EDUCATIONAL COURSE

FOR
TRICHOLOGY
CERTIFICATE
 All copyrighted and copyrightable materials in this Trichology
Educational Course, including, without limitation, the World
Trichology Society logo, design, text, graphics, pictures, and
other files, and the selection and arrangement ("Materials")
thereof are ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright © 2011-2021
World Trichology Society. None of the Materials may be copied,
reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed,
posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including,
but not limited to, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
the World Trichology Society.
BY CONTINUING WITH THIS COURSE, YOU ARE
AGREEING TO THIS STATEMENT.
IMPORTANT:

-Please use your local library, textbooks, and/or the internet to look up in
greater detail the information that is included in this Trichology course.
Suggested books are in the file “Books for Trichology Course” which was sent
with this Chapter.

-As with any course, it is important that you do your own ADDITIONAL
reading.

-This course requires you to write short essays and definitions. If you are finding
any difficulty, please ASK FOR HELP ….. we offer telephone tutorials (email
worldtrichology@earthlink.net for more information).

-All TESTS MUST be emailed to: worldtrichology@earthlink.net.

-HOMEWORK assignments are given to help improve your knowledge of the

material. They do NOT need to be sent in for grading.
 CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION TO
TRICHOLOGY
 Chapter 1 > Unit 1 > Lesson 1:
What is Trichology?

The word “Trichology” comes from the Greek word, ‘Trikhos’ which
means ‘hair’.

Trichology originated as a specialist para-medical discipline in the 19th

century in the United Kingdom.

Some trichologists specialize in cosmetic problems of the hair, others

specialize in scalp problems, and others specialize in hair loss. Most
trichologists, however, help clients with all types of hair and scalp
problems.

A Trichologist is a “hair and scalp specialist” who is able to assess the

causes of a hair or scalp problem and advise their client the best type of
treatments for these problems.

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 1 > Lesson 2:
What is Trichology?
Trichology is an holistic science in that it recognizes that a healthy hair and scalp is
dependent on the health of the body, and vice versa. As you may know, illness, taking
medications or being on a strict diet can influence hair loss, hair breakage and/or scalp
flaking. Also, if a person suffers from a hair or scalp problem it can lead to many
psychological problems such as stress, depression and/or anxiety which, in turn, can
lead to physical problems.

Trichology can be looked upon as a large bridge between hairdressing and hair
replacement or dermatology. It encompasses everything from general hair care to hair
loss:
- cosmetic problems
- dry & dull hair
- brittle hair & breakage
- most types of dandruff conditions
- scalp oiliness
- hair thinning
- hair shedding
- hair loss

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 1 > Lesson 3:
What is a Trichologist?
Trichologists are trained in the life sciences and they evaluate clients on the
basis of personal history, lifestyle, genetic factors, and environmental
conditions. With this information a Trichologist can suggest certain treatments
for most conditions which affect the health and appearance of the hair and
scalp. Nutritional advice and recommendations for behavioral modification
can also be given, as healthy hair is closely linked to overall physical and
psychological well being.

At times Trichologists refer clients for medical evaluation, in particular, to

endocrinologists, dermatologists, psychologists, internists, allergists, and
obstetricians and gynaecologists (ob/gyns), and referrals to a trichologist come
from these same medical specialists in addition to cosmetologists

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 1 > Lesson 4:
Trichology & You
Becoming a Certified Trichologist through the World Trichology Society is a
great achievement that will help you open doors to help people and make a
healthy income.

The respect you will receive from your peers and the respect you will get from
your clients is reward in itself! However, the hair loss industry is a multi-
billion dollar market which you can ‘tap’ into as you increase your clientele for
both consultations (new visits) and ongoing treatments.

This course will help give you the advantage in knowledge and prestige for
you to move forward with confidence on a successful career as a Certified
Trichologist.

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 2 > Lesson 1:
New Trichological Research
The World Trichology Society’s course keeps you up-to-date with all the new
research in the fields of trichology and dermatology. Below are some
examples:

1) Researchers Hone In On Vitamin D's Role In Hair Growth.

A considerable portion of the research on baldness prevention is now
honing in on the role of vitamin D in hair growth. A receptor to which the
vitamin binds is responsible for activating hair growth. In a study
published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, researchers
reported that a molecule called MED is associated with suppression of
the receptor's actions. Mice without MED appeared to grow more hair,
thus providing researchers a future target for hair replacement
therapies. Other scientists, in a paper published in the Journal of
Biological Chemistry, discovered that the LEF1 molecule also can
cause activation of the vitamin D receptor without vitamin D even being
present.

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 2 > Lesson 2:
New Trichological Research

2) Researchers say low level of certain enzymes may cause hair to

turn gray.
A study published in the Federation of American Societies for
Experimental Biology Journal may explain how "hair grays with age."
Researchers from the University of Bradford in the UK "closely
examined cell cultures of human hair follicles and found in the absence
of the enzyme catalase, the hydrogen peroxide naturally produced in
hair cells stops being broken down into water and oxygen," with the hair
follicles being unable to "repair the damage...because of low levels of
enzymes MSR A and B." The low enzyme levels "disrupted the
formation of the enzyme tyrosinase that leads to the production of the
melanin which colors hair."

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 2 > Lesson 3:
New Trichological Research
3) Researchers Develop Method To Trigger Growth Of New Hair.
Scientists have developed what might become a better way to transplant hair.
Researchers found that by clustering hair cells together in a lab and then
transplanting them in human skin grafted to a mouse, hair grew. Current methods for
treating baldness do not stimulate the growth of new hair. Meanwhile, hair
transplants simply take hair from one part of the head and put it in another place.
Investigators took papilla cells from seven men who were undergoing hair
transplants, cultured them in hanging drops and then injected them into human skin
grafted onto mice. The investigators made the grafts from a type of skin that is
normally 100 percent hairless – foreskins from circumcised infants. The researchers
found that new hair follicles grew in five of the seven grafts. DNA analysis
confirmed that the new hair follicles genetically matched the human donors. The
research was published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences. However, the hair follicles weren’t normal, as they were missing
sebaceous glands that keep the skin moist. Additionally, the hair grew out of the skin
at funny angles. Still, this discovery takes a huge leap forward in the potential for
developing new drugs to treat hair loss. Additional research will be required before
humans can be treated with this protocol, the researchers said.

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 2 > Lesson 4:
New Trichological Research
4) Healthy Hair Depends On Vitamins, Protein.
In an article focusing on how hair changes as people age, the Los Angeles Times
reported that healthy hair, no matter at what age, depends on a range of vitamins and
minerals, especially biotin (a B vitamin), zinc, iron, folic acid, vitamins A, C, E, and,
most important, protein. Dr. Paradi Mirmirani, a member of the faculty of the
American Academy of Dermatology, explained, “Hair is made of a special protein
called keratin, and if you don’t get enough protein in your diet, it can affect the
normal hair cycle.”

5) Study: Many People With Psoriasis Go Untreated.

The Louisville (KY) Courier-Journal provides an overview on psoriasis, its
treatments, and its overall effects on body metabolism and mood. Unfortunately,
many people with psoriasis are going without treatment or are being undertreated,
according to a study of more than 5,600 patients with psoriasis and a related
condition, psoriatic arthritis, that recently appeared in the scientific journal JAMA
Dermatology. The study found that from 2003 through 2011, 36.6 percent to 49.2
percent of patients with mild psoriasis were untreated, while up to 35.5 percent of
patients with moderate psoriasis and 29.7 percent of patients with severe psoriasis
went untreated.

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 Chapter 1 > Unit 2 > Lesson 5:
New Trichological Research
6) Prostaglandin D2 inhibits hair growth and is elevated in bald scalp of
men with androgenetic alopecia.
Recent evidence demonstrates a role of prostaglandins in regulating hair
growth. The authors illustrate that prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) is
elevated at the mRNA and protein levels in bald scalp compared to haired
scalp of men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Levels of the product of
PTGDS enzyme activity, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), were also elevated in
bald scalp. During normal follicle cycling in mice, Ptgds and PGD2 levels
peaked in late anagen, immediately preceding the regression phase,
suggesting an inhibitory effect on hair growth. PGD2 inhibited hair growth
in explanted human hair follicles and when applied topically to mice. Hair
growth inhibition requires the PGD2 receptor G protein-coupled receptor 44
(GPR44), but not the PGD2 receptor 1 (PTGDR). Furthermore, K14-Ptgs2
transgenic mice, which overexpress prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2
in the skin, demonstrate elevated levels of PGD2 in the skin and develop
alopecia, follicular miniaturization, and sebaceous gland hyperplasia, as
seen in human AGA. These results define PGD2 as an inhibitor of hair
growth in AGA and suggest the PGD2-GPR44 pathway as a potential target
for treatment.

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 Chapter 1
Test
Before moving on to the next Chapter, take the following Test and
email your answer–with your name–to:
worldtrichology@earthlink.net
PLEASE NOTE: A) WE DO NOT MARK YOUR TEST FOR YOUR
WRITING ABILITY
B) ALL TESTS IN THIS COURSE ARE MARKED PASS/FAIL.
C) IF THE WTS PROFESSOR TELLS YOU TO “MOVE ON TO THE
NEXT CHAPTER”, YOU HAVE PASSED THE TEST.
D) THE PROFESSOR MAY MAKE COMMENTS TO HELP YOU
UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION MORE EASILY.

1) Write a short essay entitled: “I want to

become a Certified Trichologist because …”
(approx. 100 words).
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 END OF
CHAPTER 1

Please order Chapter 2:

Introduction to Human
Biology: Cells & Tissues
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