How does it work?
It is not known exactly how Minoxidil works! Minoxidil stimulates hair growth in individuals with male & female patterned baldness. We do know it does not affect the levels of DHT, which is also how Finasteride (another hair loss treatment) works.

Who is a good candidate for minoxidil?
The perfect candidate for Minoxidil is a someone who is beginning to thin in the vertex and crown area of the scalp. A confirmation that it is genetical hair loss as opposed to another type of hair loss by a trichologist or dermatologist will maximise the chances of the treatment working. Unfortunately it is impossible to predict who will get good results and who will not.

Is 5% minoxidil more effective than 2% minoxidil?
Yes, it is much more effective. Minoxidil is dose-dependent. The higher the dose of Minoxidil, the better the results. Using 5% Minoxidil does not give you faster results, but will cause the regrowth of more hair and thicker hair. The 5% Minoxidil solution can cause more skin irritation than the 2% solution, and it is usually only recommended for use by men.

Is topical minoxidil safe to use?
Topical Minoxidil has an excellent safety record. The most common side effects are itching and skin irritation of the treated scalp. Unwanted hair growth may occur in areas adjacent to treatment sites, which can be little distressing to women when the face is involved, which is why the 2% solution is usually the first option.

Can both men and women use minoxidil?
Yes it produces significant hair growth in both men and women.

Does minoxidil only work in the vertex/crown area of the scalp?
Minoxidil works best in the vertex area, but several patients have had increased hair growth in the front part of the scalp.

Can minoxidil help maintain my hair?
Many patients maintain their hair while on minoxidil, even if there is no significant new growth. Unfortunately, many patients find this out once they stop minoxidil and then have a significant amount of hair loss.

Who should not take minoxidil?
Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the component of the preparation, including alcohol solution.
It is not recommended during pregnancy.

How long will it take for minoxidil to work?
Increased hair growth has been seen from as early as 2 months into treatment, but usually the full benefit from Minoxidil is not seen for at lease 6-8 months. It can be difficult in the first few months for patients to persist with treatment when they are not seeing immediate results, however in more cases than not it is usually worth the wait.

How long do I have to continue taking minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a management based treatment for hair loss and not a cure. You need to take Minoxidil for as long as you want to continue to benefit from its use. If you stop taking Minoxidil, you will likely lose any hair you have gained within months of stopping treatment.

Does topical Minoxidil interact with other medications?
There are currently no known drug interactions associated with the use of topical Minoxidil solutions.

Can I use Minoxidil more than twice a day, and will it work better?
You can use it more than twice a day and there are many patients and physicians who think it works better when it is used more than twice a day. However, by increasing the frequency it increases the side effects and cost.

How much does Minoxidil cost?

Thankfully, the cost of Minoxidil has dramatically reduced over the last few years. We can supply generic (non-branded) minoxidil from as little as £10 per month.  There are several options available to you, so please call us on 01473 400049 to discuss this in complete confidence with our trichologist.

In severe cases, the plaques of irritated skin will grow and merge into one another, covering large areas. This is why it is important to try to control the symptoms as soon as they are noticed.

It is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person, but it can occur in members of the same family.

The exact causes of psoriasis are unknown, however it is believed that abnormalities in the immune system cause inflammation in the skin, triggering new skin cells to develop too quickly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days. With psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every three to four days. The build-up of old cells being replaced by new cells creates the silver scales of psoriasis.

Psoriasis usually begins in early adulthood or later in life. In most people it limited to a few patches of skin; in severe cases, it can cover large areas of the body.

The medications used to treat scalp psoriasis usually have the same ingredients as those used to treat body psoriasis, however the vehicles used differ. Heavy creams and ointments are usually too difficult and messy for scalp application, so liquids, foams, shampoos, or oils are usually recommended by the trichologist.

Drugs that are useful for scalp psoriasis, and that your trichologist may recommend for home use, include:

• Keratolytics
• Coal Tar based Creams, Lotions and Shampoos
• Antiseptic Shampoos
• Corticosteroids
• Dovonex Liquid

In more severe cases the trichologist may recommend a short course of weekly clinical treatment where the treatment can be more specifically tailored to the patients needs, increasing the chances of managing the condition more effectively.

The hair awareness week organised by the Institute of Trichologists has been a part of the IOT’s campaign to raise awareness of Hair Loss suffered by men and women for many years and is this year, preceded by Nioxin’s Thinning Hair Awareness Week Many people suffer hair loss unaware that in many cases something can be done to help the situation.

Many Types of Hair Loss

There are a great many types of hair loss with many causes, and therefore it is very important to see a qualified Member of the Institute of Trichologists (AIT, MIT or FIT) to give a correct diagnosis before treatment can be thought about.

These include:

• Androgenetic alopecia in men
• Androgenetic alopecia in women
• Telogen effluvium
• Anagen effluvium
• Alopecia areata
• Traumatic alopecia

Many women suffer from low iron stores due to the lack of iron in their diet resulting in long term excess hair shedding. It is not uncommon for new mothers to experience hair loss not long after giving birth. 50% of men over 50 in the UK suffer from so called “Male Pattern Baldness”. Even more serious is drastic hair loss that comes with illness or for seemingly no reason at all. Hair loss is worrying enough on a man, but it is devastating to a woman. The effect upon the sufferers social life is immense, she feels a freak with complete loss of confidence and sex appeal, all this from a non‐life threatening condition.

The most drastic type of hair loss is Alopecia Areata, which can range from a few patches to complete hair loss. Happily when a few patches are seen as in most cases, this will resolve all by itself.

If you are concerned about hair loss the best advice is to see your local registered Member of the Institute of Trichologists. To check that your Trichologist is a Registered Member of The Institute of Trichologists, please go to our membership list on this website (www.trichologists.org.uk) or call our call centre on 0845 604 4657

Ipswich Trichology is the only registered clinic in Suffolk! Call 01473 400049 today to book a consultation.

Trichotillomania is a condition where a person feels compelled to pull their hair out.

Trichotillomania is an impulse-control disorder (a psychological condition where you are unable to stop yourself carrying out a particular action). Its causes are not entirely understood, however it is estimated that up to 4% of the population is affected, with women four times more likely to be affected than men.

Patients experience an intense urge to pull their hair out and growing tension until they do. Sufferers often feel a sense of relief after pulling the hair out, however their actions leaves bald patches.

Tricholotillomania is not always obvious and is sometimes hidden. As a result it can be particularly difficult to diagnose, especially in children. It can also resemble many other conditions, particularly when the patient denies their actions.

Approximately 70% of cases of Trichotillomania involve scalp hair loss, 50% involve eyebrows or eyelashes, 30% include pubic hair, 20% body hair and about 10% involve facial hair.

As well as plucking the hair, individuals with Trichotillomania may then chew or eat the hair. Hair eating is known as Trichophagia. About 40% of cases involve hair chewing while 10% of individuals with Trichotillomania eat their hair. Eating hair is unwise as it is very irritating to the stomach and can lead to digestion problems including ulcers and obstructions.

Many individuals who suffer from Trichotillomania are often unaware of what they are doing and do not realise the reason for their hair loss. When they do realise, it often causes negative feelings, such as guilt. Patients feel embarrassed or ashamed about pulling their hair out, and may try to deny it or cover it up. Sometimes, trichotillomania can make them feel unattractive and can lead to very low self-esteem. Many patients feel unable to talk about the condition and as a result feel alone and isolated.

We often find that when patients do pluck up the courage to seek treatment, simply talking about the condition with a professional is enough to help control their urges.  We often refer on to psychotherapists where the patient can receive professional emotional support.

If you suffer with this condition don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Alternatively there is a Support group in the UK for sufferers:

Trichotillomania Support UK - http://www.trichotillomania.co.uk/Regions/Brits.htm