Male Hair Loss

“I thought I would lose my hair because it ran in my family.  In just 3 months Belgravia has shown me that this can be stopped and improved.  It’s a great feeling looking in the mirror to see more hair every week. 

Many thanks Belgravia”

Andrew Lewis

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

“The treatment is working!  

After a years course the results are visible to friends and family.  My hair is stronger and new hair is growing.  I had no hesitation signing up for another year! 

Thanks to all!”

Mark Jeeves

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

For many men, male pattern baldness is simply a fact of life, a genetic trait passed down from generation to generation which eventually leads to the loss of some or all head hair. However, new light has been shed on the possible cause of the bald patches which occur, with the potential of there one day being a ‘cure’ for genetic hair loss.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in the US last week revealed that they had discovered what they believe to be the cause of male pattern baldness. Announcing their findings in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the team from the university’s Department of Dermatology said that the underlying reason for bald spots was not a lack of hair, but in fact that the hair that grows in such areas is so small as to be microscopic.

Fault in stem cell activation blamed

The study utilised human scalp samples obtained anonymously from hair loss treatments. After comparing bald patches with healthy full-haired areas of the scalp they found that there was no significant difference in the number of hair follicles, only in the size and health of them.

The problem, they say, lies with stem cells located in the scalp. In the case of a normal healthy head of hair, these stem cells turn into ‘progenitor cells’, which in turn produce hair.

The team found that while the number of stem cells remained the same in bald patches as areas with healthy hair, there were far fewer of the more mature progenitor cells in bald patches.

The research leader, Dr George Cotsarelis, said: “This implies that there is a problem in the activation of stem cells converting progenitor cells in bald scalp. The Fact that there are normal numbers of stem cells in bald scalp gives us hope for reactivating those stem cells.”

He went on to say, “This lowers the bar for developing a treatment. It definitely gives us hope we can reverse the condition.”

Possible treatment

In theory, a cream or other locally applied treatment could be used to stimulate and reactivate the cells. Once this could be achieved, hair would be expected to re-grow naturally and normally.

However, while this news may be music to the ears of many suffering from genetic hair loss, or androgenic alopecia, it should be noted that only minimal research has so far been implemented. The study used scalp samples from only 54 individuals between the ages of 40 and 65. Of these individuals, all were white males, and so it is as yet impossible to tell if the same results are true of women or for individuals beyond the racial background of the test group.

Existing treatments for Androgenic Alopecia

While these claims might grab headlines, there are already well established effective treatments available for the treatment of male pattern baldness and genetic hair loss. At the Belgravia centre we use a treatment programme based around the primary ingredients Propecia and Minoxidil to prevent further hair loss and stimulate hair re-growth, in combination with a programme of close trichological monitoring.

Minoxidil and Propecia are both licensed by the UK’s Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the treatment of genetic hair loss.

If you suffer from alopecia or any other hair loss condition, contact us for a free consultation or fill out our online diagnostic form to see how we can help. For a little inspiration, have a look through some of our recent success stories.

Hair growth and loss is cyclical by nature, this is true of everyone whether they suffer from a hair loss condition or not. There are three main stages which make up our hair cycle; the first of these is the anagen phase, when hair grows. In adults the anagen phase can last anything between three and seven years, depending on the size of the hair follicle.

It is followed rapidly by the catagen, or transitional phase. This is when hair stops growing, and the follicle rapidly regresses in preparation for the shedding phase. In contrast to the anagen phase, catagen typically lasts only a couple of weeks.

The telogen phase then begins. This normally lasts around 100 days at the end of which the hair, which has now ceased to grow, will spontaneously shed, making way for a new hair shaft which is forming within the hair canal during this period.

A normal adult’s head of hair will typically be made up of 90% of follicles in the anagen phase and just 10% in the telogen phase. As these statistics show, the number of hairs in catagen is minimal, normally less than 1%.

Telogen Effluvium occurs when something shocks a large proportion of the 90% anagen phase hairs into prematurely entering the telogen phase. The condition can affect anyone at any age, with several cases noticed in children. It is not more prevalent among one ethnic group than another, although is slightly more common in women, mainly because there are typically more potential triggers in the female lifecycle.

Telogen Effluvium that lasts for more than six months, or recurs periodically, is known as chronic.

What triggers Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen Effluvium is a hair loss condition caused by a systemic shock to the body, usually affecting the hormone balance. It can be something as natural as giving birth or stopping birth control pills, or a more sinister cause, resulting from extreme emotional shock and stress or major physical trauma /surgery. As hair loss is not normally noticed until 100 days after the event, when the induced telogen phase ends and shedding begins, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.

Telogen Effluvium and Pregnancy

One of the most common triggers for Telogen Effluvium in women is the end of pregnancy, whether this is through termination, miscarriage or birth. During pregnancy, female hormone levels change dramatically, with levels of oestrogen and progesterone rising in particular.

As a result, a greater proportion of hairs remain in the anagen phase than normal and many pregnant women report their hair as feeling thicker and healthier than pre-pregnancy. Once the pregnancy is ended, however that may occur, the hormone levels drop back to their original levels, causing a major systemic upset.

The shock of the rapid hormone changes is enough to force anagen phase hairs into the telogen phase, and Telogen Effluvium results. Although it is not often spoken about, post-pregnancy hair loss is very common, with anywhere between 20% and 45% of new mothers experiencing a higher level of hair shedding three months after the end of pregnancy.

Telogen Effluvium and Medicine

Any major physical shock, whether it be sustained through accident or surgery, has the potential to cause Telogen Effluvium, in men also. As well as the high-impact physical aspects of undergoing surgery, especially an operation which requires general anaesthesia, Telogen Effluvium can also be triggered by certain medications. Key drugs for the treatment of gout, high cholesterol level and high blood pressure have all had hair loss reported as a side effect among a significant number, although not all, users.

Whether the cause is surgery, physical shock, or medication the effect is the same, any one of these triggers can force hair into the telogen phase, with shedding occurring around three months after the initial incident.

How can Telogen Effluvium be treated?

Telogen Effluvium is an interruption in the normal cycle of hair growth, and usually will right itself naturally as hair re-enters the anagen phase – just like it would have done if the telogen phase had occurred in the normal business of things. It is important to ensure that any underlying cause of Telogen Effluvium is addressed, especially if the problem is the result of long-term psychological or physical issues, as failure to do so may result in ongoing hair loss.

If you are worried about Telogen Effluvium or any other hair loss condition, and would like an in confidence talk about your options for restoring your hair, please contact the Belgravia Centre for an initial consultation or feel free to complete an online diagnostic form.

“Hair was thinning very quickly which was quite upsetting.  Started treatment two years ago and within a couple of months I could see the impact of the treatment, and after a year I had a decent crop of hair again. 

I’m very happy with the treatment and would recommend to anyone who is concerned about hair loss.”

Edward Jennings

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

“Excellent treatment along with excellent customer service.  Really happy and excited with the progress after 7/8 months.  I feel younger and healthier. 

Thank you to The Belgravia Team.”

Haroon Shafi

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

NO VAT ON BELGRAVIA HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS – SAVING 20%

Recent news headlines everywhere seem to be focussing on how millions of us have been rushing to the shops and stores to beat the VAT rise – and the Belgravia Centre has been no exception, seeing a huge but unnecessary surge in appointments over the bank holiday.

So we thought that we should remind you of two important benefits available to all hair loss sufferers:

• Belgravia’s home-use combination courses consist of the only treatments medically and clinically proven to reverse male and female pattern hair loss in most cases.
• All Belgravia’s hair loss treatments 100% free of VAT, meaning a direct saving of 20%

So if you want the best results in the shortest possible time at an affordable cost for most, contact us on 0800 077 6666 or message the centre. Our hair loss success stories show how effective a Belgravia treatment course can be.

Male pattern baldness is one of the most common hair loss conditions in the UK, affecting 40% of men under 40 and a massive 65% of men by the age of 60. Given this is the case, it’s surprising that sufferers still frequently find themselves embarrassed or stigmatised by the condition.

One of the most crucial facts regarding male pattern baldness is that it is a purely genetic condition, caused by male hormones, known as androgens, acting on genetically pre-programmed hair follicles. The body produces an enzyme 5-Alpha Reductase which converts the hormone testosterone into the potent dihydrotestosterone.

This then binds to hair follicles which are genetically pre-disposed for hair loss. The dihydrotestosterone causes the hair follicle to shrink and eventually stop producing hair, at this point hair thinning occurs. If left untreated, this can eventually lead to baldness.

This is purely genetic cause and effect – male pattern baldness is not a symptom of any underlying illness or a sign that someone is not fit and healthy. Nor does it indicate that the sufferer is ‘unmanly’, a frequent stigma attached to the condition. In fact, given the role testosterone plays in the condition, you could argue the opposite is actually true!

Statistics tell us that as much as 75% of the UK’s male population believe that hair loss is unpreventable, which is a complete fallacy in the case of male pattern baldness. Being one of the most common hair loss conditions, it is luckily also one of the most treatable – and through non-surgical methods.

The Belgravia Centre has seen thousands of men suffering from male pattern hair loss and helped them arrest their hair loss and inspire re-growth in previously affected hair follicles. The consequence is that, in the majority of cases, their natural hair line returns to its origional state and any hair loss is practically undetectable.

Although male pattern baldness is a common condition, it affects each individual differently; therefore, no two hair loss treatment plans are the same. Our trichologists will tailor your treatment to the severity of your condition, the type of hair you have and the results you require. Of course, some of the basic ingredients are the same.

There are only two products which are proven for the treatment of male pattern baldness in the UK (licensed as they are by the UK’s MHRA and the FDA in the United States). They each take a different approach to the condition, and so work best in combination. Propecia is a medication based on Finasteride, an anti-androgen, originally developed for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Propecia works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. The drug lowers DHT levels in the body to a point where, after a sustained course, they will naturally balance themselves out and hair loss will stop.

Minoxidil works alongside Propecia, and works by increasing blood flow to the scalp so that hair follicles receive all the oxygen and nutrients they require for growth. This not only helps hair to re-grow, but ensures it will do so in the best possible condition. The Belgravia Centre prepares its own Minoxidil 4% and 5% fodmulations and an extra-strength 12.5% Minoxidil cream at its on-site pharmacy; adding a booster ingredients of Azelaic Acid or MPG, products which are believed to inhibit DHT from reaching the hair follicles. The strength of Minoxidil required varies depending on the individual’s pattern and stage of male pattern baldness.

Around the spine of these two medications, there are several more hair growth booster treatments which can help combat male pattern hair loss. Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type, and any hair loss conditions, can really help to encourage perfectly healthy and vibrant hair re-growth. The Belgravia Clinic’s on-site pharmacy prepares a range of hair care products that are woven into your individual treatment plan to boost your hair re-growth along.

A daily supplement, such as Hair Vitalics, can also help ensure that the hair follicles are receiving all the nutrients they need on a regular basis. This means that your hair, both existing and re-growing, will be as healthy and strong as it possibly can be, helping to reduce the risk of hair shedding through brittleness.

Male pattern baldness sufferers who like their gadgetry will be thrilled with the Laser Comb, included free with most treatment courses at the Belgravia Centre. This device emits low-level laser across the scalp to stimulate blood flow and encourage hair growth.

Belgravia’s success stories are the largest collection of their kind in the world. They include comments written by happy treatment users, and their before/after photos (which are taken of every visiting patient). Treatment programmes are however available to anybody around the world for home use.

So as you can see, with all these treatment options for male pattern baldness, there really is no reason for it to be inevitable. If you happen to know someone who is in the 75% that think it is, feel free to pass on this article and put them in contact with us.

“3 months down the line… Amazing I am so happy with this product, everyone is very nice here all the time, I would recommend this product to anyone!!”

Chris Withey

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss

“I was very worried when I started losing my hair but since I started using the treatment at Belgravia my hopes changed.  I’m very pleased with the results and hoping to improve even more!”

A S

Diagnosis:  Male Pattern Hair Loss