Hair loss products

When it comes to hair loss there are countless products that claim to cure the condition and restore hair growth, but what are they and do they work?

This article on hair loss products is written by Sophie Crane from the Belgravia Centre, London.

There are various kinds of treatment available for different types of hair loss and it is important to get an accurate diagnosis in order to choose the best hair loss product for your condition. Here is a summary of the main hair loss treatments.

Prescription treatments

Minoxidil

This is a lotion or cream that is applied directly to the scalp and that can be used by men and women. It is one of only two drugs that has been approved and licensed for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the medical regulatory bodies in the UK and USA respectively. Originally it was used in tablet form to treat high blood pressure however some patients noticed hair growth as a side effect. After extensive clinical trials and safety testing, it became a certified hair loss product.

At the Belgravia Centre we also add products that might help to block DHT from reaching the follicles to its formulations of minoxidil in the aim of adding to its hair loss prevention properties. 

Propecia

This comes in tablet form and it is only available to men due to its active ingredient, Finasteride, which blocks the male hormone that causes genetic hair loss, DHT (dihydrotestosterone). It contains 1mg of Finasteride which has been used for over twenty years (in the drug Proscar) to treat men with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).

Shampoos

There are various brands of shampoos that claim to reduce hair loss and make locks look thicker and stronger. However, none of these are proven claims and all they can generally offer is a short-term boost to thin hair, making it look temporarily thicker, by adding ingredients such as collagen. They will not stop or reverse hair loss.

Laser comb 

This is a laser treatment designed to stimulate blood flow to the root of the hair follicle. This increases the nutrition that reaches the follicle helping it stay strong and encouraging a healthy growth cycle. But not all laser combs are the same. The only other product (other than Minoxidil and Propecia) that shows significant evidence of preventing hair loss is the FDA-cleared HairMax Lasercomb. The reason this is different to other laser combs is that it has a patented mechanism in which the teeth of the comb are designed to part the hair so that light can be shined directly onto the scalp. Many other lasers let the hair get in the way which reduces the efficacy of the treatment.

The Belgravia Centre does not usually recommend the HairMax LaserComb as an individual solution for hair loss but advises it to be used alongside licensed medications as part of a combined hair loss treatment programme. The results of these programmes can be seen on the success stories link on the clinic’s website. 

Natural Food Supplements

These work by increasing the nutritional supply to the hair follicle. They can help, particularly for hair loss in women (when nutritional deficiency is often a factor. However, the hair loss may have other causes so it is essential to get an accurate diagnosis because taking too much of a nutrient can overload the body and may make the condition worse. No food supplement has been proven, or licensed for hair loss prevention so be aware when searching for a hair loss solution that a supplement may not be effective.

In summary, it is important to seek advice from a specialist in order to get a clear diagnosis. Once a person has this, then they can consider the various hair loss products out there.

Profile of the author  

Sophie Crane is one of the Belgravia Hair Loss Blog's expert authors. With extensive knowledge about male and female hair loss, available treatments, products and procedures and access to information and advice from medical professionals, Kate has written hundreds of articles for the benefit of those concerned about hair loss.

The Belgravia Centre has been treating hair loss for many years and has a dedicated team of experts who have experience working with every type of hair loss condition. Examples of the success that Belgravia Centre clients have experience can be seen below and on the clinic’s website; hundreds of ‘before and during treatment’ hair growth photos can be viewed, as well as a growing number of ‘success stories’ (found on the Blog) with comments from treatment users as well as their before/during treatment photo-scans. Every Belgravia treatment user is monitored with photos.

The clinic offers free consultations, either in the clinic (based in London) via the website. If you would like to arrange a consultation with the clinic or complete an online diagnostic form for Belgravia’s mail-order hair loss services, visit www.belgraviacentre.com

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