Trichologist vs Dermatologist

When suffering from a hair disorder, you want to get right to the root of the problem and get the correct diagnosis and treatment.

While a dermatologist may seem like a logical choice given their years of education, it's often the trichologists that offer greater insight.

Your visit to our in-house specialist will include a full and thorough assessment of your hair and scalp, as well as an in-depth discussion of your symptoms, the history of your hair health, and an exploration of any mitigating factors that may be affecting your overall health. This process is performed for both male and female hair conditions.

A hair and scalp examination allows us to look for lesions or inflammation and includes a microscopic inspection of the hair follicles and the hair itself. Whereas a dermatologist does not usually use a microscope.

It may still be necessary to refer your case to a dermatologist or other specialist for blood tests, biopsies, or a prescription. It's not uncommon for trichologists to work in partnership for the very best result. However, a trichologist is more likely to focus on a holistic approach to solving the problem and not just treating the symptoms.

What is a Trichologist?

A trichologist is a hair and scalp specialist. Trained in life sciences, they look at hair loss problems in a medical and holistic way by evaluating guests on the basis of personal history, lifestyle, genetic factors, and environmental conditions.

Based on this information, a trichologist is able to suggest individualized treatments, give nutritional advice, and recommend lifestyle changes to improve the health and appearance of the hair and scalp.

san diego scalp specialist

  • A Trichologist can help with a range of conditions. Some common ones include:

    Autoimmune or scarring hair loss conditions

    Certain skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

  • Unlike Dermatologists, Trichologists have a complete understanding of how hair loss works and how it can be treated. A Trichologist is extensively trained in hair anatomy.

    We can identify hair shaft defects that lead to breakage or difficulty managing the hair. Including sudden or long-term shedding.