Is weightlifting making you bald?

A warning to all the buff gym-goers out there: Could the gym be making you bald? According to a London based hair transplant surgeon, this indeed could be the case.

Dr Thomy Kouremada-Zioga, a Hair Transplant Surgeon at The Private Clinic of Harley Street, claims she has experienced a soaring number of enquiries coming from men suffering with accelerated hair loss, men that have been consuming powdered protein and regularly going to the gym.

Dr Kouremada-Zioga says that around 70% of the male patients coming into her clinic are avid users of protein shakes.

She says that it is specifically weightlifting in the gym that could play a part in the men’s hair loss – particularly done in conjunction with consuming protein powders.

This theory is based on the belief that, joined together, the two factors can raise levels of testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. These are often thought of as two primary components that cause hair loss.

DHT is naturally created and a converted version of testosterone. It rapidly joins to a man’s hair strand’s receptor cells, stopping the absorption of essential nutrients. Then over the course of time, this results in follicles starting to shrink, with hair withering and eventually dying.

Therefore, gym-goers are having more exposure to DHT, thus risking an earlier start of them losing their hair. “Interestingly, the activity that men do in the gym can also potentially impact hair loss. While cardio will reduce the levels of DHT in the blood stream, excess weight lifting can increase testosterone levels and therefore accelerate hair loss”, Dr Kouremada-Zioga told the Daily Express.

“Protein shakes will very often contain growth hormones such as Creatine and DHEA, which not only increase muscle mass, but also increase testosterone levels in the bloodstream.

“Testosterone produces a chemical known as DHT, which actually contributes to baldness when the hair follicles become exposed to too much. Sadly, this is something that most men are unaware of, until they notice that their hair loss has already become more apparent.”

However, this could be avoided if people substitute the weights for cardio-based exercises – and banish the protein shakes.

She added: “I would therefore also advise those men who focus on lifting weights in the gym, to be mindful of just how much lifting they do and, where possible, to do more aerobic exercises.”

Dr Kouremada-Zioga also advises men who are pre-disposed to balding to stop using protein shakes that contain growth factors and hormones, instead trying to gain natural sources of protein into their diet from sources such as chicken, fish and eggs.

“Men should also ensure they are eating a healthy and balanced diet, which contains essential vitamins and minerals.”

Before all male fitness-fanatics around the country begin to cancel their gym membership though, and pour their expensive protein powders down the toilet, the issue will apparently only present itself if the person is already predisposed to male pattern baldness.

She said: “It is important to distinguish between cause and effect here. Protein shakes do not cause hair loss.

“They do, however, accelerate hair loss for those men who suffer with androgenetic hair loss or alternatively, those who are predisposed to balding, as many men are.”

There is no reason to suffer alone though, millions of people in Britain alone are battling hair loss and Medical Specialists® Pharmacy are here to help. With our extensive range of hair loss treatments for men and women, you can act now to halt the progression of hair loss, and even possibly see regrowth of hair.

Medical Specialists® can provide the prescription-only medication Propecia (finasteride), which is used to treat male pattern baldness and works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which thought to cause hair loss.  It is obtainable following a quick and easy 4-step process, which includes an online consultation with one of the Medical Specialists’® in-house doctors.

Other options that can be used in conjunction to Propecia include Regaine Foam or Regaine Lotion, as featured in numerous television adverts. Obtainable from Medical Specialists Pharmacy, Regaine products contain the active ingredient Minoxidil; clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss. Minoxidil works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles, helping to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth.

Women can also take minoxidil, contained within Regaine for Women, and have the option of the over-the-counter treatment Florisene® – strongly recommended as an addition to any female hair loss treatment. Florisene® is especially recommended for women who have reduced hair volume (compared with several years ago) or who have recently noticed hair shedding as seen by more hairs in the brush, comb or when shampooing.

Chris Evans and his Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness will affect nearly half of men by the time they reach the age of 50, regardless of social class, race, etc.…that is the simple truth. Hair loss does not discriminate, and Medical Specialists® Pharmacy have reported countless celebrity hair loss stories over the years, such as Wayne Rooney’s very expensive hair transplant at a Harley Street clinic, Justin Bieber cheekily saying that Prince William should use hair loss treatment Propecia, and golfer Rory McilRoy teasing fellow pro Tiger Woods about his diminishing hair.

One story that seems to have resonated with the British public was the article Medical Specialists® published all the way back in 2011 about Chris Evans’ battle with hair loss, leading to a massive surge in traffic to the Medical Specialists® website from men wanting to combat their hair loss as well.

The popular, outspoken television and radio presenter first rose to prominence back in the early 1990s as the presenter of The Big Breakfast, and later his own written-and-presented show ‘Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush’.

With his thick, wavy ginger hair and rather prominent black, square glasses, Evans instantly stood out from the crowd, becoming popular amongst viewers; viewing figures for The Big Breakfast reached around two million per episode in 1993 – the highest rated UK breakfast television programme at the time.

However, Evans has not been without drama in his personal life, now into his third marriage and going through a notoriously bitter and public divorce from former Loose Women presenter Carol McGiffin back in 1994. It could be that these testing times in his personal life have affected his once luxurious thick head of ginger hair. After all, stress is just one of many factors that is often believed to be a contributor to hair loss.

Evans has commented on his hair loss many times in recent years, seemingly intent on fighting the problem before he turns 50 next year. The TV and radio personality actually invited the renowned Harley Street Trichologist Dr Hugh Rushton onto his Radio 2 Drivetime show in June 2008 to discuss some facts about male pattern baldness to listeners.

Then in 2011, the DJ revealed on his Radio 2 show that he was taking hair loss treatment, but did not confirm exactly what the treatment was, but from his comments it would suggest he was taking Propecia. Evans commented that in addition to the new hair growth on his scalp, there had been growth on other areas of his body too.

He said: “I’m taking these pills to help my hair grow but it’s not only the hair on my head that’s growing. Lots of trimming to be done.”

It remains to be seen if the DJ is still taking his hair ‘pills’, but he has most likely stopped them by now, going off the comments he made in October whilst appearing on an episode of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. Speaking to presenter Tim Lovejoy, Evans stated he was using ‘drops’ for hair growth, but didn’t specify which drops these were, adding they had been running down his face causing some hair growth there as well.

The drops in question were no doubt obtained from his ‘hair doctor’ Dr Rushton. There is a possibility Evans has already tried Regaine Foam or Regaine Lotion in the first instance, so what is this lotion that he was speaking about. When we asked leading retired Trichologist David Bailey, he said, “…Hugh like myself has dabbled with topical anti-androgens for some time, but it’s quite possible that he may have other ingredients in the lotion like Bimatoprost. This is the ingredient of Lumigan eye drops used for glaucoma, which have been shown to grow eye lashes in the patients that used them, and published medical papers have shown it to have an effect in re-growing male hair loss. Though I cannot go with the statement by Chris Evans, saying he grew facial hair due spillage on his face…I don’t think that is possible.”

Any male or female suffering with hair loss can find all the latest hair loss treatments on the Medical Specialists® website. We have the aforementioned Propecia (for men only), both Regaine Foam and Regaine Lotion (for either men or women), as well as Regaine for Women and Florisene – the latter of which is often taken for female hair loss in addition to the combined oral contraceptive pill Dianette.

People on higher salaries more likely to suffer hair loss

Working your way up through the ranks at your place of work could be great for your bank balance and enable you to splurge on luxury items, however it may prove disastrous for your hair.

Although hair loss is something that many attribute to old age, the hectic modern day working adult is susceptible to losing their hair, with men and women in their 20s losing hair. Almost half (45%) of men aged 16-24 and 47% of men aged 25-34 that were involved in a new survey, say their hair is already showing signs of thinning.

A L’Oreal Professionnel poll of 2,000 adults found that those with a salary of £75,000 or over were more likely to report they were suffering with hair loss because of the stress and demands of their jobs, in comparison to those on around £15,000.

In fact, only last year MP Nadine Dorries, who earns nearly £70,000 a year, spoke in a television interview about her hair loss. She described the massive impact to her confidence after waking up in tears each morning upon realising her hair had started to fall out.

The L’Oreal survey discovered that almost three quarters of women blame stress for hair loss and one in three were adamant they had noticed their hair was thinning.

Meanwhile, men typically put down genetics as the main reason for losing hair, but nonetheless half of men think that pressure at work is still partly to blame for hair loss.

However, across both sexes, the higher earners were far more likely to attribute their hair loss to work pressure compared to those on a smaller salary.

The survey found across the board that one in five men and women on a salary of over £75,000 per year were blaming work for their hair loss as opposed to just one in ten of those with a salary of up to £15,000.

Almost a third of UK women (30%) and around two-thirds of men (66%) suffer thinning hair or baldness, according to the research.

Despite the fact hair loss is very common – approximately 80% of men experience some sort of hair loss at some time in their life – it seems two in five men would prefer to suffer alone in silence than seek help and one in ten women are doing the same.

There is no reason to suffer alone though, millions of people in Britain alone are battling hair loss and Medical Specialists® Pharmacy are here to help. With our extensive range of hair loss treatments for men and women, you can act now to halt the progression of hair loss, and even possibly see regrowth of hair.

Medical Specialists® can provide the prescription-only medication Propecia (finasteride), which is used to treat male pattern baldness and works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which thought to cause hair loss.  It is obtainable following a quick and easy 4-step process, which includes an online consultation with one of the Medical Specialists’® in-house doctors. Propecia is priced from as little as £47.58 per month.

Other options that can be used in conjunction to Propecia include Regaine Foam or Regaine Lotion, as featured in numerous television adverts. Obtainable from Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £49.95 and £59.95 respectively, Regaine products contain the active ingredient Minoxidil; clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss. Minoxidil works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles, helping to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth.

Women can also take minoxidil, contained within Regaine for Women, and have the option of the over-the-counter treatment Florisene® – strongly recommended as an addition to any female hair loss treatment. Florisene® is especially recommended for women who have reduced hair volume (compared with several years ago) or who have recently noticed hair shedding as seen by more hairs in the brush, comb or when shampooing.

Tiger Woods says his hair loss is a “no-win fight”

Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods has lost his prestigious top spot in recent years with the emergence of Rory McIlroy, and maybe that together with turbulent problems in his personal life could have accelerated Woods’ hair loss.

Woods, 38, gave an interview to Colleen Dominguez of Fox Sports to speak about various subjects, which included the possibility of appearing in this year’s Ryder Cup, and offered his thoughts on the young stars of today such as McIlroy.

Woods first came to prominence with his incredible record-breaking win at the 1997 Masters, in what was his first victory at a major, becoming a dominant figure in golf for well over a decade until the collapse of his marriage and allegations of repeated adultery.

Throughout his rise to the top, it has been quite noticeable that Woods has been suffering with thinning hair and a receding hair line, leading to Rory McIlroy poking jibes at this friend a few years ago for “getting old, getting bald”.

In the interview for Fox Sports, Dominguez asked current world number 10 Woods about whether he was content with his advancing years, bearing in mind the golfer is now pushing 40 and no longer the baby-faced phenomenon that burst onto the scene in the 1990s.

“I’m comfortable with it, but my hairline isn’t. I have a nice skylight [at home] and I’m at the point where if I don’t wear a hat, I can feel the heat.”

Woods was asked if he would shave his head eventually, to which he replied: “I think I will, but I’m fighting the cause, and I’m fighting it hard. It’s a no-win fight, but I’m hanging in there.”

Unfortunately for Tiger, his hair loss has been left to develop to the extent that an expensive hair transplant is probably out of the question. This is because of the severe thinning at the top (recipient area) and more crucially, the sides and back (donor region) where the hair is taken from to be re-planted where it is required. That particular region needs to be strong, but it seems for Woods, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) has hit this area too.

DHT is a chemical (hormone) that naturally occurs in the male scalp and is present in higher levels in men who suffer from male pattern baldness. In genetically predisposed people, DHT latches on to the hair, deteriorating it and causing the subsequent hair loss. If the follicle is damaged too much, it dies and cannot generate any further hair.

However, there are various treatments known as ‘DHT Blockers’ that can prevent those hormones from working to eventually cause hair loss.

Three proven treatments to not only halt the hair loss, but in many cases can re-grow hair. These are Minoxidil (contained in Regaine Foam – as seen on TV), Propecia and Nizoral Shampoo. All are available today from Medical Specialists™ Pharmacy at fantastic prices, so there is no reason whatsoever to let hair loss drive you ‘round the bend!

Kate Middleton pokes fun at Prince William’s hair loss, suggesting a toupee

Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber once suggested the young royal should probably be taking hair loss medication Propecia, and now Prince William has been on the receiving end of more stick; this time from his wife!

The Duchess of Cambridge teased her husband, The Duke of Cambridge, about his thinning barnet during a trip to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The royal couple were greeted there by the majority of an estimated crowd of 150,000 people on what was a gloriously sunny day in Sydney.

Touted as an event that “brings the country to the city”, the two-week Sydney Royal Easter Show brings in an incredible 900,000 visitors each year, being a staple in the calendar of farmers, animal lovers, keen gardeners and the general public since its inception back in 1823.

The 31-year-old Prince has mercilessly mocked his 32-year-old wife about her choice of clothes during the visit, choosing to inform Kate she resembled a banana in a yellow dress she was wearing and commented a dazzling green outfit she was sporting looked too bright.

However, Kate soon managed to get her own back as the pair visited the impressive displays of produce, segregated by Australian regions. One exhibitor, Lyn Crejan, 67, was discussing the vast array of fruit and vegetables that were displayed in a colourful design behind her.

The 67-year-old showed the royal couple a tuft of alpaca wool that happened to be a comparable shade of brown to that of William’s hair, Kate duly pounced. The Duchess, wearing a stunning white Zimmermann dress, joked that William should try using the alpaca wool as a wig.

Ms Crejan, who works as a farmer in the settlement of Glenn Innes in New South Wales, said: “The Prince was interested in the alpaca and as I showed it to them the Princess said he should put it on his head.

“She said, ‘you need it more than me’, and pointed to his head and he laughed.”

It recent times at public events, it has been Prince Harry who has subjected Prince William to jibes about his hair loss, although the younger Prince has quietened his stance lately -  possibly after showing signs of hair loss himself.

Harry was photographed in February 2013 whilst on a trip to Lesotho in southern Africa on behalf of his charity, Sentebale, with noticeably thinner hair and his scalp quite visible through his famous ginger locks.

Hair loss is something that has been suffered by many male members of the Royal family, with William and Harry’s father, Prince Charles, also suffering hair loss for many years. In addition, the young royal’s grandfather, Prince Phillip and their uncle, Prince Edward, have lost much of their hair over the years.

Sources claim Bradley Cooper is taking Propecia to fight hair loss

Movie goers saw his hair altered into a comical perm style for the critically acclaimed film American Hustle, but in real life Bradley Cooper’s hair is no laughing matter, with reports that the handsome actor has been taking hair loss medication Propecia (Finasteride) in a bid to avert his familial trait of baldness.

The 39-year-old actor came to prominence in TV show Alias before featuring in a supporting role in the 2005 Wedding Crashers. However, in the subsequent 9 years his career has skyrocketed and Cooper has had leading roles in numerous successful films such as The Hangover series, Limitless (2011) and Silver Linings Playbook (2012), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.

Cooper, dating 21-year-old model Suki Waterhouse, clearly wants to retain his leading man status and is worried about a receding hairline. According to a source who spoke to US website RadarOnline, the actor “is so anxious about his receding hairline that he’s turned to [balding remedy] Propecia. He has a lot of bald guys in his family, so he’s been on Propecia for a couple of years. And to his delight, it seems to be working.”

During filming of last years The Hangover 3, Cooper and the other two male leads, Zack Galifianakis and Ed Helms apparently “had their own dedicated hairstylists, a first for the franchise and something that was demanded by Bradley” due to his hair loss concerns. The source added: “Bradley is determined not to go bald and lose his leading man looks.”

Hair loss medication Propecia has made news in recent years on a few occasions after Manchester  United striker Wayne Rooney was rumoured to be taking it to prevent further hair loss and Canadian popstar Justin Bieber even commenting on Prince William’s diminishing mane, saying the Prince should be taking Propecia.

Rooney and other celebrities such as Calum Best and James Nesbitt have since opted for incredibly expensive hair transplants, but there has inexplicably been a mass silence in regards to any admittance to celebrities taking Propecia.

Spencer Stevenson, the hair loss expert who fronts the specialist talk show The Bald Truth, advises balding men to consider taking Propecia prior to any costly hair transplant procedure.

He says: “Before you even consider a hair transplant, look into going on Propecia or applying Minoxidil (a topical hair-loss treatment contained in Regaine Foam) for at least six months first, to strengthen existing hair and prevent further hair loss.”

Would you get a head tattoo to cover baldness?

Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men, afflicting an estimated 6.5 million men in the UK and for many it is noticeable by the time they reach the age of 35.

In recent times there has been countless celebrity hair loss stories in the media. For instance, we have seen celebrities such as Wayne Rooney and Calum Best opt for expensive hair transplants, and even pop superstar Justin Bieber has come out and said that Prince William needs to take hair loss medication Propecia.

Other effective and proven hair loss treatments for men include Regaine Foam, Regaine Lotion and Alpecin caffeine shampoo. However, how about covering up your diminishing hair with a tattoo?

Yes, you read that correctly, a tattoo! British men are now able to benefit from a procedure which involves tattooing tiny dots on their scalp, helping to mask receding hairlines and hair loss.

The new technique will set men back quite a hefty amount however, between £500 – £3,000, providing them with what will seem like a full head of hair – all in just a couple of hours. Men will end up with a ‘buzzcut’, which may or may not be to everyone’s liking, but has been made popular in the last decade by celebrities such as Wentworth Miller and David Beckham.

A hair expert will apply differing shades of specifically blended pigments into the patient’s scalp, mimicking the size, shape and density of micro hairs, creating the buzzcut appearance.

The idea was formulated by Ian Watson, 42, founder of HIS (Hair-Ink-Skin) Hair. Mr Watson was in his mid-twenties when he suffered with alopecia, brought on by the loss of his brother to cancer.
In an attempt to cover the hair loss, Mr Watson asked his brother’s widow to use a fine ink pen and draw tiny black dots onto his scalp. Although the ink washed off in the shower, the whole premise got Mr Watson thinking and his idea gathered pace from there.

The treatment is suitable for varying types of hair loss, whether it be alopecia, cancer, and baldness. No anaesthetics, incisions or adhesives are used during the procedure, leaving the patient without any scars on their head. Adjustments can also be made in the future if there is further hair loss suffered, or style preference is changed.

The downside is the price as not many people in the current financial climate can afford to pay between £500 and £3000 for treatment, plus no actual hair is regrown or prevented from being further lost, as opposed to the previously mentioned Propecia.

Medical Specialists Pharmacy are able to offer the prescription-only medication Propecia (finasteride) to suitable males, which works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, responsible for hair loss.  It is obtainable following a quick and easy 4-step process which includes an online consultation with one of our in-house GMC-registered doctors, priced from as little as £47.58 per month.

High-tech iGrow Hair Growth System uses lasers to re-grow lost hair

The battle against hair loss has a new futuristic-looking device in its arsenal, in the form of a new high-tech helmet that will apparently help to regrow hairs through the use of lasers.

Setting users back a whopping £665, the iGrow Hair Growth System utilises low-level laser therapy (LLLT) – 51 low-level red laser and LED lights. The creators Apira Science claim the device will strengthen cells within the hair follicles, and benefit those experiencing thinning hair, hereditary baldness, or have other hair loss conditions.

The iGrow helmet should be worn for 25 minutes, and to prevent the person feeling bored, it comes equipped with an iPod and MP3 interface, in addition to some headphones built-in for good measure.
Just a few months ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the iGrow specifically for the promotion of hair growth in males who have androgenetic alopecia and is attainable by prescription only.

However, Apira CEO Nicholas Brox commented in a news release that Apira are attempting to receive authorisation for iGrow to be an over-the-counter product, in addition to be available to women too.

Apira have made bold claims about the iGrow and say it is ‘zero’ side-effects, is safe and effective, and provides a minimum of 35-40% increase in hair growth – with results apparently evident within just six weeks. However, there will be a nine month wait for the iGrow to properly take effect. This is more of a wait than the popular hair loss treatment Finasteride (Propecia), which has been shown to prevent further hair loss and promote the re-growth of scalp hair in roughly 80% of patients within three to six months.

Giving his opinion about the iGrow device, which bears a resemblance to an old salon hairdryer, Dr Thomy Kouremada-Zioga, hair transplant surgeon at The Private Clinic of Harley Street, commented: “Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a safe form of light treatment which has long been explored as a potential resolution to genetic forms of hair loss common in men and women, like androgenetic alopecia or pattern balding. It is intended for men and women with thinning hair or pattern baldness caused by a hereditary condition, and not by any other form of hair loss.”

He added: “This technology is not particularly new; it is something that has been around for many years in different forms. For example, for many years now I have recommended certain patients (both men and women) use a laser comb, which is a very similar device to the iGrow Hair Growth System. A laser comb like this also works with LLLT technology, but is a much smaller device. From the patients I have seen who have gone on to use the system, I can see that it can offer some positive effects when used in conjunction with a product which stimulates hair growth like Regaine. However, it is very unlikely that a patient who is losing their hair will see any form of major restoration by using the device. It may cause some of the thin hair on the patient’s head to look slightly thicker and healthier, but the patient is unlikely to see any form of actual re-growth. Before investing in a system like this, it is important that the man or woman understands exactly what is causing their hair loss; something which a hair loss specialist will be able to determine. Investing in a device like this may offer no long-term solution at all to the patient and it should not be viewed as a viable long-term hair restoration method.”

Hair-raising facts

. After you are born, no new hair follicles are formed.
. Approximately 100,000 hair follicles cover the average scalp.
. Half of all men have thinning hair by the time they reach the age of 50.
. Male pattern baldness accounts for 95% of hair loss cases in men.
. Male pattern baldness can actually be inherited from the mother’s or father’s side.
. Male pattern baldness can start in your teens, or as late as your 30s.

More men fear hair loss than impotence

Hair loss and suffering with impotence are probably amongst men’s biggest worries and the cause for a great deal of anxiety.

However, a new study suggests that hair loss could actually surprisingly be a bigger concern to men than their performance in the bedroom. It could be that hair loss degrades confidence to the extent that many men feel this will affect their ability to find a partner in the first place.

The survey of 2,000 males found that an incredible 94% feared going bald, compared to 89% who feared about experiencing erectile dysfunction and losing their ability to perform in the bedroom.
Other things that caused fear for the men survey included going grey, feared by 75% of the men (although becoming a ‘silver fox’ never did George Clooney any harm!), whilst 64% were concerned about putting weight on. This is perhaps unsurprising when health experts have stated that by 2050 obesity is predicted to affect 60% of adult men, 50% of adult women and 25% of children.

In addition, 61% were terrified of losing their teeth, 45% had a fear of needing to wear glasses at some point, 31% were worried about losing their hearing and suffering with bad breath was feared by 24% – although the revolutionary and massively popular CB12 mouthwash has now helped with this problem for both men and women.

None of these fears compared to hair loss however. Psychotherapist Toni Mackenzie was not shocked by the survey’s findings.

She said: “Hair loss can be genuinely distressing for men. It can’t be easily disguised and people think its fair game for jokes, unlike things like putting on weight or going grey. Men who lose their hair are expected to take insults with good humour. The pressure this causes can have a huge effect on men’s self-confidence, which has knock-on effects on their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Ian Watson, of HIS Hair Clinics, commented: “Going bald is just too personal to be funny. I lost my hair in my 20s. I’ve had countless people rub my head like a lucky Buddha and been called everything from baldilocks to Fester. It soon becomes downright upsetting.”

The findings back up other surveys carried out this year, such as one recently commissioned by pharmaceutical and cosmetics company Alpecin, producers of the hugely popular Alpecin caffeine shampoo for hair loss. Their survey discovered that losing hair is an increasingly bigger concern for 21-30 year old men. There are countless studies, articles, and media stories that portray attractiveness as being a key factor in success and for many people hair is associated with attractiveness.

The fact that there are an estimated 6 million men in the UK suffering from hair loss, this equates to a huge amount of stress and fear. However, Medical Specialists Pharmacy are able to offer the prescription-only medication Propecia (finasteride), which is commonly used to treat male pattern baldness and works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which thought to cause hair loss.  It is obtainable following a quick and easy 4 step process which includes an online consultation with one of our in-house doctors. Propecia is priced from as little as £47.58 per month.

Other options in addition to Propecia include Regaine Foam and Regaine Lotion, as featured in numerous television adverts. Obtainable from Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £49.95 and £59.95 respectively, Regaine products contain the active ingredient Minoxidil which is clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss, showing success in 4 out of 5 men. It works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles which helps to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth.

The common causes of hair loss explained

Hair loss can be a deeply distressing experience for many people and the cause of a huge loss of self-esteem, even resulting in depression and severely impacting a person’s social life.
Although primarily attributed to men, hair loss can happen to both men and women. Many do not realise, but there are actually around 8 million women in the UK alone who are suffering with some degree as hair loss.

Even celebrities are prone to suffering with hair loss, with Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney forking out thousands of pounds on multiple hair transplants in the last two years in a rather costly and apparently futile bid to fight his thinning hair.

Medical Specialists Pharmacy have previously looked at some of the best foods for healthy hair, but what a large number of our patients want to know is why they have lost hair in the first place.
Obviously there is a familial aspect when considering causes of hair loss as baldness tends to be hereditary. Looking at parents, grandparents, etc. can usually give you a good idea regarding your chances of keeping hold of a strong and healthy head of hair. You only have to look at Prince William, his father Prince Charles, and Prince William’s grandfather Prince Philip to see how genetics plays its part in hair loss.

In many cases, there are numerous ways to treat male hair loss and female hair loss such as Propecia (for men), Dianette (for women) and Regaine (for men and women), just to name a few.
However, here Medical Specialists list some of the common causes of hair loss:

. Male pattern baldness (MPB)

So common that many would barely bat an eyelid upon seeing a male who is experiencing MPB.  By the age of 60, two thirds of men will have experienced hair loss which is typified by the hair receding at the temples and leaving behind an ‘M’-shaped hairline. Fortunately, topical treatments such as Minoxidil (Regaine) and oral medications such as Finasteride (Propecia) can halt the process and even regrow hair in some cases.

. Physical stress

Physical trauma such as surgery, a car accident or severe illness can cause temporary hair loss. This type of hair loss is known as telogen effluvium and usually involves widespread thinning of the hair on the scalp rather than bald patches. The hair may feel thinner than before but then begin to grow back properly within around six months.

. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common condition affecting millions of women in the UK and alters the way in which a woman’s ovaries function. The three main features are having high levels of ‘androgens’ (male hormones), ovaries that do not regularly ovulate (release eggs), and cysts that develop within the ovaries.  Just two of these lead to a diagnosis of PCOS. Whilst PCOS can cause facial hair growth, it may also result in thinning hair and hair loss. Many cases of PCOS are treated through birth control pills such as Yasmin, which blocks testosterone via its potent anti-androgen. Should you be unable to take birth control pills, you may be prescribed Spironolactone by your doctor.

. Pregnancy

Hair loss related to pregnancy normally occurs after delivery of the baby, instead of during pregnancy. Whilst a woman is pregnant, many hairs enter into a resting phase – part of the normal hair cycle.  The average head can lose around 100 hairs a day, but not all at once, so it is not noticeable. Pregnancy results in your hormones preventing those hairs from falling out, resulting in thicker and fuller hair. However, when the hormones return to normal, the extra hairs will start shedding.  You are not balding – your hair is just beginning the process of getting back to how it was in your pre-pregnancy state. Hair loss during pregnancy is much less common and should be discussed with your doctor as it could be the result of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

. Lack of protein

Although there is little scientific evidence to definitely state a particular diet has a direct impact on hair growth, it is generally believed that if you are not getting enough protein in your diet, this can be bad for hair growth as hair itself is mostly made of protein. Therefore, a protein deficiency could cause dry or brittle hair, or hair loss in certain cases. Some foods rich in protein which are great for healthy hair include: eggs, nuts, salmon, chicken, whole grains and beans.

. Lack of iron

If you are losing hair, there is a chance you may have an iron deficiency.  Iron helps to create red blood cells and these work at transporting oxygen around the body. If there is not enough oxygen, the hair bulb may be unable to generate new hair cells, resulting in much slower hair growth. Some foods rich in iron which could help against hair loss include: dried fruit, beans, red meat, liver, egg yolks, molluscs, spinach, nuts, dark chocolate, tofu and whole grains.  If you suspect you may be suffering from anaemia and this is causing your hair loss, you should be first diagnosed by your own doctor, who can carry out a simple blood test. It is not advised to start taking iron supplements on your own accord and risk overloading on iron, which can be very dangerous.

. Lupus

The autoimmune disease Lupus causes the body’s own immune system to attack healthy tissue. The hair loss could be mild and happen whilst shampooing or brushing your hair. If the hair loss is more severe, it may fall out in patches and there is usually a rash that appears on the scalp.

Wayne Rooney undergoes a ‘top-up’ hair transplant

Almost two years to the day since he underwent his first hair transplant, 27-year-old Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney has had a second, ‘top-up’ procedure at the same private London Harley Street Hair Clinic that he first visited in 2011.

The technique performed to combat Rooney’s baldness two years ago was Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), an excruciatingly long operation that involves the surgeon extracting thousands of hair follicles from an area where they are in abundance – usually the back of the head – and then re-planting them into the areas where they are most needed.

Various reports had suggested Rooney paid anywhere between an incredible £15,000 – £30,000 amount for his initial hair transplant, following endless jibes from teammates about his premature balding. At the time, he stated: “Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25 why not. I’m delighted with the result.” Rooney had previously touched upon the subject of his hair loss in his autobiography. He said he looked at himself in the mirror and thought: “Bloody hell, you’re going bald and you’re only a young lad.”

Rooney has been pictured numerous times in recent months with seemingly much thinner, wispier hair, calling into question the long-term effectiveness of such expensive hair transplants – often costing up to tens of thousands of pounds. Just last month at an England training base, onlookers were shocked to see his hair thickness had diminished considerably and his scalp was clearly visible.

However, Clinic director Nadeem Uddin Khan delivered the news of Rooney’s second hair restoration operation, which lasted nine hours, saying: “He visited us for pre-planned second-stage treatment of his successful transplant. This was scheduled when he began in 2011. It’s standard.” A separate source told The Sun newspaper: “It was very successful. He’s as pleased as punch with the results and can’t wait to unveil his new look.”

The pre-planned top-up transplant could not have come at a better time for Rooney after hair loss expert Dr Asim Shahmalak spoke last month about thinning areas appearing on the footballer’s head and even advised another transplant before baldness strikes again.

Dr Shahmalak, a hair transplant surgeon on Channel 4′s Embarrassing Bodies, had seen recent pictures of Rooney and commented: “It’s very clear from the pictures that Wayne has kept hold of the hair from his first transplant at the front of his head. But he has continued to lose his hair further back on his head and on his crown. It has given him two noticeable bald patches. The best way to remedy this is with a second hair transplant. He also needs to start using the drug Propecia, which footballers can take quite legally without failing any drug tests…”

Visit the Men’s Health or Women’s Health area of the Medical Specialists Pharmacy website to find out more information on how to obtain hair loss treatments such as the previously mentioned Propecia, and other popular products such as those featured on television – Regaine and Alpecin caffeine shampoo.

Embarrassing Bodies star Dr Christian Jessen has had a second hair transplant

The presenter of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, Dr Christian Jessen, appears to be battling his own embarrassing problem after the 36-year-old revealed he has undergone a second hair transplant procedure.

He first went under the knife to restore his blonde locks in 2009, and only made the news public a year later. Following this, it led to other celebrities such as footballer Wayne Rooney and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey also having hair transplants of their own. In addition, Medical Specialists Pharmacy have since witnessed a huge surge in requests for hair loss treatments such as Propecia, Regaine and Regaine for Women as the problem of hair loss begins to shed the embarrassing stigma attached to it and both men and women start to embrace the number of options that are available to them.

Jessen’s thinning hair is what obviously prompted his first hair transplant four years ago; however his follicles were left more severely weakened after suffering with a debilitating bout of pneumonia in 2012. He commented: “Most of my hair grew back after the pneumonia but there was just a bit less. Any serious illness can result in hair loss. The same thing can happen to women after they give birth.”

As Jessen began losing more hair after his illness, the doctor became a target on the social networking website Twitter, as users began leaving him disgraceful comments such as: “great body, pity about the hair” and other more nastier insulting remarks.

Dr Jessen described the torment he was subjected to on the internet: “Your name crops up on blogs, chat rooms and forums like Twitter. They are not talking about your medical skills or your bedside manner – they just comment on your looks.”

Motivated by a wish for thicker hair once again, and tired of cruel jibes from Twitter trolls, Jessen paid £5,500 for a second hair transplant procedure with top celebrity surgeon; Dr Asim Shahmalak, at his Crown Cosma Clinic in Manchester. The transplant involved Dr Shahmalak grafting 3,000 individual hairs from the back of Jessen’s scalp and planting them into the front around the hairline. The procedure is known as ‘Follicular Unit Transportation’.

Besides the massive cost of the treatment – Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant is believed to have cost about £30,000 – it can take up to a year for transplanted hair to grow back and can frustratingly fall out or thin again in the future, leaving the patient not much better off than previously.

“I hadn’t realised that there was an option for a second hair transplant. When I was told it was possible, I thought it would be good to make my hair thicker at the front. There were also a few gaps which need filling. The techniques have improved a lot in the four years since I had the first one”, he said.

With more hair back on his head, Dr Jessen has now regained his confidence and says: “I am very pleased that I had it done – it has been very empowering for me. I thought to myself, “Why am I always telling people how to change things about their bodies that they dislike if I can’t do the same thing for myself?” We view cosmetic surgery for men and women so differently. Having a boob job for a woman is seen as such an everyday thing these days, but for a man to have a hair transplant is seen as a far bigger step. There are so many men out there who want to have this done but don’t dare. I just hope by talking about it openly that I will remove some of the stigma attached to men having cosmetic procedures. It’s great that other celebrities with transplants like Wayne Rooney and James Nesbitt have gone public as well. It may mean that more do not suffer in silence. When a transplant is done well, it can really transform your life.”

Setting patients back thousands of pounds for just one procedure of a potential few, hair transplants can only be afforded by a small minority of the millions of men around the world suffering with male pattern baldness.  In times of a crippling recession and austerity in Britain and many other countries, these expensive procedures are simply not a viable option for most.

For both men and women suffering from hair loss, Medical Specialists Pharmacy have a huge range of effective and much cheaper treatment options such as the prescription medication Propecia to combat male pattern baldness, in addition to Regaine, Alpecin caffeine shampoo. For women we have a number of treatments such as Florisene and the prescription medication Dianette – the latter can also be used for acne, hirsutism and contraceptive purposes. Visit the Men’s Health or Women’s Health area of the Medical Specialists website to find out more information on how to obtain these hair loss treatments.

Is Prince Harry losing his hair?

His older brother Prince William was infamously advised to use the hair loss medication Propecia last year by pop sensation Justin Bieber, but now Prince Harry may be following in his sibling’s footsteps and suffering with male pattern baldness, according to a leading hair loss expert.

The 28-year-old prince was photographed in February during a trip to Lesotho in southern Africa on behalf of his charity, Sentebale, and appeared to be sporting noticeably thinner hair and showing plenty of scalp through his famous ginger locks.

After seeing the pictures, Dr Asim Shahmalak, hair loss expert on the Channel 4 show Embarrassing Bodies, says that the younger prince seems to be beginning the process of male pattern baldness.

However, 30-year-old Prince William was more unfortunate than Harry and actually began to lose his hair in his early 20s, with significant hair loss by the time he reached 25.

Of course, hair loss for Harry is unsurprising considering many of his male family members have also lost their hair such as Harry’s father; Prince Charles, his grandfather; Prince Phillip and his uncle; Prince Edward.

“It is clear that Harry is thinning around the crown area,” Dr Shahmalak says. “It is the first signs of the male pattern baldness which has affected both his brother and his father. Around a quarter of men start going bald before the age of 30, so this is hardly a big surprise especially when it runs in the family as it does for the Windsor’s. If Harry’s hair loss progresses in the normal way, I would expect him to have a significant bald patch around his crown by the time he is 40. It will be worse if it also spreads to his hairline as it has with his brother.”

He continued:  “Hair loss can have a devastating impact on a young men like Harry. IIt can shatter their confidence and lead to significant loss of self-esteem. There is a strong family gene on both sides of Harry’s family. He is lucky that it has kicked in a bit later than his brother William – but the signs are not good for Harry. I would strongly urge him to act now.”

The hair loss expert goes on to recommend treatment options that Medical Specialists Pharmacy already has available for suitable patients; Propecia and Minoxidil (contained in Regaine Foam and Regaine Lotion).

Dr Shahmalak added: “The best remedy at this stage is for Harry to start taking Propecia which won’t replace the hair which he has already lost but will help to stop him losing any more. If William had started using the drug at the same age he could have significantly slowed down his hair loss. The other solution would be for Harry to use Minoxidil, the only other clinically proven hair loss medication available. You can buy a mousse which you apply to the thinning areas of the scalp…Their options in covering up their baldness are limited. It would be difficult for Prince William, for instance, to shave his head, which is what a lot of men do to hide their baldness. A royal with a crew cut just doesn’t seem right somehow.”

Best foods for healthy hair

Most of us have probably seen at least one television advert for the latest ‘miracle’ shampoo that claims to give you luscious, glowing and healthy-looking hair by using said shampoo.  In recent years, Cheryl Cole is the latest in a long line of celebrities who have provided their good looking presence for such adverts, endorsing the L’Oréal shampoo products – ‘because you’re worth it’, as the memorable slogan states.

In one particular advert that features the attractive Geordie singer, she smiles at viewers and pronounces: “My hair feels stronger, full of life, replenished with a healthy shine. It’s got its mojo back.” Of course, information not fully made clear is that in addition to being blessed with good genes, the diet that these chosen celebrities are on is without doubt a lot healthier than the average person due to them being able to afford luxuries like personal chefs and trainers. Oh, included on the aforementioned advert is a very small disclaimer than informs viewers that Cole is sporting hair extensions…costing in the region of £1,000!

So, if you are not a multi-millionaire singer but are curious how to go about achieving healthier hair, what can you do? Well, if it is actually hair loss that is the problem (a problem ironically sometimes caused by extensions), there are clinically proven products available such as Regaine (for both men and women), Propecia (for men), Dianette and Florisene (for women).

However, as highlighted earlier, dietary choices can also have a major impact of the health, strength and structure of our hair. Occasionally, hair loss can actually be linked to a lack of certain vitamins and minerals.  A diet that is sparse of foods containing these important nutrients can be detrimental to maintaining a good head of hair.

Here are some of the best foods for healthy hair:

. Salmon – It contains plenty of protein, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids; all vital for healthy hair. Your body doesn’t produce omega-3, but it is an essential component of hair growth. Approximately 3% of the hair shaft is comprised of these fatty acids. In addition, omega-3s are contained in cell membranes in the skin of your scalp and within the natural oils that maintain scalp and hair hydration.

. Walnuts – As well as boosting sperm health (mentioned yesterday), walnuts are just like salmon in that they are rich in omega-3. As your hair is unprotected from the sun’s rays, it is exposed to DNA damage and therefore the biotin and vitamin E in walnuts are particularly useful as they shield the cells from such damage.

. Carrots – It is a widely known fact that carrots are great at boosting vision. However, they are also rich in vitamin A. This helps in promoting the formation of sebum oil in the scalp. Sebum keeps your scalp and hair moisturised, resulting in much healthier hair.

. Beef – If you aren’t suffering with high cholesterol, beef (eaten in moderation) is excellent for hair. It contains protein, vitamin B, iron, zinc and other vital minerals that aid in maintaining the health of your hair and scalp.

. Prunes – Are you suffering from dryness, stiffness, thinning or discolouration? If so, then a lack of iron in your diet may be the cause for these problems. Prunes are known to be rich in iron and not only do they provide a boost to hair texture, they are great for ensuring regular bowel movements.

. Eggs – For those wanting a head of healthy looking hair, eggs are the way to go (again, eaten in moderation). They are packed with essential nutrients such as protein, vitamin B12, iron, zinc and omega-6 fatty acids. Lacking any of these vitamins and minerals will have a negative impact on hair. Eggs also contain biotin – useful to help combat hair loss.

. Green tea – Green tea is rich in polyphenols which work to keep your scalp healthy. A healthy scalp therefore means much healthier hair! Some experts also argue that washing your hair with green tea or applying it to the scalp can help with conditions such as psoriasis and dandruff by soothing skin and lessening irritation.

Has actor Jeremy Piven had a hair transplant?

The growing number celebrities who have gone under the knife to reverse the process of male pattern baldness has been increased according to a one of the world’s leading hair transplant surgeons who is adamant that American actor Jeremy Piven has undergone the procedure.

Dr Bessam Farjo boasts a celebrity client-list that includes Dragons’ Den multi-millionaire Duncan Bannatyne and operates The Farjo Medical Centre, performing the first ever live streaming of a hair transplant procedure last year when he operate on former Premier League and England footballer Michael Gray. Dr Farjo claims that photographs of Piven taken on a Hawaii beach in 2010 clearly show the results of having received such a cosmetic procedure.

In one of the photos, Piven is seen removing his cap to reveal a large scar running across the back of his head and what Dr Farjo explains is a characteristic of a ‘strip method’ hair transplant. He comments: “From the picture, I would say he has had around 3,000 grafts, costing up to £9,000.”

Piven is perhaps most memorable for his starring role as Ari Gold in the television series Entourage, which has earned him Golden Globe and Emmy Awards.  He can currently be seen in the Sunday night ITV drama series ‘Mr Selfridge’, portraying Harry Selfridge – the founder of the Selfridges department stores.

Viewers will see the good-looking 47 year-old sporting an impressively thick mane and Dr Farjo’s assertion about the actor’s strand-by-strand hair transplant, would appear to hold some weight. Back in the early to mid-1990s, Piven featured in several films as well as TV shows such as Seinfeld and Ellen, with a receding hairline that is drastically different from his look in the present day.

Of course, Piven is just the latest celebrity to opt for an expensive hair transplant procedure that can sometimes cost tens of thousands of pounds. In June 2011 Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney caused a stir when he posted a picture onto his Twitter account showing his slightly bloodied and painful-looking head, following surgery at a London Harley Street clinic.

At the time, Rooney had been on the receiving end of jibes from teammates and was applauded by many for speaking about his transplant with a buoyant attitude saying: “Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25 why not. I’m delighted with the result” before later revealing more to his thousands of Twitter followers and added: “It’s still a bit bruised and swollen when it dies down u will be first to see it. Anyone recommend any good hair gel. Haha” and “’I had it done in Harley street hair clinic London. Thanks to all the staff who looked after me.”

Setting patients back thousands of pounds for just one procedure of a potential many, hair transplants can only be afforded by a small minority of the millions of men around the world suffering with male pattern baldness.  In times of a crippling recession and austerity in Britain and many other countries, these expensive procedures are simply not a viable option for most.

For both men and women suffering from hair loss, Medical Specialists Pharmacy have a huge range of effective and much cheaper treatment options such as Propecia to combat male pattern baldness, Regaine, Alpecin caffeine shampoo, and for women: Florisene and Dianette– which can also be used for acne, hirsutism and contraceptive purposes. Visit the Men’s Health or Women’s Health area of the Medical Specialists website to find out more information on how to obtain these hair loss treatments.

Lumigan eye drops could be used to combat hair loss

In the UK there are millions of men and women who are affected by hair loss. Although Male-pattern baldness is more common than female-pattern baldness, (affecting around half of all men at some point in their life), it can be a deeply stressing condition for both sexes and can often severely damage confidence and even impact on one’s social life.

However, there are numerous treatment options available to these millions of people in the form of Propecia and Regaine for males, and Dianette, Florisene  and Regaine for females. Today though, there is more hope for men and women around the UK who are losing their hair, after new research found that a side effect of the active ingredient in the eye drops ‘Lumigan’ may be utilised to create hair growth on the scalp.

Lumigan contains an active ingredient called ‘bimatoprost’, a type of medicine that is known as a prostaglandin analogue. Lumigan is usually prescribed for patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma where there is increased pressure inside the eye. The bimatoprost works by decreasing the pressure inside the eye by increasing the drainage of fluid from the eye into the blood stream. If the pressure is not reduced then there is a great risk of damage to the optic nerve and then impaired vision.

One peculiar side effect though of the eye drops is the fact it can stimulate the growth of eyelashes, and now preliminary trials have already begun to see if bimatoprost can reverse the onset of male and female pattern baldness.

Lead scientist Professor Valerie Randall, from the University of Bradford, is a consultant to Allergan Inc which manufactures Lumigan. She says: “Bimatoprost is known to stimulate eyelash growth and is already used clinically for this purpose. We wanted to see whether it would have the same effect on scalp hair, as the two types of follicle are very different. Our findings show that bimatoprost does stimulate growth in human scalp hair follicles and therefore could offer a new approach for treating hair loss disorders.”

Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss in both men and women, and can strike in varying severity. The culprit for the occurrence of thinning hair is connected to hormones named ‘androgens’ and in particularly; dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This powerful hormone stimulates facial and bodily hair growth but has adverse effects on hair located on the head. It is believed that DHT initiates a process by which hair follicles begin to deteriorate over time and eventually stop producing hair entirely.

The promising aspect of the latest research is that it has been discovered that bimatoprost works on a quite different receptor that is unrelated to androgens. Prof Randall continued: “Even if the androgen receptor is telling the hair follicle to do negative things, the drug is telling it to do positive things.”
Bimatoprost has been applied to the living scalp tissue provided from donors undergoing cosmetic surgery. In merely a nine-day period, it was found that follicles that had been treated with bimatoprost grew a third more hair than untreated samples.

In addition, researchers discovered that follicles in a person’s scalp contain the same kind of receptors that respond to bimatoprost that are also in eyelash follicles. Prof Randall explained what this could mean for those who are losing their hair, saying: “This means that so long as the drug can be applied in such a way that it can reach the follicle, it should stimulate hair growth in patients.”

All that awaits now is the result of six-month long Phase II clinical trials, which are currently underway in the U.S. and Germany. The trials comprise of 220 men with male-pattern baldness and 172 women with female pattern baldness.  Comparisons will now be analysed, with some patients being administered a solution of bimatoprost on the scalp, some patients will be given an ineffective placebo, whereas others will be using the highly effective Minoxidil, the active ingredient contained in Regaine Foam and Regaine Lotion.

Can the ‘beautific’ drinks from Coca-Cola and Sanofi bring any health benefits?

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola is to join forces with the French multinational pharmaceutical company ‘Sanofi’ to launch a new range of ‘beautific’ drinks. The two powerhouses even claim that the new drinks will boost well-being as well as being able to ‘strengthen hair and nails’.

If that wasn’t enough, those who drink the Beautific Oenobiol brand on a regular basis, will apparently see an improvement to skin in addition to weight loss. Whether all this is true or not is another matter, but they are certainly bold statements from Coca-Cola and Sanofi.

The drinks will be given a launch this autumn primarily in France, before makers look to increase distribution throughout the rest of Europe. A spokesman for the launch said: “This is a small-scale pilot which is currently limited to a number of pharmacies in France.”

The Oenobiol range will come in four different flavours and will consist of mineral water, fruit juice and nutritional additives. The latter are what the manufacturers will help to embellish skin, strengthen hair and nails, lose weight and improve vitality.

Despite the early promise, it does remain to be seen just how successful the project will be between Coca-Cola and Sanofi. Their Oenobiol drinks are following a disastrous precedent laid down in the past after the shambles in 2009 that occurred when the drinks giant teamed with food company Nestlé to produce the green-tea brand, ‘Enviga’, which too claimed various weight-loss benefits.

A marketing war ensued and a lawsuit battle which eventually involved 27 U.S. states. In an embarrassing climb-down for Coca-Cola and Nestlé, all subsequent cans or bottles of Enviga were ordered to have a disclaimer printed that made drinkers aware that the product would not actually cause weight loss and that this would instead be achieved through a healthy diet and exercise.

The news about the latest addition in a long line of health drinks has not been met with excitement by everybody. It is believed that Coca-Cola and Sanofi only even made announcements regarding the new drinks after a leak from Sanofi labour union representatives.  They blasted that workers were irate the drug manufacturer was ‘spouting about beauty drinks’ only a month after plans were made for job losses expected to reach the 900 mark.

Release of drinks such as Enviga and Oenobiol are probably connected to an increasing worldwide obesity epidemic and concerns are growing. In recent years Coca-Cola and Pepsi, the world’s two biggest soft drinks manufacturers, have released ‘zero’ branded low calorie, no-sugar drinks aimed at those who are weight conscious.

However, the true ‘healthiness’ of these types of beverages is debateable due to the high volume of additives that are loaded inside the drinks, many of which are disastrous for teeth. After all, something needs to be put inside the drinks to give them a sweet taste with there being no sugar present.

In addition, it remains to be seen if the new drinks will be able to promote weight loss, strengthen hair, skin and nails, etc. From Medical Specialists’ experience, and from contact with our thousands of patients, success comes firstly from factors such as lifestyle improvements such as a healthier diet and more exercise. Help can also be had from clinically proven treatments for the aforementioned issues such as, obesity: Xenical, XLS-Medical, skin: Dianette, Spironolactone, Retin-A Gel, hair loss: Propecia, Regaine, Regaine for women, Alpecin caffeine shampoo and there are products such as Nizoral shampoo for dandruff and T/Gel for both dandruff and psoriasis. All are available today at incredibly low prices from Medical Specialists Pharmacy.

Revealed: the everyday pills that could cause you to suffer hair loss!

The reasons behind hair loss can be many and varied. They range from genetic predispositions to hair loss, hormones, nutrition, physical activity, chemicals and stress. However, now according to a report by scientists at the University of Melbourne, drugs for blood pressure, acne, depression and even common painkillers can contribute towards hair loss. On top of this they claim other drugs can turn a brunette into a redhead, or make straight hair curly.

Many medications can result in premature hair loss and most of them list it as a side effect. Chemotherapy is the most obvious medical treatment that causes temporary premature hair loss, but others, such as antidepressants and those used for mood disorders and seizures can also affect hair growth.

Professor Sam Shuster, Emeritus Professor of Dermatology at Newcastle University said, “The cause of hair loss or change is often unknown, but you must always consider the effects of drugs, when drugs do affect the hair.”

In many cases, medications are thought to affect hair by interfering with its growth cycle, which has three distinct stages. In the growing period which lasts between three and five years on the scalp, hair grows by around 1cm a month. That’s followed by a shorter two week stage, known as the intermediate phase, where the hair follicle is prepared for releasing the hair.

In the final three month phase the telogen phase or resting phase, the hair stops growing and eventually falls out. After three months, the follicle starts to grow a new hair. Fortunately this happens randomly all over the scalp, if it didn’t, the hair would be shed in clumps.

Some drugs used for epilepsy and other disorders such as migraines have been linked to hair loss and they may even make hair curly.One of the drugs, sodium valproate, has been reported in various studies to cause hair loss in between 3 and 10 per cent of patients. In one of the latest studies, which involved more than 200 patients at Razi Hospital in Iran, 3.5 per cent of patients given sodium valproate experienced hair loss or curling. Another study found hair loss in 7 per cent of patients receiving divalproex, a combination of sodium valproate and valproic acid.

These drugs can trigger hair to fall out prematurely in the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. This normally lasts three months, with the hair naturally shedding at the end of this time, but for some reason antidepressants seem to make hair fall out at the beginning of this phase instead. Fluoxetine better known as Prozac is the most commonly reported antidepressant to cause hair loss.

Increased hair loss occurs up to one year after the start of medication and stops when therapy ends. Tricyclic antidepressants, which include imipramine, amitriptyline and doxepin, may occasionally cause hair loss, found the Australian study, which is due to be published in the journal Dermatologic Clinics. However, according to Professor Shuster, “Patients with this problem should not panic; this type of hair loss is reversible.”

Hair loss has been reported among women who stop taking the Pill after long term use. One theory is that this is because some oral contraceptives, particularly progesterone based pills, contain compounds called anti-androgens. These lower levels of testosterone and thus lower the risk of hair loss in women, who may be susceptible. But when these women stop taking the Pill, the protection ends.

When asked, leading UK Trichologist David Bailey said, “Women with hair loss who wish to take the pill, should try Dianette as it contains an anti-androgen which can stop this. If they do not wish to take the pill, spironolactone is often prescribed. Women who are already on Dianette should be careful if they wish to come off it. They could switch to Marvelon or Yasmin, or spironolactone it they do not wish to take a hormone based therapy. Either way, they should really discuss it with someone who knows all about hair and these types of treatments.

High blood pressure drugs have also been linked to hair thinning. The Melbourne researchers say two particular beta blockers, metoprolol and propranolol; have been shown to lead to reversible hair loss. Another group of drugs used for blood pressure, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, may also be associated with hair loss. The drugs seem to cause the hair to shed prematurely in the resting phase.

Small studies have linked painkillers to hair loss. A recent report from the New Zealand government described hair loss as a possible complication, affecting less than one in 100 users. A small U.S. study based on a sample of 21 people using ibuprofen found that 15 patients reported thinning or loss of hair. Once the medication is discontinued, hair loss reduces over eight to nine months.

However, Professor Shuster cautions that, “Patients should never stop taking the drugs without consulting their GP. They can be switched to other drugs, if appropriate, or the dose can be reduced. In other cases, patients can be reassured the effects are unlikely to be permanent.”

Professor Shuster said, “When drugs do affect the hair, the change is usually mild and reverses when the drug is stopped. So you may want to tolerate the change, because of the important effect the drug is having in restoring your health.”

So it seems that many everyday pills we take can contribute in some small way to hair loss, however as has already been stated the benefits these drugs offer us often far outweigh the possible side effects. Prescribed medicines should never be stopped without first consulting your GP. Also worth bearing in mind is that the side effects can often be temporary and reversible.

However there are effective treatments available to treat female hair loss such as Dianette, spironolactone, or even Regain lotion for women, and Regaine (minoxidil) foam and lotion and Propecia (finasteride) both of which are clinically proven to treat male hair loss. These can be obtained from Medical Specialists Pharmacy, after an online consultation with one of our doctors.

Hey Jude, don’t make it bald!

After wearing a beanie for nearly three months solid, Jude Law finally chose to remove his headgear, revealing dramatic hair loss. Photographed in Paris whilst attending the Parisian premiere of Sherlock Holmes, Game of Shadows, fans were stunned to see just how far his hairline had receded since it was last seen back in October.

In December, Jude Law famously refused to remove his beanie hat whilst being interviewed on the set of the Graham Norton show. Despite being goaded by Graham Norton, his Sherlock Holmes co star Robert Downey Jr, and the audience, Law kept his hat firmly in place saying, “I’ve been scalped for my new film and I’ve got the most heinous hair cut you have ever seen.” He then went on to say, “You’ll see it in a cinema next year.”

And so it was that a few months later that people did indeed get to see Jude Law without his hat, but rather than a savage haircut, they saw that his receding hairline had worsened dramatically.

Despite the marked loss of hair now visible, Jude Law could have stopped, and potentially reversed, his receding hairline many years ago before it became quite so obvious. With careful use of medications such as Propecia or Regaine, he could quite easily have prevented his hairline from becoming a media story and avoided the need for wearing a procession of strange hats.

Hair loss specialists are all agreed that proactive treatment is the best way to deal with hair loss, and that the earlier expert advice is sought, the better the chances of correcting a receding hairline before it becomes noticeable. Early treatment has the added advantage of being significantly cheaper than the extreme techniques, such as hair transplants.

When asked for his opinion, leading UK Trichologist David Bailey said, “Jude’s frontal hair line has been shrinking over the last five years. I cannot believe that he has not tried some sort of treatment given that he is an actor and in the public limelight. If he hasn’t, then he definitely should think about it. Unfortunately for Jude, this is a sad song, and I don’t think he can make it better.”

New genetic baldness treatment offers hope

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania lead by Dr George Costarelis believe they may have found the reason why we go bald. Dr Costarelis and his dermatological team have discovered the enzyme Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) that is responsible for preventing hair follicles from maturing. The link between genetics and baldness has long been common knowledge but the cause has not.

When the team analysed the scalps of balding men, they found levels of PDG2 to be three times higher in areas in which the hair was thinning. The research suggests that PGD2 prevents the follicle cells from maturing, so blocking PGD2 would allow the hair to grow again.  Dr Costarelis found that bald men have cells capable of making hair, which adds weight to the argument that PGD2 is responsible for stopping otherwise healthy, capable cells of producing hair.

Back in March 2012 the journal Science Translational Medicine reported that in tests on mice the compound PGD2 stunted hair growth. Drugs that block this protein are already on the market as they are used to treat asthma and allergies, and that is good news according to Dr Costarelis: “The nice thing about dermatology and hair loss in general is that you can take compounds that maybe are being used as a pill, and put them into a topical formulation.”

Dr Costarelis went on to add: “We certainly think it would be good at preventing hair loss but we don’t know for sure that it would regrow”. Dr Costarelis has also announced this week that he is in talks with several pharmaceutical companies about developing a treatment that he says: “could be available in two years”.

Lab tests suggest the treatment may also help women who are losing their hair. Female hair loss carries an even greater stigma than the male condition, but is not as uncommon as many people believe. About 40 per cent of women suffer from some form of hair loss as a result of hormone changes during menopause.

For men this number is significantly higher, by the age of 50 nearly half of all men have some degree of male pattern baldness, a number which rockets to 70 per cent by the age of 70. It also seems that being famous or even royal doesn’t protect you from baldness. As we reported back in July 2012 Wayne Rooney and Louis Walsh have both undergone hair transplant procedures and in the news today Doctor Asim Shahmalak has predicted Prince William will be bald by the time he is 40.

While celebrities have undergone hair transplant procedures, these remain out of reach for most people due to their high price. In the meantime before this PGD2 blocker is released onto the market, there are licensed products on the market such as Propecia (Finasteride) and Regaine (Minoxydil) that have both been clinically proven to help with male hair loss.