History of Trichology: Origins, Founders, Timeline
The history of trichology, from the Greek word for hair to an 1860s London barbershop, the 1902 founding of the Institute of Trichologists, and trichoscopy.
The history of trichology begins with a Greek word and a Victorian barbershop. The name comes from the Greek for hair, the organized field traces to London around 1860, and the Institute of Trichologists gives 1902 as its founding year. Since then, hair science has added growth cycle research, trichoscopy and dedicated journals.
This page follows that story in order and marks where sources disagree. For a definition of the field as it stands today, start with what is trichology. History is an area where confident claims often outrun the records, so every date below is tied to a source listed at the end, and details that could not be verified have been left out.
Where does the word trichology come from?
The word trichology comes from Greek. The Online Etymology Dictionary traces the prefix tricho- to the Greek thrix, genitive trikhos, meaning hair. The ending -logy means study. Trichology is, literally, the study of hair.
Two details from the dictionaries are worth knowing:
- The prefix is older than the field. The Online Etymology Dictionary records tricho- as a word-forming element used in botany and zoology from about 1800.
- The job title appears in the 1860s. Merriam-Webster dates the first known use of the word trichologist to 1863.
The same root runs through the vocabulary of hair science, from trichoscopy to trichotillomania. Those terms are defined in the trichology glossary.
What did people know about hair before trichology existed?
People studied and worried about hair long before the field had a name. Written remedies for hair loss are among the oldest medical recipes on record, but they were folk formulas, not science in the modern sense.
History.com describes the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical text it dates to 1550 B.C., as offering several recommended cures for hair loss, including mixtures of animal fats applied to the scalp. Recipes of that kind show how old the concern is. They do not show an understanding of how hair grows.
The scientific vocabulary came much later. The prefix tricho- entered scientific writing from about 1800, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, and the words trichologist and trichology followed in the decades after. The named field belongs to the 19th century, not to the ancient world.
Who founded trichology, and when did trichology start?
No single person is documented as the founder of trichology. The best available accounts place the origin of trichology in London in the second half of the 19th century, and they describe a gradual start, not a single founding act.
Here is what the sources say:
- The barbershop origin. Writing in the International Journal of Trichology in 2022, Ralph Trüeb and colleagues state that in 1860 an interest in hair loss and hair care originated in a London barbershop under a man known as Professor Wheeler. They add that by 1902 this interest had become known as trichology.
- The institutional origin. The Institute of Trichologists states on its history page that in 1902 "a group of like-minded doctors, scientists and hairdressers came together to found the College of Diseases of the Hair," later known as the Incorporated Institute of Trichologists.
Where the sources differ
The accounts agree on the outline and differ on details, so both are given here.
- The 2022 paper gives 1860 as a firm date and says the field was called trichology by 1902. A 2023 paper by Trüeb in the same journal gives the date as "ca. 1860" and does not separate the naming from the barbershop period.
- Merriam-Webster's 1863 first known use of trichologist suggests the vocabulary was already in circulation in the 1860s, well before 1902.
- The 2022 paper says the Institute of Trichologists was founded in 1902. The Institute's own page says the body founded that year was called the College of Diseases of the Hair and took the Institute name later.
Was there a first trichologist?
The record does not support naming one verified first trichologist. Professor Wheeler is the earliest figure named in the journal literature. The Institute of Trichologists names Francis Law as one of its early founding members and says he is acknowledged as one of the fathers of the Institute. It records that he served as General Secretary in the early years.
How did the Institute of Trichologists develop after 1902?
According to the Institute's own history, the organization moved from a small college to an incorporated professional body with its own teaching hospital within about 25 years. The dates below all come from the Institute's history page.
- 1925. The Institute was formally incorporated under the Companies Act as the Institute of Trichologists (Incorporated).
- 1928. A Scalp and Hair Hospital opened at 23 Fitzroy Square, London, on 24 September 1928 under the supervision of Francis Law. The Institute describes it as the first of its kind in the country.
- 1942. By December 1942, the Institute reports, 70 percent of its associates and members were away on active service. The hospital closed during the war and the building was later destroyed by bombing.
- 1959. A new hospital opened at 228 Stockwell Road, London, on 6 July 1959.
- 1998. In September 1998 the name was changed to The Institute of Trichologists.
The British model spread through correspondence education. Trüeb and colleagues note that the Institute offered courses by home study to students internationally, and that other organizations followed.
One point from this history still matters to readers today. The same authors write that trichologists "are not medically qualified," and the Institute says the same of its own members. From its early years, trichology has sat beside medicine, not inside it. That distinction is covered in trichologist vs dermatologist.
How did hair science develop in the 20th century?
Through the 20th century, the science of hair was built mainly by biologists and dermatologists, and it gave trichology much of the knowledge it teaches today. Two developments stand out: the description of the hair growth cycle, and the use of magnified imaging on the scalp.
The hair growth cycle
The idea that each follicle cycles through growth, regression and rest is the basis of modern hair education. Merriam-Webster dates the first known use of the terms anagen and catagen to 1926.
Later work filled in the detail. A 2023 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine describes anagen as the longest phase, lasting about two to eight years in scalp hair, catagen as a transition of about two weeks, and telogen as a resting phase of about two to three months. The same review describes a further shedding phase, exogen. The phases are explained in hair growth cycle stages.
Trichoscopy and dermoscopy
Dermoscopy, a magnified surface view of the skin, has been most commonly used for examining pigmented skin lesions. A 2013 review in the International Journal of Trichology records that in 2006 Lidia Rudnicka and Malgorzata Olszewska coined the term trichoscopy for dermoscopy of the hair and scalp.
The name is newer than the practice. Trüeb notes that the method was in use on the scalp before it was given that name. Today dermatologists use trichoscopy as part of medical diagnosis, and non-medical professionals use scalp scopes to observe and document. See what is trichoscopy for how it works.
Journals and societies
The field also gained its own publications. The Hair Research Society of India was started on 13 June 2004, and its International Journal of Trichology began publishing in 2009. The US National Library of Medicine catalog lists the journal with a 2009 start, published by Medknow. In 2010, Patrick Yesudian proposed the term dermato-trichologist for dermatologists who focus on hair, to distinguish them from non-medical trichologists.
What does trichology look like in the United States today?
In the United States, trichology is a non-medical, educational field. "Trichologist" is not a state-licensed medical title, and hands-on services may fall under state cosmetology or barber rules. Medical care for hair and scalp disease belongs to physicians.
The American Academy of Dermatology defines a dermatologist as a medical doctor who specializes in conditions that affect the skin, hair and nails. A US trichologist works alongside that system: recognize changes, support the client with education and cosmetic care, and refer medical concerns.
The table compares the field's early British form with its US form today.
| Early British trichology | US trichology today | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | London barbershop, then a college and a hair hospital | Salons, barbershops, studios and head spas |
| Who was involved | A barber, then the doctors, scientists and hairdressers of the 1902 college | Often stylists, barbers and other beauty professionals who add trichology education |
| Legal standing | Not a medical qualification | Not a state-licensed medical title |
| Training | Institute courses, including home study | Professional education programs with certification exams |
Certification in the US is offered through independent certifying bodies. The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) lists an Associate Trichologist Certification exam of 100 questions over 2 hours and a Trichologist Certification exam of 200 questions over 3 hours 30 minutes. The USTI pathway runs in order: Hair Loss Practitioner, then Associate Trichologist, then Clinical training. Details are in how to become a trichologist and on the USTI trichology courses page.
Whether the field meets the standard of a science is a fair question with a careful answer, covered in is trichology a real science.
Timeline: key dates in the history of trichology
Every entry in this timeline comes from a source listed below.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1800 | The prefix tricho-, from Greek thrix, comes into use in scientific writing | Online Etymology Dictionary |
| 1860 (given as "ca. 1860" in a later paper) | Interest in hair loss and hair care begins in a London barbershop under a man known as Professor Wheeler | Trüeb et al. 2022; Trüeb 2023 |
| 1863 | First known use of the word trichologist | Merriam-Webster |
| 1902 | College of Diseases of the Hair founded in London, later the Institute of Trichologists | Institute of Trichologists |
| 1925 | Institute of Trichologists (Incorporated) formally incorporated | Institute of Trichologists |
| 1926 | First known use of the hair cycle terms anagen and catagen | Merriam-Webster |
| 1928 | Scalp and Hair Hospital opens at 23 Fitzroy Square, London, on 24 September | Institute of Trichologists |
| 1959 | New hospital opens at 228 Stockwell Road, London, on 6 July | Institute of Trichologists |
| 1998 | Name changed to The Institute of Trichologists | Institute of Trichologists |
| 2004 | Hair Research Society of India started on 13 June | Murugusundram 2009 |
| 2006 | Term trichoscopy coined by Lidia Rudnicka and Malgorzata Olszewska | Jain et al. 2013 |
| 2009 | International Journal of Trichology begins publication | NLM Catalog |
| 2010 | Patrick Yesudian proposes the term dermato-trichologist | Trüeb et al. 2022 |
The history of trichology is shorter and less tidy than many summaries suggest. It started in a barbershop, organized itself in 1902, and has borrowed its strongest science from biology and dermatology ever since. The field's standing has always depended on practitioners who know where their role ends and a physician's begins.
New to the field? Start with What is trichology? or look up a term in the trichology glossary.
Sources
- Institute of Trichologists: IOT History
- Institute of Trichologists: What is Trichology
- Trüeb RM, Rezende HD, Gavazzoni Dias MFR, Caballero Uribe N. Trichology and Trichiatry; Etymological and Terminological Considerations. International Journal of Trichology, 2022
- Trüeb RM. A Comment on Mercantilism in the Trichological Sciences. International Journal of Trichology, 2023
- Online Etymology Dictionary: tricho-
- Merriam-Webster: trichologist
- Merriam-Webster: anagen
- Merriam-Webster: catagen
- History.com: 9 Bizarre Baldness Cures
- Natarelli N, Gahoonia N, Sivamani RK. Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023
- Jain N, Doshi B, Khopkar U. Trichoscopy in Alopecias: Diagnosis Simplified. International Journal of Trichology, 2013
- Murugusundram S. Journey Through the World of Hair. International Journal of Trichology, 2009
- NLM Catalog: International Journal of Trichology
- American Academy of Dermatology: What is a dermatologist?
- AMCA: Associate Trichologist Certification
- AMCA: Trichologist Certification
Frequently asked questions
Who founded trichology?
No single founder is documented. Papers in the International Journal of Trichology trace the field to about 1860 and a London barbershop run by a man known as Professor Wheeler. The Institute of Trichologists says a group of doctors, scientists and hairdressers founded its forerunner in 1902, and it names Francis Law as one of its early founding members.
When did trichology start?
Trichology as a named field started in Britain in the second half of the 19th century. A 2022 paper in the International Journal of Trichology dates the first interest to 1860 in London and says the field was known as trichology by 1902, the year the Institute of Trichologists gives for its own founding.
Where does the word trichology come from?
Trichology comes from Greek. The Online Etymology Dictionary traces the prefix tricho- to the Greek thrix, genitive trikhos, meaning hair, and notes the prefix has been used in science since about 1800. The ending -logy means study. Put together, trichology means the study of hair.
Who was the first trichologist?
The record does not name a verified first trichologist. Ralph Trüeb and colleagues describe a man known as Professor Wheeler, who worked from a London barbershop around 1860, as the starting point of the field. Merriam-Webster dates the first known use of the word trichologist to 1863, which fits that period.
When was the Institute of Trichologists founded?
The Institute of Trichologists gives 1902 as its founding year. According to its own history page, it began in London as the College of Diseases of the Hair, was formally incorporated in 1925 as the Institute of Trichologists (Incorporated), and adopted its present name, The Institute of Trichologists, in September 1998.
When was trichoscopy invented?
The term trichoscopy was coined in 2006 by Lidia Rudnicka and Malgorzata Olszewska for dermoscopy of the hair and scalp, according to a 2013 review in the International Journal of Trichology. Ralph Trüeb notes that clinicians had already used the same magnified technique on the scalp before it received that name.
Is trichology a medical specialty in the United States?
No. In the United States, trichologist is not a state-licensed medical title, and trichologists are not physicians. The American Academy of Dermatology defines a dermatologist as a medical doctor who specializes in conditions of the skin, hair and nails. US trichology is an educational, non-medical field built on recognizing, supporting and referring.
This article is educational and is not medical advice. USTI teaches professionals to recognize, support and refer.
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