Tuesday 26 March 2013

Women’s Hair Loss - Famous People who have Made the Headlines with Their Locks

It is not only ‘ordinary women’ like you and me who have experienced women’s hair loss, but it can affect men and women of all walks of life - even the rich and famous - and at any time of their lives.

When celebrities talk about their experience with women’s hair loss, it helps us mere mortals realise that we are not alone. Here we put the spotlight on the celebrities who have

been in the media recently because of their tresses.

If you are experiencing women’s hair loss, then the London Centre of Trichology can diagnose the reasons behind your condition and suggest ways to treat it. Meanwhile, here are some of the famous women whose hair has made the headlines.

Women's Hair Loss - Contact us now to book your free consultation.

Fergie

American singer/songwriter Fergie (born 1975) of the Black Eyed Peas has been photographed at various red carpet events and out and about with an increasingly widening hair parting.

Whereas many women, especially those in the public eye, go all out to cover up any signs of female hair loss, Fergie has done little to cover it up. This shows how comfortable she is with her look and this should be applauded as this helps to makes many women feel comfortable with themselves too.

Fergie’s hair thinning, or Telogen Effuvium - the second most common form of hair loss - is temporary. The media has put the cause of this down to either excessive styling (hair extensions) physical and emotional stress, and/or dietary habits.

Hair extensions can cause Traction Alopecia - a form of hair loss caused by pulling or tension on the hair - and this can be reversed by removing hair extensions and following the right hair care routine.

Prolonged Traction Alopecia is harder to reverse so it is important to spot the signs early and follow a course of hair loss treatment to encourage regrowth and to improve the condition of the hair.

Lindsay Lohan

Mean Girls actress Lindsay Lohan (born 1986) is another famous person that has fallen under the media spotlight after being snapped with hair looking a bit thinner than usual.

Again, one of the reasons behind thinning hair is attributed to Traction Alopecia, caused by excessive styling. This is a cosmetic condition, rather than a disease, and happens when the hair is under tension - some of the styles Traction Alopecia is attributed to are: tight plaits, sleeping in rollers and hair extensions.

However, it is not just hair styles that can affect hair growth, but other factors too such as diet, stress, anxiety and depression.

Eating disorders, for example, can affect the condition of the hair, so it becomes thin and lifeless. In 2004 when Lohan was said to be affected by an eating disorder, her normal, beautiful locks weren’t in its usual bouncy and vibrant condition.

Stress is also another factor that can impact on the hair growth cycle and force a large number of hairs into the resting state at the same time. However, the condition will usually improve over time - usually around six months - although with some people it can become a persistent problem.

If you feel you are experiencing female hair loss as a result of over-styling, or for any other reason, contact the experts at London Centre of Trichology who will be able to diagnose the condition and explain suitable forms of treatment.

Gail Porter

TV presenter Gail Porter (born 1971) lost nearly all of her blonde locks after suffering from Alopecia Totalis - which means the total loss of head hair. She was pregnant with daughter Honey in 2005 when she noticed chunks of her hair fall out and was almost completely bald four weeks later.

However, instead of wearing a wig and covering up her condition, she went public about it and received many letters of support from people with alopecia.

In 2006, she was also subject to a BBC documentary, ‘Gail Porter Laid Bare,’ where she talks about her condition. This type of alopecia is not common and it is possible for the hair follicles to regenerate at any time. Porter experienced hair re-growth at the start of 2010 when three quarters of her hair grew back by May 2010, but by the end of the year her hair began to fall out again.

Porter is an ambassador for the charity, Little Princess Trust, which funds wigs for youngsters with hair loss. She has presented various TV shows throughout her career, including recent episodes of The Gadget Show.

About the London Centre of Trichology

The London Centre of Trichology was established in 1958 and has successfully treated thousands of men and women. If you feel you are experiencing women’s hair loss, contact us on 0207 9351935.

Women's Hair Loss - Contact us now to book your free consultation.

Saturday 23 March 2013

Ladies Hair Loss - Some Temporary Causes of Hair Loss

We shed up to a hundred hairs a day and this is completely normal. Although permanent ladies’ hair loss can happen, most hair loss is temporary and it is thought that as many as 60 per cent of us experience female hair loss at some stage in our lives. So while it is important to be aware of the first signs of ladies’ hair loss, some of the causes are quite common, and can be easily addressed.

If you are experiencing ladies' hair loss, the best thing to do is to visit our experienced consultants at the London Centre of Trichology for a free diagnosis where we can advise you on the various options. We have seen an increase in female hair loss, especially in women below the age of 40, however, the sooner you address the problem, the better the results and this applies for both men and women.

Meanwhile, here’s our guide to some of the causes of temporary ladies’ hair loss.

Ladies Hair Loss - Contact us now to book your free consultation.

Poor Diet

Poor diet can contribute to hair loss and hair thinning, such as iron or mineral deficiencies or a lack of vitamin B12 and zinc.  Lack of sufficient nutrients can also cause the hair to become more brittle and break.

One of the most common causes of hair loss in women who are premenopausal is down to an iron deficiency. We find that clients with an iron deficiency can usually see an improvement in the condition of their hair in as little as a few months after receiving diagnosis and treatment.

Pregnancy

Hair loss post-pregnancy is quite common and can affect about half of new mums. This is because the usual shedding of hair is put on hold during pregnancy, so after pregnancy, when the hormones return to their normal levels, the hair can fall out and sometimes all in one go. 

Post-pregnancy hair loss usually happens within the first four months after delivery. However, this is only temporary and the hair will usually return to its normal growth pattern within a year (sometimes as little as six months).

Rough Brushing

Rigorous brushing can cause the hair to fall out, or it can damage the hair, making it snap or break.  Although it is common for us to shed hair on a daily basis, over-enthusiastic brushing should be avoided. Again, pulling the hair too much or binding it tightly in elastic bands can cause hair loss.

This is all preventable and there are a number of steps to take to avoid this. Try not to brush your hair when it is wet, as this can cause it to snap. Instead take gentle care with your hair and, if you do need to brush it while it is still wet, use a wide tooth comb to prevent damage.

Medication/The Contraceptive Pill

Various types of medication can potentially cause hair loss but oral contraceptives are particularly implicated in hair shedding.

This is because the common forms of oral contraceptive contain progestogens, man-made hormones that mimic the natural hormone progesterone.

These are needed to prevent a fertilised egg being implanted but although many are good for the hair, others aren’t so good.

It is important to be aware of any gradual changes and, if you are worried about hair loss, you may want to change to an alternative form of contraception that is hair friendly.  A visit to the London Centre of Trichology will be able to diagnose the problem and following a change in the pill, treatment will usually work quite quickly.

Thyroid Problems

Hair thinning can be caused by an over or underactive thyroid and this is something that can run in families.

This is because it interrupts the usual timing of the hair cycle - where the hair rests for three months before shedding. But with thyroid problems this rest period can be as little as a few weeks.

The hair loss due to thyroid problems is only temporary and, once the problem is treated, the hair will grow back as normal.

Stress

It is only in very rare incidences that stress causes permanent hair loss and most incidences are treatable.

The condition will usually clear up by itself although treatment is available.

If you are experiencing hair loss as a result of stress, it is time to slow down. Make sure you get adequate sleep, breaks and rest period, and regular exercise is also proven to help reduce stress.

Skin Conditions

Some skin conditions, such as adult cradle cap, which is known as Pityriasis Amiantacea can cause hair loss.

This is because the scaly crust sticks to the scalp, around the hair shaft, preventing normal hair growth. However, with the right treatment, the condition can be rectified and the hair can re-grow.
Ladies Hair Loss - Contact us now to book your free consultation.

Thursday 21 March 2013

Female Hair Loss - Top Tips on How to Get Your Tresses in the Best Condition

The hair style we choose as well as the colour, length and condition of our hair, will often define who we are as women. This is why, if we experience female hair loss at any stage in our lives, it can feel extremely upsetting.

However, the good news is that most forms of female hair loss are temporary and,  for those who are experiencing female hair loss, The London Centre of Trichology are experts in their field. We offer a free, no obligation consultation for anyone wanting to know the reasons behind their hair loss and are looking to find a solution.

If you are worried about hair loss and thinning hair, see below on how to keep your tresses in the best possible condition and some things to avoid if you are experiencing female hair loss. If you have hair loss, it is always important to seek the advice of a professional, who can help and advise you.

Female Hair Loss - Contact us now to book your free consultation.

Do’s and Don’ts to Keep Your Hair in the Best Shape


Using Mousse - Using hair products such as mousse won’t cause hair loss. In fact hair mousse can create the illusion of more volume and fullness. However, avoid using too much product on your hair. The recommended guide is to use a golf ball sized amount and this generally works on long and short styles.

Hair Straighteners - While it is OK to use hair straighteners every once in a while (such as before a party, event or other special occasion), regular use is not recommended. If you regularly use hair straighteners, this can damage the hair and cause weathering and hair breakage. We advise using hair straighteners - and other heat sources - with caution as it is possible to burn the scalp and damage the hair follicles.

Hair Oils - Using natural oils on the hair such as coconut oil, and jojoba, can help keep hair healthy. However, this won’t combat genetic hair loss and there is no evidence to show it will benefit those who suffer from female pattern baldness.

Hair Vitamins - Good nutrition and having the right levels of Vitamin B and iron is essential to prevent hair loss. A daily multi-vitamin tablet is always a good idea but while some vitamins are promoted to help healthy hair growth, many of these lack the scientific evidence to back it up. If you do suffer from any vitamin or mineral deficiencies this can be diagnosed and treated on a visit to the London Centre of Trichology.

Brushing - While day-to-day brushing is necessary to keep your hair neat and tidy, avoid vigorous brushing as this can damage the hair. Rigorous brushing will cause the hair to become brittle and it can snap or break over time.

Daily Hair Washing - Frequent washing of your hair will not cause your hair to fall out and you can wash your hair as often as you like. You will usually see some hair shed after showering because this is part and parcel of your hair’s natural growth cycle. In fact good hair hygiene is important, so it is important to give your tresses a regular shampoo and wash.

Hair Sprays - Hair sprays won’t affect the condition of the hair or cause hair loss. In fact it can make the hair appear thicker, which is beneficial.

Hair Bands - Some types of hair styles, such as tight pony tails, buns, braids and the use of hair pins, clips or rubber bands, can cause some hair loss and breakage, so it is best to avoid these if you can.

Hair Gel - Again, like hair sprays and mousse, gel does not cause hair loss. However, if you do tend to use lots of hair gel, regular washing is important to unblock the pores and to keep your scalp clean.

Hair Dyeing - Dyeing your hair is OK as long as you get it done by a professional or you follow the instructions on the packet. In fact dyeing your hair can give the illusion of thickness which can only be a good thing.

Regular Trims
- Regular trims won’t affect hair loss and is in fact encouraged because this helps gets rid of split ends and stops hair looking flat and dull.

Swimming - Chlorine is thought to worsen hair loss and cause hair to become dry or damaged. It is important to wash your hair after a swim and rinse your hair with water - before you take a dip in the pool.
Female Hair Loss - Contact us now to book your free consultation.