Hair Loss

Hair loss can cause great anxiety and distress, there are many misunderstandings about its causes and treatments, with few clinical practitioners who specialise in hair and scalp conditions, a Trichologist is unique in the fact that their entire specialism focuses solely on the hair and scalp.

Problems of the scalp

Problems of the scalp range from dandruff to more inflammatory conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and Psoriasis. A Trichologist will not only accurately diagnose your condition but is well placed to advise on treatment shampoos and Trichological treatments that will help you to manage the condition very effectively. There are a number of factors such as stress, diet, allergies, family inheritance and medications that can lead to scalp problems and a Trichologist is well placed to identify the triggers and causes to provide holistic advice to you.

Common Causes of Scalp Inflammation

Inflammation on the scalp can be in form of a flaky scalp, itching, discomfort or tenderness, redness, hair loss, and sensitivity.

Allergic reactions on the scalp

 Hair care products are frequently used to enhance the appearance and promote the health of hair and scalp. Numerous active and inactive substances found in hair and scalp care products have the potential to aggravate skin or create an allergic reaction. The most significant allergens that cause contact allergies to the scalp are present in products such as topical applications, bleaches and dyes, shampoos and conditioners, relaxers and straighteners among many other hair products. Contact dermatitis is the term used to describe these allergic reactions to the skin and scalp. The two types of contact dermatitis are allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.

Irritant dermatitis

This is the most prevalent type of contact dermatitis. Skin reaction happens when an irritant such as a chemical product encounters the skin, damaging the epidermis – the outermost layer of your skin causing a rather painful rash on the affected area. Hair care products such as some hair dyes or harsh detergents in cosmetic products can cause reactions in some people after just one exposure. Other irritants may cause reactions after repeated exposure It is important to always have a skin allergy test prior to any chemical treatments on the hair or scalp.

Allergic dermatitis

When an allergen—a substance to which you are sensitive—provokes an immunological response in your skin, it might result in allergic contact dermatitis. Frequently, only the area in contact with the allergen is affected. Preservatives found in hair care products and fragrances in cosmetic products are examples of common allergens. An itchy, red rash may appear several days following exposure.

The hypersensitive reaction brought on by allergen or irritant contact on the scalp results in a cascade of interactions between inflammatory immune cells. As a result, these immunological reactions cause inflammation, which may be characterised by hives, itching, redness, burning, peeling, pain, or sensitivity on the scalp.

 Autoimmune scalp conditions

 When the immune system mistakenly targets normal body cells as foreign entities, autoimmune-mediated conditions result. In other words, a malfunction in the acquired immune system causes the immune system to attack healthy cells. Autoimmune disorders affecting the scalp lead to an inflammatory response in the hair follicles and the tissues in its environment. The inflammation may lead to damage to the hair follicles and cause different types of hair loss and scalp ailments. In other instances, the inflammation may cause an alteration in the hair growth cycle. When this happens the hair follicle is not destroyed but ceases to produce hair for a while leading to patches of bald spots on the scalp or on any other area of the skin with hair follicles. 

Scalp infection

An invasion of the scalp by harmful microorganisms is referred to as an infection. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Our immune system serves as a strong defence against infectious diseases. However, pathogens can occasionally outnumber the immune system’s capacity to combat them resulting in negative inflammation and culmination of disease.

Scalp inflammation is an immune system reaction that can be brought on by a number of factors, including infection, autoimmune reactions, stress and allergic reactions. These elements may cause sudden(acute) or ongoing(chronic) inflammatory reactions on the scalp. Inflammation makes the scalp environment unconducive for the hair cells to thrive, which can result in hair loss or scalp problems. Are you experiencing persistent scalp itching, a nagging pain, a sensitivity, flaking or swelling? It could be a sign of scalp inflammation. Visit a trichologist for a thorough scalp analysis and possible treatment.

Hair texture problems

Not all hair loss stems from the follicle, it can be caused by environmental and mechanical factors due to; over exposure to heat or strong chemicals, or by many of the other stresses and strains to which we subject our hair, causing breakage throughout the mid-lengths and ends. A Trichologists’ study overlaps both the medical and the cosmetic in areas not normally covered by either doctors or hairdressers.

Additional services

Where appropriate, I can give advice to clients wishing to be referred to hair transplant surgeons, microneedling, PRP therapy and scalp micropigmentation specialists.