THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Former X Factor contestant Lucie Jones, who left the show last week after coming bottom in the public vote, despite being one of the more talented singers, has said image plays a huge part in winning the show and being successful in the music industry. Since leaving the show Jones has said that viewers didn’t get to see the real her and that she didn’t like some of the outfits she was given to wear. Jones, 19, was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying, ‘I was lucky to have the experience. It’s taught me so much about the business, about singing, about people and about how important it is to have the complete package – the look, the style, the hair – all those things are just as important as the way you sing.’

Today’s celebrity culture gives women more style icons than ever before and there is an ongoing debate about the pressure that this places on girls and women to look ‘picture-perfect’. This raises interesting questions when it comes to hair loss which is often considered unacceptable in women in these image-conscious times. Whereas men have a number of hairless role models to turn to (Bruce Willis, Andre Agassi, Vin Diesel), women that show any scalp are often portrayed as sick (and pitied), as alien (and feared), or as butch (and derided).

Hair loss can be a traumatic experience for a woman to go through because female identity is so much connected to hair and appearance. While celebrities such as Gail Porter have helped bring female hair loss out of the closet, many women are still unaware of the different types of hair loss. Indeed, with all the hair and make-up advice out there, it is easy to think it is something that only happens to cancer patients. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Female Pattern Hair Loss is a genetic condition that affects approximately 50% of women. Levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) often increase when a woman is in her 30s (and sometimes younger). This leads to thinning hair across the top of the crown. The menopause can often make the thinning more noticeable. Many women will suffer stress as a result, and stress can exacerbate the condition, creating a vicious downward spiral. It is possible to treat this condition. Minoxidil is the only hair loss treatment that has been found to be both safe and effective for the treatment of female hair loss. The Belgravia Centre has an in-house pharmacy that produces Minxodil in three formulations: Minoxidil 4% and 5% solution with added Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) and Minoxidil 12.5% with added Azelaic Acid (AA). When MPG and AA are added to these concentrations of Minoxidil, it becomes a prescriptive treatment of the highest quality. A specialist will be able to tailor a treatment programme around one of these formulations to ensure you are getting the best treatment available.

Sometimes hair loss is a temporary condition. Telogen Effluvium occurs when the body undergoes some kind of shock such as an illness, severe stress, childbirth or rapid weight loss. In women who are affected, the shedding will start around 3 months after the event. In many cases the hair growth cycle will return to normal after 6 to 12 months. However, in some individuals the condition can trigger permanent hair loss. In such cases, a hair loss treatment course can also help.

Another type of hair loss more commonly seen in women is Diffuse Thinning. This is hair loss that results from internal factors other than genetics such as thyroid disease, blood disorders and nutritional deficiencies. Sometimes stress can also lead to this condition. Once the root cause is being treated, it is possible to treat the hair loss.

If you are concerned about thinning hair or hair loss, the best thing to do is see a specialist so that you know what it causing it. Once this is established you can explore treatment options, if necessary. To book a free consultation with a Belgravia specialist, just call 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. If you are unable to visit the London-based clinic, simply complete the online diagnostic form and a treatment advisor will contact you to discuss your diagnosis.

More Information
Female Pattern (genetic) Hair Loss
Telogen Effluvium
Diffuse Thinning
Hair Loss Products Reviewed

Success Stories
Female Hair Loss Success: Watch a Video Diary
Female Hair Loss Success: “I have noticed a great improvement.”
Female Hair Loss Success: “I can’t believe the results.”

Interesting Articles
Psychological Impacts of Hair Loss in Women
Women’s Lifestyles Lead to Hair Loss at a Younger Age
How Women’s Hair Loss Affects Quality of Life
Pressure to Look Like Celebrities & Hair Loss in Young Women