Friday 21 December 2012

Staying Healthy as You Get Older: Men



While some men take the ageing process in their stride - and don’t mind carrying a bit of extra weight, having extra lines on their face, or experiencing male hair loss - others are really affected by the aging process. However, you don’t have to worry as we can’t stay young forever and all have to face the advancing years at some point or other. Certainly, with age comes more wisdom and life experience, so it is something to look forward to, rather than dread.

One of the most important things you can do as you get older is to stay healthy – so read on to discover our top tips on how to do this. And, with the New Year upon us, now is the perfect time to turn these tips into action and give yourself a brand new start!

Male Hair Loss –  contact us now to book your free consultation

Exercise

Exercising doesn’t necessarily mean expensive gym membership or employing pricy personal trainers. There are some easier – and cheaper - ways to get in shape such as: joining a local football team, enrolling in boot camp classes at your local park, going for walks on your own or with others, swimming, or taking up golf. Exercise brings all sorts of benefits: it makes you feel happier, improves stamina, controls weight gain, decreases your risk of getting certain diseases (cardiovascular disease for instance) and gives you an energy boost.

Quitting Smoking

It is never too late to stop smoking and the start of the New Year is a great motivator for this.  It is a known fact that smokers are more likely to develop disease and die earlier than non-smokers, so why put yourself at risk? Stopping smoking can be a difficult thing to do as nicotine is highly addictive, so you may need help to do this. But the good news is there are a variety of organisations that can offer support and there are many treatments available from nicotine patches to hypnotherapy. So the New Year can bring about a healthier new you!

Cutting Back the Booze


Many of us enjoy a pint or a glass of wine or two, but what if drinking three, four or more regularly has become a habit? Heavy drinkers put themselves at risk of liver disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, stomach disorders and are more prone to accident related injuries. Cutting back the booze doesn’t mean stopping it completely and certainly a glass of wine or two can be beneficial as it can ward off heart disease and stroke. It can also help trim the waistline and makes you feel healthier and more energetic. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, the recommended alcohol consumption for men is no more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day.


Medical Check-Ups

Those aged 40 and above are entitled to a free medical check-up on the NHS. So, if you are between the ages of 40 – 74 and haven’t had one of these, book an appointment with your GP, or go to a private health clinic to get one done there (for a fee). The NHS check identifies the risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Your GP will also talk through changes you can make to introduce a healthier lifestyle. Another thing you should do is have a prostate check as this helps detect the cancer early. Around 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer a year and it is the most common cancer in men in the UK.

Diet

Eating well doesn’t mean raiding the snack cupboard or calling up for takeaways all the time. Instead, it means cooking healthily and eating sensibly. This means including fruit, vegetables, lean meat, eggs, oily fish, nuts and whole grains in your diet. Keep the portions manageable and try not to overload your plate.

Hair

If your hair is thinning or you have identified male hair loss as part of the aging process, the London Centre of Trichology can help treat this. We can also identify other reasons for male hair loss such as iron deficiency, over or under active thyroid glands, or male hair loss caused by certain types of medications. Male pattern baldness is a type of male hair loss that usually affects men over the age of 30, although it can manifest in men in their 20’s. The reason for male pattern baldness is not attributed to life-style, but instead it is affected by genetics, hormone balance and age. Addressing it now will help boost your confidence and give you all the motivation you need to face 2013 in a healthier way.

About LCT

If you are experiencing male hair loss, click on the link below to make an appointment for a free consultation at the London Centre of Trichology.

Male Hair Loss –  contact us now to book your free consultation.

New Year – New You: Five Ways to Look Your Best in 2013

The New Year brings a fresh start and, whether you are worried about female hair loss, aging or are overcoming personal difficulties - or all three - a makeover is one way to give yourself a boost and start 2013 on a high note. While some makeovers involve expensive treatments, there are much cheaper ways to give yourself a lift, and some of these have long term benefits too.

Female Hair Loss – contact us now to book your free consultation

Hair

A brand new hairstyle is a major boost and you will be surprised how different you look – and feel – with a brand new cut and colour. While a quality cut and colour is well worth the investment, you don’t have to go to an expensive salon to get this done as there are many talented stylists about. Just visit your local salon with a magazine cut-out of a hairstyle or colour you like - or bring a selection - and your hairdresser will say what suits you best and will style your hair accordingly.

 If you have been experiencing female hair loss, talk it though with your hairdresser who will recommend some options for you. They will discuss the various styles and looks that suit your face shape and give you a cut to help disguise any bald patches. Sleek, straight styles are an option for female hair loss, such as the bob, long hair or medium wavy hair - and these styles are easy to maintain too. Side partings are also a good option as they give the illusion of a fuller head of hair.

If you do experience female hair loss, visit the experts at the London Centre of Trichology who will offer a free consultation to diagnose the cause of your hair loss and discuss how best to treat it.

Skin Care

A daily skincare regime with a good cleanser and moisturiser will do wonders for your skin and give it a real glow. The most important thing to look for in a moisturiser is a high SPF factor, or you can apply an SPF after your daily moisturising regime.  At night time, use a good cleanser to clear your skin of any remnants of make-up and apply a night cream, if you can. Visit your local pharmacist, make up counter, or beautician and they can recommend products to suit your particular skin type. You can also give your skin a boost by applying a weekly facial mask.

Make –Up

The right make up techniques and products will make you look fantastic from morning until evening. If you are unsure of where to start, visit your local department store and the staff at any of the make-up counters will be happy to give you a consultation, either free or for a small charge, redeemable against a product purchase. Or, if they can’t help, they can point you in the direction of someone who can. An in-store make-up artist can talk you through a day or evening look and you can practice this at home. You can also ask them to write down the products they have used and where to apply them.

Clothing

Dressing well is all about dressing for your age and your body shape. If you are looking for an outfit, but don’t know where to start, some department stores have in-house personal dressers who will find the perfect look for you free of charge. You will need to book an appointment in advance, although some stores allow you to show up on the day, depending on availability. A personal shopper can find you an outfit to suit a particular occasion or for everyday wear. They can also talk you through the best looks for your body shape - so you can feel like a brand new you! And the added benefit of this is that the right outfit can take years off your true age!

Diet

Things that you put in your mouth show up your skin, nails and hair and you need to eat the right food to get a healthy glow. Protein, such as lean meat, seafood, beans and eggs, will help give your skin a boost.  Oily fish is a good source of Omega 3 and is classified as essential fats as the body can’t make it by itself. Other top tips for beauty are: to eat fresh fruit, nuts and whole grains. Nutritionists recommend you eat fruit and vegetables the ‘colour of the rainbow’ to make your skin glow.

About the London Centre of Trichology

 If you are experiencing the symptoms of female hair loss, visit our specialists at the London Centre of Trichology for a free consultation. We can diagnose the cause of female hair loss and recommend the best treatment for you.

Female Hair Loss – contact us now to book your free consultation.
 

Spotlight on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - What is It and What Can You Do To Overcome It?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a worrying condition for those who have it and it affects as many as one in ten women in the UK. And, while female hair loss can be one side effect of this condition, there are other symptoms of PCOS that are also distressing. Here we shall outline what PCOS is, some of the symptoms to look out for and how to treat it.

Female Hair Loss – contact us now to book your free consultation

What is Polycystic Ovary System?

PCOS was first identified in the mid 1930’s by doctors Stein and Leventhal and was initially called the Stein-Leventhal syndrome. The cause of PCOS is difficult to identify exactly – it is attributed to various hormonal abnormalities; the first signs of the condition usually shows in women in their mid-teens to early 20’s.

PCOS condition is where a woman’s ovaries contain a number of cysts and these are follicles containing eggs which haven’t been able to develop properly. The eggs haven’t matured because the ovaries haven’t made all the hormones needed to make this possible.

Women with this condition produce more androgens - a male hormone also produced by women - than normal and this affects how the eggs are formed and produced during ovulation.  Excess levels of androgens causes a hormonal imbalance which affects the healthy function of various bodily systems and, along with other side effects, it can be responsible for female hair loss.

In addition to this, there are various other symptoms of PCOS and while, for one person, these symptoms can be very severe, another person may have quite mild symptoms. These can be identified as follows:

·         Missed or irregular periods

·         Infertility

·         Depression and Anxiety

·         Excess Facial or Body Hair

·         Acne or oily skin

·         Dandruff

·         Weight gain or loss

·         Painful periods

If left untreated, high levels of androgens may also affect cholesterol levels, blood pressure and cause heart disease. It is also thought that there is a link between PCOS and insulin resistance as people with PCOS have too much insulin in their bodies. This is why it is important to see your doctor if you think you may have signs of PCOS.

How to Address Female Hair Loss

If you have female hair loss, this can be upsetting but there are ways that this can be addressed. Treatment for female hair loss as a result of PCOS has a very good chance for success as the hair follicles are still active, so there is an opportunity for new hair growth.

The London Centre of Trichology is considered one of the leading names in the research of and development of treatment for male and female hair loss. Since it was established in 1956, the London Centre of Trichology has helped treat thousands of men and women to get their hair – and their confidence – back.

We offer free consultations to find a solution to the problem and in general we have found hormone therapy and minor surgery is a successful way of addressing female hair loss caused by PCOS.

Other Ways of Treating PCOS

There are various ways to help bring the symptoms of PCOS under control and to make the condition more manageable.

One way to do this is to adopt a healthier lifestyle as this serves to reduce the risk of developing long term problems. Losing weight by taking regular exercise and eating a healthier diet helps reduce the amount of insulin your body releases and will also help improve your chances of ovulation.

Other forms of treatment include hormone therapy, such as taking anti-androgen drugs or some forms of contraceptive pill. This helps block the effects from male hormones, such as progesterone, and addresses certain symptoms of PCOS such as hair loss, hair thinning or unwanted facial hair.

Another way to treat PCOS is through minor surgery to the ovaries which can serve to correct the hormone imbalance.

In addition to this, there are various medications available which can be used treat symptoms individually: such as treatments for acne or high cholesterol. There are also medication and treatments available for fertility problems. To find out more, book an appointment with your GP who will talk through the various options with you.

London Centre of Trichology

The London Centre of Trichology provides friendly and professional hair loss consultations and treatment. For more information, or to look a free consultation, call us today on 0207-9351935 or just click on the link below.

Female Hair Loss – contact us now to book your free consultation
 

Saturday 8 December 2012

Female Ageing - At What Age Should You Stop Dyeing Your Hair?

Why Dye Your Hair?

Many women dye their hair at all ages, from the teen years upwards because it makes them feel younger, fresher, gives them a confidence boost and as they get older, it helps cover up the grey. It can also give the illusion of thicker tresses, which can only be a good thing. Dyeing your hair means you can change your looks as often as your wardrobe, so you can be a red head one season, and go blonde or brunette the next. 

While hair dye will not cause bald patches, research has shown that bleaching and dyeing your hair can increase the risk of female hair loss. While this is temporary, to avoid female hair loss, it is important that the utmost care is taken when applying beaching or colourants. It is always best to follow the instructions on any home products or visit a professional stylist for any colour treatments.

Female Hair Loss - contact us now to book your free hair loss consultation in central London.

What Hair Dyes Are Available?

When women toy with the idea of dyeing their hair, they are faced with a multitude of options. These range from the over-the-counter semi-permanent, permanent and high-lighting box kits for at home applications, to mobile stylists who will visit you in your own home, or professional treatments at a hair salon. Prices range from £5 for an at home kit, to £40 - £100 and above for a professional treatment, depending on which hair salon you visit and whether you are also getting your hair cut and styled.

What Happens Over Time if You Dye Your Hair Regularly?

While many women enjoy the overall result of dyeing their hair and the compliments they receive, over time it can take its toll on your tresses. However in some cases, chemical damage can cause your hair to become dry and brittle. If your hair is breaking and snapping, one of the things you can do is to cut back on the amount of times you dye your hair and go for regular trims to cut off the split ends. Many hair salons offer specialist intensive treatments to help repair the hair.

Problems that Can Go Wrong with Hair Dyeing

Apart from the obvious problems that can go wrong with dyeing hair, such as hair being too light or too dark, and patchy colour, there are more extreme problems that need urgent attention.

It is possible for harsh chemicals or products to cause an allergic reaction on sensitive skin. For this reason, it is always important to do a patch test first as chemicals in the hair dye can tingle, hurt or even burn sensitive scalps. Severe allergic reactions to the chemicals used can cause a swelling of the face or throat, and result in hospitalisation, but this is an extreme reaction and is very rare.

While female hair loss or indeed male hair loss due to dyeing the hair is virtually unheard of, it is possible and can be the result of too much bleaching. Lightening the hair is fine if it is done professionally, but some people do this with regular household bleach which can damage the hair follicles and cause female hair loss. This method of dyeing your hair should be avoided at all costs and instead it is better to use over the counter products or visit a professional stylist for hair treatments.

How to Let Your Hair Grow to its Natural Colour

The age you decide to stop dyeing your hair is up to you but each year many people decide to take the plunge and let their hair grow to its natural colour. In fact if you are dyeing your hair to cover up the grey, letting your hair grow naturally can be liberating as it looks elegant and sophisticated and adds an air of distinction.

However, as your hair grows your hair will have two layers of colour - grey on top and the permanent dye beneath. So the best thing to do is let the dye grow out gradually by adding a series of low lights that are as close as possible to your hair’s former colour and let the grey become the highlights. As your hair grows, it will gradually return to its natural shade. The time it takes to do this depends on the length of your hair.

About the London Centre of Trichology

The London Centre of Trichology offers male and female hair loss diagnosis and provides male and female hair loss prevention and treatment. Use the link below to book your visit to the London Centre of Trichology.

Female Hair Loss - contact us now to book your free consultation

Thursday 6 December 2012

Male Ageing - Stay Looking Good as You Get Older

Male hair loss is part of the natural ageing process, along with a tendency to gain weight around the stomach, and more pronounced lines around the eyes or mouth. However, there are some things you can do to ensure you look good at any age.

While you can’t stop the passage of time, there are simple steps you can take to knock years off your true age: from revamping your wardrobe, taking regular exercise and controlling male hair loss. Here we take a look at what to expect at different ages - and what you can do to help.

Male Hair Loss - contact us now to book your free hair loss consultation

Ageing Through the Decades - What Men Can Expect as They Get Older

Here we shall take a brief look at the aging process in men and what you may experience at each decade throughout your lifetime from age 20’s onwards.

20’s - This is the decade men will first show the signs of aging and you may also notice fine lines, as well as loss of skin elasticity in your face or neck. You may also start to show signs of male hair loss as early as your 20’s and possibly greying hair.

30’s - Men may start to gain weight in their 30’s if they don’t keep exercising. They may also notice that skin cells don’t replenish themselves at the same rate and male features become coarser.

40’s - Many men at middle age notice a change in their eyesight and require reading glasses in their 40’s. Muscle strength starts to decease at this age and the male metabolism starts to slow down. Hair will also show signs of aging and you are also likely to notice deeper lines on your face.

50’s - Male sight and hearing starts to decline at this age and you can also start to lose your taste buds in your 40’s and 50’s. The physical changes of aging start to appear and the skin becomes thinner and drier.

60’s - Bones become weaker at this decade and men in their 60’s are more vulnerable to certain health related problems. The loss of skin elasticity is more pronounced from the mid-60’s onwards.

70’s - Some of the signs of aging at this age are arthritis and osteoporosis and there are various chronic conditions that can affect men at this age.

Ten Ways to Hold Back the Years


The good news is that you can stay healthy and looking good whatever your age and here are some of the ways you can hold back the years - and live longer.

1. Regular Exercise

Taking regular exercise helps keep your body in shape, boosts your mood, promotes better sleep patterns and increases your stamina. It also helps prevent a variety of problems and diseases such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, depression, high cholesterol and heart disease.

2. Quitting Smoking

Whatever your age, quitting smoking will give you a longer life. Quitting smoking also brings a number of other benefits such as increased lung capacity, better skin condition, less stress, more energy and improved fertility.

3. Staying Out of the Sun

Sun damage is one of the biggest contributors to premature aging. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to prevent this such as staying out of the sun and using a daily moisturiser with a high SPF.

4. Drinking More Water

Drinking more water helps improve concentration, mood and energy levels and it also helps you lose weight as it stops hunger pangs. It helps on the outside too as it moisturises your skin and improves its elasticity. Drinking more water and cutting back on the booze will help you look and feel great. 

5. Revamp Wardrobe

Dressing for your body shape will help hide those pounds and can cut years off you. If you don’t know where to start, many department stores have in-house personal shoppers who can steer you in the right direction.

6. Waxing and Shaving

Keep yourself well groomed by regularly shaving and keeping your look up to date.  One way to make the most of your features is to get your eyebrows waxed - and don’t forget to clip ear and nose hair.

7. Manicured Nails

Men, as well as women, can benefit from the odd manicure. Keep your nails on your hands and feet clean and clipped and you can either do this yourself, or pop to your local beautician who can do it for you.

8. Controlling Hair Loss

Some of you may experience signs of male hair loss in your 20’s. However, it is possible to prevent further hair loss with the right form of treatment. For this to be effective, it is vital to arrange a consultation at the first signs of thinning or receding. Here at the London Centre of Trichology we provide male hair loss prevention treatments tailored to your individual needs.

9. Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can knock years off your age and while there are home kits available,  it is preferable to have whitening carried out by a dentist to avoid damage to the teeth or gums. Simply cutting down on staining foods such as tea and coffee and using a whitening toothpaste regularly is an inexpensive alternative. Another way to improve your appearance and make yourself look younger is to smile!

10. Radiate Confidence

By radiating confidence, you will look and feel fantastic and other people will want to be around you. Whether you are at home, at work, or at a social occasion, stand up straight and have good posture and you will instantly look younger.

About the London Centre of Trichology

With the right treatment male hair loss can be prevented and in some cases men can experience hair regrowth. Click on the link below to book a free consultation and find out how we can help.

Male Hair Loss - contact us now to book your free consultation

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Female Hair Loss - Female Hormones and the Signs of Imbalance

Female hair loss can be a symptom of hormone imbalance and can occur at any age from teenage years, through to after childbearing age. This imbalance occurs when the ovaries produce either too little or too much of the two most important female sex hormones - oestrogen and progesterone.

When these hormones are out of balance this can present itself in a number of ways such as mood swings, a loss in sex drive, irregular or heavy periods, depression, water retention, loss of appetite, weight gain, female hair loss, acne and oily skin, stress, anxiety, dizziness and tiredness.

Women’s hormones may fluctuate considerably in the reproductive years during the normal processes of ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy and the menopause. But other factors can also throw your body off balance, including the taking of certain types of medication such as birth control pills, and illnesses such as diabetes.

While some changes that women undergo can be managed day-to-day though an alteration in lifestyle such as reducing stress levels, a change in diet and exercise regime, and better sleep patterns, others such as Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) require medication and treatment. Although the symptoms of hormonal imbalance can vary considerably, it can affect your quality of life so if you feel you have any signs of female hormone imbalance, it is always best to seek advice from your doctor.

Here we shall explain what oestrogen and progesterone are and the types of hormonal imbalance that can cause hair thinning or female hair loss. We understand how distressing this can be, but there is treatment available and our team at the London Centre of Trichology will be able to talk you through the various options.

Female Hair Loss - contact us now to book your free consultation

What is Oestrogen?

Oestrogen is the name given to the group of female hormones that control female sexual development. For example, it stimulates breast enlargement at puberty and also causes the lining of the womb to thicken during the menstrual cycle.  At the end of a woman’s fertility stage, the levels of oestrogen declines, causing various menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, tiredness, vaginal dryness, night sweats, weight gain around the mid-section and gradual hair thinning.

What is Progesterone?

Progesterone, also known as the ‘sex hormone’ is another hormone produced by the ovaries and this plays an important role in the woman’s menstrual period. During the ovulation period, it gets the lining of the uterus ready for the egg to receive the sperm. If the egg is not fertilised, the levels of this hormone declines, causing the start of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels are significantly higher in pregnant women.

There are various problems that can be experienced if too much or too little progesterone is produced. Some of the signs of progesterone deficiency are: irregular periods, breast tenderness, menstrual cramps, bloating and puffiness.

Another problem if too little progesterone is produced is that testosterone can take its place leading to increased facial hair and female hair loss caused by the hair blocking hormone DHT, normally stopped by progesterone. DHT can collect in the sebum gland in the scalp and damage the hair follicles, causing hair loss.

What Happens When too Much Oestrogen is Produced?

Excessive oestrogen can be a common problem in women after their mid 30’s and some symptoms are considered to be part of the natural aging process. In addition to this, women with high blood pressure, diabetes, excessive weight gain and women at certain stages of pregnancy may also be producing too much oestrogen.

Some of the symptoms of high levels of oestrogen are: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), female hair loss or hair thinning, frequent thrush, depression, low sex drive, migraines, PMS, acne, irregular periods, decrease in bone density and excessive facial hair.

What Happens When too Much Progesterone is Produced?

Progesterone levels can become imbalanced for a number of reasons and the taking of certain types of medication such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can increase the levels of progesterone.

Some of the symptoms of too much progesterone are: vaginal dryness, periods stopping, dizziness, excessive tiredness, mood swings and bloating. Again, if you feel you have any of these symptoms, it is always best to seek advice from your GP.

About the London Centre of Trichology

If you are experiencing female hair loss as a result of a female hormone imbalance or for other reasons including, stress related hair loss and genetic hair loss, our experts at the London Centre of Trichology can help. We offer free consultations and provide natural and effective hair loss treatments.

Female Hair Loss - contact us now to book your free consultation