Hair thinning, once dismissed as an age-related inconvenience, is now recognised as a widespread concern impacting clients of all demographics. This shift creates a new service category for salons, moving beyond mere product recommendations to sophisticated scalp treatments.
Functional trichology reframes hair loss as a symptom of broader 'health loss,' encouraging professionals to investigate underlying causes. Ky Smith, founder of the American Academy of Hair & Scalp Diseases, identifies four primary categories salon professionals frequently encounter: androgenetic alopecia (pattern thinning), telogen effluvium (excessive shedding), traction alopecia (tension-related damage), and cicatricial alopecia (scarring). Smith stresses the importance of a trichoscope, an affordable handheld microscope, for stylists to visually identify miniaturised hairs, scalp inflammation, or vacant follicles. Early detection allows stylists to adjust cutting, colouring, and treatment approaches, and crucially, know when to refer clients to dermatologists or trichologists for conditions like pustules, scarring, or significant inflammation.
Simultaneously, exosome technology offers a high-tech approach focused on scalp health. Exosomes, described as cell-to-cell messengers derived from stem cells, carry information that signals cellular repair and regeneration. Tracey Hughes, Global General Manager for ExoGrow by DermapenWorld, highlights that this technology, already used in skincare, is now being applied to haircare. Products incorporating exosomes aim to support the scalp environment, promote healthier follicles, and encourage fuller hair growth. This advancement provides salons with advanced tools for both in-salon protocols and at-home client care, empowering stylists to offer scientifically-backed solutions for thinning hair.
