When I tell people I am a trichologist, the most common reply is a polite pause. It is a fair reaction. Trichology is a small field, and in regional Western Australia it is rare to find one at all.
Put simply, trichology is the study of the hair and scalp. A trichologist looks at why hair and scalp are behaving the way they are, and what can be done to support them.
Where it sits
It helps to think of three different kinds of care.
- A hairdresser works with the hair you can see: cut, colour, condition and finish.
- A trichologist looks underneath, at the scalp and the follicles the hair grows from, and at the lifestyle, habits and history that affect them.
- A GP or dermatologist diagnoses and treats medical conditions, orders blood tests and prescribes medication.
Trichology is not a medical specialty, and a trichologist does not diagnose disease or prescribe. What it offers is time, close observation and a focused understanding of hair and scalp. It works best alongside medical care, not instead of it. When something I see suggests a medical cause, I will say so and refer you on.
After thirty years behind the chair, I came to trichology because I kept seeing scalps and hair that a haircut could never fix. It gave me the knowledge to understand what I was looking at.
What happens in a consultation
Every consultation is different, because every scalp is. In general, it looks like this.
- Your story. When the change started, what it looks like, and what else was going on in your life at the time. Stress, illness, sleep, diet, medication changes, hormonal changes and hair care habits can all play a part, so I ask about them.
- A close look at the scalp. I examine the scalp and hair up close: the skin, the follicle openings, the density in different areas, and the quality of the hair itself.
- What I see, explained plainly. I tell you what I think is happening and why, in language that makes sense.
- A plan. That might be changes to how you wash and care for your scalp, a series of in-atelier treatments, or a recommendation to see your GP for blood work before we go further. Often it is a combination.
The scalp is skin. It deserves the same attention you would give your face.
Common reasons people come in
- More shedding than usual, or hair that feels thinner
- A widening part or thinning at the crown
- Flaking, itch, oiliness or a scalp that feels tight and dry
- Sensitivity or tenderness
- Breakage and hair that won't grow past a certain length
- Wanting to look after the scalp before problems start
What trichology can't promise
Hair grows slowly, and real change takes months, not weeks. Some types of hair loss can be slowed or supported but not reversed. I would rather tell you that honestly at the start than sell you a result I can't stand behind.
If you are curious about your own scalp, the Consultazione Botanica is a thirty-minute first appointment. It is the easiest way to find out what is going on and whether a ritual or a referral is the right next step.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For sudden, patchy or painful hair loss, or any change you are worried about, please see your GP or a dermatologist.
