Hair Conditions

This condition appears predominately throughout the upper part of the scalp. It is usually a slow progressive problem and is due to hair follicles being genetically sensitive to male-type hormones. Medical tests are sometimes required to check for any underlying hormone imbalances such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Treatment is in the form of topical anti-androgen therapy-as directed where appropriate by the Trichologist. Read more...

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone that attacks the hair follicles along the front hairline and through to the crown area of the scalp. Diminishing hair follicles result in thinner and shorter hairs being produced. Recent advances in science have lead to two prescribed treatments capable of managing this condition. Read more..

Telogen is the final stage of the hair growth cycle. Normal telogen shedding results in 80-100 hairs being shed from the scalp on a daily basis and under normal circumstances a brand new hair is evident soon after. During telogen effluvium this daily quota of shed hair can double for some months to come without hair re-growth occurring for around a further three to six month period. This results in up to a 40% reduction in overall hair density. Common causes are severe shock, childbirth and excessive weight loss.

This results in patches of smooth hairless areas of scalp appearing over the scalp and/or body. One or two small patches may be evident; sometimes much larger areas of scalp are involved. It is due to the auto-immune system “attacking” hair follicles as if they are an invading bacteria or virus for example. Hair follicles suffer badly but can stay alive and can often re-grow hair again quite normally.

This is a dramatic and immediate release of hair from the active growing stage of the hair growth cycle. This condition is caused by toxic abuse of the hair follicles, chemotherapy is a common example. Once the cause is removed, hair will re-grow.

Sustained thinning of hair throughout the entire scalp, narrowing hair shafts and lack of hair growth are distinct signs of such a condition. Persistent hormone problems and iron deficiency can often cause this problem.

Over abuse of hair chemicals is widely seen. Highlighting the hair, colouring the hair and daily blow-drying and use of straightening irons can all reduce its strength and elasticity. Extreme damage results in extensive hair breakage that can encourage the hair to appear thinner throughout by 10-20%. Breakage can also occur so close to the scalp that bald patches can emerge. Hair care advice is vital.

Due to the unique formation of Afro hair, problems can quickly develop. Along the hair shaft many different textures are found, from fine to thick, to curly and straight. Quite often hair processes such as chemical relaxing or straightening are used to make the hair easier to manage and to even out the texture. Over time, these processes can cause hair loss, hair breakage and scalp problems. Trichological advice on chemical relaxing and straightening are often required as well as trichological treatment to restore hair elasticity and hair growth. Read more..

This is an inherited skin condition whereby skin cell turnover is much faster than normal, this creates circular patches of silvery white scales to develop over angry red skin. It doesn’t actually itch but can look unsightly and if patches appear on the scalp then hair growth can be distorted. Stress can be a contributing factor to this problem. Read more..

This is an extreme form of dandruff that appears on the scalp and often develops in the eyebrows, around the folds of the nose, along the centre of the chest and on the back. It is due to an over sensitivity to the fungi pityrosporum ovale. This fungus is present in skin and scalp secretions but sensitivity to it creates inflammation, irritation and yellow/white scales to develop. The fungi levels need to be kept at bay, specific trichological treatment is indicated and diet control is often advised.

A less severe form of fungi sensitivity, this common problem doesn’t itch isn’t inflamed but small white scales build along the hair shafts. Easily corrected and maintained with anti-fungal therapy. Read more..

This is a pustular scalp problem; it is a bacterial infection of the hair follicles. It can be caught by unclean hair clippers at the barbers for example. It irritates so much that the pustules may bleed and then the infection is spread to other hair follicles. It is a common complaint with Afro hair types as these hairs commonly curl back into the skin therefore directly infecting the follicles. Hair care advice and anti-bacterial treatments can be very successful in treating this condition.

This scalp disorder can arise through repeated exposure to chemicals such as hair colorants or chemical relaxers that are usually either consistently left on too long during application or are used too frequently. Under these circumstances, the scalp suffers a minor burn after each process and never seems to fully recover before the next application. This creates a persistently inflamed and itchy scalp. Eventually the scalp then becomes sensitised to other products, such as shampoos, therefore continuing the irritation.

Extremely thick scale is found creeping over the scalp; this scale sticks tightly to the hair and actually drags the hair out of the scalp as it spreads. It is often an acute stress linked condition and can be hormone-linked. It is most commonly found in menopausal women. The plaques need removing very carefully and the cell turnover rates in the skin need slowing to get this condition under control before extensive hair loss is experienced.