The Belgravia Centre Blog

Name: Sabrina 

Question: I used to relax my hair with relaxer and now my hair is weak and falling out.  Is there any home treatment I can use?

Answer: Relaxer can deteriorate the quality of your hair and eventually cause breakage.  This should stop once you stop using the relaxer when new, healthy hair has grown through.  If there has been enough time for new hair to grow through since you stopped using relaxer on your hair, there may be another reason for the hair loss.

In either case we would need to have more information in order to recommend a suitable course of treatment if applicable.  So you would need to either visit the centre for a consultation or alternatively complete our on-line diagnostic form (click here to access it).  If you would like to arrange a consultation you can contact us by email (click here) or call 020 7730 6666.

Name: Mary Sloane 

Question: Do you recommend using full lace wigs to cover hair loss?

I am having a lot of hair loss lately and want something that would not damage my hair. My friend recommends using this. Any feedback?

Answer: It’s difficult to say what would be the best option for your hair loss as it depends on the stage your hair has reached and the condition causing the hair loss.  Lace-front wigs are a suitable option for advanced hair loss but there is a possibility that medicated treatment or other measures may help to grow your hair back naturally.

Here’s more information on NON-SURGICAL HAIR REPLACEMENT and here’s some on HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS FOR WOMEN.

As seen in the Daily Mail – fashion icon Peaches Geldof seems to be unaware of the negative effects hair extensions could be having on her hair.  At the Belgravia Centre we frequently see patches of hair loss caused by excessive pulling on the hair follicles because of hair extensions.  The hair will usually grow back on its own or with the use of specialised hair loss treatments but if the pulling goes on for too long the hair loss could become permanent.  Leonora Doclis, Senior Trichologist at the Belgravia Centre offers her advice to the Daily Mail – DAILY MAIL STORY.

Peaches Geldof seems to have an area of hair loss -
it’s most likely this is caused by hair extensions.

I am very happy with my first result after 3 months. We have compared photos before and after. I can’t really believe the difference already. I have had no side effects, just have to put a little time and effort. Looking forward to the next check up in 3 months. The service and staff have been excellent.

Many Thanks!

Shaun Bartrum

      
Month 1                                     Month 4

Click here to see all of Mr Bartrum’s photo-scans

Diagnosis: Male Pattern Hair Loss

Click on the image for a full-sized version

Alopecia Areata of some form affects about 1 in 1000 people at some point in their lives. The condition involves small patches of hair being lost suddenly for most people, but for many it can develop into large areas of hair loss on the scalp and occasionally, loss of all hair on the head (Alopecia Totalis) or loss of all head and body hair (Alopecia Universalis).

Former international football referee
Pierluigi Collina is one of the most famous faces
that experiences Alopecia Universalis

In this post I wanted to talk to you about the success we see when treating mild Alopecia Areata. Although There has been no treatment officially approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alopecia Areata, we find that most cases of patchy hair loss are cleared up by the use of Belgravia’s minoxidil 12.5% + azelaic acid (AA).

The most common treatment for Alopecia is steroid injections to the scalp. Not only is this an invasive and highly uncomfortable procedure, but from what we have seen the success is no better than that seen from the use of minoxidil 12.5% + AA for growing back patches of Alopecia. You can see the kind of results that are experienced by Belgravia’s Alopecia Areata patients by taking a look through our Alopecia Areata photo-scans. All of these patients were treated with minoxidil 12.5% + azelaic acid.

Month 1                                         Month 5
This patient’s Alopecia Areata was successfully
cleared up when she used a treatment course consisting
primarily of minoxidil 12.5% + AA for 12 months

Treating Alopecia Areata with minoxidil 12.5% + AA involves rubbing the cream into the patches of alopecia once a day, probably before bed depending on the user’s preference, and takes between 20-30 seconds. Hair will usually begin to grow back within 3 to 6 months. As soon as the hair re-grows fully, treatment can be stopped and the hair will usually remain without the need for further treatment.

If you are experiencing Alopecia Areata please give us a call on 020 7730 6666 or send us an email at info@belgraviacentre.com with any questions you have, or if you would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation – we’ll be more than happy to assist you. Alternatively, Minoxidil 12.5% + AA can be prescribed for Alopecia Areata without the need to visit the centre – all you have to do is complete our on-line diagnostic form which can be found here. As soon as the form is submitted, another Belgravia trichologist or I will diagnose your condition and recommend the most effective course of treatment, after which you will be contacted by a treatment advisor who will go through your recommended treatment options with you and answer any questions you may have.

For more information on the condition itself you can visit our Alopecia Areata page which can be found here- Alopecia Areata. This includes information on the appearance of Alopecia Areata and its causes, as well as further information on Alopecia Totalis and Universalis.

I bet you didn’t realise that like with men, many women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives.  But female hair loss can be helped!  There are a few treatments out there that can really help to prevent women’s hair loss and grow back hair that has been lost.

The causes of women’s hair loss are more diverse than those of men’s; with men it’s generally a genetic condition, yet with women, hair loss is usually caused by one or more of the following three conditions:

Female Pattern Hair Loss

The first is genetic hair loss, otherwise known as female pattern hair loss which is hair loss confined to the top area of the head.  Many people do not realise that women produce the hormone ‘testosterone’ just like men, only in smaller amounts.  For women who suffer from female pattern hair loss it doesn’t mean that they have more testosterone in their body than other women, but that the balance between testosterone and an enzyme called ‘5-alpha reductase’ is not evenly weighted – when this is the case a hormone derivative called ‘dihydrotestosterone’ is produced which is what attaches itself to the follicles and causes hair to be shed.

Our treatments for female pattern hair loss are very successful and will stabilise the hair loss in most cases and will also promote regrowth much of the time. More information on Female Pattern Hair Loss can be found here – Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Telogen Effluvium

The second hair loss condition that is commonly found in women is Telogen Effluvium.  This is a condition that is caused by a sudden event such as stress, shock, illness or an operation and the hair loss is usually spread over the whole scalp – you can find more information on the causes of Telogen Effluvium here – Telogen Effluvium.

Telogen Effluvium causes the hair to be shed 3 months after the event, so much of the time it can be shocking for the person experiencing the condition and hard to pin-point the cause.  The reason that the hair loss is experienced 3 months later with Telogen Effluvium is because when the event takes place, the hair is passed into the ‘telogen’ phase, which is the resting phase of a hair’s life.  The telogen stage lasts for 3 months before the hair is shed.

With Telogen Effluvium treatment is not always required as the hair will usually grow back on its own.  We do however always advise treatment as a precaution for a couple of reasons – first of all, if the cause of the hair loss is on-going (on-going stress / illness etc.) then the hair will carry on shedding without treatment.  Secondly, much of the time Telogen Effluvium can trigger female pattern hair loss in those women (or men) who are prone to it.  Once the hair has been restored we advise ceasing usage of treatment to see if the hair carries on shedding.  If it does treatment can be continued, otherwise treatment can be stopped permanently as it means female pattern hair loss was not triggered and the telogen effluvium is not ongoing.

Diffuse Hair Loss

The final condition that is frequently experienced by women is diffuse hair loss.  The condition involves an increased rate of hair fall and subsequent thinning from all over the scalp.

For those experiencing Diffuse Hair Loss, diet should be checked for adequate intake of nutrients. Clinical investigations should be made for thyroid, haemoglobin and hormonal problems. Stress may also be a contributing factor in Diffuse Hair Loss.

Women with this condition will usually be advised to visit their doctor in order to discover the underlying cause but treatment can be an effective solution for this form of female hair loss whilst the underlying cause is being researched.

The hair loss treatments that we usually recommend as part of a full female hair loss treatment course (depending on the person’s personal and medical details) are Minoxidil + MPG, Hair Vitalics and LaserComb.  These are effective treatments for all of the above conditions.  Belgravia’s hair loss treatment courses will also usually include trichological check-ups at the centre, specially formulated shampoo and conditioner to last throughout your treatment course and clinical treatments which include scalp treatment to maintain and improve the condition of the scalp, laser, infra red, ultra-violet light therapy and scalp massage.  You will also receive photo-scans before and during your treatment so that we can monitor your progress visually.

We understand that hair loss in women can be emotionally difficult and many women have trouble confronting the situation and may find it hard to talk about.  Our receptionists, trichologists and treatment advisors are very understanding and please remember we see 20-40 women also suffering from hair loss each day so it is something we are very used to.

In order to obtain a diagnosis and treatment recommendations from a Belgravia qualified trichologist you can call or email the centre on 020 7730 6666 or info@belgraviacentre.com in order to arrange a free hair loss consultation.  If you are unable to visit the London centre you can complete our on-line diagnostic form (found here – diagnostic form) which will be submitted instantly to the centre after which you will be contacted by a Belgravia treatment advisor within a couple of days.

Name: Orlando 

Question: I heard that taking saw palmetto and propecia together can be counter productive? Is this true?

Answer: Taking Propecia and Saw Palmetto together is not counter-productive. Propecia will block the majority of DHT but Saw Palmetto may help as a booster.

Name: Suhayl Isap

Question: As an avid football fan, I always follow all the footie news and recently a story has emerged regarding Romario being temporarily banned from the sport for having finasteride in his body. He has pleaded his innocence, stating he was using a hair growth medication.

Does using Propecia not only help hair stabilisation or regrowth but also help with performance, muscle tone and athletic ability? It must surely work as an anabolic steroid or something similar if players are being banned for cheating with finasteride.

Answer: Finasteride does not enhance sports performance nor increase muscle bulk. The reason why the UK sports authority banned it is because it can mask or hide the presence of steroids.

Football legend Romario failed a drug test for using finasteride. Although
finasteride does not increase sporting ability, it can hide the presence of steroids.

Name: Raymond Letters 

Question: It is two years since I had radiation for prostate cancer. I attend hospital for a PSA check every 3 months but take no medication. Can I take Propecia and Saw Palmetto together?

Answer: Propecia is not recommended if your PSA level is being monitored. It is a product that contraindicates the PSA check due to the possibility of masking the results. Regarding Saw Palmetto; even though it is herbal it can still affect the results of the PSA test.  This matter is something that you should discuss with your consultant.

Name: M Mir

Question: What is the length of the treatment and does it have to be ongoing even after the hair has grown back?

Answer: The required duration of treatment depends on the hair loss condition a person is experiencing.  If the condition is Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss then treatment needs to be used as long as you wish to keep your hair.  Once treatment is stopped the hair will continue shedding at the rate it was before using treatment.

For conditions like Telogen Effluvium or Diffuse Thinning treatment can be stopped if the hair is restored, depending on the person’s individual condition and whether or not the underlying cause of the hair loss has been cleared up (i.e. illness / stress etc.).

For Alopecia Areata, if the hair grows back treatment can be stopped once the user is satisfied with results.  If patches appear in the future treatment can be re-started.