People suffering from hair loss often fit into one of these two extremes: they’ve either lost all hope and believe there is no effective treatment for their receding hairline, or they’ve heard about trichology and believe their hair can be restored no matter what.
Truth lies somewhere in the middle: it’s true that trichology can help reverse hair loss in many cases. In fact, trichology is the only method that can offer a long lasting solution for a thinning mane. But not every hair loss can be recovered – the rest of this article will explain why.
When can hair loss be reversed?
It’s a common misconception that everyone’s hair is able to fully regrow after hair loss. In fact, the ability to restore one’s hair depends on the type of hair loss that has occurred and how long the condition persisted.
Hair can only grow where there are viable follicles. In most cases hair loss is not a result of follicle damage and loss. Strands of hair often fall off due to an underlying issue in the client’s body, where hair loss is only one of the symptoms. For example, hormonal changes, nutritive deficiencies, chronic illnesses, side effects of certain medications – all of these could be culprits for hair loss. By addressing these issues, healthy hair can be restored.
Unfortunately, there are some types of hair loss that are permanent. As mentioned before, a precondition for hair recovery are viable follicles. Permanent hair loss, also known as cicatricial alopecia, occurs when the dermis becomes inflamed and permanently damages the hair follicle. Once the follicle is destroyed it can no longer be restored and hair cannot grow there.
The ultimate goal is to stabilize and bring about restoration
Most hair loss sufferers spend years trapped in a cycle of temporary solutions and quick fixes. They go from one promise to another, hoping that the next one will make a difference. It never does – at least not in the long run. That’s why it’s important to see a Trichologist early on, while there are still viable follicles that can be restored.
The best time to see a Trichologist is when there are unusual changes with the hair and scalp. This includes excessive hair loss that results in thinning and balding, scalp irritation, and excessive breakage. These are symptoms of a larger issue and are most responsive to treatment when the ailment is caught early on.
How is hair loss diagnosed and treated?
A Trichologist will be able to pinpoint the source of the issue and bring balance from the root. Of course, to treat an underlying ailment it first needs to be diagnosed.
In order for a Trichologist to determine the reason why hair loss is occurring, they need to do an in-depth analysis (lifestyle, health, etc). To achieve this successfully, trichologists use a structured, methodical approach to client consultations.
One of the first things to be done is a scalp examination to look for scalp conditions that may be contributing to the hair loss. The physical exam is followed by a thorough line of questioning to collect any and all relevant pieces of information that could shed some light on the real culprit. Additionally, Trichologist may request that the client reach out to their primary care provider and have blood tests done. The Trichologist will then examine the results and look for any indication of a persisting condition.
Please note that Trichologists are NOT able to diagnose health conditions. They are only equipped to interpret blood work in relation to scalp and hair health.
Finally, once the diagnosis has been confirmed, a protocol will be created to specify which treatments should be done by the trichologist at the salon/clinic, and which products the client should use daily, at home. The protocol can also recommend lifestyle and hair care changes that will help balance the body and restore scalp and hair health.
Becoming a Trichologist: the step-by-step breakdown
If you’re frustrated by not having an effective answer to hair loss for your clients, Trichology might be the right choice. Specializing in this field will help you add a highly marketable service to your practice, and you’ll finally be able to provide your hair loss clients with a long lasting solution to their suffering.
To become a Trichologist, you must first be a registered Cosmetologist or a Barber. With this license you can enroll into the Functional Trichology Certification program at the American Academy of Hair and Scalp Disease which will take you from zero to hero and turn you into a hair loss expert. For more information about becoming a Trichologist, download our free guide.Â