Caroline Ruggiero
Certified Trichologist (IAT)
COO, Truly You Hair & Scalp Clinic
Scalp health isn’t top of mind for most people—even as they struggle with their hair. A trichologist (scalp expert) discusses care, prevention, and when to get help.
“People tend to focus on the health of their hair over that of their scalp, but the truth is, the scalp is the soil that grows the crop,” says Caroline Ruggiero, certified trichologist by the International Association of Trichologists (IAT), member of the World Trichology Society (WTS), president of Canada’s Hair Loss Council (CHLC) and COO of Mississauga’s Truly You Hair and Scalp Clinic. “How healthy and balanced that soil is will determine how healthy your hair is.”
Trichologists like Ruggiero are specialists trained to identify the causes of common hair and scalp problems—hair loss, breakage, thinning, and scalp irritation—and where possible, recommend treatment according to the cause. It’s a growing field, and it’s no wonder—hair loss affects 40% of women by 50, and 50% of men starting in their teens (while 4 out of 5 men will have some form of hair loss by 70).
How do you know if your scalp is healthy or not?
The scalp is the only part of our skin we can’t see under our hair, which can make spotting an unhealthy or unbalanced scalp challenging. Some potential symptoms of poor scalp health are relatively easy to identify, like dandruff or excessive hair shedding, but others can go unnoticed. “Your scalp speaks to you,” says Ruggiero. “It should feel comfortable and clean. If you’re shedding much more hair than usual, or experience itching, irritation, or pain for longer than a couple of days or weeks, there might be a problem a trichologist can help you solve.”
The scalp is the soil that grows the crop.
In an era where an abundance of information (and misinformation) makes it tempting to self-diagnose, scalp health is one area where seeking out expert advice is well worth it. The causes of hair and scalp problems can be multifactorial and difficult (or impossible) to ascertain without proper assessment. “It’s important to know the background of the expert you consult,” says Ruggiero. “Make sure they’re properly trained and certified by a reputable institution like the IAT.”
At Truly You, certified trichologists approach hair and scalp health from a holistic lens with tests ranging from vitamin analysis of the blood to micro-cameras that catch problems invisible to the naked eye. With private rooms, the clinic is structured to protect client confidentiality—whether they’re in for an initial consultation or to treat problems ranging from genetic hair loss and scalp eczema to scarring alopecia.
Preventative care for scalp health
“We’ve all heard the myth that washing your hair too often is a bad idea, but in my experience, most people don’t wash frequently enough,” says Ruggiero. “They know that if they skipped washing their face, they might get acne or blackheads, but don’t apply the same logic to their scalp.” Barring people with dry skin, children, or folks out of their reproductive years, the rule of thumb is washing two to three times a week.
Besides good hygiene, knowledge is the most important tool in your arsenal—in particular, knowing your scalp and hair type affords informed decision-making when it comes to product choice and your hair care regime. A trichologist is your best resource for forming this knowledge base, since they can recommend scientifically formulated and clinically proven products from reputable lines like CRLAB which is available at Truly You.
Learn more about how a trichologist can help you at www.trulyyou.ca/trichology and follow @trulyyouhair on Instagram.
