The Hair Loss Centre

ALOPECIA AREATA: IS IT TREATABLE? THE ANSWER IS YES. SEE OUR RESULTS AFTER JUST FEW MONTHS OF TREATMENT.

26.09.2007 in ALOPECIA AREATA, Uncategorized

Before coming to see us this patient had been down the usual non productive route of seeing his GP several times and then being referred on to a Dermatologist at his local NHS hospital. As with many Alopecia sufferers he felt frustrated with the lack of understanding, treatment and support being provided. After his initial consultation in February this year he decided to start treatment with us.

Here are his results:

Feb March May

June July August

September

This patient has undergone a combination of treatment using Minoxidil plus MPG and a 15% solution of Biostim (both treatments have been applied topically on a twice daily basis). These results have been achieved after just 6 months of regular treatments and check ups with this patient’s trichologist.

I am sure you will agree that the results speak for themselves.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

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HOW EFFECTIVE IS FINASTERIDE? DOES IT REALLY WORK?

25.09.2007 in MALE HAIR LOSS

Finasteride (Propecia and Proscar) has been shown effective in the treatment of mild to moderate male-pattern hair loss. These results were based on two 24-month studies of men ages 18 to 41. About 80 percent of the men in the study maintained their base hair count (versus 28 percent on placebo), while 66 percent had visible regrowth as rated by independent observers (versus seven percent with placebo). Most of the men in the study reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in their hair loss, and an improvement in their appearance.

We recommend the use of Biostim, in all cases for best results.

Link: http://www.thewestminsterpractice.com/medical_breakthrough.asp

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

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HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A HAIR LOSS PROBLEM?

24.09.2007 in Uncategorized

Some of the common hair loss, receding hairline and hair thinning, greasy hair, dandruff and itching. You would normally detect the problem after a hair wash or while combing your hair. We will advise you to have a hair and scalp check-up every year. At The Hair Centre, using advanced technology and equipments, our Trichologists can analysis your hair to help you find out the root of your problem.

Question: I have been suffering from severe dandruff for a couple of years. I have tried expensive shampoos but they offer no help to my hair problem. In fact, my problem has become so bad I’m scared of wearing black tops. Please help!

Answer: Dandruff can be caused by high sebum production, an increase rate of cell multiplication in the epidermal layer and excessive presence of a micro-organism called Pityrosporum. It can also caused by allergic reaction or extreme dry humidity. Keeping your scalp clean is the best preventive measure and daily shampoo is highly recommended. Medicated shampoo can control a minor scaling problem but frequent usage can aggravate the condition. It is advisable to rinse hair and scalp thoroughly after shampoo.

If one condition persists, there could be a more serious underlying scalp disorder. We suggest you speak to one of our trichologist who will be able to help you analyze the problem thoroughly.

Question: I have an oily scalp and I wash my hair twice a day. My forehead is receding and also my top is thinning. I am worried about my physical appearance if this problem persists. Can you advise me what I can do to improve my current condition.

Answer: You are probably suffering from androgenetic thinning (Male Pattern Baldness). This is a hereditary condition. The production of testosterone on the top of the scalp reacts to an enzyme called 5-alpha- reductase converting to di-hydrotestosterone (DHT). Presence of excessive DHT inhibits hair growth or shortens the growth cycle. It also increases the production of oil.

Stress too, can aggravate the situation. You have to continue with twice daily shampoo and somewhat live a less stressful lifestyle. You may also wish to have your hair and scalp analysis by a hair professional – telephone us and speak to one of our trichologists.

Question: I’m in my early twenties. I noticed a balding spot in the center of my head and my hair is falling out at an alarming rate as my sink clogs everyday when I wash my hair. Please tell me what I can do about this problem. It’s seriously affecting my confidence.

Answer: The bald spot mentioned could be alopecia areata condition whereby a group of white blood cells attacks the skin or hair follicles. This problem can be caused by viral infections, vaccinations, trauma to the skin or even stress.

When the hair is falling out at an alarming rate, this could be due to telogen* effluvium or loose anagen* syndrome. With this condition, the hair growth cycle is prematurely changed to dying stage. Hence, the normal hair cycle has been altered resulting in heavy hair falls. Typically for those who try to lose weight quickly by denying protein in their diet suffer from the problem. A serious trauma or stress which occurred about 3 months ago could also disrupt the hair cycle.

It is best to speak to one of our trichologist before any form of treatment can be recommended. Both problems mentioned are temporary and can be helped if treated quickly.

*telogen effluvium – anagen stage abruptly change to telogen.

*loose anagen – despite the growth cycle, the hair can easily shed through combing and shampooing.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

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Scalp Cooling to Prevent Chemotherapy – Induced Hair Loss.

24.09.2007 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Hair loss, a side effect of some types of chemotherapy, is a very negative experience for some patients.

Scalp hypothermia (scalp cooling) is one approach used to prevent hair loss. The most common types of scalp hypothermia involve the use of either a pre-cooled cap or a cooling system that con-tinuously cools a cap. Cooling must be started approximately 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy and must continue for 30 to 90 minutes after the conclusion of treatment. The target group for scalp hypothermia is estimated to be at least 2 000 patients per year, ie, patients with metastatic cancer who receive the types of chemotherapy associated with a high risk for hair loss.

PRIMARY QUESTION:

This assessment is based on a systematic literature review. Does scalp hypothermia prevent, or reduce the extent of, hair loss from chemotherapy?

PATIENT BENEFIT:

Several studies, most of which included a very small number of patients, found that scalp hypothermia helped prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Several different types of chemotherapy, in various combinations, were studied. Different degrees of hypothermia were used, and different assessment criteria were applied. The percentage of patients in the study group who were able to keep their hair ranged from 10 percent to 100 percent, while the corresponding figures in the control group ranged between 0 percent and 19 percent. Apprehension about increased risk for scalp metastases has restricted the use of the method. This risk appears to be small, but the evidence is limited. Theoretically, the method could create a reservoir in the cooled scalp where circulating cancer cells might avoid the effects of chemotherapy. The magnitude of this risk is unknown since patients in the studies have not been followed up for a sufficient period to make this determination. Although the method causes some discomfort to the patient, most patients accept this in order to avoid hair loss.

ECONOMIC ASPECTS:

The costs for scalp hypothermia are comprised of equipment costs, particularly devices for continuous hypothermia, and costs related to additional working hours and longer treatment sessions. No studies were identified that addressed the cost effectiveness of the method.

SBU’s appraisal of the evidence
There is moderately strong scientific evidence that scalp hypothermia reduces the extent of hair loss when treating solid tumors with various non-taxane chemotherapies alone or in combination (Evidence Grade 2)*. There is limited scientific evidence showing that the method also reduces the extent of hair loss in taxane or taxane-based combination chemotherapy (Evidence Grade 3)*. There is no scientific documentation on the cost effectiveness of the method. Further studies of patient benefit, risks, and cost effectiveness are needed.

*Grading of the level of scientific evidence for conclusions.
The grading scale includes four levels;
Evidence grade 1 = strong scientific evidence,
Evidence grade 2 = moderately strong scientific evidence,
Evidence grade 3 = limited scientific evidence,
Evidence grade 4 = insufficient scientific evidence.
sbu alert – early assessment of new health technologies • www.sbu.se/alert

Direct link to Assessment Of New Health Technologies:

http://www.sbu.se/Filer/Content0/publikationer/3/SBU_Alert_Scalp_Cooling_to_Prevent_ChemotherapyInduced_Hair_Loss_200506.pdf

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

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FEMALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS AT 21: Our Results after 12 months treatment.

20.09.2007 in FEMALE HAIR LOSS, HAIR LOSS [ PHOTOS ] TREATED

In today’s increasingly stressful world, the number of women suffering from hair loss is increasing. We all want to look our best and damage to a woman’s ‘crowning glory’ can be a uniquely upsetting affliction.

Hair loss in woman can generally be seen evenly across the scalp, without definite bald patches. If this is happening to you, the following conditions may be affecting you:

Diffuse hair loss is a gradual thinning of the hair as opposed to a straightforward bald patch and is the most common type of hair loss in women. The replacement of old hairs by new hairs is slowed down so that the hair becomes sparse and the scalp can be seen clearly through the hair. The causes can be numerous and include stress, restriction of the blood supply, a poor nervous system and hormonal influences.

Androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness) in women is often linked to hormonal changes with the hair loss following events such as the menopause, childbirth or as a result of stopping or starting oral contraceptive pills. The hair loss is generally more uniform over the scalp than in the male counterpart, but also results from a complex chemical reaction when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts the testosterone in the system into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be over sensitive to the DHT and become smaller and smaller with time, leading to the eventual hair loss.