Features and Articles

“Can I cure my Hair loss”?
By Jane Mayhead MIT Consultant Trichologist

“Can I cure my hair loss”? Or “what cure is there for hair loss”? Has to be one of the most frequently asked questions that I encounter as a trichologist.

The answer to this has to be- “It depends on the type of hair loss you have”.

Because there are many different types of hair loss and therefore different causes, ultimately treatments for each will differ in requirements. There really is not a magical one fits all treatment for hair loss. However, the right treatment can significantly improve a high number of hair loss problems.

The most common forms of hair loss for which treatments are sought, tend to be:

Male/ female thinning or balding,
Alopecia Areata
General or diffuse shedding.

As the cause to each of these conditions is very different, you can then understand why many treatments pose no cure. If you fall in to one of the above categories perhaps the treatment specified for that type of hair loss is the answer. Therefore if we start with each type of hair loss and explain treatments that are available or what can be done for that particular hair loss problem.

Male/ female thinning or balding

The early stages of the balding process in men and women is characterised by thinning hair generally over a period of time, rather then an immediate loss. It is often later on in the process that actual hair loss numbers becomes significant, with men tending to bald almost entirely. The rate at which hair loss occurs in the early stages will often dictate the degree to which it will finally reach. Once the hair follicle is no longer able to produce a hair, it will no longer be visible. The chances of a response to treatment for baldness then are highly unlikely. The fact that sufferers spend forever looking for a new treatment or that miracle cure is that the hair loss may be too advanced for most treatments to work.

For the early stages there seems to be more success in both men and women.

Treatments for women

Minoxidil for women - This is a topical treatment containg a drug called Minoxidil at a

strenghth of 2%. It needs to be used continually on a daily basis. The treament works by

stimulating hair growth. It can be purchased from chemists. The solution needs to be applied to

the affected areas of a dry scalp twice daily.

See featured products page

Comments: Application needs to be 1-2 times every day, for some this could be problematic. It may take at least four-six months for any hair regrowth to become noticeable. Results differ and it may not work for every person. It is impossible to predict individual responses. If there is no improvement after 12 months its worth considering stopping the treatment.

Anti androgen-Genarally The combined contraceptive pill can be used for this. Dianette is a

commonly prescribed Pill as it contains Cyproterone acetatewhich is an anti androgen

medication, this can also known be known as Anocin, Androcur®, Cyprostat, and co-cyprindiol.

Comments: These medications must be precribed by a doctor and regular health observation is required.There are side affects with this type of medication. Dianette is considered helpful to some, but the level of anti-androgen is deemed to be low.

Hair replacement (non surgical)- This term refers to added hair such as wigs, weaves or

extensions. For more on this subject See hair replacement

Comments: Hair replacement is often the best solution for extensive hair loss rather than early thinning. Mainly because some of the natural hair may need to be removed to allow the fitting, and bonding of any replacement hair. The treatment can vary quite considerably in cost. There is a degree of maintanence required such as cleaning, re-attachement and so on. This may need to be done at a salon or specialist, which needs to be added to the costs. Some hair attachements can cause contact allergic reactions to the adhesive. Extensions are often used for women care needs taken with this type of hair replacement as it can cause damage on the hair and scalp particulary if incorrectly fitted. This is because is can add tension and pulling on the hair. Long term use is not recommended unless hair loss is considerable.

Hair transplantation surgery - This is a permanent hair replacement by a process in which

hair is surgically removed from one part of the scalp and re-attched to another.

Coments: An effective permanent solution to thinning hair, the only drawback is further surgeries may be required as the hair thinnig progresses. As the transplanted hairs are unaffected this can lead to uneven looking hair. This however, is not such a problem for women as the thinning is less extensive than it is in men.

Treatments for men

Minoxidil for men - This is a topical treatment contaning minoxidil in either 2% or 5% strength. It needs to be used continually and generally 5% works better for men, particulary if the balding is advanced. However, significant balding will be unlikely to produce good results.

See featured products page

Propecia (finasteride 1%) – An oral medication which is available on private prescrption only.

This is a once daily tablet for mild to moderate male pattern hair loss.The treatment works by

inhibiting the action of the hormones responsible for the reduction in hair growth. It is claimed to

prevent further hair loss, and for some increase hair growth. The improvements it is claimed

should be apparent within three to six months costing around £30 for a monthly supply.

Comments: As with any pharmaceutical preparation product data should be checked before adminstering for any contra indications, warnings, interactions with other drugs, and side effects.

Hair replacement - This term refers to added hair such as wigs, taupees, weaves, and items often referred to as ‘non surgical hair replacement’. See hair replacement

Great Looking Hair

Why Great Looking Hair full and partial volumising hair systems are

head and shoulders above the rest

The new Great Looking Hair centre in Hendon, North London, is set to blaze a trail in the hair replacement and volumising hair systems industry that is sure to leave its competitors far behind.

Simon Beale, the founder and owner of Great Looking Hair, is a certified hair systems specialist with over 30 years’ professional experience in the hairdressing industry, coupled with 15 years’ practical experience creating wigs and hair extensions. Simon has been changing the face of the hairdressing industry for over three decades, pioneering new hair systems and concepts, constantly driving the market forward and campaigning for better natural resources and products for his clients.

As an expert in his field, Simon understands how devastating it can be for men, women and children to experience thinning hair, especially at a young age or through illness. This led him to develop a uniquely constructed, high quality and bespoke volumising system designed to combat thinning hair and give his clients their confidence back. These systems match the client’s own hair perfectly and are created using Swiss lace that resembles the human scalp so closely that it cannot be distinguished from real hair.

Simon Beale’s detailed and thorough product research and development means that Great Looking Hair now also manufactures and supplies completely customised wigs and full hair replacement systems for men, women and children who have lost their hair through chemotherapy or long-term conditions such as alopecia.

Simon’s hugely successful new range, ‘Simon Beale Wigs’, are all Eurotexture and made from human hair. The range can be customised and supplied in many colours, styles and designs and are also suitable for the orthodox Jewish community as they are created to the very high standards required by this community. These religious wigs can be custom made to suit individual tastes and Simon also offers a hair system repair and re-styling maintenance service to his clients at a fraction of the price charged by his competitors.

The Great Looking Hair motto, ‘Wearing confidence naturally’, perfectly sums up Simon’s dedication to ensuring that all his clients have the chance to achieve a 100% natural, great looking head of hair. Travelling all over the world to places such as India, Mongolia, Brazil and Russia, Simon hand picks only the finest European textured hair to ensure that his clients have only the highest quality hair systems. Great Looking Hair also offers a large selection of natural looking but synthetic hair systems for beauty and fashion use, details of which are displayed on their website: www.greatlookinghairlondon.com.

The ethos of Great Looking Hair is to constantly innovate and be at the forefront of the hair and beauty market sector trends. With this in mind, the company is a pioneer of the new ‘Made to Measure’ system, which shows clients anywhere in the world how to measure every aspect of their head and then order a custom made wig via the website. Only a snippet of hair and a photograph of the client’s required style are needed together with these measurements, and the wig is then ready for despatch in six weeks.

The difference between most readymade wigs and Great Looking Hair custom made systems

Most readymade wigs	Great Looking Hair custom made systems
v Bad fitting due to non-customised sizing	ü Individually custom made to create a perfect fit
v Poor quality and poor colour match	ü Highest quality human hair and vibrant colour
v Cap structures poor quality	ü Latest breathable materials used to allow scalp to breathe
v Uncomfortable, dull and lifeless	ü No irritation
v Heavy thick hair density giving limited movement	ü Incredibly lightweight materials used allowing natural movement
v Unnatural hairlines	ü Fine lace fronts and graduated hairline densities, revealing natural, undetectable hairlines
	ü Hair colour and textures blended by hand

For further information on Great looking hair or Simon Beale Wigs, go to: www.greatlookinghairlondon.com.

Follow Great Looking Hair on Facebook and Twitter: www.twitter.com/Gr8tlookinghair.

Is having a hair transplant the only way to regain your crowning glory?

It seems that numerous rich and famous men are opting for a hair transplant to overcome baldness. Indeed could it be the only way to permanently regain a head of your own hair is to opt for the surgery? So why is that and what’s involved?

Follicular Units (this is from which hairs grow) are taken from a 'donor'area, usually this is at the sides or back of the scalp, the reason for this is that these hairs are unaffected by the balding process. It is then expected that once these hair follicles are moved they will continue to grow hair throughout life. This relocation of hair follicles means that the number of hairs that can be transplanted is limited. The techniques for this treatment vary and costs reflect this. It is clear that over time advances in this procedure means better results have been achieved, which is probably why it has become a more popular option. The changes that have occurred began in the early 1990’s with the introduction of the FUT method. This Follicular Unit Transplantation method replaced the `punch graft’ technique which left rather unsightly marks across the scalp, often referred to as “dolls head” or the “brush head” effect. With this new method of transplantation a much neater result was created. The donor area has also caused much discussion as to the scarring that can result from the strip of skin that is removed, from which the donor hair units are then extracted. Advances to this method have introduced techniques such as Follicular Unit Extraction FUE method and Trchophytic closure.

FUE (FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION)

This has been referred to as 'no scar' method of hair transplanting. It is where individual follicular units are harvested directly from the donor area using a 1mm punch to make a small circular incision rather than cutting a `strip’. This will still cause some marking on the scalp as with any cutting of the skin can. The fact that it’s not a linear scar though means the scarring is small and discreet allowing the hair to be cut shorter than with the strip scar. It has also been reported that the amount of donor hair is restricted as it can be more difficult to harvest the units. The method is much more time consuming and therefore more costly.

TRCHOPHYTIC CLOSURE. This procedure involves trimming one edge of the excision prior to wound closure. When the opposing edge of the cut is joined to the trimmed edge, hairs from the trimmed edge grow through the resulting scar effectively camouflaging its appearance. There will still be a scar but not so visible. This method is less time consuming and therefore less costly.

So if you think surgery is not for you then what are the other options?

The most obvious would be a wig or toupee. These procedures are referred to as non surgical hair replacement systems.

Wigs have also advanced in recent years, using ultra fine lace and human hair for a truly natural look for the wearer. Toupees have advanced too with the introduction of integrated hair systems. This refers to a method of attaching a fine base volumiser which has been made to measure. The hair is woven into a base and then this is attached to the scalp, various attachment methods are used such as glue or links. The costs vary as to how much work is involved in making the hair system/wig. Maintenance costs are also implicated with volumising systems. Some volumising systems can be made to `clip in’ so the wearer can fit and remove as required, but they are not as well fitted as the professionally fitted type. Full wigs need minimal maintenance and can be fitted easily by the wearer. Wigs made from human hair are more flexible in what you can do with styling them and longer lasting than artificial wigs.

Another alternative, which is a relativity new type of hair replacement, is Micro Scalp Pigmentation. This treatment involves various techniques to apply pigment to the scalp. It is not like a regular tattoo in that the needle does not penetrate the skin as deep. Pigment is placed into the scalp to resemble the colour of hair. The number of treatments varies with the area needing to be covered. This is only suitable for certain types of hair loss such as scarring and Male balding.