THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Name:  Mark Chadwick

Question: Hello, my dad died when I was 12, after which I lost a small amount of hair on the top of my head.  I’m not 23 and it’s still the same - no better or worse - but people are getting on my nerves with noticing it.  What should I do?  I take vitamins and have thickening shampoo and it has helped but what else can i do?

Answer: It sounds like there is a possibility this could be Alopecia Areata but you would need an examination for a definitive diagnosis.  This can either be done by visiting Belgravia for a consultation or alternatively completing our on-line diagnostic form.  Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid is the medication that is usually used for Alopecia Areata and small patches of hair loss will usually grow back.  If it is Alopecia Areata that you are experiencing, the fact that you have had this patch for so long could affect the kind of results Minoxidil 12.5% + AA brings but it would definitely be worth a try.

More information - Booking a tricho-check
                                   Diagnostic Form
                                   Alopecia Areata

Question: There seems to be some conflicting advice regarding whether Minoxidil 5% is more effective for women than Minoxidil 2%. Can you clarify whether women can expect better results with the stronger solution or whether it is no more effective than the 2%.

Answer: Although we have never prescribed Minoxidil in a 2% concentration, we used to prescribe it in a 3% concentration (now we prescribe Minoxidil 4% (+MPG), Minoxidil 5% (+MPG) and Minoxidil 12.5% (+ Azelaic Acid)).

We find that increasing the dose of Minoxidil improves the rate of stabilisation and regrowth.  Most women who require treatment will be prescribed Minoxidil 4% + MPG or Minoxidil 5% + MPG depending on their suitability and the success rate is very high.  A small number of women will also use Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid and although the regrowth rate is excellent, the chances of growing excess facial hair are increased with this strength.  We do however have an FDA approved cream that is proven to reduce facial hair at the areas of application.

There was a double-blind study carried out in 2002 that proved 5% Minoxidil is more effective for women with Female Pattern Hair Loss than 2% Minoxidil.  Here are details of the study - http://www.eblue.org/article/PIIS0190962203043172/abstract.

Question: If I were to undergo a course of 12.5 Minoxidil + Azelaic Acid to grow hair - could I maintain that growth with Propecia and or a Laser Comb combination or will the new hair disappear immediately after I stop using the Minoxidil? If the latter is the case…why might this happen?

Answer: In many cases, cutting down to just one medication will maintain the hair that has been restored from the combination of both medications but this is something that we usually advise a trial period for.  So after one year you could stop Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid and see if the results are maintained from the sole use of Propecia - if not, you can begin taking Minoxidil 12.5% + AA again.

Remember that the combination of Minoxidil + MPG or Azelaic Acid and Propecia is more effective than just one of the medications so it is likely that even if the hair is maintained temporarily when one of the medications is stopped, the speed of hair thinning could increase relatively over a long period of time.

Name: Angus 

Question: Does massaging your scalp once a day help stimulating hear growth?

Answer: I’m afraid the answer to this question is no! This is an old wives’ tale, as well as the one that says standing on your head encourages hair growth!

Name: Abi 

Question: Have you had many complaints about the White Cliffs Clinic? I am considering a hair replacement from there and from the research I have done they appear to be trustworthy and reputable. A second opinion would be appreciated.

Answer: No, we have not received any complaints about the White Cliffs Group.  I would advise you take a look at our price comparison page - although this page does not display costs of hair replacement systems, you can see the kind of prices charged from most of the advertised hair loss clinics (including White Cliffs) which will give you an idea of their prices relative to other hair clinics.  Good look in your search!

More information on NON-SURGICAL HAIR REPLACEMENT.

Name: Tania 

Question: Are there any DHT inhibitors for women that can be used in addition to Minoxidil?

Answer: Please see information on ‘MPG’ and ‘Azelaic Acid’ on the following page - MINOXIDIL + MPG / AZELAIC ACID.  Hair Vitalics also contains a natural DHT inhibitor (Saw Palmetto) - HAIR VITALICS.

Name: Maxine

Question: I have had hair problems for over 10 years. I have have a disorder called Trichotillomania. I have been pull free for 18 months but my hair is still bald in the middle and my husband said he can see scarring. Is there any hope i will have hair again? If so what treatments are available to me? The places were my head is not bald my hair is still not growing and I’m getting split ends all the time, being afro caribbean i still try to grease me hair so why the split ends?

Answer: It’s hard to say whether there is any hope of regrowing hair without seeing you in person. If there has been scarring then there will not be regrowth in these areas but I would say it is worth trying Minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid (provided you are suitable for the medication) for a period of about 6 months to see if any hair grows back. This is the most likely medication to grow hair back. More information - MINOXIDIL 12.5% + AA.

Read a previous post on TRICHOTILLOMANIA.

Name: Sravan 

Question: Can the donor hair for a hair transplant be removed from any part of the body other than just the back of head?? I mean from legs, chest etc.

Answer: Technically this is possible and I believe has been carried out by certain surgeons.  The problem is the hair will grow as it does on the area from which it has been removed i.e. short and fine / curly.  I think it would be difficult to find a surgeon that carries out this procedure and if you did it would look very strange!

Name: Adam 

Question: Please can you tell me if by taking Hair Vitalics, do these improve your hair growth and if so how are these different from other vitamins out there?

Answer: Hair Vitalics is a supplement containing natural nutrients, vitamins and minerals that help maintain the condition of the hair and control hair loss. Hair Vitalics is similar to various other hair loss supplements available and like other supplements should only be used as a booster as opposed to a ‘primary’ hair loss treatment.

Many of the advertised hair loss supplements make claims of very high success rates with regard to hair loss stabilisation and regrowth but the fact is these success rates can’t be backed up.  The FDA approved prescription treatments for hair loss are the only ones that ensure a high chance of hair loss stabilisation and regrowth - FDA APPROVED TREATMENTS.

More information on HAIR VITALICS.

Name: Justin Neill

Question: I was reading about the escapades of Gary Heron on your website which were particularly interesting for me, as I myself was one of his customers some years ago. The confusing thing is… he was working for you at the time, at the Belgravia Centre. Any comments?

Answer: Gary Heron was Belgravia’s clinic manager for several years but was dismissed in 2000 for serious misconduct after evidence that he was giving clients inaccurate information (regarding his own qualifications and the treatments being offered) and taking credit card payments from clients without their consent (all money was returned to these people once it came to our attention). He now works from a serviced office selling hair treatments and we frequently receive complaints from people who have fallen victim to his unethical tactics, many reporting that they have been grossly overcharged for products that have no effect and others who have told us that he has debited their credit card without their consent after being persuaded to give details of their account as security against products offered for a trial period.

In one very recent case an individual reported to us that they had been persuaded to pay more than £7,000 for a 6 month supply of lotion. Most of these victims do not want to become involved in lengthy and costly litigation or criminal proceedings but are very distressed in many cases. The Belgravia Centre has for some time been bringing such serious complaints the public’s attention in order to ensure more people do not fall victim.

More Information - GARY HERON / WESTMINSTER PRACTICE / HAIR CENTRE