Who Can Help with Hair & Scalp Concerns?
If your hair feels weird, and it doesn’t look good. Who you gonna call? A hair expert!
Sounds simple enough but with everyone claiming to be an expert in hair, how do you know who to trust with your crown? Most people would say their hairdresser is their go-to hair expert, and a search for "hair expert" on Google would prove this. For others, the self-proclaimed hair guru’s on social media are the go-to haircare advice they trust. However, when their advice stops working or makes things worse, who do you turn to then?
Choosing the correct person to seek support and advice from can be a difficult task at times when it comes to hair. Many people claim to be experts in hair yet have very limited knowledge and offer no protection if things go wrong. In this post, we'll share with you the hair experts you should consult for advice on your hair issues, why they're critical for hair care, and what their limitations are so you can make an informed decision on your hair profile.
General Practitioner
If you experience any hair concerns or scalp issues or your worries about your hair are having a negative impact on your well being, the first thing to do is to see your GP. A general practitioner (GP) is a doctor who offers medical treatment to patients in his or her practice. To become a GP one must complete a 5-year medical degree, a 2-year foundation course in general training, and a 3-year specialist training course in general practise to be eligible. A General Practitioner will give you a good picture of what's causing your hair or scalp problems and either treat you or refer you to a dermatologist for testing and further diagnosis.
Although GP’s can treat general hair loss conditions, most UK GPs have only one week of training in skin and hair before they qualify. The study of hair and scalp disorders would have been a minor component of their education. This means that their knowledge of specific hair and scalp problems may be restricted, or that they may be unable to reach a conclusion in the time allotted during your appointment. In this situation, or if they think you need a second opinion on your hair issue, they can refer you to a dermatologist.
Dermatologist
A dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in skin, hair, and nail problems. They can diagnose and treat over 3,000 different disorders, including eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer, to name a few, and can prescribe drugs that a GP is unable to. Dermatology training in the UK is currently 4 years long, but one must have a minimum of 4 years of postgraduate clinical experience as well as a related postgraduate qualification to qualify.
To consult a dermatologist, you may need a referral from your GP first if they think it is necessary. When using the NHS, the waiting time for a non-urgent dermatologist consultation can take up to 18 weeks or more from the time your appointment is scheduled via the NHS e-Referral Service, or when your referral letter is received by the hospital or service provider. In certain cases, precious time is wasted in the process, and many are left disappointed when they hear that the doctor or dermatologist is unable to support them. Unfortunately, this is often due to the lack of access to specialist dermatologies. The majority of dermatology training and literature is focused on Caucasian hair and skin which often means people from other races struggle to find a dermatologist who specialises in their skin and hair.
Trichologist
If you can't wait to see a dermatologist on the NHS or aren’t sure you need a dermatologist, you can easily prevent undue stress by contacting a trichologist after you've seen a GP. A trichologist is a practitioner who specialises in trichology - the study of diseases and disorders of the hair and scalp, as well as their care. Although trichologists are not doctors, they provide a holistic approach to hair care by advising you on your hair maintenance, scalp health, dietary needs and product usage. If your concerns require further examination they can refer you to a dermatologist with a possible diagnosis to help you have an easy conversation with a dermatologist. Trichologists can also provide specially formulated products for your hair and scalp concerns that you wouldn't find over the counter.
The Institute of Trichologists, The Trichological Society, and The International Association of Trichologists are the three major organisations in the UK that offer accredited Trichology training and certification. Depending on the institution, training and qualifying as a certified Trichologist can take anywhere from two and a half years to three years. TrichoCare is another UK-based institution that provides long-distance learning to hairdressers who want to further their Trichology expertise and skills. However, trichology and hairdressing are different practices. A trichologist specialises in the diseases and disorders of the hair and scalp whilst a hairdresser specialises in the aesthetics of hair and hairstyling. A trichologist with qualifications and experience in both practices is able to diagnose any hair or scalp concern and recommend effective styling and treatments to help correct and maintain your hair’s health inside and out.
Like dermatology, the majority of Trichology courses are aimed at Caucasian hair that is predominantly straight. Afro-textured hair isn’t considered an essential part of the Trichology courses which means not all certified trichologists are trained on Afro-textured hair. This can make finding one who is an expert on textured hair very difficult.
Since the term trichologist is not covered in the same way as the term doctor is, someone with little or no experience in trichology can call themselves a trichologist. A certified Trichologist is recognised by the 4 organisations in the UK listed above that offer Trichology and those that have completed their formal training from the Institue of Trichology training are entitled to use their post-graduate letters of AIT, MIT or FIT. When dealing with your hair issues, a board-certified Trichologist ensures that their institute's universal standards of consistency, ethics, and transparency are followed and can be held liable if their advice or practice comes into question.
Nutritionist and Dietician
There are a number of factors that cause your hair to fall out, become thin or start to look unhealthy. Since hair is mostly made of protein, eating a diet rich in protein is thought to be important for keeping hair healthy, sturdy, and growing naturally. Hair loss or thin, brittle hair may be caused by a nutrition deficiency. When it comes to hair, a nutritionist or dietician is able to assess your eating patterns to determine what could be missing and provide recommendations about how to change your diet in order to achieve healthier hair. The type of advice you seek will determine whether you consult a registered dietitian or a registered nutritionist.
A dietitian is a trained health professional who, in addition to offering general health advice, can work with individuals who have specific dietary requirements or health conditions. In order to become a Registered Dietitian in the UK, you must either complete a 3-4 year undergraduate and master's degree at an accredited university or a 2-year Postgraduate degree in dietetics. The term "dietitian" is legally covered meaning only dietitians who are fully trained and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council will call themselves dietitians.
A nutritionist is able to provide information about food and healthy eating to help individuals and organisations in making informed food decisions, but not about special diets for medical conditions. To become a Registered Nutritionist in the UK one must complete a 3-4 year undergraduate degree in nutrition and/or dietetics (or a closely related bioscience) at a university followed by on-the-job experience for several years. The title of nutritionists is not a protected term, which means anyone can advertise their services as a nutritionist with little to no formal education or experience. For someone to call themselves a Registered Nutritionist (RNutrs) they must be recognised by the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists.
Seeking anyone of these experts can help you find the specific advice and support your hair needs, saving you time, money and effort sifting through all the overwhelming amount of confusing information that's on the internet.
WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Now that you have an idea of who to go to when you have any hair concerns, book your consultation with one of our certified hair experts. Get a personalised regimen consisting of highly effective product recommendations to solve your hair and scalp concerns. Let us help you discover the expert hair care advice you need to get the healthy hair you want.