Name: David

Question: Is there a refund policy for hair loss treatments if you have already bought something?

Answers: Belgravia’s policy ensures nobody is tied in to a long-term programme or obligated in any way to go ahead with a treatment course during their initial consultation.

Patients are entitled to a refund for any medications that have been paid for if they have not already been dispensed from the pharmacy. There is however a prescription charge of £25 per prescription which is included in the treatment programme, but non-refundable. We are unable to provide a refund for any medications already sent to, or taken by a patient. Any products or services that have been used will not be refunded.

If somebody receives a free LaserComb or Hair Vitalics and later on in their treatment programme requests a refund for undispensed treatments, the treatment will be refunded minus the cost of the LaserComb or Hair Vitalics.

Name: Michelle

Question: Can smoking affect my hair?

Answer: Smoking may affect hair growth, and research published in the British Medical Journal and other peer-reviewed sources supports this claim.

A study published in the Archives of Dermatology sought to find out the impact of smoking upon hair loss in a survey of Taiwanese men (Su, L.H. and Chen, T.H., 2007). The test concluded that there was a significant, positive association between moderate or severe Androgenic Alopecia (male pattern baldness) and smoking 20 cigarettes or more per day.

The theory as to why smoking may cause hair loss is that nicotine and carbon monoxide – substances found in cigarettes – restrict the flow of blood and oxygen to the body’s extremities, including the hair follicles. The hair lacks nourishment and, as a result, starts falling away from the scalp.

While there is some scientific research that potentially validates smoking and its effect on the hair, many men and women believe that smoking may have caused their hair loss when, in fact, genetics may have been the main cause.

The best way to determine the cause of any hair loss is to see a professional who can examine your hair and scalp. A proper diagnosis ensures peace of mind, the correct treatment and the right advice. Contact The Belgravia Centre for a free consultation or fill out our online diagnostic form if you’re unable to attend in person.

Name: Nova

Question: I want to use a hair relaxer, but I had a caesarean section only three weeks ago. Are there any side-effects?

Answer: Having a caesarean section does not make you sensitive to the chemical relaxer and therefore there are no contraindications between your recent operation and relaxing your hair. However, you may need to ask your hairdresser if your hair is strong enough to relax. Following pregnancy the hair can temporarily become weak and thinner, and more vulnerable to breakage. Relaxing the hair may not be a sensible idea during such a time.

Name: Diane Berry

Question: I’m an 82 year old woman but young for my age lately my hair is very dry and I’m loosing a  lot of it  the doctor says its old age. Would it be that? I had such thick hair I don’t know what to do about it being so dry.

Answer: Most hair complaints after the age of 50 turn out to be Female Pattern Hair loss. A progressive widening of the top parting indicates this. A small proportion of hair loss complaints can certainly be attributed to the aging process but this occurs slowly over many years. Treatment courses for women, consisting primarily of Minoxidil + Medroxyprogesterone (MPG), with added hair growth boosters, can help to prevent further hair loss and to encourage regrowth.

Diffuse hair loss that can occur at any age, happens when the hair loss is generalised around the scalp and tends to happen suddenly. This type of hair loss is due to disruption of the Hair growth cycle due to stress or illness. Diffuse hair loss tends to correct itself in time, as long as the underlying cause subsides, but treatment can help to speed up regrowth and minimise possible damage to hair growth as our body recovers from the stressful episode.

Dryness of the hair is often due to chemicals applied such as tints, perms and the use of heat equipments such as hair dryers or curling tongs.  Dry hair can also indicate lack of essential oils and Vitamin A. Medical conditions such as Thyroid imbalance can explain hair loss and dry hair, but in the absence of any known reason, it is best to add a multivitamin to a well balanced diet. Most women also complain about dry hair and dry skin after the menopause and beyond due to decreased level of Oestrogen. Adding fish oils and Vitamin E in the diet helps to improve the dryness of both hair and skin.

Overall, the best step forward is to have the problem diagnosed so the correct treatment or approach is recommended.

Name: Mohammad

Question: Is minoxidil safe to use on transplanted hair?

Answer: Yes, minoxidil is safe to use on transplanted hair – and it is suitable for both men and women. In fact, the use of minoxidil as part of a bespoke treatment plan is often advisable in such cases, since the product stops the any naturally growing hair (that has not been transplanted) from shedding. With close trichological monitoring, a hair loss treatment programme that includes minoxidil (and various other medically proven and natural treatments) can yield impressive results.

The Belgravia Centre’s in-house pharmacy produces the best quality minoxidil with added DHT blockers, as well as formulations of various strengths that are only available from the clinic. The Belgravia Pharmacy provides both 4% and 5% solutions with added medroxyprogesterone (MPG), and an extra-strength 12.5% minoxidil cream with added azelaic acid. You will need to consult one of our qualified trichologists to determine which is the most appropriate strength for your particular condition.

You can call the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 to book an appointment for a free consultation. Alternatively, if you cannot attend in person you can submit an online diagnostic form. The information that you provide will allow our specialists to diagnose and recommend a suitable treatment course specifically tailored to you.

The active ingredient found in Regaine foam is minoxidil (5%), which is the same active ingredient and dose, as Regaine’s classic Regaine 5% minoxidil liquid. The only difference between the two, which is also the selling point, is that the form of the new product is a foam or ‘mousse’ as opposed to a liquid. The TV advert features a man spraying some foam on his hand and applying it to an area of thin hair on his crown.

Our initial thoughts about the product are that it won’t in fact be as effective as a liquid minoxidil formulation. If applied correctly, a liquid can be placed directly on the scalp and optimally absorbed. Even if some of the liquid lands on the hair, the laws of gravity will ensure most will drip onto the scalp as required. With a foam, however, it will be very difficult (almost impossible, in fact) for all of the product to be applied to the scalp and we would imagine the majority would be absorbed by the hair, depending of course on the thickness of the user’s hair. If you observe the TV advert for Regaine Foam, you will notice that when the user applies the foam, none actually seems to reach his scalp, but instead gets absorbed by his hair. Absorbtion into the hair would be of no use to somebody wishing to prevent hair thinning, as it is required that the product penetrates the scalp in order to reach hair follicles.

Minoxidil 12.5% Cream – a specially enhanced formulation of minoxidil

Although Belgravia’s minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid cream takes a similar form to Regaine foam, the method of application is different. An applicator is required so that the product can reach the scalp through the hair in order to ensure as little minoxidil
gets caught in the hair as possible and optimum absorbtion is achieved. Another point is that if some cream is blocked from reaching the scalp by the hair, the dose is high enough to ensure enough minoxidil is absorbed into the scalp. Because of the higher dose of minoxidil (12.5%), it makes our product a prescription medication, but users have reported significantly increased results compared to a 5% solution, especially for stubborn areas of hair loss such as a receding hairline or a balding crown as you can see on our receding hairline page.

At Belgravia each person is treated on an individual basis and depending on the pattern of a person’s hair loss, some people will be better suited to liquid minoxidil. This is because those with relatively thick hair may not suit a cream or foam.

Only time will tell exactly how effective Regaine foam is. Results from any hair loss treatment take at least 3 months to begin to take effect and as we receive reports by users, we will keep our blog updated.

Name: Rachael

Question: I want to ask a question about female pattern hair loss. I am experiencing hair thinning now. If I done a blood test and confirm that I don’t have hormone imbalance and other problems, can I assume that my condition is not due to genetics ? What I mean is, if there is no problems about my hormone level, is the reason of hair thinning not because of heritance ?

Answer: It is more likely that your hair loss is due to genetics if there are no medical conditions such as a hormone imbalance, particularly if the hair on the top of your scalp is thinner compared to the back and sides. Female pattern hair loss, which is the type of hair loss that you can have a genetic predisposition towards, can be treated effectively using minoxidil as part of a tailored hair loss treatment programme. Conversely, having a medical condition or imbalance does not necessarily explain hair loss. You can still have pattern hair loss aggravated by hormone imbalance, for example. I suggest you see a specialist for an examination to determine your type of hair loss.

Do you have a question that you would like our hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

An example of before and during treatment for Traction Alopecia

Name: Andrea

Question: I am a 44 year old Afro Caribbean female. my hair has fallen out at the front, sides and back. I have a lot of hair in the middle. Initially this was because of the Blood pressure meds that I take, however I have had my medication changed since last year and there is still no improvement. can you tell me what could be the cause of this?

Answer: Your blood pressure medication may have had a temporary effect on your hair growth, however if the front has continued to thin, then it must due to another reason. The majority of Afro Caribbean women experiencing hair loss have a condition called Traction Alopecia. This hair loss is caused by prolonged pressure being applied to the hair as a result of braiding, weaves, hair extensions or tight hairstyles  The good news is that you can treat the hair loss and stimulate hair growth as long as the  follicles have not completely ceased to produce hair: this is usually indicated by the smooth texture of the scalp. This type of hair loss can be treated very effectively with a high strength minoxidil cream + azelaic acid, which stimulates new hair growth. Azelaic acid also appears to block DHT, the hormone that causes miniaturisation of the scalp follicles, giving your hair the best chance of recovering when used as part of a comprehensive hair loss treatment plan.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Zandie

Question: Hi, I’ve had telogen effluvium due to emotional stress for well over a year now. Although to others the hair loss doesn’t seem that excessive, it has deeply effected my confidence. I feel in a much better place now and rarely ever feel stressed, however my hair still seems to be falling out more than usual (more than 200 hundred hairs a day) with little regrowth. I know the hairloss isn’t genetic as both my dad and my mum’s dad have full heads of hair. I was wondering if you could give me an explanation to what’s happening and when I’m likely to see some improvement. I’m only 17 so I hope you understand my deepest concern.
Thank you for helping me, Zandie.

Answer: Telogen Effluvium is a temporary type of hair loss and regrowth is often spontaneous. This type of hair loss has a short duration, so your observation that it has been occurring for well over a year suggests that it is chronic. It is also possible that it may have triggered a genetic predisposition towards pattern hair loss, regardless of whether or not another member of your family has expressed this trait. I suggest that you see a hair loss specialist, as the density of your hair needs assessment. A comparison of the hair growth all over your scalp will help ascertain the type of hair loss that you’re experiencing. Treating your condition with a hair loss treatment plan sooner rather than later will help to prevent any damage to your hair follicles and potentially increase the amount of hair regrowth that you can achieve.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Khalid

Question: Do you have or do u know of any hair regrowing products that would be in shampoo form? Do you think Regaine or Rogaine or Bosley or any other hair growing products would be in any kind of foam or shampoo form. If there were a shampoo version of any kind of regrowing hair product then I would definitely buy it and use it.

Answer: A shampoo is not a suitable medium for a hair loss treatment; this is because shampoos are used in such a way that they are not absorbed into your scalp. The reason that Belgravia’s topically applied hair loss treatment minoxidil comes in a liquid or cream form is for absorption purposes: you apply the product and then leave it on your scalp. The product must be left on the head in order for the scalp to absorb it, at which point the treatment begins to work.

However, you apply a shampoo, massage it in to the hair, then rinse it off almost straight away, meaning that it is not left on the scalp long enough for it to have any lasting effect in terms of treating hair loss. For this reason, a hair growth product cannot be added to a shampoo, as it will not be effective. Belgravia produces a range of shampoos and conditioners that are designed to suit a wide variety of hair and scalp types and as such are highly complementary to a treatment plan that contains clinically proven medication, but alone the shampoos will not treat hair loss, they will merely improve the condition of existing hair.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Example before and during treatment photographs for a receding hairline

Name: Kevin

Question: Hi there, I am 28 yrs old & noticing that my hairline is receding. Only my hairline is thinning. I work & spend most of my time in Australia although I am from Glasgow so attending for consultation is not practical. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: A receding hairline is usually the early signs of male pattern hair loss. Earlier intervention is best, since you cannot regrow the hair once that area of the scalp becomes shiny and bald. At Belgravia Centre, we have found that in many cases of frontal hair loss, a high strength minoxidil cream on the thinning area can achieve strong regrowth results. You can take a look at one Belgravia patient’s success story, which details the minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid treatment that he used and the great results that he achieved.

In terms of your location, you can fill in an online diagnostic form, which allows a hair loss specialist to remotely diagnose you. A bespoke plan containing a combination of hair loss treatments will then be put together on your behalf. There is no obligation to go ahead with treatment up to this point, but should you wish to, your hair loss treatment plan can be posted out to you in Australia.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Dan

Question: I’ve recently started on Proscar, under the advice of my GP, for a 1cm thinned area of my hairline. I’m wondering if i start using additional minoxidil on the area, and while still carrying on with my Finasteride dosage, I stop the minoxidil say a year later, what would happen? Basically, would the finasteride be able to hold what minoxidil may thicken/regrow?

Answer: Proscar contains 5 mg of finasteride as supposed to the 1mg contained in a daily dosage of Propecia, which is used to treat hair loss. As finasteride is not dose dependent, taking 5mg will not help your hair loss more than taking a daily dose of 1mg.  Proscar is only licensed to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, so your Doctor must have considered other factors prior when prescribing you Proscar.

Minoxidil works in a different way to finasteride/Propecia, so using them simultaneously can often be a very effective way to treat hair loss. Minoxidil will help to stimulate regrowth on a receding hairline, as long as you start the treatment before the area is completely shiny and bald.  With the majority of cases that I see, the hair regrowth requires maintenance by using the same medication. Regrowth from Minoxidil requires Minoxidil for sustenance, and you will generally notice deterioration within six months after ceasing to take finasteride.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Lauren

Question: I have scalp psoriasis and originally thought that that was why I was loosing my hair. It became very thin and therefore I cut it very short. However, my psoriasis is very very minor on my scalp compared to others and I’ve found that I´m still loosing my short hair. If it is found that it’s another underlying deficiency, are there treatments I can use which will not affect my psoriasis?

Answer: Scalp psoriasis is very rarely a cause of hair loss and on the occasion that it does lead to excess shedding, it is usually always temporary: hair grows back once the scalp heals. You have found that you are still losing hair yet your scalp condition is mild, and this indicates that your hair loss is not caused by your scalp psoriasis. It is best to see a hair loss specialist to have your scalp and hair examined; this will help determine the cause of your female hair loss. We offer the topical hair loss medication minoxidil that is suitable for sensitive or irritable scalps, as we formulate our solution without any alcohol. We also offer clinical treatment therapy sessions where creams and lotions specially designed for people with scalp psoriasis are used.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Janet

Question: I have just entered menopause. I noticed when I wash my hair, it’s coming out by the handful, is there something I can do to prevent anymore hair loss?

Answer: The first step is to have your hair loss assessed by a specialist to determine your diagnosis. You will also need to have blood tests to eliminate other possible aggravating conditions, such as hormone imbalance, anaemia or thyroid problems along with other dietary deficiencies. That said, the majority of women who experience hair loss during the menopause get diagnosed with female pattern hair loss, a genetic condition that cannot be cured, but which can be treated with minoxidil to regrow thinning hair, the only medication licensed by the UK’s medical regulatory body to treat hair loss in women.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Sergio

Question: I am writing in regards to the side effects of minoxidil for sufferers of seborrheic dermatitis. Do any of your minoxidil solutions have alcohol or any other ingredient that will inflame my dermatitis? I’ve used Rogaine and other minoxidil solutions, but the alcohol and propyl glycol always aggravates my dermatitis. The problem obviously is that the dermatitis accelerates hair loss, which has lately gotten worse. Do let me know, thank you.

Answer: At Belgravia, the minoxidil solutions that we produce in our pharmaceutical laboratories are formulated with glycerine and not alcohol. This formulation is gentle and non-irritant, and is therefore suitable to use on an irritable scalp. We also offer our patients clinical treatment therapy at either of our Central London clinics, which involve specially formulated creams and lotions that sooth the scalp. Our in-clinic dermataologist can advise you on your seborrheic dermatitus and a hair loss treatment plan can be formulated that takes all these issues into account.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Julie

Question: Will I be wasting my money if I have a hair transplant done, as I am iron deficient? Please I would like your honest opinion. Thank you.

Answer: Your first step is to have your hair loss assessed by a specialist in order to have your condition correctly diagnosed. Once the cause is established, a suitable hair loss treatment plan can then be recommended.

It’s important to be aware that a hair transplant is not always the best solution to hair loss, and is generally only recommended after a medically proven treatment programme containing minoxidil has been attempted for at least six months, as this is often enough in itself to regrow thinning hair, preventing the need for a surgical procedure.

You may also be iron deficient, but this condition does not always affect hair growth, as there are other reasons why we lose hair including genetics (female pattern hair loss) and auto-immune disease (alopecia areata).

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Cloda

Question: I’m 24 weeks pregnant and have lost all the hair from the crown of my head – at the parting and have a few other smaller bald patches/diffused hair. I have never suffered from alopecia before. This is my second pregnancy and I didn’t loss any hair during my first. Do I have to wait until after the birth of the baby for treatment?

Answer: Yes, you will need to wait until you have finished breastfeeding your child before beginning a hair loss treatment programme. I realise that this won’t be the answer you wanted to hear, but hair loss products including the nutritional supplement Hair Vitalics are not suitable for use during pregnancy and lactation. An examination by a hair loss specialist would be required to establish the cause, or causes, of your hair loss.

Once breastfeeding has ended, women can use minoxidil, which is a hair loss treatment that has been licensed by the MHRA and approved by the FDA to treat hair loss in women. If your hair loss is proving particularly stubborn, Belgravia produce a unique extra-strength minoxidil cream, which has proven particularly successful for alopecia.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Diogo

Question: I have been diagnosed with frontal fibrosing alopecia. What do you advise please?

Answer: Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a rare type of scarring hair loss. Sadly, there is no known reliable treatment in terms of regrowing hair due to this type of alopecia, based on the fact that once a hair follicle has scarred,  hair cannot be regrown from it. I would recommend that you visit your GP, who may be able to advise you or refer you to a dermatologist.

It’s also worth mentioning that a hair transplant is not usually deemed suitable for scarring alopecia, based on the idea that the transplanted hair could be affected by the alopecia too. A good hairstyle can often help to conceal frontal hair loss, so talking to your hairdresser could also be useful.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Matthew

Question: I’ve started to have hair miniaturisation and would like to know how I can help this? I’ve been on Finasteride for about 18 months and haven’t noticed too much improvement.

Answer: Hair Miniaturisation occurs due to the influence of DHT on the follicles. Finasteride one mg under the brand name Propecia is a proven DHT inhibitor, and it is one of two medications licensed by the MHRA and approved by the FDA to treat male pattern hair loss. If you’re only using finasteride, you may find that using minoxidil (the second proven hair loss medication) simultaneously might help.

The majority of our patients respond very well to this combined treatment. Also, for particularly stubborn areas of thinning, we produce a unique extra-strength minoxidil cream that can stimulate regrowth in areas previously unresponsive to lower doses of minoxidil or just Propecia.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.

Name: Geneve

Question: I just wanted to enquire as to whether you deal with the treatment of hairloss for Afro Caribbean hair?

Answer: Yes, many of our patients have Afro Caribbean hair and we have treated their hair loss successfully. Whilst genetic hair loss (known as androgenic alopecia) is treated in the same way irregardless of race (although one of the two proven for hair loss medications, Propecia, is only available for women) there are certain types of hair loss that are more prevalent in those with Afro Caribbean hair.

We often see patients with traction alopecia that has occurred due to damaging hair styling techniques such as hair extensions, weaves or other hairstyles that put pressure on the hair follicle. A treatment programme that includes our extra-strength minoxidil cream has achieved great results for many of our patients with Afro Caribbean hair.

Another condition that is particular to women with Afro Caribbean hair is follicular degeneration syndrome. This condition is characterised by thinning initially near the back of the head which then progresses towards the front. Providing hair follicles have not scarred, and subject to a consultation, Belgravia can treat this manner of hair loss, too.

Do you have a question that you would like our senior hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis to answer? You can submit it here via our HairLossANSWERS form and we’ll get back to you.