THE BELGRAVIA TRICHOLOGICAL AWARENESS SITE

Unfortunately there are several sales companies  who have set themselves up as ‘hair specialists’, and who will try to persuade you to pay highly inflated prices in advance for treatment courses that are often ineffective. They sometimes advertise a money back guarantee to justify the usually high up-front payments. Such guarantees are usually vague and are seldom honored, as not many individuals will want to become involved in stressful litigation which can also be time consuming and expensive.

The Belgravia Centre's strict code of ethics ensures that all patients are given the choice of paying for their treatment course in a manner that suits them. This can be annually, quarterly or even monthly. Treatment can be discontinued at any time and for any reason with no financial penalty.

Some clinics charge between £2,000 to £3,500 or more for a 6-8 month course of treatment and substantial payments up front are usually asked for. Belgravia's advice is DO NOT purchase any treatment until you have researched costs and products thoroughly.

If you are offered a money back guarantee from a company claiming "if you do not see results, all of your money will be refunded" or similar, beware. INSIST ON SEEING THE SMALL PRINT AND ALL OF "THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS". ASK FOR A COPY IN WRITING AND GO HOME AND STUDY THEM CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.

It is extremely hard to prove whether or not you have seen results from the use of your treatment unless extensive monitoring has been carried out with highly advanced equipment. It is also possible for any company to argue that you have not used treatment consistently if hair loss does continue. We have heard of many cases taken to the point of costly and time consuming litigation. Paying as you go is a safe and secure way of avoiding these circumstances. Please contact us if you have had an experience similar to the above and we will do all that we can to help you.

The first sign you should look out for is a consultant that seems more like a salesperson than a treatment advisor. Many of the companies responsible for this kind of practice use unethical sales techniques including false claims and force-selling to sell their product. Don't be fooled by a friendly face or a soft-spoken manner with sympathetic approach, although we also know of hard-selling bullying tactics that are sometimes used against vulnerable targets.

If you see any signs of this kind of practice make sure that you do not purchase any treatment. Inform the consultant that you will think about it and carry out further research elsewhere.

The FDA is the US body responsible for protecting public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs. The FDA overlook clinical trials carried out by pharmaceutical companies and either approve or decline the licensing of the drug in accordance with the drug's safety and effectiveness.

FDA approval is the most important factor which needs to be looked out for when seeking any form of medical treatment. For your information, the only treatments that are FDA approved for hair loss are Minoxidil and Propecia. The LaserComb has been FDA cleared.

Many non-pharmaceutical organisations sell their non-approved and often natural treatments for costly amounts. Much of the time these treatments cost more than the proven hair loss treatments and are usually ineffective in treating hair loss. Natural treatments such as hair supplements can be beneficial to the condition of the hair but are not usually beneficial towards stabilising or reversing most forms of hair loss. These kinds of treatments should cost no more than £20 per month.

Belgravia patients have in many cases been told by other organisations that herbal supplements and topical lotions (other than minoxidil) are FDA approved - this is not the case as there are only two medications that are FDA approved for hair loss.

Belgravia offers all of the FDA approved medications for hair loss. Find out about Belgravia’s Hair Loss treatments.

More about the FDA

We hear of many cases of consultants claiming that their treatment for Male or Female Pattern (genetic) hair loss only needs to be taken for a time-period (usually 6 months or a year) and then treatment can be stopped. There is no cure for genetic hair loss, meaning that treatment must always be on-going for hair loss stabilisation to be maintained.

A consultant that makes claims such as these may also be making other false claims related to their treatment - we advise you to look elsewhere.

Proscar and finasteride in any form other than Propecia are not permitted to be prescribed for the treatment of hair loss. Propecia is licensed for hair loss and contains 1mg of finasteride. Proscar contains 5mg finasteride and is licensed only for the prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

We have heard of Proscar being split into quarters or 5ths by some organisations and sold for the treatment of hair loss. If a company is selling Proscar for hair loss, not only is this unethical due to the fact that measurements could be inaccurate and cause dangers to the user, but this is totally illegal and is not permitted by the MHRA.

Finasteride should only be used as ‘Propecia’ for the treatment of hair loss. This will be clearly labeled on the box and any other form of finasteride including ‘Proscar’ is unsafe and unlicensed to treat hair loss.

If you come across any organisation prescribing proscar or any form of finasteride other than Propecia for the treatment of hair loss, it should be reported to the MHRA immediately. Alternatively you can inform us directly and we will pursue the matter. Contact Belgravia

More about the FDA

‘Avodart’, generic name ‘Dutasteride’ is not licensed for the treatment of hair loss in any form. It is only licensed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The FDA began clinical trials which were terminated in the early stages.

Side effects are possible and if they are experienced, as Dutasteride lasts in the body for a long period of time, they could remain for weeks or even months. Read more about Dutasteride and its dangers.

If you come across any organisation prescribing Dutasteride / Avodart for the treatment of hair loss, it should be reported to the MHRA immediately. Alternatively you can inform us directly and we will pursue the matter. Contact Belgravia

More about the FDA

• Belgravia has an expert medical team of doctors, trichologists, pharmacists and nurses
  
  
• Belgravia is home to the only trichological pharmacy in the UK, meaning we are able to prescribe all of the medically proven treatments that are approved for hair loss.
  
  
• When you visit The Belgravia Centre or complete an on-line diagnostic form for our mail order service, after a trichologist has carried out your diagnosis and treatment recommendations, you will be informed of the facts and any questions you ask will be answered thoroughly and with complete honesty by the treatment advisor you see or speak to. Obviously this should be expected but is unfortunately not the case with many hair loss organisations.
  
  
• Belgravia's exclusive hair loss and scalp treatment courses are competitively priced and because of our medical facilities, such as the pharmacy, we are able to formulate and prescribe the most effective treatment courses available.
  
  
• As well as prescription medications, Belgravia's natural supplement, ‘Hair Vitalics’ is also available which contains most of the nutrients that will help maintain and improve the condition of the hair. We do however make it clear that ANY hair loss supplement is for use alongside one or more of the prescription hair loss treatments and will not be significantly effective for the stabilisation or reversal of genetic hair loss on its own.
  
  
  Many organisations sell natural products for hair loss as the core of their treatment – whatever they might say, these products will generally be ineffective or minimally effective if used on their own to treat genetic hair loss.
  
  Find out about the most effective hair loss treatments