Top Trichologists in Singapore

What does a trichologist do?

Simply put, a trichologist is a hair dermatologist. A dermatologist is a specialist for the skin, so putting them together, a trichologist is a specialist for the scalp and hair. Why such a perplexing name you’d think? Trichology originates from the work “Trikhos”, which is Greek and means hair.

A trichologist is not exactly a doctor and are not able to prescribe medicinal drugs. However, due to their expertise, are able to provide a comprehensive diagnosis, consultation, and prescribe instead a treatment regime for your hair problem.

You should expect to be asked about your lifestyle when consulting a trichologist since there are many factors that contribute to hair health. Stress and diet are the two main concerns when it comes to interpreting the root causes of hair problems.

Common types of hair problems

Here are some of the common hair problems anyone could be facing and should seek a trichologist’s help.

Pattern baldness

This is a common problem that comes with age, stress and other underlying medical conditions, and it differs between male and female in the way it occurs. For males, they are likely to see their hairline receding to form a “M” shape that is frequently observed in many middle-aged males, with thinning around the top of the head. For females, it usually occurs as overall thinning without the hairline receding.

Alopecia

Alopecia is a condition where hair falls out in patches, which may be unnoticeable at the onset, but grow to become more obvious over time as such patches become connected. Alopecia is usually categorised as an auto-immune disease, where your body attacks itself, which in this case, the hair follicles are being attacked, which causes the hair to fall out.

In most cases, the hair follicle, despite being attacked can still grow a new hair after the attack stops. But in rarer cases, the alopecia is scarring, which means inflammation occurs in the area and the attack causes scars to develop. In such instances, the hair follicles are destroyed, and that could result in balding spot that can never recover without proper professional help.

Temporary hair loss

This is characterised by hair shedding that is temporary which could be due to trauma due to an accident or surgical procedure, psychological or neo-natal issues. The medical name for such a condition is telogen effluvium, where the area cease to grow “adult” hairs and excessive shedding of “miniature” hairs take its place.

This condition usually clears up on its own after several months. However, due to the entailed stress of losing hair, some individuals might find it becoming a chronic problem. That’s when a trichologist can help.

Inflammation of the scalp

In warm and humid Singapore, our scalp is the perfect environment for fungal and other critters to invade. Which could lead to hair loss should they infect the scalp. These issues are usually characterised by intense itching, blisters and shedding skin. Ringworm and head lice are the two top invaders belonging to this category. A trichologist will do a thorough analysis of your scalp and hair in order to identify such issues.

Excessive hair growth

An issue that is usually a concern if you are a woman, and such hair growth, especially on the face, can become quite a hindrance. This is usually caused by an excess of male hormones, which causes women to have hair growing on their chests, back, upper lip and chin.

Such hair growth should not be ignored, as usually, medical conditions are linked to it, causing hormonal irregularities. In such cases, a trichologist will be helpful in directing you a specialist that should be able to help with the situation.

Types of treatment

A trichologist will attempt to diagnose the key contributors to your hair problem and prescribe a treatment plan. These treatment plans often comprise the following components.

Topical applicators

If your hair issue is due to external factors such as fungal infection or trauma, the trichologist may prescribe some topical applicators with natural ingredients that disinfect and soothe the area. Which allows your hair to go back into their normal mode of operation thereafter.

Diet and nutrition advice

After finding out about your diet and other aspects of your lifestyle, the trichologist may provide basic nutrition advice. This may serve to help regulate production of sebum or dandruff and help to contribute to a healthier scalp and hair growth.

Hair treatment routine

Hair treatment routines are prescribed treatment plans by trichologists. Following the inspection and diagnosis, a trichologist will then recommend a series of products to be used as part of your daily routine. These can be specialised treatments to prevent hair loss, dandruff or to regulate sebum production. Some treatments also provide better hydration for the scalp and hair, enabling healthier hair growth.

Referrals to specialists

Going straight to a specialist yourself might appear daunting, hence, with the comprehensive analysis from a trichologist, they may be better suited to provide you with the referral to a specialist that can deal with your specialised condition. These conditions that require referrals, are often dermatological, psychological or related to other medical fields of study, where the specialists are better equipped to treat and prescribe medicinal drugs.

Preventive tips for healthier hair

Hair and scalp health are essential components of our well-being, and problems in these areas often have long-term detrimental effects on people. Many aspects of our lifestyle play integral roles in keeping every cell of our body health, including hair.

Diet is a key player in this game, where nutrients such as protein and iron are recognised as actors in keeping hair follicles healthy. Eating in moderation and having a diversity is essential, keeping in mind that we are what we eat.

Regular washing, like how you brush your teeth daily, regular shampooing of the hair is pretty much needed to clear out the daily collected debris and grime. Experts advise on making sure your hair is washed at least three times a week (if you have short hair like most males, you should be washing your hair daily!), not leaving them unwashed for more than three days for optimal hair health.

Exposure to sunlight, this is considered a double-edged sword, as those who are more prone to skin diseases due to photosensitivity need to avoid the sun. While noting that vitamin D is an essential component for healthy hair. Moderation is key, regularly allowing vitamin D intake with proper after-sun care will be a welcome measure for prevention.

In Singapore, it is almost impossible to be stress-free, hence, knowing how to manage your cortisol levels will be a great step in helping with your hair health. Physical activities, meditation, and many other cost-free (apart from some time) programs are available to help with this part.

Cost of visiting a trichologist

A consultation with a trichologist can range from S$55 to a few hundreds. Which is about the same price as most specialists. Treatments, however, can range from S$55 to a few thousands, depending on packages, add-ons and other factors that are considered to fit the complexity of your ailment. There aren’t many trichologists in Singapore, and therefore, the reputation, location, equipping and quality of the service will be key in establishing the price of the treatments.

The table below lists the various trichologists that are recommended in Singapore. They are not listed in any particular order, so do peruse the list to see which best suits your needs.

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