What changed in 2026 for trichologists and hair and scalp clinicians: a new President for the Institute, a proposed national database, new evidence on shedding and a wider set of medical options to refer towards.
From the editors
This edition looks back at 2026 from the trichology clinic. It is part of Four years in review, a retrospective series published on 30 September 2026. It is not a reprint of earlier issues, since Trichozette is new, but an account of the year with every factual claim sourced at the end.
Trichology is not statutorily regulated in the UK or Ireland. That makes the work of professional bodies, the quality of qualifications and the reliability of referral relationships central to how the profession is seen. In 2026 each of those moved forward. The Institute of Trichologists appointed a new President in January, its diploma kept its top inspection grade in April, and in June the conference at Whittlebury Park discussed a UK trichology database.
The clinical picture changed too. The evidence linking weight-loss medicines to shedding grew considerably, and the medical options for severe alopecia areata widened. Both make the trichologist's history-taking and referral judgement more valuable, not less.
We hope this edition is useful for revision as much as reading. The questions at the end are designed for that.
The Trichollective editorial team
The profession
Without statutory regulation, trichology relies on its professional bodies to set the bar. In 2026 the Institute of Trichologists raised it in three ways.
Photograph Mathilde Langevin / Unsplash
Words by the Trichollective editorial team
Anyone in the UK or Ireland may call themselves a trichologist. There is no statutory register, and the title is not protected in law. That is a neutral fact, but it has consequences. Clients and referrers must rely on membership of a professional body, the qualification behind it and the practitioner's own record. It is why the developments of 2026 matter beyond the membership lists.
On 19 January 2026, the day Trichollective's first conference met at Whittlebury Hall, the Institute of Trichologists announced the appointment of Dr Sharon Wong as its President. The Institute said the appointment reflected its aim of raising standards, strengthening professional recognition and closer working between the hair, health and medical professions.
In April the Institute reported that its Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Trichology had received the top grade at its annual NCFE inspection for the fourth consecutive year. For clients and referrers trying to judge a trichologist's training, external inspection of the qualification is one of the few objective signals available.
The Institute's review of the Trichollective Conference at Whittlebury Park on 15 June described sessions on hair biology, patient perspectives, non-surgical hair restoration and research development. It also reported discussion of the development of a UK trichology database to support clinical decision-making and strengthen research within the profession. A session on the psychosocial impact of visible difference and on hair and scalp problems in epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic skin condition, showed how much trichology can offer people with complex needs.
“External inspection of the qualification is one of the few objective signals available.
A shared database would be a significant step for a profession whose evidence has often been held in individual case notes. It also raises questions every contributing practitioner should be ready to answer.
Why might a national trichology database matter to a GP or dermatologist?
Sources
Every fact in this edition, and where it came from.
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Next · 2026 · Medical
Medical, 2026
New options, new warnings.