THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Question: I am a African woman who is currently on Minoxidil treatment for traction alopecia. Is it ok to use perm relaxing cream on my hair whislt using the cream and if so, do I need to stop using the cream a few days before I use the relaxer.

Answer: As long as you make sure the Minoxidil is washed off your scalp before applying the relaxer it will be ok to use.

Name: Sarah

Question: Can solariums help with Alopecia i.e. the stand-in ones that have UV light?

Answer: UV light is thought to be beneficial for Alopecia Areata although there is a low success rate for using UV light alone.  We find Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid to be the most successful treatment for Alopecia Areata.

See before and during treatment photo-scans of patients with Alopecia Areata who used Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid

Name: Kerry 

Question:  I suffer from Traction hair loss as I’ve pulled my hair up in a ponytail for years, i have worn it down now for 3yrs and still no sign of growth, is there a chance that the NHS would pay for me to have implants?

Answer:  Even if there has been no tension on the hair for the last 3 years, although there will be no further hair loss, it is unlikely that the hair in the affected areas will thicken up without the use of a proven hair loss treatment or a hair transplant.  Unfortunately the NHS do not pay for hair loss treatments or procedures as hair loss is not seen as an illness, but more of a beauty issue.

Name: Sheila

Question: I have heard that women who have had a full hysterectomy can take Propecia, I have also read that it does not always work so well for women as men. I would like to know why. Also if you change from using Minoxidil to Propecia will there be any effects?  Would it be ok to take Propecia while on HRT?

Answer: I have read about some trials that have been carried out using a 2.5mg daily dose of Finasteride for women (as opposed to the 1mg dose which is used for males).  Women were either post-menopausal or on the pill in order to prevent pregnancy (Finasteride is known to cause birth defects if high amounts are present during conception or pregnancy).  Positive results with regard to hair loss stabilisation and regrowth were supposedly recorded.

However, this is something that not enough clinical study has been carried out on and there is not enough evidence of safety or efficacy.  As Finasteride is not licensed for treating women with hair loss we would not prescribe it and would not advise any woman to use it.  I would advise you stick to Minoxidil, which is the treatment that provides the greatest chance of regrowth for women.

QUESTION:  I’ve been told that it’s possible to stop hair loss around the top of the head (known as the crown I believe) but not if you have a receding hair-line.  This is worrying for me as in my case, as well as thinning around the crown, my hair-line seems to be beginning to recede.  Is this true?

ANSWER:  It’s true that the crown is generally an easier area to treat than the hair-line.  Treatment courses consisting of Propecia and minoxidil 5% + MPG can be beneficial for this.  For the hair-line Belgravia produces an extra-strength formulation of minoxidil with an added DHT inhibitor.  This is minoxidil 12.5% + azelaic acid cream - designed to target specific areas of ’stubborn’ hair loss, such as the temples or the crown (in the case of very fine hair or almost-bald patches).  We’ve found minoxidil 12.5% + AA to be the first product for hair loss to be highly successful in treating the hair-line and other hard-to-treat areas - with many patients very satisfied!

Here’s some more information on minoxidil 12.5% + azelaic acid

Name:  Monty 

Question:  Hi.  I’ve heard that if you shave your hair it grows back quicker, is this true?

Answer:  No, shaving your hair will not encourage thicker regrowth - something we get asked quite frequently but an old wives tale I’m afraid!

Question:  Hi Belgravia, I’m just wondering if Dutasteride (Avodart) is an effective hair loss treatment as I couldn’t find any information on your website?

Answer:  We do in fact have some information on Dutasteride on the website - DUTASTERIDE.  It explains that unlike Propecia, which has a very similar method of action, Dutasteride hasn’t been approved by the FDA for hair loss.  There are some issues related to side effects and safety of the medication which are explained in the Dutasteride page.

Question:  Hi I have a cousin’s wedding on Saturday and Sunday and my hair is thin so i bought Toppik hair thickening fibres and the Hair Maximiser and the Hairline Optimer to use for the wedding can you please give me some feedback on them.

Answer:  Toppik is cosmetic product to thicken the appearance of the hair temporarily.  I believe it will help to make the hair appear thicker until the next time you wash your hair.  It is important that you realise your hair will continue to thin whilst using Toppik and a medical treatment to prevent further thinning of the hair is advised.

Name: Andrea 

Question: I have been diagnosed with acute Telogen Effluvium about three years ago now. My hair is now very thin to say the least and still falling out. I think I know why my hair fell out in the first place but cannot understand why it is still falling out. Also, my head is always extremely itchy - I don’t get a flaky scalp or anything just really itchy head. When it is at its worst it tends to make my hairloss worst and I’m starting to think this may be causing the hair loss. I use Nizoral shampoo all the time but this makes no difference. Is there anything you could give me which will make my hair grow?

Answer: There could be a number of reasons for your continued hair loss - the cause of the Telogen Effluvium could be on-going or alternatively the temporary Telogen Effluvium condition that you experienced 3 years ago could have triggered genetic (Female Pattern) hair loss.  The treatment course that we would most likely prescribe would consist primarily of Minoxidil + MPG (ensuring you were suitable for the medication) - this is the medication most likely to stabilise your hair loss and regrow hair.  Obviously you would first need to either carry out a consultation at the centre or complete an on-line diagnostic form from which we could diagnose your condition and recommend a suitable course of treatment.

Question: I am currently on a Navy Vessel where the water is treated with bromine. I am losing more hair than is normal for me each day and my scalp is itchy. Is there something I can do to stop this abnormal hair loss? I have to endure this ship water for another month.

Answer: It’s most likely the hair loss is due to another condition (probably Male Pattern Hair Loss).  The only thing I would suggest is beginning a treatment course because this is the only thing that will stop your hair loss.  Obviously this is difficult if you are currently at no address but I don’t think any significant or noticeable hair loss will be experienced in the next month.  When you get time please complete an on-line diagnostic form (see last post for more information on the diagnostic form) or alternatively give the centre a call on 020 7730 6666 or click on the ‘contact Belgravia’ link in order to arrange a free consultation for when you get back. DIAGNOSTIC FORM … CONTACT BELGRAVIA