hairlossANSWERS

Name: Dimitar

Question: Can I use Alpecin C1 (After shampoo liquid) and Minoxidil?

Answer: Yes, it is possible to use the Alpecin shampoo alongside Minoxidil. When using minoxidil it is however important that you leave it to absorb for at least 15 minutes before washing your hair. Please note that the shampoo Alpecin does not hold much efficacy for hair loss prevention, you can find more information on our Alpecin Information Page. Minoxidil is however one of only two proven treatments for hair loss prevention.

Belgravia offers specially formulated preparations of minoxidil in a 4% or 5% solution and a 12.5% cream, each with additives that may help to prevent DHT from damaging the hair follicles (DHT is the product produced by the body that causes genetic hair loss). Combinations of the proven medications (the other being Propecia) as a basis to a treatment course with various Hair Growth Boosters are advised in order to offer optimum levels of hair regrowth.

If you would like more information about these treatments and supplementary products, Belgravia offers a free consultation with a hair loss specialist. To book an appointment call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, complete the online diagnostic form for a mail order treatment service.

More Information:
Does Alpecin Shampoo Benefit Hair Loss?
Dr Andrew Messenger on Hair Loss Products – Daily Mail

Name: Marianne

Question: My 21 year old son has been suffering from hair loss for a year. He uses ecstasy (MDMA)  sometimes and other party drugs. Is it possible that his hair loss is related to these drugs? Thank you.

Answer: Parents and young people alike often wonder if their intake of recreational drugs or their lifestyle in general causes hair loss or if it is related to their hair loss. Drug induced hair loss leads to diffuse thinning all over the scalp and the condition is often very acute and dramatic. This type of shedding is very alarming and any person observing such hair loss should visit their Doctor or seek help immediately. If the drug use is stopped, this type of hair loss often resolves itself and does not continue to progress.
 
The more commonly observed type of hair loss in men, that progresses slowly, is a receding hairline or generalised thinning on the top area. This is condition is referred to as Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) and is caused by a genetic predisposition to increased levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which inhibits the hair growth cycle, eventually causing it to cease. MPB affects the majority of men at some stage in their lives including a large number of young men. Many men at the age of 21 often have hair loss that is due to this genetic reason rather than the use of recreational drugs although the drugs may help to accelerate hair loss.
 
It is important that your son sees an expert in order to get his condition diagnosed correctly. This will help you and him find out whether his intake of recreational drugs is contributing to his hair loss but will also ensure the condition can be prevented.

An early diagnosis is key to successfully preventing complete baldness. Here at The Belgravia Centre we offer free consultations with a specialist who will identify the cause of the hair loss advise on treatment options and what steps can be taken to prevent hair loss in the future. Alternatively, your son can complete the online diagnostic form and one of the clinic’s specialists will contact him.

Name: Liese

Question: I am 53 years old and on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). I have long hair and have it coloured, the roots especially. My problem is when I wash it every other day it just WILL NOT absorb conditioner at all and however much I apply, the hair just slides out!! It’s so alarming and over the last month it’s got worse and worse. I towel dry it then it’s so tangled and matted in places it takes quite some time to comb the tangles out. Even detangler won’t absorb, so consequently more hair is lost, just loads is coming out. It’s so upsetting. What is up with my hair ? Its getting thinner and thinner. My scalp is ok. It’s the hair follicle that is in such a bad condition. What can I do?

Answer: Increased shedding is due to a lot of the hair in the resting stage falling out earlier than it normally does. This situation is often a reaction to a previous event like stress, shock or trauma. The timing between the event and start of the increased shedding is crucial in diagnosing this symptom correctly. Hormonal changes that come with the menopause as well can lead to this condition called Telogen Effluvium.

Dry skin and hair is common during the menopause. Overprocessing (using chemicals on the hair to colour or straighten it) also exacerbates the problem so that even the best quality hair conditioner does not help to moisturise or untangle your hair. A lot of the hair that you shed also ends up tangled with the rest of your hair at the ends, long hair in particular makes this situation worse. Cutting the length of your hair can alleviate the tangling.
 
The best thing to do for now is to get your condition diagnosed correctly. There are other causes of hair loss in women such as Female Pattern Hair Loss, Diffuse Thinning and Alopecia Areata. In order to successfully treat the hair loss, it is important to know the cause – this requires more detailed information about when the condition started.

The Belgravia Centre offers a free consultation with a specialist who will inform you of what is causing the hair loss and recommend a course of treatment that is tailored to suit you. Appointments can be booked 7 days a week and take around 30 – 45 minutes. To book yours, just call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. If you are unable to visit the clinic, simply complete and submit the online diagnostic form and we will contact you over the next 2 working days.

To see the kind of results seen by clients undergoing treatment with Belgravia, take a look at the clinic’s treatment success stories and also the female before/during hair loss treatment photos.

Name: Mari

Question: What would cause me to suddenly have a bald spot on the back of my head? It’s about the size of a half dollar and looks as if someone took a pair of clippers to my head. It is not smooth bald, more of a fuzzy bald.

Answer: Ringworm or tinea capitis results in a patchy form of hair loss that is not smooth. The area can also itch or flake. Ringworm is often passed on by infected pets. A specialist needs to examine the area to determine whether the hair loss is due to ringworm or an autoimmune condition that is called Alopecia Areata. We offer a free consulation with a Belgravia specialist – the clinic is open 7 days a week and the appointment takes around 30 – 45 minutes. If you are unable to visit the London clinic, complete the online diagnostic form and submit a photograph of the affected area and a specialist will review your case and contact you.

Both conditions are treatable; a GP will prescribe anti-fungal cream and or oral medication. If the condition turns out to be Alopecia Areata, we can recommend the Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid. This is prepared by the in-house pharmacy at Belgravia and is effective at treating particularly stubborn areas of hair loss.

Name: Momta

Question: Hi, I just had my third baby. I have been losing a hand full of hair everyday. Please can you help me? What can I use to help stop my hair falling out? Thank you.

Answer: This sounds to me a case of Postpartum Alopecia, or post-pregnancy hair loss. To give you an accurate diagnosis we need to know how long it has been since you had your third baby and when your hair loss started. Postpartum Alopecia occurs in women two to four months after giving birth and is caused by more hairs than usual remaining in the growth phase during the pregnancy. After childbirth this hair sheds. This can be extremely distressing for a woman, but it is only the excess hair that is falling out and once the shedding has passed the hair will usually return to its original density, as it was before pregnancy, within 6 months.

For many women treatment is not necessary but if the hair has not recovered six months after childbirth, there may be other factors causing the hair loss. Stress, a change in lifestyle and strain on the body are other factors that can worsen the problem of otherwise temporary hair loss following childbirth and lead to a more long-term condition called Diffuse Thinning. Repeated incidences of hair loss after pregnancy can result in less hair growing back each time also increasing susceptibility to Diffuse Thinning.

In order to avoid this type of hair loss it is highly beneficial to use a suitable treatment for each bout of excessive shedding. A tailored treatment programme using a product called Minxodil which has been combined with the correct hair growth booster will minimise the damage that each episode can cause and ensure hair recovers to its full potential. The in-house pharmacy at Belgravia, prepares Minoxidil in a 4% and 5% topical solution with added Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) as well as a Minoxidil extra-strength 12.5% cream with added Azelaic Acid (AA). The concentration of Minoxidil that is used has a significant effect on the treatment’s effectiveness. The MPG and AA also improve the efficacy of the Minoxidil.

To see how effective a prescribed treatment programme can be for post pregnancy hair loss, take a look at a video diary of a woman undergoing treatment for Postpartum Alopecia.

Belgravia offers a free consultation to fully diagnose your condition and discuss a suitable treatment programme. To book an appointment, call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, complete the online diagnostic form and the clinic will review this and contact you shortly.

Name: Claire

Question: What styles and services would you avoid for Caucasian hair, African Caribbean hair and Asian hair?

Answer: Excessive tension placed on the hair shafts, often after wearing extensions, weaves, braids or tight ponytails, can lead to a type of hair loss called Traction Alopecia. The hair is pulled so tightly that it damages the follicle. If the tension is severe enough, or done over a long period, the hair follicle shrivels, resulting in thinner hair or it can shrivel completely stopping hair growth, causing hair loss. This damage can take up to two years before it becomes visible. It can affect hair of any race, however, Afro-Caribbean hair is most vulnerable because this race tends to weave and braid their hair significantly more than other races.

African Caribbean hair 
Afro-Caribbean hair in particular should avoid overstyling. This is because the hair grows in a tight spiral, making it difficult for the natural oils produced by the scalp to work their way to the ends of the hair. As a result this hair is more prone to certain scalp problems and is often dryer and more likely to break. Hair breakage will eventually lead to thinning hair which is often the early stage of hair loss.

In summary, Afro-Caribbeans must follow the advice below and take extra-precautions in using the correct hair care products.

• Extensions, weave-on and any hair additions must be very loose and reserved for special occasions.
• Hair colour or any chemical process should be done in the salon or professionally.

Advice for All Hair Types

Hair extensions
The wearing of extensions often pulls and plucks the hair out of the roots or it causes the hair to break off very close to the scalp resulting in bald patches. All hair types should avoid this hairstyle but especially hair that is dry and prone to breakage (any race) and African Caribbean hair.

Perming & Colouring
Chemical process such as perming and colouring the hair in one sitting as the hair can be over processed to the point of breakage. This often results in thinning hair. All hair types are susceptible to this chemical damage but particularly hair that is dry and prone to breakage (any race) and African Caribbean hair.

Regular Colouring
Repeated colouring such as when a person colours his or her hair only to dislike the result and then colours it again on the same day. The hair must be left alone for a week or ideally two weeks before having the colour re-done. This advice applies to all races.

Plaits and Braiding
Any plaits worn for a long period can cause excessive tension on any hair type. The plait should be big, loose, and worn for a short period. Braiding and corn rows are in particular very bad for Afro-Caribbean hair.

How to Treat Hair that is Damaged from Excessive Styling
Sometimes, after a break from styling, the hair will return to its former condition. However, if the hair has been severely weakened from overstyling, a short hair loss treatment programme can help the hair follicles return to a healthy hair growth cycle. To find out more about hair loss treatments, contact the Belgravia Centre for a free consultation.

More Information:
Hair Types and Race Differences
Asian Hair Facts
Hair Care for Afro-Caribbean Styles
Hair Loss Product Reviews

Name: Geoff

Question: Regaine makes my hair very greasy! It’s making me not want to use it but I’m not sure if I’m willing to risk my hair to avoid it being greasy. Do you know any Minoxidil brands that don’t cause greasy hair?

Answer: Regaine is the most well-known brand name for a hair loss treatment called Minoxidil. It is manufactured by Pfizer in a 2% ‘Regular-strength’ concentration (for men and women) and a 5% ‘Extra-strength’ concentration (for men only). It is available as Regaine Liquid or Regaine Foam. Minoxidil is one of only two products that has shown sufficient evidence in large scale clinical trials to be effective in tackling hair loss in men and women. The other, Propecia, is available to men only.

The formulation of Regaine indeed makes it a greasy application. This formula and other generic Minoxidil solutions contain a 50% concentration of propylene glycol in their liquid base, which leaves a long-lasting greasy film on the scalp.

At Belgravia we have an in-house pharmacy where we carefully formulate our Minoxidil in a 4% and 5% solution with an added ingredient called Medroxyprogesterone (MPG). In the preparation of our Minoxidil we use less propylene glycol. The result is a hair loss product with a texture that is less oily and non-greasy to use. Our highly qualified pharmacists take great care to ensure that Belgravia’s minoxidil formulations are produced to the highest standards for clients.

MPG is a product that is unlicensed but might help stop Dihydrotestosterone (DHT – the hormone that causes Male Pattern Baldness and Female Pattern Hair Loss) from destroying the hair follicles. This in turn supports the Minoxidil in order to increase its effectiveness.

Belgravia’s pharmacy also prepares an extra-strength Minoxidil 12.5% cream with added Azelaic Acid (AA). This can be prescribed for particuarly stubborn areas of hair loss.

To see the kind of results clients at Belgravia have achieved using Belgravia’s combination treatment courses consisting primarily of Minoxidil 4% and 5% (+MPG) and Minoxidil 12.5% (+AA) and Propecia take a look our the extensive range of hair loss success stories.

We would be happy to offer you a free consultation with a Belgravia hair loss specialist to discuss your condition and the benefits a combination treatment course will offer. To book an appointment, call our reception on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. If you are unable to visit the clinic, fill out the online diagnostic form which will be reviewed in the clinic. A treatment advisor will then be in touch to discuss your treatment recommendations and a postal delivery service of your treatments.

More Information:
Regaine/Rogaine – How Effective is Regaine for Hair Loss?
The Most Effective Treatments for Hair Loss
Hair Loss in Men

Name: John

Question: Is growing your hair out unhealthy in anyway if you are a teenage male?

Answer: No, growing your hair out as teenager does not lead to hair loss, if this is what you meant. The length of your hair does not affect its health in anyway. Hair grows in cycles with each strand having a lifecycle independent of the other hairs. The hair sheds once it has reached its end of lifecycle. This explains why we lose hair everyday yet we still maintain a head of hair. The longer your hair, the more you notice the hair coming out as it gets trapped in the bath plug or it gets stuck in your clothes. To summarise, hair can be healthy even if you keep it short or long.

It is important to regularly check your hair for signs of hair loss though, because male pattern baldness can start early for some men. Most men will see the early signs (a receding hairline and loss of hair from the crown) in their 20s or 30s however for some it will begin in the teens. For others it will develop later in life. As soon as you notice any changes, it is advisable to get your hair checked out so you know what is causing the hair loss. The earlier that genetic hair loss is treated, the better the results that can be achieved. 

More Information:
Hair Loss Product Reviews
Hair Loss Success Stories
Hair Loss in Young Men

Name: Milan

Question: Dear team, I want to know what is the secret of Salman Khan’s hair regrowth. I am a 27 year old guy. I am losing my hair from the front portion. Is it really possible to have dense hair and regrowth? Is surgical treatment is really effective?

Answer: It is quite common for a man to see the first signs of male pattern baldness in his 20s. The first stage is, as you have mentioned, a receding hairline at the front of the head, usually above the temples. The good news is that, by taking preventative action now, it is possible to maintain dense hair and see good regrowth simply by using tailored hair loss treatments.

Surgical treatment can be effective if the hair loss area is small. This procedure might not be suitable if the hair loss is extensive. In addition to the transplant, you need to use medications such as Propecia and Minoxidil 5% (+MPG) or Minoxidil 12.5% (+Azelaic acid) to prevent hair loss around the transplant. Salman Khan’s hair is a classic example of a good result for hair transplantation.

The best thing to do would be to visit the Belgravia Centre for a consultation with a hair loss specialist who will assess whether you are a good candidate for a transplant procedure and if you are suitable for the treatment. This involves an examination of the hair and scalp by one of our Trichologists and recommendation of the most effective course of action for your particular condition and stage of hair loss. The appointment is free of charge and it will take about 30-40 minutes.

To book a consultation, call Belgravia’s reception on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Appointments are available Monday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm, Friday 10am to 3:30pm, Saturday 9am-4:00pm and Sunday 10am-3.30pm.

If it is not possible for you to visit the London centre then complete our on-line diagnostic form and ideally submit this with a photograph of the affected area. The information that you provide on the form will allow us to diagnose the hair loss, advise on surgery and recommend a suitable treatment course.

Name: Arjun

Question: Does the use of shampoo increase the rate of hair loss?

Answer: No, the use of shampoo does not increase the rate of hair loss. The fact is that you lose hair whether you shampoo or not and whether you shampoo once a week or daily, you lose the same total amount of hair at the end of the week. The less you shampoo the more the hair that you lose when you do come to wash your hair.

A shampoo is a detergent designed for the hair; they are formulated to be compatible with our scalps in the same way that soaps and shower gels are made to be compatible with our skin. The role of shampoo is to lift off the excess oil and dirt in the hair and scalp and to leave the hair soft and shiny.  Cosmetic companies test shampoo products thoroughly to ensure their safety and efficacy.

If you are suffering from excessive hair loss, contact the Belgravia Centre so we can diagnose the condition. The majority of men will suffer from male pattern baldness at some stage in their lives. It often starts when a man is in his twenties or thirties. The earlier the condition is treated, the better the results that can be achieved.

There are a range of hair loss products available but only two have been proven to work for hair loss in men. MINOXIDIL and PROPECIA have been clinically tested and produce optimum results when tailored to the individual’s hair loss condition and combined with Hair Growth Boosters, designed to increase the response to treatment. Examples of the success our clients have achieved can be seen by viewing our hair loss success stories.