Mark Blake, one of the UK’s leading trichologists, says there are many factors that contribute to the issue of thinning hair

Trichology is a branch of dermatology that deals with the scientific study of the structures, functions and diseases of the hair and scalp.

As a trichologist and educator for global companies such as Wella and Nioxin, Mark Blake is an internationally recognised trichologist, and his work has taken him to Europe, South Africa, the USA, Dubai and – just last month – Barbados.

‘Trichology may not be the sexiest of subjects,’ Mark laughs, ‘but part of my mission is to raise awareness of hair loss, making people realise there are options and you can do something about it; the sooner you confront it, the more choices you have.

‘I am probably the most enthusiastic person you will ever hear speak about thinning hair and hair loss; I try to make the world of hair and hair health interesting,’ he says.

A consultation with Mark involves analysing your hair and scalp with a digital microscope. This really is something not to be missed as you will see your scalp magnified several hundred times and it will leave you in awe, if not slightly shocked. Looking at your hair and scalp with a digital microscope gives Mark an insight into what is really happening on a molecular level at that moment in time, as well as in the future. Mark will conduct a full medical history examination, check on your nutrition and diet patterns alongside reading any blood test results you have, all of which will help him achieve optimal results for your hair.

There are a number of reasons for hair loss, such as:

  • Health (Covid has had a detrimental impact on hair loss and thinning hair)
  • Hormones
  • Stress
  • Nutrition
  • Medication
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Bad hairdressing practices

Quite often, the reason for hair loss or thinning is a combination of several factors rather than one in particular. The problem with hair loss is that most people don’t realise that they have lost their hair until they have lost around 50% of their head of hair, by which time the hair loss is noticeable and can cause undue distress.

Mark’s role as a trichologist is to diagnose the causative factors and to try to reverse, slow down or eliminate the impact on your hair.

‘Hair can be a huge contributing factor to someone’s self-esteem, no matter what gender, so I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction if I can help a patient feel their best and enhance their life by helping them improve their confidence,’ he says. ‘Hair loss and thinning hair is a problem that around 50% of people suffer from, but they don’t need to suffer in silence anymore.’

Hair is the second most prolific cell producer in the body after bone marrow, and so it takes a lot of energy to grow good quality hair. On average, you grow between 0.3 and 0.5 millimetres of hair a day which initially doesn’t sound like a lot… but you've got between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on your head. If you put the 0.3/0.5mm growth end on end and multiply it by 150,000 (the amount of hair on your head), that means today you will grow around 36 metres of hair in one day. So, with that said, you need to make sure that you are suitably fuelling your body so that you are growing 36 metres of good quality hair every day, not 36 metres of the weak and lacklustre stuff.

Mark Blake has clinics in London’s Harley Street, Liverpool and locally in Gloucester.

Email info@markblake.co.uk or call 01452 528342.

Keep up to date with Mark’s journey on Instagram: @markblaketrichologist