THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Name: Neil Strang 

Question: I’m 24 and been using Propecia for around 6 months. My hair on top is now almost fully thick but have not noticed any improvement around my temples - is there any proven treatment to help restore the hairline?

Answer: It’s good to hear that Propecia has been successful for you. Belgravia’s Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid is formulated especially for stubborn areas of hair loss such as the temples.  This extra-strength Minoxidil cream can be applied to the areas that you are worried about daily and should help to prevent the hair loss in these areas and thicken up and fine hair.  Unfortunately there is no way to regrow hair in areas of complete baldness (smooth, shiny scalp) - once the hair has got to this point it can not be replaced without surgery.

More information on MINOXIDIL 12.5% + AZELAIC ACID

Name: Gary 

Question: It is strange that I have hair recession because I have a very young face for my age - I lack facial hair, for example. As DHT is responsible for beard growth in men as well as hair recession, surely if my DHT levels were normal or high, I would be shaving my facial hair every day as opposed to once a week? Why is it that some men obviously have high DHT levels, as evidenced by extensive facial hair growth and the need to shave their beard regularly, yet they have a very low hair-line with little signs of hair recession? My hair recession does not suit my youthful face.

Answer: Like Male Pattern Hair Loss, body hair growth is related to genetics and the genes that have been inherited from your ancestors (parents / grandparents etc.).  Although people prone to body hair growth are likely to have increased body hair growth if they lose their hair - the two do not always go hand-in-hand.  Yes, they are both related to DHT and caused by DHT receptors but they are separate traits and it is common for a man to go bald but not have their body hair density increase and vice-versa as the DHT receptors on the persons body may be more or less sensitive to DHT than the hair follicle DHT receptors.

Question: I have been reading about a product called Crescina. Is it any good? Can this be used if I am already using Propecia and Minoxidil 12.5% + AA, as it all so has to be rubbed into the scalp?

Answer: This is a relatively unknown product and I had not heard of it until last week (when we received another question similar to yours).

Crescina contains two amino acids and a vasodilator (product that increases blood supply in the areas of application).  Amino acids are the ‘building blocks’ of protein and the ones contained in Crescina are Cysteine and Lysine.  Cysteine is also contained in Belgravia’s hair loss supplement ‘Hair Vitalics’.

There is no evidence to say that these amino acids will individually help towards stabilising hair loss or promoting hair growth and with regard to the vasodilator contained in the formulation; Minoxidil is the only vasodilator that has been proven to prevent hair loss and regrow hair and I have read reports of other vasodilators that have been tested but none have been found to have the same or similar effects to Minoxidil. The vasodilator in Crescina is not Minoxidil.

All in all I would not advise Crescina as a sole treatment for hair loss but it could perhaps be used as a ‘booster’ to the primary medications (which you are already using).  If you wanted to apply the liquid as well as Minoxidil 12.5% + AA you would have to apply the Crescina and wait about 20 minutes until it is all absorbed into the scalp and then apply the Minoxidil cream.

Our primary recommendation as a natural booster would however be Hair Vitalics which is a daily supplement (pill) that contains many natural ingredients that will help to prevent hair loss and maintain the condition of your hair, including various amino acids and Saw Palmetto.  Another suggestion would be the LaserComb, which is the only FDA cleared device for male hair loss. We are currently offering a free LaserComb with most of Belgravia’s treatment courses for hair loss.

HAIR VITALICS
LASERCOMB

Name: Mike Lewis 

Question: Myself and my partner are planning starting a family. Are there any precautions I should take if I am taking Propecia?

Answer: Although it is believed the amount of Finasteride contained in the sperm of a man taking Propecia is too minimal to have any negative effect on the fetus, we advise that as a precautionary measure you stop taking Propecia 1 week before trying for a baby.

Name: Bonita 

Question: I am a 26 years old female, and about two years ago I noticed my hair was falling out more than normal. I put it down to stress (I had recently split with my boyfriend and had been ill with a viral infection). However, the hair loss has continued ever since, and is noticeably worse during and shortly after my period. I used to have very thick hair, but it’s much thinner now, particularly around my temples and hairline. My father is balding, but there is no history of hairloss on my mother’s side, or amongst the women on my father’s side. Tests for thyroid problems and anemia have proven negative and I am not on the contraceptive pill. I also do not have excessive hair growth anywhere else.

Is this likely to be female pattern baldness, or could it be something else?

Answer: There is a strong possibility that your hair loss could be down to Female Pattern Hair Loss.  You can tell if it is genetic by observing whether the hair loss is restricted to the top of the scalp. If the hair thinning is as prominent around the sides and back then Female Pattern Hair Loss is most likely not the cause.  The best way to get an accurate diagnosis would be to either visit the centre for a consultation or complete Belgravia’s on-line diagnostic form.

Name: Rajeev Govinda Pillai 

Question: What category of drug is Propecia and how is it taken?

Answer: Propecia is classed as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor and is a pill to be taken once daily.  More information - PROPECIA.

Name: Ahmed 

Question: Does coconut oil prevent hair loss and if it does how often should i use it?

Answer: There is a simple answer to this - no! There are many so-called “miracle cures” and theories regarding certain products (this is a perfect example!) but the fact is there are only a small number of products that are proven to prevent hair loss and actually work - HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS.

Name: Lynne

Question: I am a hairdresser and one of my clients has recently lost a lot of hair, especially round the temples, but generally all over. I recommended her to visit her GP who put it down to stress; however my client has foil highlights 2-3 times a year and i do not know weather it is safe to do this with her hair loss.

Answer: If your client is experiencing hair loss, whether it is down to Telogen Effluvium (caused by stress) or genetic hair loss, colouring should not have any negative effect.  However, if the hair is thin, excessive colouring can cause breakage and deterioration in the quality of the hair but this is a cosmetic problem and only affects the areas of hair that the colouring touches.  I would however advise that your client consults a hair loss expert with regard to treating her problem - Visiting Belgravia.

Name: Bodde 

Question: I’m African by origin and I’ve been suffering with an undiagnosed scalp condition since 1995. It initially began with my scalp getting itchy and my skin just falling off endlessly like ground corn upon scratching. The texture of the crust was moist and yellowish in colour. Then the scalp became soaked in a greasy substance and the next stage was the crust piling into mounds of hard plaque. That was followed by my hair thinning rapidly and then falling off to date.

Currently, the top of my scalp is hardened plaque and I’ve lost most of my hair. I recently used some scalp lotions and the hair began to grow again but when I stopped the same condition recurred. What can I do to diagnose the problem?

Answer: This sounds like it could be some kind of infection - Impetigo comes to mind judging by your description.  I would advise you visit your GP as it sounds like something that needs to be treated by a doctor or dermatologist.

Question: Would there be a synergy with Topical Spironolactone and Nizoral? And is Topical Spironolactone (5%) as or more effective as Propecia in preventing/slowing MPB?

Answer: Propecia is the most effective individual treatment in preventing and reversing hair loss.  Spironolactone is not a licensed treatment for hair loss and has no clinical efficacy for the treatment of hair loss.

I don’t think there should be any problem using Nioxin and then Nizoral but I would get in touch with the people you purchased the products off to make sure as we do not sell either of these.