What does a trichologist do?
What does a trichologist do?
It is sometimes said that hair is the barometer of health. Hair can certainly be a reflection of an individuals lifestyle, indicating the stress, tensions and variations in the body’s systems. You may consider that a scalp or hair condition is something that you would not wish to trouble your doctor with. That is where the trichologist comes in, as a hair and scalp specialist. The trichologist will understand concerns and will usually be able to help. Unlike medical doctors, trichologists receive training in all aspects of hair science, hair care and hair processing.
The Consultation
The trichology practitioner will ensure that each patient will, where necessary, be given as much as an hour of the trichologist time in the initial consultation and diagnosis. Enabling a thorough examination of the hair and scalp to be made and a complete history to be taken. (What family doctor in a busy GP practice could give that sort of time to any patient?) .The trichologist will take a holistic viewpoint, considering various aspects of lifestyle .Including diet, care and management of the hair (including sensitivities and allergies suffered) before a suitable regime for the scalp and hair is recommended.
There are other reasons, apart from hair loss, scalp problems and hair texture problems, that you might wish to consult a trichologist. One of which is for sound, professional advice on keeping your hair and scalp in good condition and thus avoiding many of these problems in the first place. This happy state of trouble-free hair and scalp exists naturally in some people, but many others will require the professional advice and assistance of qualified trichologist.
As previously stated, an initial consultation is likely to last up to an hour. During this time the trichologist will ask many questions about your health, family history, lifestyle, diet, and the like. It is useful to take with you to this first consultation details of any medications that you are taking and results of any recent blood tests that you may have had.
It is only after this detailed questioning and close examination of your scalp and hair that your trichologist will be able to make a diagnosis. However, it is not always possible to make an immediate diagnosis. It is common for scalp disorders to be diagnosed at the time of consultation, but hair loss problems may require blood tests, either from your GP. Once diagnosis has been made, advice will be given, and only if thought necessary will treatment be offered. Decisions will also be made as to whether you should be referred to medical doctor.