Actions and Treatments
Before considering the most appropriate treatment it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. Only then do you know what’s causing the problem which enables you to target the right action and treatment to tackle the issue. A qualified and experienced trichologist is the best person to do this.
In a consultation we discuss a full range of treatment options and clients ask their questions, for example about the likely impact of rosemary oil, tea tree, caffeine, saw palmetto, ketoconazole and cade. We dispel a few myths and sort out fact from fiction, what works and what doesn’t. We explore what is relevant and important to you based on a proper diagnosis and identification of cause. Treatment discussions may include anything from Minoxidil to PRP and essential oils; from iron to folate and vitamin D supplements; from microneedling and scalp pigmentation to treatment shampoos; and from topical and systemic Finasteride to Tretinoin, LLLT, hair transplantation and wigs. I don’t provide most of these products and services so I have no vested interest or sales pitch. You pay a consultation fee and I give you an unbiased, professional opinion of the problem, what’s causing it and the best way of dealing with it. We explore hair care too to promote healthy hair growth and regrowth and well as ensuring that existing hair is maintained and looks its best.
The only hair loss treatment I give detailed information about before a consultation is the Theradome LT80 Pro low level light therapy helmet. Whilst this treatment is effective for many hair loss conditions, there are some, particularly more serious scarring conditions, which require a different approach. The sooner you get a reliable diagnosis and take effective action, the better the chances of success. So please don’t waste time and money investing in something which has not been clinically proven to be successful for the condition with which you have been diagnosed.
Tackling Hair Loss - Alopecia
Even medical professionals sometimes say, “It’s alopecia.” Well, we know that! Alopecia is simply an umbrella term which means ‘hair loss’ – but there are many different types of hair loss (alopecia). We want to know which type or types of hair loss you’re suffering from. Then we know what we’re dealing with and which treatments are likely to be most effective.
So my best advice of you are worried about hair loss or thinning, whatever your gender, ethnicity or age, is to consult a qualified and experienced trichologist privately. S/he is an expert in all aspects of hair loss and thinning, and different types of scalp condition. At the initial consultation, a trichologist will often be able to give you a diagnosis, most likely cause or causes and discuss a range of practical measures and treatment options which have been clinically proven to be effective in treating the particular hair loss condition with which you have been diagnosed. Frequently a GP will not have detailed knowledge about different types of alopecia and the range of different treatment options, particularly non-medicated/non-prescription options, because hair loss is not normally included as part of NHS services.
However, hair loss needs to be considered as part of your general good health and wellbeing – and this is the remit of your GP. Sometimes hair loss is the first sign of other medical problems such as thyroid, immune disorders, hormonal imbalance, diabetes or nutritional deficiency – which need to be checked out. Other times, clients have existing medical conditions which are already being treated by their GP or other medical professional, and treatment for hair loss needs to be considered alongside and in light of that. Everybody’s different, and what’s right for one person may not be right for another. In my role as a trichologist, I advise my clients about when to consult their GP, explain what they can expect from the NHS, and give them the information they need to access the best, most appropriate treatment, care and support.
Hair loss/thinning – achieving and evaluating results
There are rarely any quick fixes when it comes to resolving a hair loss problem. If you are experiencing excessive hair shedding now, it will most likely be something which happened 3-4 months ago which triggered it or it will be something which has built up slowly over several months or even years. Likewise if you are noticing a loss of density, perhaps all over your head or particularly at the temples, top or crown of your head – this won’t have happened overnight. In fact, it’s estimated that people can lose up to 40% of their hair volume before really noticing and being motivated to take action. When people do take action, however, they want immediate results. Whilst that’s completely understandable, it’s usually not realistic. The issue has built up over time and it will take time to resolve. And if you’re looking at products which promise immediate results, be sceptical. It takes a long time (like 4 months when the conditions for hair growth are good) for a new hair to grow, and a similar amount of time for hair which has already been triggered to fall out naturally, to actually leave your head. Even when we can see positive early signs of hair regrowth and increased density after 4-6 months, your hair will only grow about ½“ (1¼cm) a month assuming all is well. So after the initial diagnosis and commencement of action/treatment, we usually wait 6 months before a follow up consultation to check progress.
There are two factors which make the most difference to achieving successful results in my experience: patience and diligence. Patience because it takes time, and diligence because whatever action you’re taking and/or treatment regime you’ve chosen, you need to make a real commitment to doing it consistently over this extended period of time. Half hearted doesn’t get half the results, it gets no results, and doing twice as much this week because you forgot last week doesn’t work either!!
Tackling Scalp Problems
Although part of a trichologist’s specialty, scalp problems are different to hair loss/thinning. Your scalp is just skin – on your head! And the treatment of skin problems is part of NHS services, so your GP will be more familiar with diagnosing and dealing with this. My advice is to consult your GP first if you have a scalp problem – it may be something as simple as needing a prescription for antibiotics to clear up a scalp infection.
For a variety of reasons though, clients choose to consult me privately about scalp conditions. They can be struggling with any one or a combination of issues such as itching, scaling, red, pimples, sore or unsightly patches or flakes etc. Sometimes people are worried because the scalp issue seems to be linked with problems with hair loss and hair growth. People have usually consulted their GP previously but the problem is not resolved or recurs, or they are worried about the long term implications of using some of the prescribed treatments, for example steroid creams and are looking for more natural alternatives.
I have access to a range of professional treatment shampoos and ointments which have proven very effective in dealing with irritating, embarrassing and persistent scalp conditions.