THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE BLOG

Name: Lorraine

Question: I have been using Minoxidil 4% for nearly 9 months. However it causes a white powder like residue on my scalp. How can I control this?

Answer: Like you, I use Minoxidil (5% + MPG).  I also sometimes get this just in front of my hair-line (where it has dripped).  Once it has dried up it is ok to wipe off because all the required Minoxidil has been absorbed info the scalp.  It is very easy to be wiped off and can be done with your finger.

Name: Ian Mitchell

Question: Roughly how much does a full hair loss treatment course cost?

Answer: Although the cost of treatment depends on your condition and stage of hair loss (which is diagnosed when you complete an on-line diagnostic form or visit the centre for a consultation), you can get an idea of the costs on the following page - Price and Treatment Comparison.  This page lists the treatments offered and costs of the most well-known UK hair loss centres.

Name: Marie Ward 

Question: my sister has bald patches on her head, her doctor has given her Nizoral shampoo - I looked it up on the net it says it’s for dandruff?? What do you recommend please?

Answer: You are correct - Nizoral is for dandruff, I am unsure why this has been recommended for patchy hair loss.  Your sister would need an accurate diagnosis before seeking any treatment.  It sounds like the condition could be Alopecia Areata by what you explain but there are a number of possible diagnoses.

If your sister would like to arrange a consultation with a trichologist (free) please contact the centre by phone on 020 7730 6666 or click on the ‘contact us’ link at the top of the page to email us.  Alternatively if she is unable to visit she can complete our ON-LINE DIAGNOSTIC FORM.  Following submission of the form a treatment advisor will call your sister to discuss her diagnosis and possible treatment options.

Name: Vikki Wheatley 

Question: I have a 2 and a half year old little boy, last night someone pointed out that he had two slight balding patches on the back of his head. I’ve checked them and they are bald with a few blond bits coming out. He has a had a patch for a while that just looked fair, as he has dark hair I just thought his colour was changing but when I looked at it last night it seems that the hair has gone and it’s just the rest of his hair covering it up that makes it look fair. So now he has two patches - the second has just appeared. We have no hair loss in the family history and he has no allergies. Could it be anything else except for alopecia? All I can think of are these two patches and I can’t get him to the doctors until Monday, I’m quite upset.

Answer: It sounds possible that the hair loss could be due to Alopecia Areata.  If it is, it’s likely that the hair will grow back on its own but I am afraid nothing can be done in the way of treatment for a child of this age.  I advise you to visit your GP.

Question: I had many plates and dreadlocks in the past and now I have some areas with no hair on the sides, what can I do?

Answer: Please see the following post, which answers your question fully - http://www.belgraviacentre.com/blog/question-i-have-bald-lines-where-my-hair-has-been-pulled/.

Question: I have been diagnosed with Alopecia Areata. I only have one bold spot. At first it was the size of 50 pence, and in 3 weeks it got bigger. Now it’s the size of 3 hand fingers put together. The doctor recommended Clobetasol Propionate but it didn’t do anything. Is there any other treatment that I can try? If so will I need a prescription? If yes where can I get it from? I’ve had this condition for 3 months now with no signs of hair regrowth.

Answer: Here is an earlier post that will answer your questions. Belgravia can provide a prescription for Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid - http://www.belgraviacentre.com/blog/alopecia-areata-cleared-up-in-most-cases/

Name: Jane

Question: Are you aware of anyone being treated using acupuncture for Alopecia, particularly as Alopecia may be caused by stress and if so could you please pass on relevant information?

Answer: I have not heard of anyone being treated successfully for Alopecia Areata (I assume this is the condition you are talking about) with acupuncture but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be worth trying. You are correct in saying that Alopecia can be caused by stress and I believe acupuncture can be a successful way of relieving stress, so it could be beneficial. I would advise you contact an acupuncture specialist and ask if they feel it could help.

More information on ALOPECIA AREATA

Name: Francois 

Question: Will using Minoxidil lead to excess facial hair and if so, is there a remedy for this?

Answer: Excessive facial hair from Minoxidil is a very rare side effect and will usually only be noticeable in women (generally women with dark skin / Asian origin who are more prone to facial hair).  In the unlikely event that excessive facial hair growth is experienced, this will disperse when the medication is stopped.

However, the Belgravia pharmacy can provide an FDA approved cream that is proven to reduce hair growth at the areas of application.

Name: Nicky 

Question: In July 2006 I moved house. 3 months later, in October I started to notice large amounts of hair falling from all over my head. At its peak, I was counting over 300 hairs per day dropping from my head. During November 2006 I discovered I was pregnant and tried to stop worrying about the hair loss (although found it hard not to worry). The shedding seemed to slow down and by Feb 2007 it seemed to return to normal. The thickness of my hair had reduced by quite a lot and has not yet returned to normal. I have also noticed my parting seems slightly wider and I can see my scalp at the top of my head when I’m under bright light (the hair seems to have thinned quite a lot at the top of my head).
I would like to know if my hair will ever return to normal and I’m also concerned that it didn’t thicken whilst I was pregnant-in fact, seemed to get thinner. Please help!

Answer:

1. It is likely that the hair loss was caused by a condition called Telogen Effluvium (click on name for more information), probably due to the stress or shock to the system from your house move.

2. Pregnant women generally notice hair shedding and greasy skin clearing up during the second trimester, hence the reason your hair loss stopped.

3. The fact that you say your hair has thinned at the top of your head indicates Female Pattern Hair Loss which could have been triggered from the Telogen Effluvium condition.

It is unlikely your hair will return without using treatment as Female Pattern Hair Loss is an on-going condition.

Name: J Rance

Question: Do you do NHS wigs?

Answer: As we are a private clinic we do not provide wigs on the NHS.  I would advise you contact the NHS to find out if and where you can find this service.