trichologist

Hair growth and loss in humans occurs throughout their entire life. Every day, a person loses from 5 to 8 dozen hairs: usually, the lost hair grows back again, but with painful hair loss, such self-replenishment is not observed. These and many other hair problems are dealt with by a special doctor - a trichologist.

He knows everything our strands and scalp need to look their best.

Who is a trichologist?

The specialty of trichologist first appeared in Western countries more than a century ago. Gradually, this direction of medicine became more and more in demand: Trichology Centers, scientific and educational institutions began to be built, where professional trichologists were trained. For example, in England there is still a trichological institute and a network of trichological clinics.

In our country, such a narrow specialty began to be distinguished only in the 90s of the 20th century, that is, quite recently. In most medical institutions, trichologists are considered representatives of dermatocosmetology, because the main task of doctors of this specialty is to study everything related to our curls and scalp, for example, the structure, stages of hair growth, etc.

That is, in essence, a trichologist is a dermatologist, narrowly focused on diagnostics, prevention and therapy of diseases of the hair and skin under the hair. Representatives of this profession must always be aware of all the latest developments and research in the field of hair health, and also use in professional practice all innovative methods and means that allow to fully restore and improve the condition of the hair.

When should you see a trichologist?

If you are not delighted with your curls, you are worried about any problems with your hair, or you do not like their appearance, then you can safely make an appointment with a trichologist. Do not forget that healthy curls are not only beautiful, they are a mirror of the entire state of a person's health.

Be sure to consult a trichologist if you are familiar with the following symptoms:

• hair splits, breaks, falls out, becomes thin, loses shine and volume;
• the scalp itches, becomes inflamed, spots and dandruff appear, and the level of oiliness of the hair changes.

Changes in hair may be associated with the following conditions:

• hormonal changes in the body (pregnancy, breastfeeding, puberty, menopause, etc.);
• infectious diseases of the scalp;
• deficiency of certain substances in the body;
• chronic diseases or use of potent drugs;
• endocrine system dysfunction;
• genetic predisposition.

A specialist consultation will allow you to determine the true condition of your hair, discover the essence of the problem and make an effective decision on further treatment.

What tests should you take when visiting a trichologist?

As a rule, an appointment with a trichologist does not require any preliminary tests. If during the appointment it turns out that a regular examination is not enough to clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will decide on the appointment of certain laboratory tests. This may be an analysis of the level of certain hormones, blood biochemistry, etc.

In some cases, you may need to consult other medical specialties - a neurologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, because hair diseases can appear as a result of problems with the digestive, nervous and endocrine systems.

If you have any chronic diseases, be sure to tell your doctor about them. Also bring a list of medications that you are taking or have taken recently. If you have recently had a general blood test or general urine test, you can also take the results with you.

No special preparation is required for an appointment with a trichologist.

What diagnostic methods does a trichologist use?

The main focus of skin and hair diagnostics is on their thorough examination. The patient is also questioned, during which the doctor clarifies some nuances:

• complaints;
• duration of the disease;
• dynamics and progression of the disease;
• hereditary predisposition;
• concomitant pathologies;
• nutritional features, etc.

As for the examination, the doctor pays attention to the presence of lesions not only in the hair area, but also on the nails, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc. The doctor's attention is drawn to the elements of the rash, the state of the hair oiliness, the condition of the roots and ends of the hair, the appearance of the skin and other signs. Based on the examination and questioning, the specialist can establish a 90% correct diagnosis.

After this, if necessary, the trichologist can use the instrumental research method – computer microscopy. What is this method? A special camera, which is connected to the computer, scales the image obtained from the microscope and displays it on the monitor. The patient himself has the opportunity to observe his own hair under multiple magnification. Later, when the course of treatment is carried out, it will be possible to observe the positive dynamics of the therapy and compare the results in the same way.

Another diagnostic method may be a trichogram, which is used mainly for hair loss. For the study, the patient's hair (about a hundred) is removed, they are examined under a microscope to determine the stages of their growth. This makes it possible to determine whether the stages of hair development correspond to the norm.

In most cases, the doctor sends patients to take hormonal and immunological tests. The level of thyroid hormones, sex hormones, ferritin, transferrin is examined, urine is tested for androgen content, and the state of the immune system is assessed.

Less often, a doctor may offer the patient tests for mineral levels in the blood, as well as consultations with other specialists.

A complete and competent diagnosis allows not only to establish an accurate diagnosis, but also to prescribe adequate and effective treatment.

What does a trichologist do?

A trichologist does more than just prescribe a treatment plan for problems with the scalp. He can perform procedures himself and develop a course of individual care for the scalp and hair.

During the initial consultation, the doctor will pay attention to the patient's complaints, determine when problems with hair or skin first arose, and clarify the hereditary predisposition to such problems, since the genetic mechanism plays an important role in the condition of the hair.

The doctor will definitely ask about the intricacies of your profession, about existing stress and depression, about the nature of your diet. He can clarify whether the patient uses any medications, whether he suffers from chronic diseases.

Next, if necessary, the doctor will prescribe diagnostics. Perhaps these will be laboratory tests or other studies. Only after that will he be able to prescribe qualified and effective treatment for the existing problem.

A trichologist can provide outpatient care to patients with dermatological, mycological, and trichological disorders. His or her competence also includes preventive activities and clinical and instrumental examinations.

What diseases does a trichologist treat?

The most common diseases treated by a trichologist:

• Dandruff is a common ailment that until recently had no reliable cause. Not long ago, the causative agent of dandruff was discovered and identified - it is an opportunistic fungal infection Pityrosporum Ovale (another name is Malasezia Furfures). In addition to dandruff, patients often seek help for itchy scalp or reddened skin, then we can talk about seborrhea.
• Seborrhea is a skin disease characterized by excessive sebum secretion and changes in the composition of sebum secretions. Often the cause of this condition is a hormonal imbalance in the body.
• Hirsutism is excessive hair growth (androgen-dependent) in female patients. In such cases, hair grows abnormally in the face, mammary glands, abdomen, lower back, and thighs. The cause of this condition is excessive production of androgens (especially testosterone). This often occurs during pregnancy or menopause.
• Trichotillomania is a compulsive hair pulling disorder that results from psychosis or obsessive states. Sometimes this disorder is called "teen stress".
• Hereditary pathologies are diseases that are inherited. Among such diseases are trichoclasis, hair torsion, monilethrix, trichorrhexis, atrichia, etc.

As a rule, people seek help from a trichologist for the following issues:

• hair treatment;
• getting rid of dandruff;
• elimination of alopecia;
• treatment of seborrhea;
• elimination of baldness;
• spa hair care;
• strengthening roots;
• hair masks;
• vitamins for healthy and growing hair;
• hair restoration after chemotherapy.

Advice from a trichologist

• Constantly wearing hats and wigs can contribute to increased hair loss.
• Frequent and prolonged exposure to the scorching rays of the sun with your head uncovered can lead to dry hair, brittleness and early hair loss.
• It is not recommended to go outside without a hat in winter, as cold air causes spasms of the superficial vessels of the scalp, thereby worsening the trophism of the hair follicles.
• If your hair is oily, you should wash it more often, but use special products for oily hair. It is useful to rinse such hair with a decoction of chamomile flowers or acidified water. It is not recommended to wash such hair in hot water, but only in warm water.
• To add volume to your hair, it is useful to make masks from fermented milk products – kefir, yogurt – once a week.
• It is better to use a hair dryer only in emergency cases. The best way to dry your hair is to let it dry naturally at room temperature.
• Often hair loss occurs as a result of a lack of silicon in the body, which is essential for normal growth of both hair and nails. Eat raw fruits with peel, bran bread, vegetables, greens, berries.
• Brushes and combs should be soft, without sharp rods, so as not to damage the scalp and hair follicles.
• If you regularly dye your hair, use shampoos and conditioners for colored hair - this will allow you to restore damaged elements of the strands.

Don't be afraid to contact the appropriate doctor if you have problems with your hair. A professional in his field, he will definitely find a way out of an unpleasant situation, using an individual approach to each patient. Despite a fairly narrow specialization, a trichologist is always in demand - everyone who cares about the health and beauty of their own curls turns to him.