Wednesday 28 September 2016

Hairstyles for Women Over 40

Are you looking for a new hairstyle? Most women like to change their look occasionally, but finding a new style you can live with can become harder as you get a bit older. Some high-fashion styles which look great on teenagers are not quite so ideal for over-40s, at an age where hair can often start to become drier and you might also be noticing some hair thinning.

If you are worried about women’s hair loss, it is important to get advice as early as possible to achieve the best results. When deciding between London clinics for trichology, you will want to find a centre with a good reputation. The London Centre of Trichology is ideal, since we have decades of experience and offer expert diagnosis and treatment.


In the meantime, there are some styles which are especially flattering for those of us with thinning hair and can help to make locks appear thicker. In particular, shorter styles can often look good on older women. Here we discuss some of the best on-trend hairstyles for more mature hair.

Pixie cut, hairstyle for older women, female hair loss

Pixie Cuts: One reason for the enduring popularity of this style is that layering and texturing can make hair look more interesting and individual. A pixie cut is also ideally suited to finer hair, helping to give it extra body. There are many ways to vary the pixie style to suit your face shape and individual taste, for instance by choosing a full fringe or one which is swept over to the side. Fringes are popular with women over 40 because of their ability to cover up facial lines, but unfortunately if a fringe looks too straight and heavy it can have an ageing effect. Pixie cuts avoid this by giving the fringe a softer, feathery look.

Bobs: A popular short style with all ages, bobs are the choice of many celebrities. If your hair is straight and fine, or if you have noticed thinning locks, it can be difficult to find a style which gives you both volume and shape. A well-cut bob can do this, however, making a striking impression. There are also various ways of adapting the look, such as by opting for a slightly longer, tousled bob which perhaps has soft layers around your face.

Asymmetric Cuts: Uneven haircuts are very fashionable and can be regarded as an edgy younger style, but they can also look great on those over 40. One popular look is an asymmetric bob with longer hair on one side, curving softly around the chin. Alternatively, you could have your hair cropped at the back and wear it longer at the front, perhaps with a long fringe swept forward to the side. There are a number of other asymmetric styles to choose from, which can be varied to suit your face shape and the colour and thickness of your hair.

short layered women's hairstyle, grey hair, thinning hair

Short Layered Cuts: If you are looking for a practical hairstyle which you can live with, a shorter layered style will give volume and help to make your hair look thicker. Often with this type of cut your hair will be swept away from your face, giving texture and volume. This is a look that can be flattering for women of all ages, including those with grey hair. You could also use a decorative slide to help hold your hair back.

Shoulder length hair, older woman

Shoulder Length Hair: While many over-40s might choose to wear their hair short, longer hairstyles are still popular with this age group too. Layering can be the key to making this type of cut look good, defining the hair and making it appear thicker. With any longer cut, however, it is more important than ever to keep hair in good condition, not letting it grow straggly or wispy, and to ensure it is regularly trimmed. 

Anybody concerned about women’s hair loss needs to arrange an expert consultation, but the first question is which of the London clinics for trichology to choose.  The London Centre of Trichology  has an excellent reputation, after 60 years of helping people to overcome hair loss.

Click the link above to arrange a free initial consultation and find out more about our services. We work with both men and women and offer a whole range of expert treatments, including hair replacement treatment.



Monday 12 September 2016

7 Top Hair Care Tips for Men Over 40

Man with receding hair, male hair loss
As we get older, our hair can change in many ways. For most men the most obvious signs of ageing are when they notice hair turning grey and start to experience male hair loss. But there are also other changes which can affect the condition of hair, making it drier and more brittle.

With the growing focus on male grooming, men are increasingly concerned to care for their hair at all ages, and to make sure it looks its best. The London Centre of Trichology has a team of experts in male hair loss treatments. Here we have put together some top tips to help care for your hair as you get older.

1.      Shampoo Regularly – If you have hair loss, it can be tempting to shampoo less often, especially if you are worried about hair falling out when you comb it while wet. However, regular shampooing is important because it avoids clogging hair follicles with dirt. It is also essential to rinse well and avoid excess shampoo building up in the follicles. There are some shampoos which will add volume to hair and also specific shampoos for hair loss and grey hair. An additional factor to bear in mind is that grey hair can be damaged by the sun more easily, so, if you have grey or white hair, it is a good idea to choose shampoos and other hair products with built-in sun protection.
 
2.      Choose the Right Conditioner – Younger men may be able to get away without conditioning hair on occasion. But as you get older, it is more important to guard hair health and protect the scalp against extremes of temperature and other environmental factors. Some conditioners are available which are specifically designed to boost older hair. Again, it is essential to rinse properly and avoid blocking hair follicles with conditioner.
 
3.      Get Advice Early over Hair Loss – While some men may just regard thinning hair and male pattern balding as part of ageing, others are upset by losing hair and find it affects their confidence. If you are worried about losing your hair, getting advice as soon as you notice the first signs means there is a higher chance that preventive treatments will be successful. Contacting the trichologists at the London Centre of Trichology means we can diagnose your type of hair loss and ensure the right treatments are started early.
 
4.      Consider a New Haircut – Often a decision to change your look is made because of hair loss. There are a number of cuts which will look more flattering if your hair is thinning or receding, such as the undercut, which is very much on-trend at the moment. Even if you haven’t experienced hair loss, however, wearing the same style you did many years ago may not achieve the best look. It can often be harder to keep longer hair in good condition as we get older, so again a shorter cut could be the answer.

5.      Be Careful Over Styling – Some strong gels and other styling products can actually make hair look thinner and show up any bald patches. This means, if your hair is already thinning, it is best to avoid these products and choose those which will add volume. Gentler products are kinder to our hair as we grow older, and a hairdresser can advise you on which professional styling products will be most effective for you. It’s also advisable to be cautious over using hair dryers and other heat styling equipment such as straighteners, ensuring you use a protective spray whenever you use these products to guard the condition of your hair.

6.      Caring for Dyed Hair – If you are going grey, a big decision is whether to dye your hair or embrace the look. If you decide on dyeing, having treatments done at a hairdressing salon will help to ensure a more natural look, especially if you have a lot of grey hair. Choosing naturally formulated colouring products and using conditioners specifically formulated for dyed hair can also protect the condition of your hair. Grey roots need topping up frequently to avoid them showing, which is a reason why many men decide not to colour their hair.

7.      Look After Facial Hair Too – When hair starts to thin or turn grey, some men decide to focus on beards. However, if a beard is scraggy and untidy, it won’t help your overall look. So, if you have decided to grow some facial hair, it is important for regular male grooming sessions to include keeping beards and moustaches in trim. Even designer stubble needs regular attention to ensure it keeps that designer look!

Our experts at London Centre of Trichology offer a whole range of male hair loss treatments. We begin with a diagnosis of which type of male alopecia is affecting you, including male pattern baldness, and then recommend a course of treatment specifically tailored to you.

Male Hair Loss Treatments London – Click to find out more about our expert services and get in touch with us.

Thursday 1 September 2016

September Is Alopecia Awareness Month – How Much Do You Know About Alopecia?

Woman in black hat, alopecia
Women who have alopecia are often embarrassed about it and tend to suffer in silence. However, efforts are being made to tell more people about the condition, especially during September, which is Alopecia Awareness Month.

At the London Centre of Trichology, we help women with female hair loss to find solutions, a process which starts with an accurate diagnosis. We support efforts to make people aware of alopecia and of what can be done to treat it.

Alopecia Awareness Month

The registered charity Alopecia UK is holding a range of events for Alopecia Awareness Month. These include “Fun Hat Fridays”, an initiative which was also held last year and proved a success in raising funds for the charity. People are being asked to post photos of themselves in all kinds of unusual, wacky and colourful headgear to social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and make a small donation to the cause.

The charity is also holding a “Big Weekend” event which is in Glasgow this year, from September 2 to 4, with a variety of workshops and talks. The aim is to make this the most successful Alopecia Awareness Month to date. Events are also being held in the US and other countries, with a number of charities and organisations getting involved.

Causes of Alopecia

There are many different types of alopecia, a term which is used to describe hair loss in general. So, if you notice that you are losing your hair, the first step is to find out why and get a diagnosis of your specific condition. Although hair loss in men is more common, thinning hair and bald patches, or even total loss of hair, can also affect women and is often more upsetting because it is less expected.

Causes of alopecia can include heredity, illness or changes in your body’s chemistry or traction damage from certain types of hair styling. Stress related alopecia is another problem which some people experience, often following on from traumatic experiences.

Types of Alopecia

A type of hair loss which often affects younger people is Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune condition which sees bald patches developing on the scalp. The condition often starts in childhood and recurs at times through a person’s life. There are genetic factors involved, since an estimated 20% of people suffering from the condition have a relation who also has the disease. 

The type of alopecia most commonly affecting older people is Androgenetic Alopecia, which is also frequently described as male pattern balding or female pattern balding. It’s well known that around half of men aged 50-plus experience this type of hair loss, but it isn’t always realised that the same is true for women over the age of 65.

However, the pattern of hair loss for women can be different, since, instead of receding, the hair tends to thin on top of the head.  Younger people are also frequently affected by this type of hair loss, which has a number of causes including genetic factors.

Awareness and Treatment

Hair loss has traditionally tended to be something which women in particular are embarrassed to discuss. However, over recent years a number of celebrities have spoken out about their experience of alopecia and this is helping to make people more willing to talk about women’s hair loss, raising awareness of the condition.

Canadian singer Alessia Cara, who had a hit with the song ‘Here’ in the UK last year, is one of the latest stars to speak out about her experience of hair loss at a young age. She has told how she started losing patches of hair as a child and was upset by unkind comments in high school, but has now learned to live with the condition. 

Reactions to hair loss vary, but if you are worried about female hair loss and are seeking solutions, the earlier you get treatment, the more likely it is you will achieve a successful outcome. The experts at the London Centre of Trichology are highly experienced and can advise you on the best steps to take, giving you an accurate diagnosis and advising over which treatments are most appropriate.

Female Hair Loss Solutions London – Follow the link to contact us and arrange your initial free consultation.