When it comes to health and beauty, we often think about skincare, nutrition, and fitness. But what about our hair? For many, hair is not just a part of our appearance; it’s a crucial aspect of our identity and confidence. This is where trichology comes into play—a fascinating field dedicated to understanding hair and scalp health.
So, what IS Trichology? And what does a Trichologist do?
Trichology is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the hair and scalp. A fancy way of saying: the in-depth study of hair and scalp irregularities.
A Trichologist is someone who is trained to practice in this specialized field. Often, Trichologists integrate medical and cosmetic studies to better understand the hair and scalp. Dermatologists also have knowledge of hair and scalp conditions, but their field is tremendously broad. I always think: Would you rather your dermatologist be up to date on skin cancer or hair loss? Dermatology practitioners aren't expected to keep up with the nuances of every possible skin issue, so they typically focus on the severe issues that cause greatest concern amongst their patients. This creates a gap in the focus on some of the specialized areas - like hair & scalp health - which is where Trichologists focus all of their education and practice.
One thing to note is that Trichologists aren't covered by insurance and neither are their products or treatments so these are out of pocket expenses.
Holistic vs Traditional Trichology
There are many ways a Trichologist can help you, and their methods will vary based on the provider. Some, like me, are more holistic and take a whole body health approach, heavily focus on gut/nutrition and don't use any harsh chemicals. Others will take a more traditional approach where treatments such as minoxidil and more synthetic products/treatments are used. One is not better than the other, as there are pros and cons to both ways of practice.
Holistic Trichologists typically look at the whole body instead of only what is happening with the hair/scalp. Our goal is to get to the root cause of why your body is choosing to target your hair or scalp. Even though this sounds like what everyone should want, it can mean being very open and honest with your provider and taking treatments plans slower to address bigger issues. Even though it may take longer to see results, typically holistic methods yield much more maintainable and better quality hair.
Traditional Trichologists will still look into your daily life and recent history to find causes of the issue. However, minoxidil is a very commonly recommended treatment and nutrition is typically looked at, at a surface level. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this approach, it often provides much faster results which is exactly what some people prefer.
When to see a Trichologist
Trichologists can treat a wide variety of conditions, some independently and some alongside your medical provider. Below are some of the main conditions that we treat in-studio.
The concerns that Trichologists treat independently, on a very regular basis, are:
Hair loss that is suspected to be caused by hormonal changes, stress, or nutrition/diet
Hair breakage
Scalp skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or dandruff
The concerns that Trichologist treat in conjunction with your medical provider:
Alopecia
Medication induced hair loss
Hair loss from significant weight loss - surgery, injections
Hair loss from Auto-immune conditions
How to choose a Trichologist
If you are considering seeing a Trichologist, there are a few things to consider when finding the practitioner that will be best for you.
First, consider that you will be spending time with this person intermittently for a MINIMUM of 9 months. Make sure you like them as a person and enjoy being around them.
Next, you'll want to find out about their approach to Trichology, the types of products and tools used, and other options available when working with their studio.
Ask your prospects about their education in the field of Trichology - both initial and ongoing. Unfortunately, education is not currently regulated in this field, so you'll want to make sure you're working with someone whose background you are comfortable with, and who is continuing to stay on top of the industry.
The provider should have you fill out a basic history questionnaire either at the first appointment or prior to it to get a thorough view of the issues that you're experiencing.
Assessments should be done using some kind of microscopic imaging to be able to look into the issue deeper than the eye can see unassisted.
Trichology Wrap Up
If you are experiencing issues with your hair or scalp, get yourself to a specialist who looks at these issues day in and day out. Choose a practitioner who makes you feel comfortable with and uses methods that align with your lifestyle. Remember that seeing results can take some time, but you should see improvement at every appointment along the way.
I'd love to help your reach your hair and/or scalp goals, and I hope that you'll reach out when you're ready to start your journey!
Cali
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