite a rare and progressive type of scarring hair loss. Transplants are not deemed suitable for most cases of scarring alopecia unless the hair loss is inflicted through a burn or a scar resulting from a surgical procedure. This is because there is usually an autoimmune problem involved or, as in your case, there is scarring and inflammation underneath the skins surface that is causing the hair loss.

A clever hairstyle might help disguise the frontal hair loss so it’s worth discussing with your hairdresser. Although it is in fact possible to perform a hair transplant procedure on someone who has frontal fibrosing alopecia, most specialists would advise against it because there is always the chance that transplanted hair could be attacked also. Even if your hair loss has stabilised or is in remission, there is always the possibility that it could recur if other hair was transplanted to the affected area.

Name: Pat

Question: Will mindoxil for women work on someone over 60 years old?

Answer: Minoxidil is a product licensed for the treatment of hair loss in women and men over the age of 18. How old you are does not dictate whether or not the treatment will work, nor the extent of hair regrowth you will experience, but there are a few other things that will. The type of hair loss you have and how advanced the thinning is will essentially establish whether or not you are a good candidate for minoxidil, or any other hair loss treatment, rather than your age.

Read more here – Am I Too Old To Do Something About Hair Loss?

On the flipside, your specific condition and situation can dictate the concentration of minoxidil, or any other supporting products, that are required to obtain the best possible results. Minoxidil is licensed in a 2% concentration for women. This means that any woman over the age of 18 can obtain it over the counter from most pharmacies and the manufacturer’s backside is covered. Women are not limited to this one and only hair loss product, however, and sometimes a little extra is need to achieve the most effective result. But women will require a doctor’s prescription for a concentration any higher than 2%.

The Belgravia Centre’s registered pharmacy produces three unique versions of minoxidil which have the added benefits of concentration variation and medroxyprogesterone or azelaic acid. Each course of treatment is tailored specifically to suit the individual circumstances of each person, following a diagnosis conducted by one of our medically-trained specialists, and are also easily accessible to our clients as we have a resident doctor responsible for prescriptions.

You’ll find more information here – Minoxidil and Medroxyprogesterone | Minoxidil and Azelaic Acid

If you’d like to know more, or would like to arrange a free consultation to determine the most appropriate product for your condition is, call The Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, you could complete an online diagnostic form and a specialist will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your results.

Name: Rashmi

Question: I am a strict vegetarian. What vegetarian foods contain all the required chemicals for good hair? I have hair loss just above the crown. I stay in Saudi Arabia and have been blaming the slight salinity in the water supply which is used for bathing and to wash my hair. I apply olive hair and use good quality shampoo and conditioners. Please suggest. Thank you.

Answer: Hair loss at the crown instantly suggests that the condition could be hereditary, although you would need to fill in an online diagnostic form so one of our specialists can make an informed diagnosis. Diffuse hair loss is a condition that often results from inadequate diet or other medical problems, but with this thinning occurs all over the scalp. Thinning or hair loss on the crown, on the other hand, is typical of male pattern baldness.

Can Desalinated Water Cause Hair Loss? It could have an effect on hair quality, aggravate or even instigate genetic patterns of hair loss. Essentially however, unless there is an inherent genetic susceptibility to hair loss, desalinated water won’t directly cause hair loss.

Using quality shampoo and conditioners can help maintain hair health, as can consuming a diet that consists of foods containing essential vitamins and nutrients. These include, but are not limited to:

• Soybeans and lentils – for their high levels of iron
• Tofu and spinach – for their high protein content
• Papaya and raw red pepper – good source of vitamin C to help absorb iron
• Dairy products (including vegetarian cheese) and free range eggs – contain B vitamins for healthy hair. Vegans should eat foods fortified with B vitamins. 

However, these foods and what you are currently using on your hair will not be enough to prevent hair loss if the gene exists within, and they most certainly will not reverse the loss that has already occurred.

There are only two products that have been extensively proven for the treatment and prevention of hair loss. Unlike nutritional supplements and home remedies, they have undergone large, wide scale clinical studies to demonstrate their safety and efficacy and have contributed to a growing number of hair loss success stories.

You can find more information about these products here – Proven Hair Loss Treatments

 Name: Johny

Question: I am a 25-year-old Afro-Caribbean guy. I stared losing my hair three years ago because of strong perm or relaxer I used on my hair. I had a bit softer hair than my fellow Afro-Caribbean’s so can you give me any advice?

Answer: Chemical treatments such as dyes, perms or relaxers can cause temporary hair loss if the strands become brittle and break away from the root or along the shaft, or they can cause permanent hair loss if they burn the scalp and scar the follicle.

However, it doesn’t sound as though either of these scenarios is the case for you. Because you are continuing to lose your hair three years after the incident, it is probable that you have male pattern baldness – an inherent genetic condition that was likely triggered by the chemical perm or relaxer.

The good news is that there are treatments that are clinically proven and approved by medical regulatory bodies that can stabilise hair loss and stimulate renewed growth. You will need to arrange a face-to-face appointment or online consultation with a specialist so they can properly diagnose your condition and make informed recommendations, but an individualised programme that incorporates the most effective treatments for hair loss will provide you with the best opportunity for hair growth success.

Take a look at the before and during treatment photoscans of some of The Belgravia Centre’s clients to get a bit of an idea about the kinds of results possible with this personalised approach to hair loss.

Name: Charlotte

Question: I have been told that you can purchase a shower head attachment to reduce PPM of your water, is this true? If so where can I purchase one from? I live in Dubai and my friends and I are becoming increasingly worried at the amount of our hair that is coming out.

Answer: I am not familiar with, or an expert on, shower filters. You can buy attachments that supposedly reduce chlorine, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), THMs (Trihalomethanes) and lead or copper in the water, but I would not be able to recommend to you a particular one or tell you where you might find one in Dubai. However, what I can tell you is that there are ways to manage your hair loss.

A lot of people wonder, Does Desalinated Water Cause Hair Loss? It is highly possible that water quality, with regards to TDS (total dissolved solids) and PPM (parts per million), can have a negative effect on skin and hair. However, hair loss is often a dynamic problem and it could be affected by other factors as well. Usually there is an underlying genetic susceptibility that is triggered by something, perhaps the water, and by addressing the real reason for hair loss rather than the trigger, most men and women are able to control and even reverse the damage.

Hair loss treatment initially requires a diagnosis conducted by a specialist. All facets of medical and family histories, lifestyle, and personal habits and preferences must be taken into account to formulate a programme that is going to be, not only the most beneficial in providing the greatest result for an individual, but also safe and appropriate to their unique situation.

After years of helping men and women combat hair loss, The Belgravia Centre’s growing number of hair loss success stories is testament to the effectiveness of this approach when dealing with most types of male and female hair loss conditions.

If you would like to find out more, please feel free to call The Belgravia Centre on +44 (0)20 7730 6666, or for a personal diagnosis and recommendation, submit an online diagnostic form. Through this you have the opportunity to access the most effective hair loss treatment combinations from anywhere in the world.

Name: Anonymous

Question: I am 37 years of age and have been diagnosed with PCOS.  I’ve been taking a cocktail of medicine since my freshman year of college to currently include the following:

• spironolactone 100 mg 2xdaily
• metformin 500 mg 2x daily
• b control ortho-novum 1/35 tabs 28
• levothyroxine sodium 50 mg

My hormonal levels have been normalized, and have been from some time, but I have experienced some general thinning at the crown of my head.  Hair loss is at roughly 25% if not a little over that. I have no children currently, but have considered becoming pregnant within the next 12 to 24 months.

I was hoping that there was some treatment that I could use to help rejuvenate hair growth on the crown of my head.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: Hair loss in women is largely affected by hormonal changes. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and hair loss are both affected by hormones. PCOS develops when the body produces too many androgens, and hair loss is a common side effect of PCOS due to the excessive amounts of these male hormones.

The list of medicines you mentioned do not affect hair growth but the conditions they were prescribed for can cause hair loss. Levothyroxine, for example, is prescribed for an under-active thyroid and it is this condition that affects hair growth.

Like most medical problems that can cause hair loss, normal hair growth usually resumes once PCOS (and/or a thyroid problem) is under control. However, because your hair loss is continuing, and particularly as it’s localised to the crown and not diffusely spread, it may be that this medical problem has triggered an inherent genetic trait that makes you susceptible to hair loss. Female pattern hair loss is relatively common among post-menopausal women, but many factors can instigate an earlier onset, such as PCOS.

Once PCOS is being effectively managed, the treatment most likely to provide women with the best opportunity for hair loss stabilisation and regrowth is minoxidil. It is the only product available that is medically and scientifically proven to stabilise female genetic hair loss and stimulate renewed hair growth and is also highly successful in treating other forms of women’s hair loss. However, minoxidil is a dose-dependent medication, so you’ll need to consult a hair loss specialist on which strength you’ll need and find out whether a combination of hair growth boosters will provide beneficial support for the treatment.

To find out more, contact us on 020 7730 6666 to arrange a free consultation with a Belgravia Centre specialist. If you can’t make it to the London centre for a face-to-face consultation, fill in an online diagnostic form and someone will contact you shortly to discuss your particular situation and recommend what would most likely work for you.

If you decide to try for a baby, you can continue applying minoxidil up to the point of conception, but no studies have been conducted to ensure that it is safe to use after the second trimester. You will have to stop the treatment throughout the pregnancy but during that time oestrogen hormone levels are high and hair is usually in prime condition anyway. You can resume the treatment after the birth, or once you finish breastfeeding.

Name: Sarah

Question: I am 19. I have lost my hair completely four times in the last six years. The first couple of times I had suffered severe post traumatic stress, but the other times I have been fine. Why does this keep happening and the hair always return?

Answer: From your description it sounds as though you had alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis, conditions related to the autoimmune disorder, alopecia areata. They may originate from alopecia areata and slowly develop to totalis or universalis, or they might come on suddenly and hair loss may occur rapidly over a period of days or weeks. It’s understood that totalis and universalis are the result of an attack on the hair follicles by the immune system, and can be instigated by stress or genetics.

However, you don’t have to be stressed to for an autoimmune attack on the hair follicles. This is part of the mystery behind the conditions. It would appear you have a strong genetic inclination to autoimmune problems, but you are lucky that your hair always grows back.

Although there are some cases where complete restoration has occurred, the chances of recovery are generally small. And unfortunately, despite some companies claiming to be able to be able to treat totalis and universalis, no hair loss treatment has proved effective.

About 1 in every 125,000 men and 1 in every 250,000 women have alopecia totalis or universalis. Most sufferers are children and young adults under the age of 40, though it can affect people of all ages.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent the hair loss reoccurring. The long-standing and recurring nature of the condition means that, while some people might come to terms with it at some point, for others it might be beneficial to perhaps prepare a cosmetic solution or consider hair replacement, if at some point the hair does not grow back.