The Causes

There are many variations of permanent hair loss, and a number of possibilities as to what causes it. Dealing with hair loss has a deep psychological and emotional impact on a woman’s well-being, which is why it is important to know both the root cause and the solutions available to you. We’ll be discussing the most common causes of permanent female hair loss and the hair loss management techniques we offer.

Female Pattern Hair Loss

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is the most common form of women’s hair loss globally. It occurs most commonly after the menopause though it can start earlier. It is caused by diffuse thinning of the hair, usually on top of the scalp, as the hair follicles gradually produce finer and shorter hair and eventually stop production altogether. It is caused by genetic and hormonal factors.

Lichen Planopilaris

LPP is a rare inflammatory condition that results in patchy permanent hair loss on the crown and vertex. It occurs by destroying the hair follicle and replacing it with scarring. The cause of Lichen Planopilaris is unknown, but it could be connected to the body’s immune system.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, also known as Scarring Alopecia or Cicatricial Alopecia, causes hair loss at the front of the head, resulting in a receding hairline. It is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles, leaving scaring behind, but why it is concentrated at the front of the head is unknown. It occurs mostly in postmenopausal women but can occur earlier.

Permanent Female Hair Loss: The Solutions

 Intralace System™

Designed for women with moderate to severe hair loss or thinning, this is our pioneering hair replacement prosthesis. The Intralace System™ is attached to the scalp over the area of hair loss. Any existing hair is carefully teased through the panels, which are made from ultra-fine mesh, and then additional human hair is added to it to completely disguise any hair loss. The result is undetectable and you’ll have complete freedom of activity – no more hiding indoors on windy days or avoiding going swimming with the family

Intralace Minima™

The Intralace Minima™ is specifically designed for women with permanent thinning or hair loss at the fringe, parting and crown area. The system fully integrates with any existing hair – it looks, feels, and acts like your own hair. It requires around eight appointments per year in order to adjust to the hair’s natural growth and keep it in the correct position.

The Intralace Freewear System™

The Intralace Freewear System™ is most suited to clients with total hair loss. It is a great option if you are looking for an alternative to a wig. The Intralace Freewear System™ is held in place with medical-style tape and a liquid adhesive that is kind to the skin. With this hair loss solution, you can choose whether you want a natural parting or side hairline panels. You can sleep, wash and dry your hair as if it was your own – this brilliant wig alternative allows you real freedom. The Intralace Freewear System™ is super simple to use and you can even replace the adhesive and tape at home by yourself.

Here at Lucinda Ellery, we’ve been providing 21st century hair loss management and hair replacement solutions exclusively for women who want to look and feel incredible. We’re invested in getting our client’s confidence back and giving them their dream locks once more. If you would like to book a FREE confidential consultation to discuss your options, simply pop us a message on Facebook or contact us here.

The Lucinda Ellery Team x

A wig is a head of hair normally made from either human hair or synthetic materials. The word wig is short for Periwig and first appeared in the English language around 1675. Historically wigs were classed as a status symbol hence the term “big wig”.

Wigs can be used for many purposes: as a cosmetic accessory for a fun change of style,  sometimes in the context of religious practice of cutting or shaving one’s natural hair. Actors of course often wear costume wigs in order to portray characters in film or theatre, but most commonly people use wigs to disguise hair thinning or hair loss. In recent years the demand for Human or Real hair wigs has surpassed the demand for synthetic wigs but it comes down to personal choice and there are pros and cons for both.

Synthetic Wigs

Synthetic wigs are made of artificial fibres. They can be handmade or machine made and are normally created on a base of lace. The key points about synthetic wigs are:

The Good

• They are relatively inexpensive (prices range from approx £70)
• They hold their style very well so this eliminates the need for daily styling
• Synthetic Fibres hold their colour permanently, no dying required!
• If you are open about wearing a wig then you can experiment with fun colours
• Synthetic Wigs are normally what is supplied by the NHS for clients having chemotherapy or for clients with hair loss problems.

The Bad

• They need to be washed carefully (not whilst on the head), it is important to follow the after-care guidelines of the supplier or manufacturer. You cannot treat synthetic hair like your own natural hair.
• Synthetic hair has a shine to it which can look unnatural (like a dolls hair)
• The strands can burn easily so you need to be careful with heat from a hair dryer and you cannot use straightening irons or curling tongs
• These wigs are often ill fitting unless you pay for one to be made to measure
• They can have too much volume, making them appear unrealistic

Human Hair Wigs

Indian or Chinese hair are commonly used to make real hair wigs but European hair and Virgin Russian hair can also be used. It’s all about what suits your budget but Russian Virgin hair is apparently the best hair that money can buy. Here are some points to consider when thinking about getting a real hair wig.

The Pros

• They are made with real hair so can be very natural looking
• They can be treated like your own hair in terms of styling products, styling tools and hair dye
• As well as looking natural, the hair is real so it feels real to the touch
• You can wash it and brush it just like your own natural hair

The Cons

• They can be expensive; especially if you are buying a bespoke one
• They don’t tend to hold colour well and the quality can be affected if repeatedly dyed
• Human hair wigs will need to be styled almost daily or at least every time you wash your hair
• They have a limited life span

The Problems with both Human Hair Wigs and Synthetic Wigs

While there may be arguments for and against for both, the common negatives for both synthetic wigs and human hair wigs are:

1. They have to be removed at night, you cannot sleep in them
2. They could come off at any time as they’re not secured to the scalp
3. You cannot swim in them and many activities would be impossible whilst wearing a wig

Choosing a More Permanent Option – The Intralace System

Those three factors are the main reasons why many women choose to use something more permanent like the Intralace System.

If you’re suffering from partial hair thinning or hair loss then the bespoke Intralace System will give you more freedom than a wig and it also looks incredibly natural. It is integrated with your own hair so you can wash it, brush it, sleep in it and swim in it. You wear it 24 hours a day. You can use it while you are waiting for your own natural hair to regrow or if you are managing a permanent type of hair loss or thinning then you may choose to use it as a hair management option for life.

If you have total hair loss then you may choose to use the Intralace Freewear as this can be worn for longer periods of time than a wig or hairpiece. It is secured to the scalp using a combination of skin-friendly tape and liquid adhesive. You can sleep with the system still in place. The most scrutinized part of our hair is our hair line and the hair line created by the Intralace Freewear option is convincingly natural looking.

Wigs May Still be a Good Choice for Some

Wigs can be a good choice for many women while they are managing their hair loss. Perhaps they are more appropriate for temporary types of hair loss as it seems inevitable that you would get tired of the restrictions associated with wearing a wig. Much depends on your budget and your life style. Thankfully the appearance of wigs has improved dramatically over the last few years so take your time when choosing the right style and the right colour. An initial consultation with your chosen provider is the best way forward.

Here are some helpful contacts:

Trendco (large selection of both Human hair and synthetic wigs) head office 0207 221 2646, www.trendco.co.uk .

Mandeville Wigs (High end Human hair wigs) 020 8741 5959, www.mandeville-wigs.co.uk
Update 2023 – they appear to have changed their name and site address to www.mandevillelondon.com

and of course ourselves
Lucinda Ellery Consultancy (Intralace System and other permanent hair loss solutions) head office 0208 741 8224, www.lucindaellery-hairloss.co.uk

Hair extensions are more popular than ever thanks to celebrity users including Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Britney Spears. We would all love the naturally luscious locks of Kate Middleton but more and more of us are now using hair extensions to transform the way our hair looks.  As the name implies, you can use them to extend the length of your hair but, of more relevance to anyone suffering from thinning hair, you can also use them to add volume.

However there are plenty of stories in the press about damage caused by extensions, often with dramatic pictures of celebrities showing bald patches. And particularly anyone who is already suffering from hair loss may be worried by these stories. So what’s the truth of the situation? Lets take it from the beginning.

What are hair extensions? How are they applied?

Hair extensions are lengths of real or synthetic hair that are attached to a person’s own hair to add volume or both volume and length.  The new hair is attached to your own natural strands quite close to the scalp.  There are a number of different systems for attaching them, with varying claims made for each, but the most popular tends to be bonded extensions and that is our preference too – though we use an  adhesive which is softer than most.

Will my own hair be safe?

Due largely to the occasional negative press articles, some of which are doubtless caused by journalists trying to drum up celebrity drama stories, some people are cynical how about safe extensions are. There’s no doubt that if they are not applied by a professional who is experienced in using them, and if they are not looked after properly by the wearer, then they can look terrible and sometimes cause damage. But with expertise and if reasonable care is taken then they should be both safe and attractive.

Careful application and maintenance

If you have naturally fine hair then it’s important that your extensions are a suitable weight so that your own hair can support them and so that everything looks natural. A good hair studio should also give you after-care advice on how to look after your new extensions and ensure your own hair stays in good condition. Any hair that is not growing from the root needs some extra tender loving care, so extensions need to be looked after too – using the right shampoo and the right conditioner.

When extensions are applied properly there is virtually no reason why they would damage your hair – many women use extensions to achieve a desired length with no adverse effects whatsoever. Ladies with fine or thinning hair often choose to use extensions to add volume to their hair and this is a useful part of our range of techniques for helping them look their best.

Removal is as important as application

It is just as important that the removal of your extensions is carried out by a professional so that they are carefully and painlessly removed without causing any damage to your own hair. Don’t be afraid to ask about the procedures used for the particular attachment system being recommended.

Where is the best place to go for hair extensions?

It is important to visit a reputable salon and you should be offered a consultation as the vital first step.

In recent years the demand has been mostly for real or human hair as opposed to synthetic. There are different types of real hair that can be offered so it is important to have the opportunity to both see the hair and also to ask questions about the source of it. You will also need to know about costs and the colour options available to you.

Ensure that both you and the salon are aware of the main purpose of the extensions – volume or volume and length – the consultation should confirm how many extensions you would need to add volume to your existing hair style, or how many to add both volume and length.

Enquire about having some “test extensions” applied. The market leaders in hair extensions will normally do this as part of the initial consultation – it is where some (2 or 3) extensions are added to assess if your hair is suitable. This will also allow you to experience how the attachment method feels to you. Do they feel as if they would be comfortable to sleep in? If not then that method may not be suitable for you and you should find an alternative salon.

Be Realistic

There’s no doubt that well-applied and styled extensions can transform your looks, but particularly when using them for the first time it’s advisable to be realistic, or you may be tempted to use too much weight or find that they require too much care. Once you’re comfortable with them and sure of the expertise of the salon applying them then you can start to experiment with more ambitious changes of style.

Perhaps some of the Disney Princesses gave us unrealistic expectations about our hair but having professionally applied extensions does give us more options for looking good!

Trichotillomania is a body-focused, impulse control disorder which inevitable leads to some degree of hair loss for the sufferer.

Due to its psychological origins, however, the impact of trichotillomania is far more than just physical. It can be extremely distressing for the person with the condition, as well as making them feel so ashamed and embarrassed of their behaviour that they are afraid to tell anyone what is happening. This can lead to problems in getting a formal diagnosis of the condition.

Once trichotillomania has finally been accurately diagnosed, it is then time to think about treatment. Trichotillomania in children tends to resolve itself given time, but a doctor should be consulted if it persists.
For adults, there are a few options available, although the sufferer will need to be patient and cooperative to see results.

The following approaches have shown limited effectiveness in improving symptoms of trichotillomania, but it is important to remember that there is no ‘magic’ cure. You can try:

• Habit reversal training (HRT)
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Hypnosis
• Medication such as Acetylcysteine and Inositol

For an increased chance of successful treatment of trichotillomania, it is recommended to try combining medication-based treatment with behavioural therapy methods.