17/02/2026
Reflections of an ‘old’ Trichology hand….
I transitioned from being a Registered Nurse and hospital administrator into the hair loss-treatment industry 32 years ago and have owned my own Trichology clinic since 1999.
In this time, I’ve seen treatments come and go – and come again (1). Likewise - unscrupulous, dodgy operators preying on the anxieties of consumers had their time until – eventually – their ‘reputations’(sic) or Fair-Trading Govt. agencies caught up with them.
Today the consumer is overwhelmed with social media algorithms and influencers promoting this or that hair loss ‘miracle’ treatment.
Often, they come with a similar, cynical back story: ‘I stumbled on this wonder lotion-potion-pill whilst trying to treat myself, my mother, wife, sister or dying grannie …’
And whilst there have been definite advances in hair loss therapies, the causes essentially remain the same: genetics, gender, physiological health, and the age you are.
Scalp hair density thinning in women is almost always purely a reflection of inner nutrient-metabolic disturbance or deficiency.
Many women are often mis-diagnosed as experiencing ‘genetic’ pattern hair loss even when there is no maternal or female sibling history of this condition - because the consultant is seeing follicle miniaturisation across the top of the scalp.
However, hair follicle miniaturisation can result from numerous underlying causes such as thyroid dysfunction, PCO-s, an elevated Prolactin, fluctuating oestrogen-progesterone levels during the stages of menopause, or other conditions causing increased androgen (2) production.
It’s crucial any consulting practitioner you see begins in this sequential approach:
• A detailed discussion of the woman’s medical history (3), lifestyle balance, areas of stress in her life, dietary habits, any digestive or bowel habit concerns, caloric restrictions, sleep behaviors, current medications (4) or supplementation.
• Based on this information suggest the specific baseline pathology testing this woman as an individual may require - 95% of underlying, driving causes will be found here.
• Once underlying causative issues are revealed, an individualised treatment plan should be discussed with the client. On occasion referral back to their family doctor; to a medical specialist or women’s hormonal health practitioner is required (5).
• Pathology review for previous out-of-range initial results as well as an evaluation of treatment progress should be undertaken after 4-6 months.
In conclusion – the ‘placebo effect’ of the seller/influencer, your desire for the product’s effectiveness to restore your hair, and even the product itself may result in the product (6) improving the state of your hair – for a time.
However – unless the specific investigations are undertaken which reflect the client’s personal history – the hopes of a lasting hair density restoration will often be short-lived.
Copyright Anthony Pearce 2026
1. Oral Minoxidil and spironolactone (aka: Aldactone) – two ‘early generation’ blood pressure drugs.
2. Andogens is the collective term for the male hormones.
3. Any history of thyroid, autoimmune, gynaecological or other metabolic conditions in the client or closer family is especially important.
4. Particularly contraceptive or hormonal therapies.
5. It is both professional to on-refer AND stay within the confines of one’s own area of expertise.
6. Topicals, shampoo/conditioners, ‘generic’ hair vitamins, or the dual blood pressure drug therapy (oral Minoxidil + Spironolactone) currently the treatment of choice from orthodox medicos. For further information:
Oral Minoxidil is readily prescribed alone or in combination with other drugs. Is it as safe as your doctor may think it is?
