Trichology is the science of the
structure, function and diseases of the human hair.
Clinical trichology is the diagnosis
and treatment of diseases and disorders of the human hair and scalp.
Reasons to Consult a Trichologist :
Hair loss
Hair loss can cause great distress, and
there are many misunderstandings about its causes and treatment.
Probably the most common type of hair loss is the so-called ‘male
pattern baldness’, which, despite its name, can affect women as
well as men, and for which, in men, there appears to be no specific,
readily- available treatment. This is a problem that requires
sympathetic handling, and a qualified trichologist has to understand
the patient’s anxiety and help him come to terms with the loss of
hair. Some women suffering from this condition can be helped with
medical assistance and the use of hormonal treatment.
There are many other types of hair loss
which can and do respond to treatment and advice without medical
assistance. There are also some types of hair loss which can have a
natural or spontaneous recovery. Excessive hair loss can often be a
symptom of some other problem or variation in the metabolism of the
body, and for this reason, co-operation between the patient’s
doctor and the trichologist is often necessary.
Problems of the scalp
Problems of the scalp, ranging from
dandruff to more inflammatory conditions, occupy much of a
trichologist’s time. As with the hair, these problems can be
symptomatic of some other metabolic variation. Stress, poor diet, or
even some allergies to certain foods, can be responsible for the
build up and shedding of dead skin cells. The management of hair and
scalp that are excessively greasy is another area in which the advice
of a qualified trichologist is often sought. Here, guidance on the
right type of shampoo for any particular individual, and on its
frequency of use, might be particularly relevant.
For more details on the types of
conditions treated by Trichologists is as given below
Hair Conditions
Alopecia
Alopecia is a blanket term for hair
loss of any kind. There are many types and causes of hair loss
(alopecia), most of which can be effectively treated. Hair loss may
be genetically inherited, or it may be caused by a variety of other
factors including protein or other dietary deficiency, hormonal
imbalance, and stress. Hair loss can also be the first sign of an
otherwise undiagnosed or undetected underlying illness. Androgenetic
Alopecia
The main type of hair loss for which
there is no effective treatment is genetically inherited hair loss
(known as Male Pattern Baldness or Androgentic Alopecia).
It is important to note, however, that
this condition can and does affect females too, even though it is
called Male Pattern Baldness (it is gene-linked, not sex-linked). In
women, it is likely to lead to diffuse hair loss, (a general thinning
of the hair density) rather than to obvious bald patches.
Although there is no cure for this
condition, hair loss can be limited or slowed down in some cases
and treatments are likely to be more effective on women than on men.
The important thing to understand is
that the best that can be said of treatments for genetically
inherited hair loss is that they can be effective to some degree on
some people some of the time.
Scarring Alopecia
Can occur after infectious scalp
disorders or, more rarely, they are auto-immune conditions (when the
body attacks the hair follicle as it would invading bacteria).
Other Alopecia
Other types of alopecia that you may
have heard of include Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Total is, Alopecia
Universalis and Traction Alopecia (there are others, too). These are
all entirely distinct from Androgentic Alopecia (above) and have a
much better chance of responding to professional diagnosis and
treatment.
Thyroid Disorder
Hair problems including decreased
manageability may rarely be one of the first signs of thyroid
undersecretion. The hair loss, if any, will be diffuse, and the
condition can therefore be confused with several other conditions,
including androgenetic alopecia in women. Expert trichological or
medical advice is essential; but, providing early treatment is
initiated, full recovery of the hair should occur. Correct diagnosis
will require blood tests.
Iron Deficiency
More and more cases of diffuse hair
loss in women are attributable to iron deficiency. This is more
probably common among vegetarians and those with eating disorders. It
is not always appreciated that iron deficiency can occur even not a
patient is not clinically anaemic and has normal haemoglobin levels.
As with thyroid problems, with which the symptoms of iron deficiency
can be confused, a blood test is essential to correct diagnosis. No
diffuse alopecia (thinning of the hair) should ever be ignored. It
can be an early manifestation of several underlying conditions.
Traumatic Hair Loss or Breakage
This type of hair loss is caused by
hairdressing damage and other traumas involving chemicals, heat or
physical trauma. Often the sufferer is unaware of the causative
factors. If treated before the scalp is damaged, hair will regrow.
Scalp
Problems of the scalp, ranging from
dandruff to more inflammatory conditions, occupy much of a
trichologist’s time. As with the hair, these problems can be
symptomatic of some other metabolic variation. Stress, poor diet, or
even some allergies to certain foods, can be responsible for the
build up and shedding of dead skin cells.
The management of hair and scalp that
are excessively greasy is another area in which the advice of a
qualified trichologist is often sought. Here, guidance on the right
type of shampoo for any particular individual, and on its frequency
of use, might be particularly relevant.
Cradle Cap
Many infants, during the first three
months of life, develop a matted, crusted scale of the scalp, with
reddening. Some also develop simultaneous scaling and reddening
behind the ears and on the neck. A rash may sometimes accompany the
condition. Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis and is
fairly easily controlled but not cured. In most cases, cure will
eventually occur spontaneously, but if the condition persist, consult
a trichologist.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common scaling skin
disease which affects around 1 to 2 per cent of the population. Most
psoriasis sufferers will develop psoriasis of the scalp at some time,
and the condition is both distressing and cosmetically disfiguring.
However, psoriasis does not generally cause permanent loss of hair.
The precise cause of psoriasis is not
known, but it is almost certainly the result of a disorder of the
immune system & Confusion can occur with other conditions,
and correct diagnosis prior to treatment is essential.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a parasitic skin infection
caused by a fungus. It can be disfiguring and often causes hair loss.
There are several types and variants of the condition and, in certain
circumstances, it can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss.
Infection can result from direct personal contact or via objects such
as hairdressing clippers. Ringworm often reaches near epidemic
proportions in schools and is mainly a disease of childhood. It is a
serious condition which requires immediate and appropriate treatment.
It should not be ignored!
Seborrheoic Eczema
An inherited, itchy, inflammatory,
scaling scalp condition which can cause much discomfort and
embarrassment. The condition is treatable, with much success, but is
not wholly curable.
Pityriasis Amiantacea
A heavy scaling condition which can
cause patchy hair loss. Prompt treatment can remove scaling and stop
progression of associated hair loss.
CONTACT DERMATITIS A scalp
condition affecting areas of the scalp in contact with a chemical
irritant. Symptoms can range from mild scaling and irritation to
violent allergic reaction.
Trichological treatment in Mumbai is very effective.
Folliculitis
A pustular condition mostly affecting
young black men. It can lead to permanent hair loss and even to
KELOIDS (raised scar tissue at the back of the neck). Prompt
treatment and correct advice are essential, but the condition is not
always curable.
we have expert tricologist at our
centre who are practicing more than 2 decades in mumbai, who can give
you the exact solutions to your hair problems. All the Patients have
got excellent result in various cases, they all are happy with the
services at Ageless medica.
Contact us at:
AGELESS MEDICA HEALTH MANAGEMENT
45/46, Powai Plaza, Ground Floor,
Opp. Pizza Hut, Hiranandani, Powai,
Mumbai - 400 059
Tel: +91 22 25709006 / 25709007
Mobile: +91 9004347070
