The appliance of science!
Iâve spent over 10 years developing my wig cutting skills in wig cutting, and in 2010 I decided to take things one step further and become a qualified trichologist. After four years of studying I graduated from the Institute of Trichology in 2014. I am very proud to have been one of the first qualified trichologists and session hairstylists in the north of England and to be able to offer an exclusive trichology service in both our salons. It was a fascinating journey and I learnt some important lessons along the way.
The Undertaking
When it comes to expanding your services into the area of Trichology, there are two main factors to consider: time and cost.
Training to become a trichologist requires a lot of time and dedication. My course lasted four years, and two of these involved visiting the Institute of Trichology in London every month whilst also studying at home. The other two years I spent mentoring. Itâs vital to have a great team to support you while you are doing something like this, especially if you are also balancing this workload with running a salon and maintaining a column. It goes without saying that this kind of level of intense study also impacts on your personal life, so itâs important you learn to balance everything.
Cost is also a major factor â before, during and after training. While trichology can help bring in additional business and enhance your service offerings, it is imperative to weigh up the cost versus the revenue you expect it to generate.
Training to become a trichologist can be expensive. Course fees can vary enormously, so make sure you check these out on the Institute of Trichology website (anyone interested in trichology should look at this website as is a great place to start your research).
But the cost of trichology extends beyond the fees of the actual course. Youâll also need to factor in the cost of travel, accommodation and â crucially â either reducing the size of your column or hiring extra staff to fill in during your absence.
Once youâve qualified as a trichologist, your salon may require some modifications to incorporate your new services. Trichology focuses on some very sensitive areas and itâs important to have a dedicated and private space for consultations.
The Benefits
The biggest benefit of training as a trichologist is that you can provide your clients with a fuller service. You can also attract new clients, who may previously have been too embarrassed to approach a salon with their hair conditions.
Having a depth of understanding of hair and scalp can help assist with your cut and colour work, too, as you can assess the different factors that can alter the outcome of a cut or a colour. As a result, each clientâs service can be that much more bespoke and personalised.
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