INVERNESS PRIDE 2024

Saturday 22nd June 2024

LGBTIQA+ and allies marched for acceptance, equality, rights and to celebrate culture, achievements and ongoing activism for all in community.

I marched as an Ally. I was with my friends both in the community and active campaigners and activists. We handed out flyers for OBAN LESBIAN WEEKEND this September 2024 and we proud to be involved in such a celebratory and inclusive event full of love and respect. https://www.obanlesbianweekend.co.uk/whats-on-at-olw/evening-events

There was music, speakers, dancing....there was COLOUR!

We're allies as friends....some for more than 20 years! But more than anything I represent Highland Trichology as an ally because I understand the effect hair loss can have on the LGBTIQA+ community and how our hair has a huge impact on identity....past present and future.

With identity so closely intertwined with colourful hair and creative styles it is the elephant in the room not to address the risk of breakage, hair loss and risk of chemical burns on scalp from colour processes from repeated bleaching and dyeing of hair.

Generally the only real way of repairing extensive damage is cutting the hair off which involves keeping the hair short for a consistent hair style and that isn't always favourable depending on which look you are aiming for. As soon as you have any colour in your hair you need to stay on top of conditioning and treatments to prolong the life of your hair....and pray it's not crispy. For damage itself I recommend (and stock) K18 hair repair ranges, sulphate-free shampoos, nourishing oils and a mix of deep conditioning treatments and absolute minimum heat drying or styling (please invest in a microfibre towel, UV protectant and thermal protection.....and thank me later!). There are many ingredients I say stay away from.

I supply and fit personalised wigs and hair toppers to disguise areas of hair loss or breakage in areas you might just need a little boost.I can also re-condition and cut/trim them to resurrect them from near death and keep them looking good for longer.

So hear we go with the hair loss....

HAIR LOSS IN TRANSGENDER & NON-BINARY COMMUNITY

Hormonal hair loss and pattern hair loss can affect anybody....everybody...

Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss across the world – it is hormonal in nature and often termed Male Pattern Hair Loss or Female Pattern Hair Loss. It is basically caused by a sensitivity in some to an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase that converts testosterone into a bad guy called di-hydrotestosterone. This is the bad guy who then attacks hair follicles with abundance and causes the hair to miniaturise before being lost completely. There is no cure for AGA but caught early there are absolutely treatments you can fight back. If left too many years the EGF in you can cause follicles to scar which means new hair cannot break through anymore.

There is growing call in Dermatology of inclusion, to re-term this Pattern Hair Loss instead as not everybody follows the classic shape of hair loss (traditionally M-shape in men and widening parting in women) and those transgender or transitioning are susceptible even more so to stress factors accelerating this form of hair loss. Stress itself is a rife cause of hair loss.

As a Registered Trichologist I am a clinical specialist in hair and scalp but I specialise in hormonal hair loss and promote non-invasive treatments and therapies. Gut health can affect our hormones, stress can skew hormones, nutritional imbalances and medications can all affect our hormones and cause hair loss so the importance and there are no licensed medications to treat hormonal hair loss that do not have the potential for unwanted side effects from depression, loss of libido, pregnancy/foetal complications, suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction to name but a few. Start making positive changes now, reach out, have bloods tested for key bio-markers attributed to hair loss including CBC, Serum Ferritin, Vitamin D, Thyroid and get on top of sleep, stress-management and diet if you want to improve hair health. I am a private Phlebotomist and able to carry out a number of personalised blood tests and interpret both with GP report and a concise Trichologist interpretation....as believe it or not they very often differ. Our thresholds are about optimum hair health, a GP can often be more about the bare minimum level that keeps you alive. (P.S Thank you for keeping us alive....)

People born male and undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to transition to female don’t want to bear the undesirable side effects of hallmark classic ‘male pattern hair loss’ and likewise those born female transitioning may be worried about taking Testosterone which can tilt the balance and cause hormonal hair loss. We seek to physically portray the embodiment of our identity.

No matter our hormones they are the strongest driving force our body obeys and imbalances can wreak havoc on our hair as we seek to embody a new ‘traditional appearance’, plummeting our mental health in already a hugely stressful and life-changing period of who we know we are. In my opinion, transgender, non-binary or people keen to undergo HRT may consider laser phototherapy helmets to reduce elevated testosterone and DHT levels, to in turn reduce shedding, promote hair growth and improve hair follicle health – I do have an affiliate code on Theradome website, try BMCD50 for £50 off or you can order direct through me and I'll post it to you at no extra charge. https://www.theradomeforhairloss.co.uk/shop/

There are many non-invasive treatments that stand apart from hormones already being taken I can recommend and am able to utilise myself in clinic, including specific Platelet Rich Plasma therapy for scalp and eyebrow loss (it's important you need a Trichologist or Dermatologist to do this....not a Beauty Therapist), microneedling, dietary changes, and professionally matched hair and scalp care. Routine medications are available in tablet form or my favourite is a topical solution...they include Finasteride and Minoxidil but there are many others I utilise with my compounding chemist to treat each patient as an individual. One side effect of Minoxidil can sometimes be unwanted hair - however most people say this is a small comparative given they now have the scalp hair they longed for, it's a very personal decision.

I do offer a specialist TrichoTest which is a saliva swab DNA test which aims to tell you the treatments that are genetically geared up to work for you to treat your hair loss. It's hailed by many Trichologsts as a breakthrough that can hone some medicinal treatments to pinpoint teh best one for you....whether a mix of Latanoprost....Minoxidil....Caffeine....Finasteride....Dutasteride...Prostaquinone....Saw Palmetto....alll the big names and more.

Whether there is inflammation, whether the person is family-planning or the mental health of the individual are all huge considerations and a short medical questionnaire is necessary. There are possible side effects with many medications whether in tablet form or topical solution so you need to be made aware...but don't worry you can stop at any time too by following advice.

If you are suffering from hair loss and don't want to go the route of hair transplant, or perhaps you have already had your first transplant....Highland Trichology offers a natural route of hair restoration which is both standalone in itself or complimentary and actually recommended by hair transplant clinics to further the success of your procedure and promote growth and healing. There are different reasons people have a transplant but mostly it is a result of AGA and as there is no cure it is best to continue holistic practices alongside to hold onto your hair as long as possible and reduce the need for a second transplant...or more.

For anybody interested there is a new procedure involving hair follicle banking which is very clever actually. You 'bank' some existing hair now from essentially the back of your head in an area androgen resistant (DHT has a very hard time attacking these areas and generally loses), then when this has regrown and you are actually having a hair transplant whereby they move 'donor' hair from androgen resistant hair from the back of your head, typically, then plant into areas of hair loss known as the 'recipient area'....then the already banked hair follicles can be used. The theory behind this being so revolutionary is the possibility of replacing all areas of hair loss with 'androgen resistant' hair.....so you can work out the math there guys.....new hair that isn't likely to be attacked by AGA?! Gamechanger.

This is new territory and you are best to speak to your surgeon or do your homework to see if this is something you are interested in. The nearest clinic we can think of is in Manchester who actually work closely with Trichologists.

If anybody wants to get in touch for advice you can reach me at Highland Trichology, info@highlandtrichology.co.uk or find me on Facebook/Instagram @highlandtrichology