A back spasm is a common muscle problem that one can experience when waking up and getting out of bed, lifting something heavy, or after a sudden or jerky movement. These types of spasms usually strike without warning. The spasm occurs due to an abnormal contraction of the muscle that takes hold and does not […]

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Joe Swash is currently filming I’m a Celebrity get me Out of Here in Australia which is probably just as well as by all accounts he was disgruntled to discover that his girlfriend, Stacey Solomon was discussing his recent hair transplant on live TV.  Appearing on loose women she said “Don’t you think often you are characterised by your hair? It’s a part of you. I know Joe (Swash) had really curly, lovely thick hair and it was part of his character, so when it went it felt like he lost a part of him. ‘It wasn’t just stick a wig on, he was losing a part of himself.”.

"It wasn’t a secret was it?"

Shortly after this she realised she may have gone a little too far in discussing his treatment when she asked “it wasn’t a secret was it?”.  Janet Street Porter pointedly replied “well it certainly isn’t now”. Actually Joe had been fairly upfront about his hair transplant but that doesn’t mean he necessarily wants it to be discussed by his girlfriend in front of the nation.  The fact is that hair transplants are becoming more common and much less of a stigma than previously.  When stars like Wayne Rooney and James Nesbitt are quite open about their treatment it helps demystify the whole process.

Hair Transplants have improved significantly

Transplants have come on leaps and bounds in the last decade or so with new and improved techniques that shorten recovery time, reduce the risk of scarring and generally have much more successful results.  At the end of the day, a transplant doesn’t add any new hair though.  It’s just a way of moving around what you already have.  It’s no guarantee that you won’t end up bald in the end but it goes a long way to staving off the ravages of time.  If you want to find out more about hair transplants and other available treatments then why not call us for a free and confidential consulatation on +44(0)845 359 2924  

It would appear that there is a connection between premature baldness and heart disease based on a recent study of just over 2000 men under 40 in India.  The results seemed fairly conclusive as they established that the men who had coronary heart disease were significantly more likely to have male pattern baldness aka androgenic alopecia or greying hair. The research, which will be presented at the CSI conference in Kolkata shows that 49% of the men with heart conditions were suffering from premature baldness whereas only 27% of the healthy men were showing signs of hair loss.

Not the first study to link heart disease with hair loss

It’s not the first study to link baldness with heart disease.  Back in 2013 a Japanese study of nearly 40,000 men established that those with androgenic alopecia were 32% more prone to have coronary heart disease.  What’s not clear is if there is an actual causal link or the propensity to both conditions is as a result of certain lifestyle choices. The Lead study author from the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in Ahmedabad advised that men with androgenic alopecia (or even greying hair) “should receive extra monitoring for coronary artery disease and advice on lifestyle changes, such as healthy diet, exercise and stress management”.

If there’s any doubt then probably worth getting a check up with your GP

In conclusion it would appear that premature hair loss could be an indicator of potential heart problems although the exact link is not completely understood.  Some have theorised that both androgenic alopecia and coronary heart disease could be the result of DNA damage associated with ageing.  If you’re concerned that you might be losing your hair then it’s probably worth mentioning it to your GP and possibly arranging a general check up to make sure that there are no other underlying health problems.

Recently it has emerged that a protein injection could possibly be the answer to stop hair from falling out during chemotherapy. A study found that by injecting mice with a protein which promotes hair growth, meant that they did not lose their hair during cancer therapy. The finding has raised hope that perhaps one day cancer patients will be able to avoid this distressing side effect of chemotherapy. Hair loss has actually been found to be one of the side effects of chemotherapy that patients are mostly afraid of. In fact, a survey of women with breast cancer found that eight percent of the women were considering refusing treatment so that they would not have to lose their hair.

Current options to stop hair loss during cancer treatments

Unfortunately, patients have little to no options whilst receiving treatment to save their hair. Currently ’scalp cooling’ caps are available, these work by freezing and constricting the blood vessels near the scalp so that the chemo drugs don’t flow into the hair follicles. The downside is that they are costly, only appear to be effective in fifty percent of patients and cannot be worn for more than two hours without side effects such as discomfort and headaches. Other patients and scientists have attempted using topical solutions of Minoxidil during chemotherapy; however randomised controlled trials have found this to be non-beneficial.

How was this hair promoting drug discovered?

Researchers decided to increase their understanding of how chemotherapy damaged hair follicles and studied the protein p53. P53 is activated during cancer treatments however it plays a role in supressing hair growth; previous studies have noted that mice which do not have the p53 protein did not lose their hair during chemotherapy. Whilst studying the p53 protein, researchers also found another hair promoting protein WNT3a. Further investigations and experimentations found that by injecting WNT3a into mice during chemotherapy seemed to prevent hair fall. Scientists are now looking into how they could adapt their findings for use in patients, perhaps by administering several injections into the scalp during chemotherapy or by delivering WNT3a via a cream or gel form that can be spread over the scalp.

BMI stands for body mass index and is used to measure body fat based on a person’s weight in relation to his or her height. But it doesn’t measure body fat directly. Instead, BMI uses an equation to make an approximation. This tool helps determine whether a person is underweight, overweight or has a healthy […]

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Q.        My Dad and Grandad were bald by the age of 50.  Will I be too?

Not necessarily but androgenic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness is based on a combination of both parent’s genes so it is more likely that you’ll have the condition if it runs in the family.

Q.        What is alopecia?

Alopecia is a general term for hair loss. It comes in many forms such as androgenic alopecia (hereditary hair loss), alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition that affects all ages) and even traction alopecia (where extensions or pulling at the hair causes damage)

Q.        Is there a cure for alopecia?

There isn’t a cure but there are a range of treatments which can slow down the hair loss or disguise it.

Q.        Can stress cause hair loss?

Yes. Stress can cause hair loss in a number of ways from trichotillomania to telogen effluvium.  If you think that stress might be causing hair loss then we’d recommend speaking to your GP or a professional clinic.

Q.        Isn't Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) just a tattoo?

No SMP is a highly skilled process that creates the look of real hair. Technicians are trained solely in the techniques to create a realistic look based on the individual’s characteristics.  You can’t get an SMP look at a tattoo parlour.

Q.        Is it true that the medications for hair loss have side effects?

Any medication has the potential to cause side effects. There is some evidence, for example that finasteride is linked to impotence.  It’s important that you seek professional advice before taking any medication.

Q.        Are natural hair loss remedies any good?

Whilst most natural remedies probably won’t do any harm the reality is that to deal with hair loss you should really be looking for clinically proven solutions. Time wasted on a natural remedy that doesn’t work could have been time spent stopping irreplaceable hair from falling out.

The press are naturally full of stories about the next Royal wedding announced at the end of November.  It’s not really a surprise to anyone though as there’s been speculation for months that Harry was about to pop the question at any time to Meghan Markle.

Meghan doesn’t fit the mould

Markle certainly breaks the mould for Royal wives as an American divorcee actress of mixed race who from an early age has engaged in philanthropy and civil rights movements.  Her healthy lifestyle choices including diet and yoga may also be helping Harry to retain his hair for longer than his brother William, who Harry once joked was, “already bald aged 12”. After the couple had spent a romantic holiday in the Norwegian fjords Harry started to have super strength omega 3 supplements delivered to Kensington Palace which led to speculation that he was taking the pills to try to stem hair loss.

Harry’s hair loss is inevitable

Already showing signs of thinning there is probably an inevitability that Harry will follow the same path as his grandfather, father and brother and continue to lose his hair. After all, male pattern baldness affects half the male population by the time they hit 50. Whilst the omega 3 supplement certainly won’t harm Harry’s hair it’s also not really likely to do much to counteract male pattern baldness though.  Vitamin deficiency can be a cause of hair loss but Harry’s problem is really down to genetics.  There are options for him though.  Clinically proven drugs like finasteride and minoxidil will stem hair loss in many cases although they only work as long as they are being taken. Other options for the Prince could be a hair transplant or even scalp micropigmentation which is becoming increasingly popular among many men as it can give the impression of volume to thinning hair.  Whatever Harry chooses to do we wish him and Meghan all happiness for the future.

More than 400 million people were living with diabetes as of 2015, according to the International Diabetes Federation. There are three major types of the diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Of the three, Type 2 is the most common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 90 percent of people […]

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If you feel that your hair is looking thinner and that your hairline is receding every time you look into the mirror there probably is a chance that you are losing your hair. In fact, statistics suggest that two thirds of men will have suffered some form of hair loss by the time they have reached the age of thirty five. By the age of fifty, an astounding eighty five percent of men will have suffered from hair loss, most likely as a result of male pattern baldness.

What to eat for healthier hair

Whilst there is no cure for male pattern baldness it is possible to slow the process down or at least not help it along by taking some basic common sense lifestyle change. Nutrition is so important that it can affect both your internal and external health, including your hair. Therefore make sure that you are incorporating the following nutrients in your diet;

• Proteins

Your hair is primarily made of proteins, which is why protein rich foods such as meats and dairy products can help to grow thick and beautiful hair.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These compounds are known to be anti-inflammatory, nourishing hair follicles and stimulating healthy regrowth of hair. A recent study from 2015 even found that when supplementing in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, ninety percent of the study participants reported an overall reduction in hair loss, and thicker, denser hair.

• Zinc

Deficiencies in zinc are usually associated with hair loss in men and women. Even patients with alopecia areata have been found to have significantly low levels of serum zinc than those who have no signs of hair loss. The longer these patients have suffered from hair loss, the lower their zinc levels were. So eating foods such as spinach, chickpeas, walnuts and even oysters can help to ensure you have healthy, balanced levels of zinc in your body. If it’s too late for you or you would prefer to embrace the bald look but need a little confidence boost, then you can consider Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP). SMP is an increasingly popular hair loss treatment for men in which a technician deposits coloured pigments onto the scalp, with very realistic results. The procedure is quick, painless and actually requires very little to no maintenance and creates a close cropped crew cut look. In fact, some men even feel that SMP has given them a more edgy, tough look! If you would like to learn more about your diet and how it can affect your hair growth, or about SMP, then speak to a doctor or hair loss expert for more information.

The latest practitioner to set up in their own HIS Hair Clinic tells us a little about his own journey, through early baldness to a HIS Hair Clinic SMP treatment and ultimately to joining the team.

 

A Little About Alex

You don't have to talk to Alex for long for his passion to come to the surface. Talk to him a little longer and you will soon learn that he is an artist. We don't mean simply mean someone who likes to draw, or who takes their brushes out on high days and holidays. We mean a proper artist, with a body of work and a reputation built on a successfully running a London gallery for 20 years. But the fact that he brings some glamour to the business, through his extensive network of famous friends, is secondary to his passion for what he does. We met Alex when he came as a client to the London clinic a couple of years ago. He had heard about SMP some time before, like it does for so many it caught his eye but not quite his imagination... he had never met anyone with the treatment and so was doubtful about it's ability to achieve it's claim of being indistinguishable. Alex began losing his hair visibly in his early twenties. His work as an artist and managing the gallery meant he was required to give talks and meet important people on a regular basis, something he describes as undermined by his lack of self-confidence in his appearance - a sentiment many of us will be able to easily identify with. He was motivated to research SMP, discovering there was no shortage of clinics available he began sorting the wheat from the rubbish. We like to think it remains an easy task to spot HIS Hair Clinic as the inventors of the treatment, more than that as the only clinic with an entirely transparent track record going back over a decade evidencing the quality of their work, always underpinned by a total commitment to the outcome of their clients.

Getting The Needle

Alex would complete his course of treatments at the London clinic. He enjoyed the experience which for him was a creative journey that he took with his practitioner, Marcus, where Alex contributed significantly to the style outcome. He describes the experience of stepping out in the world with his SMP as life changing. A profoundly positive change in how he felt about the world, the sort of positivity that provokes the world into greeting you more positively. Talking to friends and family the feedback he got was overwhelmingly upbeat - He he had become an evangelist for SMP Alex quickly realised that his background as an artist, his large pieces of work were all about photo realistic detail, lent itself well to becoming an SMP practitioner himself. Cue another round of research on where best to receive his training before, once again, concluding that HIS was by far the best choice. Alex's natural talent gave him the confidence to hit the ground running, everything else he bought to the table: Empathy, patience, concentration etc, really set him apart as a student. Memorably, on only his second treatment Alex was presented with one of the oldest gentleman we have ever treated. The outcome, according to the man in charge of training at HQ, was indistinguishable from the work of our most experienced people. So in the same way that fans of sports teams will hear about prodigious young talents coming through the ranks, we heard about Alex. At that stage we were hearing about his technical ability, fast forward the best part of two years and Alex has more than earned his place on our roster of outstanding practitioners.  But when you talk to him you realise that his technical ability  is only a fragment of what makes him a standout practitioner. He treats every client as a friend in need, taking their journey every bit as seriously as he took his own and with a sincere desire to achieve for them the same profound improvement he enjoyed.

HIS Hair Clinic

It all adds up to a great story for would-be SMP clients in the South West of England. Not only is there now a HIS clinic on your doorstep but it is staffed by one of the most engaging, enthusiastic and talented practitioners on the HIS team. To meet Alex in person, and to see his 4 year old SMP treatment, is as simple as filling in the contact form at the side of this page, or putting in a quick call to the office and making an appointment.

Going to the market and buying food is just half the task. Properly storing the food items is as important as buying the right ingredients. But many people still make the mistake of storing these items in the wrong place. If you do not store food correctly, it will lose its shelf life and a […]

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For all of us there is an inevitability that our hair will get brittle and this as we age.  Like our skin hair cells can only keep regenerating for so long but what if your hair starts to thin or disappear whilst your still at a young age?  Up to a third of men are balding by their thirties and some even start to go bald in their teens.

Baldness isn't funny

Unfortunately for many  men the results of hair loss at a tender age can be quite traumatic with reports of body dysmorphia and a sudden lack of self esteem and confidence.  This can result in serious lifestyle changes with some men refusing to socialise and a growing sense of isolation.  The situation can often be made worse by colleagues, friends and even family who view male balding as a rich source of humour without realising the damage they are doing. It’s not all bad news though.  There are treatments for many forms of baldness, if not exactly cures.  Medications like minoxidil and finasteride have been proven clinically to prevent further loss of hair and if spotted early enough can be a great way of slowing the process down until you’re not the only one in your social group with a bald spot.

What if that bald spot is already too big?

If that bald patch has already reached the point where it’s become a problem then another option is to have a transplant.  No longer the preserve of the rich and famous this is one way of turning back time.  It’s not a cheap option though and you have to bear in mind that it is invasive surgery with a reasonable recovery period. Another great option is just accept the loss and take control by shaving it all off.  If you combine this with SMP (Scalp micropigmentation) which creates a permanent and ultra-realistic close cropped look by injecting organic pigments into the scalp then you can change from hair loss victim to shaven haired bad boy after only a couple of sessions. To find out more about these and other treatments for hair loss don’t hesitate to call us to arrange a free and confidential consultation on +44(0)845 359 2924

Any kind of exercise is good for your health, and water-based exercise provides a low-impact workout that can benefit you in many ways. When you are in water, your body feels about 90 percent lighter. This means when you are exercising in water, your body does not experience the same impact as it does exercising […]

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Beards are well and truly in at the moment, but did you know not all beards look good? There’s a trick to getting facial hair just right and Tom Hiddleston has set a fine example on his recent appearance at the Thor: Ragnarok premiere according to an article in GQ. Hiddleston looked well-groomed with his slightly long, red hair and big matching beard. So, how did the star get his facial hair just right?

Understanding the perfect beard-to-hair ratio

According to the men's magazine the trick to having the perfect beard is to ensure it complements the hair on your head. It’s not all about growing a long, bushy beard. Instead, it should be well-groomed and well in proportion to your other facial hair. You can take a look at before and after pictures of Hiddleston to see why beard-to-hair ration matters. His recent look isn’t the first time he’s attempted longish hair and a full beard. Back in 2011, the star boasted a similar look, only he had a much smaller, patchier beard with longer sides. Now, with shorter sides and a thicker beard, Hiddleston looks a lot more stylish and has managed to pull the look off well.

What if you struggle to grow a full beard?

Not all men are capable of growing a thick, full beard. In fact, some struggle to grow a single hair. This can be really frustrating if you want to join in with the beard trend! However, there is help available. Beard transplants have become really popular in recent years. Similar to a hair transplant, a beard transplant can help those who do struggle to grow a thick beard. Hair is taken from the scalp and implanted into the beard area where it will grow in any style you prefer. However, beard transplants aren’t cheap. You also need to have a suitable amount of donor hairs to transplant into the chin. If you do have the money though, beard transplants can do wonders for your confidence and help you to achieve the beard of your dreams.

South Korea has become one of the world’s technical powerhouses with Companies like Samsung continually innovating and pushing technology boundaries.  It’s not just TVs and mobile phones though where the nation leads the way.  According to the Korea Times the Science Ministry has just announced that a team at Yonsei University has developed a new biochemical product to prevent hair loss.

Protein causing the damage

Their research led to a deeper understanding of the way in which the Wnt singnalling pathway operated in adult hair.  If the pathway becomes blocked or inhibited then it can prevent the follicle from developing properly, resulting in hair loss.  The key discovery made by the team was a protein called CXXC5 which was acting as a negative regulator of the Wnt pathway.  Armed with this knowledge the team, led by Choi Kang-yeol set about creating a means of stopping this protein from causing any damage and after some research they produced a new biochemical material PTD-DMB. In the latest edition of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology the team published their findings, stating, “Disrupting the CXXC5-Dishevelled interaction with a competitor peptide activated the Wnt pathway and accelerated hair regrowth and wound infected hair follicle neogenesis”.

Not commercially available yet

Whilst this is very encouraging it’s still not a commercially available product and it’s likely to be some time before it finds it’s way to the West, if at all.  In the mean time there are a number of clinically proven hair loss treatments that are available.  These range from medical compounds such as minoxidil and finasteride to newer treatments like low level laser therapy or the increasingly popular scalp micropigmentation (SMP). If you’re concerned about hair loss and want to find out what’s available to you now why not complete the form to the right or call us for a free and confidential consultation on +44(0)845 359 2924

As the winter is approaching really fast, many people worry about their dry and scaly elbows. It’s a common and really annoying problem. If the dryness is severe, the area may even become very itchy. The skin around the elbows is much thicker than on the rest of the body and has fewer oil glands […]

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