TRICHOLOGISTS & TRICHOLOGY
(Explaining the role of the well trained graduate Trichologist)
Trichology emanates from - Trikhos Gr. n. - hair, and, lójik'l Gr. adj - the study of.
Trichology should be considered as one of the caring professions - a para-medical/scientific discipline. However because the profession is not protected by law, anyone (trained or untrained) can claim to be a Trichologist.
Are all trained trichologists the same? No they are not!
The Trichologist should be an expert in hair and scalp matters, a person with integrity and extensive knowledge gained from qualification with a respected academic entity, able to reach a diagnosis with accuracy and effectively treat many of the 40 + hair and scalp diseases/conditions that exist. However this is often not the reality, as many 'trichologists' are or were hairdressers who have no formal qualification in this medical science, or possess a qualification which is so limited academically that it is almost useless - but brings scorn on the profession and those practitioners who are well qualified for their role.
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It has been said that trichology originated in a Regents Street, London, barber's shop (under one 'Professor' Wheeler cc.1860). The profession of Trichology gained its name in London in 1902 with the formation of London Institute of Trichology Limited, body which was dissolved in 1925 and succeeded by a phoenix organisation which to this day has retained its association with hairdressing - the main source of its student intake and the reason why our peers regard trichology are part of the hairdressing trade.
In 1999, The Trichological Society (TTS - a professional association which includes among its membership, specialist practitioners from many areas of the medical, legal and scientific academia-worldwide) was created and set about relaunching the professional status of the trichologist. Through its entry qualifications (A level), its UK post-graduate degree level educational programme and determination to root-out and dismiss any who fail its ethics, it has achieved many notable accolades to date. It refuses many more applicants for membership than it accepts.
TTS
Students receive training in human anatomy and physiology (where not previously acquired) and thereafter in the aetiology, diagnosis, prognosis and management of the many scalp and hair disorders/diseases.
The Trichological Society'sstudents are not hairdressers. Of its current student intake, 96% hold first degrees in medical or appropriate science subjects.
Graduates of TTS (recognised by their post-nominal letters LTTS) are trained in the recognition of the 40 + hair and scalp diseases / conditions. They provide advice and conduct treatments where applicable. They refer patients to other professionals where appropriate.
They are respected by the legal profession and provide academic/scientific reports and in-court testimony as expert witnesses in both civil and criminal cases.
The Society's graduate trichologists are frequently the choice of journalists, the media, the legal profession, and industry etc where reliable trichological opinion is sought.
In all aspects TTS trichologists are required to act with the best interests of the patient as their priority.
TTS Registered Trichologists are required to obey a Code of Ethics and Professional Practice Guidelines. The Society is intolerant of any malpractice, overcharging, charlatanism and will act rigorously in any area of legitimate complaint against its registered practitioner members.
The Society's 2-4 year course is set at the highest academic standards within this medical/scientific discipline - worldwide. The course includes:
Human anatomy and physiology • Microscopy • Expert witness report writing • Clinical diagnosis and where applicable to provide recommendations as to the understanding and treatment of the numerous scalp and hair diseases, hair deformities and all concerns of hair-bearing skin, especially the scalp. These include:
Accelerated Vellus Syndrome • Acne Keloidalis Nuchae • Afrohair • Androgenic-Androgenetic Alopecia • Androgenetic Baldness (Males) • Androgenetic Baldness (Females) • Anagen Effluvium • Anorexia and Hairloss • Albinism and Hair • Alopecia Areata • Alopecia Totalis • Asymmetrical Hairloss • Beard & hair transplantation • Bubble hair syndrome • Bulimia • Chemotherapy and Hairloss • Cicatrical Alopecias • Cloning Hair-follicles • Cradle Cap (Vernix Caseosa) •
Dandruff • Eating Disorders & Hairloss •Facial Hair • Favus • Female Hairloss • Folliculitis DeCalvans • Grey/White Hair • Green Hair • Hairloss in Women • Hair Breakage • Hair Colour (Pigmentation) • Hair dyes • Hair and Scalp Damage Litigation • Hair Mineral Analysis • Hair Replacement (non-surgical) • Hair Restoration Surgery • Hair Restoration Surgery (Tutorials/Seminars/Conferences) • Head Lice • Herpes Zoster (Shingles)• Hirsutism/Hypertrichosis • Hyperkeratosis Cystica Follicularis • Idiopathic Trichoclasia • Impetigo • Iron-Hairloss • Laser Hair Removal Practitioners (Medical) • Leucotrichia (Poliosis) • Lice • Lichen Planus • Litigation Matters • Loose Anagen Syndrome • Lupus Erythematosus •
Male Pattern Baldness • Melanoma (skin cancer) and Scalp • Monilethrix (beaded hair) • Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSCs) and Scalp • Non-Surgical Hair Replacement Systems • Nutrition • Pediculus Capititis • Pemphigus • Permanent-waving (Hairdressing Sciences) • Pili-Annulati (Ringed Hair) • Pityriasis • Plica Polonica (Plica Neuropathica) • Propecia • Psoriasis (Scalp) • Pseudo-pelade (Brocq) • Radiotherapy and Hairloss • Ringworm (scalp) • Scarring Alopecias • Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (scalp) • Serum Ferritin • Shampoo chemistry • Telogen Effluvium • Traction Alopecia • Trichokinesis (twisted hair) • Trichokryptomania • Trichonodosis (knotted hair) • Trichoptilosis (Fragilitis Crinium) • Trichorrhexis Nodosa • Trichothiodystrophy • Trichotillomania • Tufted Folliculitis • Vernix Caseosa • Vitiligo • etc
The well trained clinical trichologist will ideally be an intelligent well educated individual who has also studied 2-4 years to gain his/her Diploma in Pure-Trichology from The Trichological Society.
Some TTS Registered Trichologists undertake further training to provide expert opinion in civil and criminal litigation.
TTS Registered Trichologists usually practice as individuals, providing realistically priced professional services in pleasant well equipped small clinical units.
Anyone considering visiting a Trichologist should therefore ascertain the origin his/her qualification (if any!) and whether or not they have full professional liability insurance (insurance companies do not provide such cover to un-qualified charlatan practitioners).
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