Trichologist, Dermatotrichologist, or Trichiatrist? A Global Perspective on a Strictly Medical Discipline

Abstract

Few dermatologic problems carry as much emotional overtones as the complaint of hair loss. The best way to alleviate the distress related to hair loss is to effectively treat it. In fact, one of the oldest medical professions is the Egyptian physician who specialized on diseases of the head. And yet, from ancient Egypt down to modern times, human hair has been the object of superstition and mystery. Remarkably and despite the genuine advances in effective medical treatments, hair cosmetics, and surgical procedures, phony hair loss solutions continue to be marketed with an amazing success. In 1860, a quasi-scientific interest in hair loss and hair care originated in a London barbershop and became known as trichology, with the Institute of Trichologists being founded. Other corporations successively followed internationally, but it was only in 2010 that the term dermatotrichologist was proposed for board-certified dermatologists dealing with the scientific study of the hair and scalp, in contrast to the trichologist who is rather associated with laity and cosmetics than with medical professionalism, or – worse – offers opportunities to possible imposters with a primary commercial interest. The new term “trichiatrist” is proposed, literally meaning the “medical treatment of the hair,” to designate the strictly medical professional dealing with the hair and scalp in health and disease. Trichiatrists differ from trichologists by virtue of being physicians. The quality and stringency of their graduate medical training is identical to that of other physicians.

Autistic-undisciplined thinking in the practice of medical trichology

“…Ultimately, the errors of careless thinking can be readily given up following these rules, as originally proposed by French philosopher René Descartes (1596–1650) in his groundbreaking “Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One's Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences” (1637),[30] while it remains to fear that even in the 21 st century genuinely autistic thinking leads to convictions which are firmly held, in fact delusional, and by definition, therefore, cannot be overcome, to the detriment of patients and of our medical discipline. [31]…”

The Problem with Capitalism in the Trichological Sciences

“…It was against this backdrop that in 2010, Yesudian proposed the term dermatotrichologist,[ 2 ] and we alternatively coined the term trichiatrist for board-certified dermatologists dealing with the scientific study of the hair and scalp in health and disease. [ 3 4 5 ] The quality and stringency of the trichiatrist’s graduate medical training are identical to that of fellow physicians of any other discipline, allowing the trichiatrist to be comprehensive in counseling patients, prescribing medication, conducting physical examinations, ordering laboratory tests, and participating with the other medical disciplines in the diagnosis and treatment of hair problems as they may relate to systemic disease. [ 3 4 5 ] Meanwhile, there are individuals who profess themselves publicly as professors of trichology, while there exists no such academic title.…”

Trichology and Trichiatry; Etymological and Terminological Considerations

“…The quality and stringency of the trichiatrist's graduate medical training are identical to that of fellow physicians of any other discipline, allowing the trichiatrist to be comprehensive in counseling patients, prescribing medication, conducting physical examinations, ordering laboratory tests, and participating with the other medical disciplines in the diagnosis and treatment of hair problems as they may relate to systemic disease. [ 9 ]…”