HAIR LOSS TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

The holy grail of the men’s grooming market must be a product that stops baldness. Plenty make claims to that effect but it remains elusive. Rather more restrained are the claims for a new hair treatment that has already had some success in Europe and has now arrived in the UK, which  aims to conceal hair thinning problems.

This is the Volume Hair Plus (VHP), a thickening product that contains invisible microfibers which give the texture and appearance of natural hair, claim the makers. Totally undetectable, they say, the fibres stick to existing hair, maximising the fullness and thickness of hair.

It was developed by Marc van Amsterdam, who began to notice his hair getting thinner in his mid twenties and understands how distressing this can be.

“When I started to lose my own hair I was absolutely devastated,” he said. “Having previously been an outgoing person, I started to withdraw from social activities more and more, not wanting to go out and if I did, I would stand out of the light so no-one could see my thinning hair.

He developed VHP and could “once again go out with my head held high”.

Dermatologically tested, the product is said to be safe for both hair and skin with no side effects. Available in five colours – blonde, dark blonde (light brown), medium brown, dark brown and black, it sells at £19.95. Seems worth a try.  See www.volumehairplus.co.uk

SPAS THE HOLIDAY CHOICE

Increasing numbers are opting for a spa holiday, combining pampering and luxury with hoped-for health and beauty benefits. Usually set in lovely surroundings and with all sorts of facilities, British spas are certainly preferable to many British seaside resorts – and you don’t have to go on a diet.

One of the doyens of the scene is Champneys, which started life in 1925 in an elegant old stately home in the English countryside. Behind that old building, it has been extended and refurbished to provide all the luxuries expected in a modern spa, whilst retaining some of its old world charm. It’s the choice of many celebrities, along with the three other Champneys that have been opened in the UK.

Now, the first Champneys overseas is being launched, near Marbella, in cooperation with the development company Casa Nita SL.  Set in a rather more peaceful area than downtown Marbella, it has everything a spa should have with the added attraction that real fans may opt to live on-site.

Some pretty opulent apartments and penthouses are being built in this complex. For details of these and when the spa is to open go to www.champneys.com

Less well known in celebrity circles but recently singled out by the Sunday Times as the UK’s best value spa is The Porchester, tucked away in London’s Queensway and the oldest spa in town.

Dating back to 1929, it has just been refurbished and includes three Turkish hot rooms, two Russian steam rooms and a traditional Finnish sauna, with a full variety of treatments on the menu.

A session to include swimming, steaming and sauna, at a cost of £23, makes it one of London’s hidden gems.

For those in the City in need of some treatment the morning after the night before, a new Cowshed has opened at Shoreditch House.

This is the third of these spas to open in London since the first at Babington House in 1998 and provides similar lived-in country style surroundings.

As an opening package, they are offering a relaxing facial treatment focusing on the delicate eye area, incorporating lymphatic drainage and a choice of facial oil, accompanied by an espresso and breakfast pastry or muffin, for £32. Alternatively, there's a full range of pampering treatments from which to choose. www.cowshedonline.com