There is no such specialty as a trichologist in any state cadastre, and, nevertheless, this branch of medicine is increasingly confidently taking an important place in the list of the most relevant and promising areas. Hair problems, according to experts, are directly related to the state of the whole organism, and the study of the biology and pathology of the hair opens up the broadest prospects for regenerative technologies.
About the qualities of a trichologist, about the development of trichology and about the possibilities of improvement in this specialty, estet-portal.com Yulia Ovcharenko – head of the clinic "Institute of Trichology", professor, board member of the European Hair Research Society (EHRS).
Why did you choose trichology as your professional life
YU.O. Much was predetermined in my professional life. I am very proud to be the representative of the medical dynasty in the 5th generation. Ever since her student days, she was interested in dermatology and wanted to do hair.
Trichology for me is not just a specialty, a new field of medicine, but a vocation, love and work of my whole life.
Yu.O. In 2009, the "Institute of Trichology" was founded; – medical, teaching and research center – my main brainchild, the priority directions of which are to provide professional medical care to patients with diseases of the hair and scalp. We train trichologists, we try to introduce new hair treatment technologies into practice, we carry out serious research work together with leading institutes and trichological clinics.
It seems to me important to form a community of enthusiasts interested in the development of trichology, to gather practicing dermatologists, trichologists, researchers, pharmacologists, technologists, beauty industry specialists in a single information space for this purpose.
What qualities, in your opinion, should a trichologist have
Yu.O. In my opinion, trichology – the most "advanced" and promising profession. Any clinician today will confirm that changes in the condition of the patient's hair become for the doctor recognized markers of some physiological and pathological processes occurring in the body. Recently, our knowledge of the influence of the endocrine system on the condition of the hair has significantly expanded, as well as the fact that many metabolic and trophic disorders can first manifest themselves clinically precisely by changing the structure of the hair, their density, color.
Scientific studies have shown that hair pathologies accompany more than 300 genetic features of the development of the body, so the correct assessment of their condition becomes one of the first and most simple diagnostic methods in genetics and pediatric dermatology.
Thus, the degree of comorbidity of most trichopathologies makes the trichologist doctor delve into related specialties. It is known from practice that patients come to us with a complaint that their hair condition has changed, noticing only this symptom, which makes the trichologist both the primary link in medical care and the "medium".
I would like to say separately about the psychological component of our profession – Special patients come to us, requiring a pedantic, patient and delicate approach. I think trichology is becoming fundamental today.
How do you see the future in the development of trichology? In what direction is this specialty developing?
Yu.O. We have witnessed a turning point in the study of hair: if earlier trichology was considered only from the point of view of aesthetics, now this specialty occupies one of the leading places in medicine. Studying various aspects of the hair follicle, developing new experimental approaches for this using genetics and molecular biology, allowed scientists to explore ways to use it as an autogenous source of stem cells.
Raising researchers' awareness of the various signaling pathways involved in hair growth could help develop new drugs, for example for the treatment of psoriasis.
Not least, advances in stem cell isolation and purification will, through biological engineering, help create hair follicles for effective transplantation in cases of failure of traditional treatments. This confirms the fact that trichology is a multidisciplinary and very promising area in medicine.
And if we talk about personal potential, then we have young and energetic, talented trichologists who believe in the prospects of this specialty and dream of realizing themselves in it. It is wonderful that now they have the opportunity to travel to other countries, gain experience and knowledge, and we must do our best to promote the development of this potential.
Are there any features of the development of trichology in Ukraine compared to other countries?
Yu.O. Of course, there is, and I think that the main difference lies in the peculiarities of Western and Eastern approaches in medicine. I believe that both models have their advantages and disadvantages. The truth, in my opinion, is always somewhere in the middle. The strength of our specialists is the clinical school and, of course, a great personal, scientific potential.
Thanks to joint work and active participation in international conferences, Ukrainian scientists and clinicians were awarded grants for their own clinical observations and research presented at European and world congresses dedicated to hair research.
Today in Ukraine, thanks to the active support and participation of the Chief Freelance Specialist of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine prof. A.I. Litus are developing clinical guidelines for the treatment of non-cicatricial alopecia. Their implementation will make it possible to introduce evidence-based approaches to the management of patients suffering from this pathology into healthcare practice.
I would like to note that recently professional ties with the world's leading research centers and clinics have been strengthened, and this facilitates the integration of our specialists into the international community of researchers in the field of hair pathology and biology.
What do you think is more correct: a specialized trichological center or a trichology room within a multidisciplinary clinic?
Yu.O. Both options have the right to exist, their positive and negative sides. As a person with a systematic approach, the specialization of the clinic in the main direction is closer to me: in this case, conditions are created for improvement in the profession for a specialist and better provision of specialized medical care.
But a trichologist usually works in tandem with related specialists, often consultations are necessary, which is more accessible in a multidisciplinary institution.
You – permanent participant and active organizer of international and local congresses dedicated to trichology. What, in your opinion, is the main professional event in 2016 for professionals interested in hair?
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I would like to invite my colleagues to the 17th Congress of the European Hair Research Society (EHRS 2016), which will be held June 24-26, 2016 in Georgia. This is the main event of the year in the world of trichology, which will bring together scientists and clinicians, specialists in aesthetic medicine, as well as trichobiologists, pharmacologists, transplantologists, pathophysiologists.
Motto of the 17th Congress – “We push the boundaries” reflects the desire of the organizers to consolidate trichologists, specialists from East and West for fruitful cooperation and information exchange.
The structure of the congress is traditional for EHRS meetings, both the publication of abstracts and the presentation of poster presentations are planned. The congress will open with a special pre-course in Russian, during which the leading speakers will present the latest information on the most relevant topics in trichology.
The pre-course will be of interest to both experienced trichologists and young professionals. During the pre-course and the main part of the congress, participants will have an excellent opportunity to exchange views with colleagues, meet experts from around the world, discuss innovations in the field of hair biology, diagnosis and treatment of hair pathologies, and improve existing knowledge.
The focus of the upcoming congress will be research on the biology and pathology of hair, clinicians expect practical aspects of the main trichopathologies.
Interview recorded ahead of 17th Congress of the European Hair Research Society (EHRS 2016) exclusively for estet-portal.com
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