Thursday 25 June 2015

The X-Men Factor: Shaved Heads Get the Superhero Treatment

One of the most eagerly-awaited blockbuster films is X-Men: Apocalypse, due to hit cinemas in summer 2016. Superstar actor James McAvoy, who stars as Professor X, has had his head shaved for the role this time round. This news, revealed by director Bryan Singer, could be a boost for some people with male hair loss, as it's likely the superhero film will make the shaved head look more fashionable.

However, not everybody with thinning hair will want to opt for this kind of style. If you are noticing hair loss but don't want to shave it all off, there are other styles you can choose to make the most of your remaining hair. For any man who is concerned about hair loss and seeking solutions, it's important to get advice as soon as possible, since early treatment is likely to be more effective. Contact the team at London Centre of Trichology for more information.

Male Hair Loss London – Click here for information on the services available at our central London clinic.

Comic Book Icon
The X-Men, a band of superheroes, were first created in a series of Marvel comic books before making it to the cinema screen. Patrick Stewart originally played the role of the group's founder, Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, with a shaved head – but McAvoy played him with a shaggy head of hair in the more recent movie prequels. Now he is losing his locks in a move to the character's iconic look. As McAvoy is a heart-throb, it's likely that his bald look will lead to shaved heads being seen as more fashionable and sexy.

A number of other celebrities are already known for shaved or part-shaved heads, including Hollywood star Matt Damon, who adopted the look for the sci-fi thriller Elysium. Vin Diesel, star of the Fast and Furious film series, decided to go for the shaved look after experiencing natural male hair loss, and has made it his trademark. Others have opted not to go for a complete close shave, but instead have gone for a buzz cut, or close crop. Jake Gyllenhaal, Christian Bale and Twilight actor Robert Pattinson are among the A-listers who have been seen wearing this type of style.

Wearing the Shaved Head Look
Shaved heads and buzz cuts have an obvious appeal to men who are experiencing male pattern baldness or other types of hair loss. However, the look also appeals to many other men, who feel that it shows off the shape of their head and looks young and striking. Often a shaved head is teamed with a moustache or beard to create a great combination.

A close shave or crop has the advantage of keeping cool, making it a popular look for summer, and there are also other advantages, such as the need to spend less time on grooming. However, although one advantage of a shaved head is that you don't have to have your hair styled, a bald head still needs to be looked after.

After having your head shaved, you will need to apply sunscreen to avoid getting your scalp sunburnt, or alternatively wear a hat for protection. It's also advisable to wash and moisturise your scalp daily. There are some products available specifically for washing bald heads which combine both of these functions.

What If It's Not For You?
If you fancy the idea of a shaved head but are not sure it's for you, you could start off with a closely-cropped hairstyle or buzz cut before deciding whether to go all the way. While this style is increasingly popular, not all men will want to try a shaved head. You may feel that it wouldn't suit you, maybe because hair is important to your confidence or self-image, or because it would be frowned on in your particular workplace.

If you don't want to go the close shave route, there are many alternative styles which are also flattering for those with male hair loss, such as the undercut, a short layered style or a quiff. Which particular style will work for you depends on your personal taste and also your type of hair loss, but a hair stylist will be able to advise you.

If you're losing your hair and aren't happy about it, the best chances of success will come if you seek advice right away, rather than waiting. Trichologists at the London Centre of Trichology have many years of experience in advising people with both female and male hair loss, and specialise in natural hair loss treatments. Contact us for a free consultation in the first instance and you can find out what the best way forward is for you.

Male Hair Loss London – Get in touch with our expert trichologists to find out how we can help you.

Monday 22 June 2015

Growing Demand: What's Behind the Boom in Male Hair Care and Grooming?

Male grooming, including hair care, has become a major industry in London and throughout the UK over recent years. Against this background, a new research study found that hair care and keeping a full head of hair are priorities for modern men nationally. Two in three of those taking part in the survey said that having well-groomed hair boosted their confidence in how they looked. Many of those taking part were also concerned about hair loss in men.

It's currently predicted that sales of male grooming products in the UK will reach £1 billion by 2018. Within this, sales of male hair care items, from mousses and gels to conditioners, sprays and pomades, are all big business. With more pressure on men than ever to look good, those who have noticed their hair thinning or receding can all too easily feel more self-conscious than ever.

If you are in this situation and are worried about men's hair loss, you can contact the London Centre of Trichology, a leading clinic in the capital, for a free initial consultation. The sooner you get an expert diagnosis, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment.

Men's Hair Loss Clinic London – Click for details of how we can help.

Celebrity Styles Fuel Male Grooming Boom
Years ago, it was mainly female stars who appeared on the screen and in magazines promoting the latest shampoo or perfume. But now all that has changed, and many male film, TV and sports stars are relaxed about advertising this type of product.

Actor Hugh Laurie accepted a deal to be the face of skincare giant L'Oreal, while film star Brad Pitt agreed to advertise Chanel number 5 perfume and Gerard Butler was happy to promote Hugo Boss. Meanwhile, football legend David Beckham, known for his ever-changing hairstyles, has given his name to a range of fragrances, with products differing from aftershave to hair and body wash.

As well as advertising hair and skin care products, male celebrities also regularly hit the headlines because of their latest looks. The newest hairstyles sported by film stars like Johnny Depp, Ryan Gosling, or by male models on the catwalk, are all constantly in the spotlight and eagerly discussed and dissected on social media.

Arrival of the 'Yummy'
The growth of interest in male hair and grooming has led to Bloomberg Business Week coming up with a new acronym, the “Yummy” – or Young Urban Male. This is a group who are keen on looking good and prepared to spend time and money on their appearance.

Hair and beard colouring are among the techniques in demand from the current generation of fashion-conscious men, along with long hairstyles and undercuts. As well as a rise in men going to hairstylists to seek out the latest styles, there is also more demand for hair care products, including shampoos for hair loss.

There is also increased male interest in skin care, deodorants and even perfume. Long gone are the days where men just used soap and water. While shaving products have been hit by the fashion for beards, there has been an accordingly high demand for beard and stubble trimmers. Meanwhile, some pundits predict the clean-shaven look may soon make a comeback and so shaving products may be in more demand again.

Adding Pressure to Look Good
Celebrity culture and the growth of interest in male grooming have led to greater pressure on men in terms of looks. In particular, hair loss in men can often hit confidence and cause anxiety about appearance.

If you are experiencing this problem, it may help to try to take a step back and relax. You could try to think about finding a look which you are personally happy with, rather than trying to conform with other people's expectations. Confiding in your loved ones about your concerns could also help, and often you will find that others have similar worries, so you can support each other.

Once you have thinning or receding hair, such as male pattern balding, then it may not be practical to go for a long-haired look. But you can still look great by choosing another flattering style – or even go for a shaved head or buzz cut. Hats are also very on-trend at the moment, with a wide range of headgear to choose from on the market. You could also concentrate on other aspects of your appearance, such as getting in shape at the gym, or just treating yourself to a new outfit or pair of sunglasses. The key here is to work out what's important for you personally in terms of looks.

However, if you are concerned about men's hair loss and looking for a diagnosis, the best way forward is to speak to trichologists as soon as possible, so that you can start treatment. If you get in touch with the London Centre of Trichology, you can arrange your first consultation free of charge.

Hair Loss in Men London – Contact us now for information on our services.

Thursday 18 June 2015

Can Over-Styling Put Women's Hair Under Strain?


Advances in hair styling have given women far more choice about how to wear their crowning glory. Many people in the fast-moving London fashion scene now change their style almost as often as they change their outfit or make-up. However, while it is fun to experiment with different looks, the downside is the risk that some new techniques can put stress on our locks and even lead to or worsen women's hair loss.

If you are worried about thinning hair, your first instinct may be to disguise it with yet another change of style. This could possibly help your confidence in the short term, but there is a danger some new styles could even make things worse, by adding to the strain on your hair. The best way forward is to get advice and a quick hair loss diagnosis. Experts at the London Centre of Trichology can talk through your options and look at what is the best treatment for you.

Hair Loss Diagnosis London – Get in touch with our experts now to arrange a free initial consultation.

The Heat Is On for Our Hair
Many of us take heated hair tools for granted as an everyday beauty aid. These gadgets undoubtedly have many advantages, as they enable us to dry hair quickly after a shower and rush off to our next appointment, or to change our looks quickly and easily. If you fancy instant waves or want to straighten your hair, tongs or straighteners are likely to be the answer.

However, experts warn that heat can weaken hair, sapping away its natural oils, and lead to breakage. This is an especially worrying prospect if you are already suffering from female hair loss and need to take extra care of your locks. Products such as creams and serums are available which can give a degree of protection against heat, and many experts advise these should always be used in conjunction with dryers, hair irons or other heated tools. But it is still better for hair health to dry naturally where possible.

If you do need to use a hair dryer because of time constraints, the best advice is to hold the dryer at least 15cm away. Towel drying should also always be carried out gently, rather than rubbing your head too vigorously.

Risks of Brushing 
Despite the persistent myth that brushing your hair a lot will make it glossy and healthy, the fact is that over-brushing can cause harm. Using a hairbrush on the outer layer of your hair can all too easily end up damaging the cuticle or causing split ends, especially if you have long locks. Rather than brushing your hair too hard, it's better to comb out any tangles and then just brush over gently with a quality brush, preferably one with pure bristles.

If you are tempted to style your hair with a brush while using a dryer, be aware that using a “barrel brush” can result in damage. Brushes of this type are designed to stretch hair, and top stylists have warned that this means finer hair will be put under strain and weakened.

Other Techniques
It's well-known that bleaching causes damage to hair's structure by removing its natural pigment, and can therefore spoil the condition. But many other techniques also carry risks. This includes colouring, whether it's an all-over tint or highlights or lowlights, for instance to cover patches of grey. Although less damaging than bleach, dye can still affect your hair's condition and make it dry.

Perms might make hair look thicker, but they can also have the effect of weakening it, as can straightening it. There are also risks from styles which involve pulling hair tight, whether it's something as simple as back-combing or a pony tail or a more elaborate style such as a hair extension. If extensions aren't put in properly, they can even result in traction alopecia, which is among the reasons for women's hair loss.

Too much shampooing is another risk factor, because it removes natural oils and moisture within the hair. Modern shampoos are much gentler than in the past, and contain many nutrients, but, even so, if you notice your hair getting duller it could mean you are over-washing. And, however often you wash, it's important not to be too rough with your scalp, as this can end up damaging the cuticle.

The modern world puts many stresses on women's hair, and can lead to hair breakage or weakening and thinning. If you have noticed your hair getting thinner or perhaps a bald patch appearing, and are concerned about female alopecia or women's hair loss, contact the friendly and expert team at the London Centre of Trichology. We have many years of experience in treating both female and male hair loss, and specialise in natural solutions.

Women's Hair Loss London – Follow the link to find out more about how we can help you, or alternatively you can call us on 020 7935 1935.