Choosing the right hair restoration clinic

A Hair Restoration Clinic Should Have a Certified Trichologist

What is a Trichologist and why are they important for a hair restoration clinic? A trichologist is a specialist in trichology, which comes from the Greek word Trikhos, meaning hair. Trichology is the para-medical science of the hair and the scalp, cosmetic chemistry, and life sciences. It encompasses the science of the structure, function and diseases of the human hair and scalp as well the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases and disorders (Dr. David H. Kingsley, PhD, WTS). An experienced Certified Trichologist can advise and offer men and women who are having hair/scalp-related problems, hair loss or scalp conditions. They help people with concerns of hair loss, breakage, oily scalp, and scalp psoriasis. HPI’s trichologists and specialty team can also aid in problems related to all forms of alopecia and trichotillomania (the hair-pulling disorder). A Trichologist examines the hair and scalp to recommend treatment(s) specifically for the severity of hair/scalp concerns.

A Trichologist cannot prescribe medications or make a diagnosis, so they work along side a Doctor or Practitioner. However, the Trichologist offers a different insight to hair conditions that a M.D. or Practitioner may not be as familiar with, to help design the right treatment protocol and prescriptions, if need be. HPI is a well-known hair restoration clinic in Nashville, that has an MD, Nurse Practitioner, RN, Trichologist and Aesthetician all working together to provide the BEST solutions to ALL our clients.

Advanced Treatments for Hair Restoration

First thing is first, make sure you are not being pushed just to have surgery. Hair Transplant surgery can be a great option, but it is not for everyone. Surgery should really be a last resort, there are so many avenues to hair restoration before surgery. The right clinic will have a variety of treatments to offer you, based on your specific concerns. The top priority should be accessing the true cause of hair loss and developing a plan from there. May sure you and your provider explore all options and that you are educated on those options, you will not be sorry in the end!

Start with blood work or an epigenetics report, these tests will tell your provider what is going on internally that can potentially be causing the thinning or loss.
- Based on the results from the above tests, you may just need a diet change, topicals or supplements to regenerate the hair
If the provider feels you need treatment, make sure they discuss ALL options with you and how those options work. Most treatment plans are going to be a multi-therapeutic approach to achieve the best results.

Treatments, outside of surgery, that should be considered:

Low-Level Laser Therapy
Microneedling + Growth Factors & Copper Peptides
Injections using your own growth factors from your healing blood cells
Cosmetic Solutions
- Scalp Micropigmentation
- Hair Replacement and Enhancements

BFRB Super hero overcomes trichophagia

The kids in our TLC community face incredible challenges with their BFRB’s (Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors). Sometimes every month, every week, every day is a challenge. And yet, our kids show such resilience and strength!

At eleven years old, Emily is one our BFRB superheroes.

She showed the first signs of hair pulling at only six months old, although her parents had not yet identified it as trichotillomania.

Emily ingested her hair after pulling, known as trichophagia which is common among hair pullers, but also dangerous. At seven, she required surgery to remove a life-threatening mass of hair from her stomach.

Armed with the support of her family and the resources she accessed through The TLC Foundation, Emily has overcome trichophagia.

In addition to swimming, acting, singing, and earning a first-degree black belt in tae kwon do, Emily, who still lives with trichotillomania, is determined to raise awareness about BFRB’s and encourages others to seek out help with their BFRB.

HPIHair offers hair coverage prosthetics and hair enhancements to help the BFRB community. Many of our current trichotillomania clients have good results by attaching a custom designed hair enhancement to cover the area of pulling or picking. By attaching the enhancement to the surrounding hair or scalp this precludes continued pulling in the same area causing long term damage to the hair, even complete baldness overtime.

The staff at HPIHair specializes in treatment for our BFRB friends. We have a private confidential approach to our services and are willing to help you and your family today. We are only a phone call or Facetime appointment away!

Your gift to TLC makes transformation stories like Emily’s possible. Your donations help children and families provide resources and treatment providers educated in evidence-based practices so that these children can thrive. These contributions also funds scientific research so that we will soon have more effective treatments and even a cure.

Please take a moment now to make your gift to support TLC’s youngest BFRB superheroes. To make your gift today, visit www.bfrb.org/donate.

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