Thankfully, due to social media and the age of more personal sharing via the internet, hair loss is becoming less of a taboo subject, and almost gone are the days when it was headline news that ‘Celebrity X’ has suddenly regained a full hairline or a wig/hair extension was showing.
By reducing the stigma surrounding the topic, more people are able to have honest conversations concerning hair loss and the treatments for it. This means that there is greater access and recognition for professionals working in this field which will ultimately raise the standards of care.
For the majority of people experiencing hair loss, even with the multitude of information available, it can be difficult to know who to turn to. The first indication of any problems often occurs well into the condition, when the thinning or balding is noticeable to them and the people close by. In some cases, up to 50% of the hair can be lost before a significant change is seen.
Men can usually tell when their hair starts to recede as the hairline is often very visible or hair cuts will not ‘sit’ the same way as usual, on the other hand for women, if the change is not sudden, a gradual increase in loss hair from brushing, combing and washing will often be ignored as it can be very subtle.
It can be embarrassing and so many people would try as much as they can to keep it to themselves or seek information via the Internet which can be misleading as several companies prey on this vulnerability by offering solutions that do not effectively treat the problem especially when the cause is not diagnosed. These treatments are also usually very costly and can leave some in a bad financial position.
If you or someone who know has a hair or scalp problem and is not sure what to do, then they need to book an in person consultation with a Trichologist.
Hair Loss
Hair loss can be quite distressing, likewise, especially because there are so many misunderstandings that surround the causes and treatment for hair loss. The most common type of hair loss is probably ‘male pattern baldness’ and irrespective of its name, it can affect women equally as it can affect men (Shapiro, 2007). However, there appears to be no specific readily available treatment for hair loss in men. The problem of hair loss requires sympathetic handling and it is essential for the trichologist to help the patient come to terms with the hair loss and understand the patient’s anxiety. Women suffering from hair loss can be helped with the use of hormonal treatment and medical assistance.
There are a number of other types of hair loss that respond to advice and treatment without any medical assistance. In addition to this, some types of hair loss recover either naturally or spontaneously, too. Excessive hair loss can be because of an underlying condition, a variation in metabolism of the body, or a symptom of some other problem (Ohyama, 2010). Therefore, for this reason, it is often necessary to cooperate between the trichologist and the patient’s GP.
Scalp Problems
Ranging from dandruff to different types of inflammatory conditions, problems of the scalp occupy much of a trichologist’s time. However, as with hair, these problems can either be because of a metabolic variation or be symptomatic. Allergies to certain foods, poor diet, and stress can be responsible for the shedding of dead skin cells and build-up. Additionally, the advice of a qualified trichologist also covers the area of management of excessively greasy hair and scalp. The trichologist will guide you to use the right kind of shampoo and might be particularly relevant with how often you should use it.
Problems with Hair Texture
Hair texture problems can be caused because of excessive exposure to stresses and strains, strong chemicals, and heat, to which we often subject our hair to styling tools. If such is the case, it is other than being particularly important to cooperate with the hairdresser, it is also important to consult a trichologist since their treatment regime overlaps both cosmetic and medical areas that are covered by neither hairdressers nor doctors. Appropriate advice and treatment often work well with hair texture problems; once discovered, the cause can often be reduced or eliminated for good.
Treatment Regime
Particularly in the case of a scalp disorder, there is a possibility that your trichologist will prescribe shampoo and treatment creams for use either at home or in the clinic. These are generally manufactured by the trichologists if they hold a Medicines Control Agency License or by any other licensed trichologist who specializes in manufacturing such products. In addition, the products should always be used by strictly following the instructions.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.