Trichology or hair science, differences between trichologist and dermatologist

Hair Trichology is the science that studies the health of hair and the scalp. Through various tests such as a hair trichogram and sample collection, it is possible to determine whether there are disorders or diseases of the hair follicle that cause hair loss or a decrease in hair growth.

This branch of medicine can provide many benefits and advantages for men and women with the most common hair problems, so it is important to understand how a trichologist can help us and the differences between a trichologist and a dermatologist.

What is Hair Trichology and What Is It For?

Hair trichology is used to determine whether the scalp is healthy or has a condition that may cause one of the types of alopecia and help us restore hair density.

Problems in hair follicles can reduce keratin and collagen production, causing hair to grow thinner or even stop growing altogether. It is also possible that, in the presence of a scalp disorder, hair loss occurs during the anagen or telogen phase, corresponding to the hair’s life cycle.

In other cases, the formation of a dystrophic bulb, as seen in cases of androgenic alopecia, will result in diffuse hair loss. Trichology can help determine the causes of this type of baldness through specialized tests and analyses.

Human hair is a protein produced beneath the scalp. It grows from the hair follicle and extends about 1 cm per month, so assessing its health is crucial to preventing different types of alopecia.

Now, let’s see which professional is responsible for maintaining hair health.

Who Performs Trichology?

The professional responsible for studying hair and performing trichology is called a trichologist. There are two professions responsible for diagnosing diseases that affect hair and the scalp, with some key differences. It is important to know these differences since, depending on the type of hair loss or symptoms present, one specialist may be more appropriate than the other.

The professionals dedicated to hair health are:

• Trichologist
• Dermatologist

Trichologist

The trichologist is the professional responsible for diagnosing diseases that affect the scalp and hair follicles. This specialist can identify issues related to the scalp’s skin, where hair grows, as well as conditions such as dandruff, excess scalp oil, and alopecia treatments.

Dermatologist

A dermatologist is a doctor specialized in diagnosing skin diseases. Since the scalp is made of skin, dermatologists also deal with alopecia, hair loss, and the causes of baldness.

Differences Between a Trichologist and a Dermatologist

While both professionals can recommend treatments for different types of alopecia, the trichologist is the specialist with more in-depth knowledge of hair disorders. They have pursued studies to specialize in the scalp and hair growth.

On the other hand, dermatologists specialize in skin health and can treat a variety of conditions beyond the scalp. Dermatologists handle conditions such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hives, and more.

However, the trichologist focuses specifically on the scalp and the factors affecting hair growth. We can say that a trichologist is a dermatologist specialized in hair and hair follicles.

What Courses Are Required to Become a Trichologist?

Many healthcare professionals, including licensed doctors, take a trichology course to specialize in this medical field. They can complete the Expert in Trichology and Hair Implantology degree offered at higher education institutions such as the University of Alcalá. Not all universities offer this training, but if you are truly interested, you should enroll in an official institution such as a university.

Now, apart from wanting to become an expert in hair health, you may also need the help of one. Let’s look at the reasons why you might visit a trichology clinic.

When to See a Trichologist

• Onset of hair loss.
• Excess oil in the hair.
• Scalp irritation, itching, redness, etc.
• Very fine hair, weakness, slow growth.
• Other hair-related problems.

There are several reasons why you should visit a trichology clinic. The most common situations that lead people to consult a trichologist are increased hair density loss, but there are also other conditions, such as itching, burning sensations, or an increase in dandruff, that may warrant a visit.

As we mentioned earlier, both dermatologists and trichologists can help solve scalp and hair problems. However, it is always best to consult the most specialized professional, and in this case, a certified trichology expert is ideal since they have undergone the necessary studies in hair therapy, learned how to perform a trichogram, and acquired all the expertise needed to restore normal hair growth and thickness.

Trichology and Cosmiatry

This is similar to the differences we discussed with dermatologists. While a cosmetologist may recommend treatment in some cases of hair loss, they do not cover all the functions of a trichologist dermatologist. The scope of a cosmetologist is more limited or, at the very least, does not delve as deeply into the real causes of hair loss and baldness. With that said, let’s explain this other hair professional so you can decide which one to consult when you notice changes in your hair.

What Is Cosmiatry?

Cosmiatry is the science that studies hair and skin and prescribes cosmetic treatments. It is more similar to dermatology than to trichology.

The differences between trichology and cosmiatry lie in the fact that a cosmetologist only recommends cosmetic treatments and covers all skin conditions, not just those related to the scalp but also those affecting the entire body.

A cosmetologist works on the image and aesthetic appearance of the skin, nails, and hair. To perform their job, a cosmetologist must understand cosmetic chemistry, anatomy, skin physiology, and the biology of hair and nails. Additionally, medical professionals studying cosmiatry also gain knowledge in cosmetic chemistry and aesthetic technology.

As you can see, while the professions of trichologist, dermatologist, and cosmetologist are quite similar, there are key differences worth knowing. Depending on whether you are experiencing hair loss, itching, weakness, or simply want to maintain strong, healthy hair, it will be better to consult one specialist over another.

Tests Performed in Trichology

To detect possible conditions and diseases related to hair loss, trichology performs the following tests:

• For the scalp:
  • Trichogram.
  • Alopecia diagnosis.
  • Wash test.
  • Pull test.
  • Phototrichogram.
  • Microvisor.
  • Video microscope (x 140).
  • Image analysis with Skin-well software.
• For the hair:
  • Gonioreflectometer.
  • Dynamometer.
  • Moisture absorption-desorption.
  • Ring method.
  • Hair length measurement.
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
  • Microfluorescence spectroscopy.
  • Mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS).

Through these tests, a trichologist can detect abnormalities in hair shape and structure, growth rate, and whether there is reduced keratin and collagen production, which inevitably leads to thinner and less voluminous hair than normal.

Additionally, after conducting trichology tests, various treatments for alopecia may be recommended, including hair regeneration techniques such as laser therapy, electrical currents, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with vitamins, or even considering a hair transplant or the use of hair prostheses.

Hair Trichogram

Also known as Trichoscopy, the hair trichogram is a test that collects a sample from the scalp to analyze and detect possible diseases and problems affecting new hair growth.

The trichogram usually takes a sample from the interparietal area (the central part of the scalp). Occasionally, additional samples may be taken from lateral areas near the ears (temporal area) or the nape of the neck (occipital area). In cases where baldness is localized, the scalp tissue extraction will be performed directly in that area.

The procedure is quite simple. The trichologist extracts a portion of the scalp where there are hair follicles with existing hair. To analyze the sample, they remove part of the skin while preserving the hair shaft and each hair follicle.

Once extracted, the scalp tissue sample is preserved and protected for microscopic examination. This provides a deep understanding of the causes of alopecia and helps determine the most effective treatment for achieving strong, healthy, and beautiful hair.

For the trichologist to perform this test, you do not need to do anything beforehand—just show up at the hair clinic on the scheduled date.