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Trichology (from Greek θρίξ, gen.: τριχός, "hair") is the branch of dermatology that deals with the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp. Trichologists themselves are not normally licensed healthcare workers, although members of the medical profession can undertake courses and/or careers within trichology. Trichology can be used in forensic studies of hairs to find suspects. Forensic trichology can determine the approximate age, body mass, race, and other important traits of the hair's owner.^{[citation needed]}

Overview [edit]

An interest in hair loss and hair care originated around 1860 in a London barbershop under a certain Professor Wheeler. Later in 1902, this interest in hair disorders became known as Trichology and the Institute of Trichologists was founded.^[1]

Educational and governing bodies [edit]

The Institute of Trichologists at over 100 years old is the oldest professional association for trichologists in the world. Registered members of The Institute of Trichologists indicate this with the postnominal letters AIT, MIT or FIT after their names (designating, respectively, an Associate Member, Member or Fellow of the Institute).

Tricologists are not proven to cure any form of hairloss, or provide treatment for the natural loss of hair in certain men and women. Trichologists are loyal to the academic study of hair loss science

The International Association of Trichologists (IAT), a non-profit Californian corporation, offers a course developed at the University of Southern California in 1974, and trains most students from several countries. IAT presently has students in Australia, America, Botswana, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, China, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mauritius, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Mexico, the U.K., Vietnam and the West Indies. The IAT offers special condensed courses for medical doctors. Clinical training is offered in Australia, the U.K., America, Brazil, Latvia, India and Russia.

An IAT International Conference is held annually. In 2008 it was held in Mumbai, India, in 2009, Hobart, Australia and, 2010, in Melbourne, Australia. The conference in 2012 was held in Brazil, the conference in 2013 will be in Argentina, and the 2014 conference will be in Kenya. Other conferences to be held include one in San Antonio, Texas in May 2013.

The "Ronald Salinger" Award is presented to those people who have made a major contribution to the furtherance of trichology, world-wide. The recipients of the award have been Janne Scougall and Ray Palmer from Australia, Dr. Ademir Leite from Brazil and Dr. Apoorva Shah from India.

Registered members of the IAT can use the letters "IAT" after their name. Members are controlled by a code of ethics.

The Trichological Society was founded in September 1999 by an group of professionals with an interest in hair science, including trichologists, lawyers, surgeons, chemists, pharmacists, medical practitioners and academics. Their purpose, to represent hair scientists of the highest calibre worldwide and for the advancement in hair science education - unparalleled by any other organisational body.

The society lists many of the world's reputable high profile professionals and scientists with a specialist interest in scalp and hair in health, disease and distress. Since 1999 it has attracted students worldwide, largely individuals already possessing higher degrees or PhD's. As the years pass there has been a steady progression of involvement with academic institutions worldwide, who perceive TTS as the most inspiring and academically superior body in the hair-sciences discipline. Countries inviting TTS involvement in building and educational faculty in pure-trichology include South Korea, India and Australia.^[2]

The World Trichology Society is a professional organization dedicated to educating, supporting, and promoting Trichologists in North America and worldwide. The society helps:

• promote the science of trichology
• educate future trichologists to exacting standards
• support its members by helping them keep up-to-date with the latest research
• enhance the care of people with hair loss.

The World Trichology Society is also committed to help the public:

• by educating them about the possible causes of their hair loss
• by informing them of their choices of hair loss treatments
• choose a Trichologist certified through the World Trichology Society as a helpful step towards receiving good advice for their hair loss or scalp condition.

As the only reputable trichology organization of its kind based in North America, the World Trichology Society is the best place to find information on certified trichologists that practice in the region.

The Institute of Hair-prosthetists and Trichologists(IHT) was found in year 2006 by the group of trichologists in Korea who successfully commercialized its services. Even though the study of trichology has long history, it faced difficult challenge in positioning of its services. It is not a medical practice yet "treating" the clients. It is not a cosmetology service yet providing scalp cleans and "shampoo" services as a part of the service.

The group of trichologists, who later formed IHT, from US and Korea took trichology and incorporated it with traditional hubal remedy. Now there are about 26,000 trichology centers in Korea and still growing. Some medical clinics adapted trichology service and took it even further.

Currently, there are 130 universities and colleges in Korea teaching 2 or 4 year trichology course and published about 40 complete textbooks.

The IHT, led by Travis Johng and Hyun-Joon Lee, is now reintroducing trichlogy in North America and Europe.

External links [edit]

• The Institute of Trichologists
• International Association of Trichologists
• The Trichological Society
• The World Trichology Society
• Jane Mayhead Trichology clinic
• Miyohara International Trichology Clinic U.S.A

References [edit]