With a mission to inform hair professionals and members of the public on all aspects of hair loss and to raise awareness that hair loss matters, the first Get Ahead of Hair Loss event has taken place.

Where?

Held at the Royal Society of Medicine in London’s Wimpole Street, speakers from the worlds of trichology and hairdressing, as well as high-profile personalities with first-hand experience of hair loss, shared their experiences and expertise with more than 100 delegates.

Who?

Speakers included leading trichologist Glenn Lyons from Philip Kingsley Clinic, hair transplant surgeon, Dr Bessam Farjo, plus top hairdressers Errol Douglas MBE, Trevor Sorbie MBE, Stephen Nurse of Daniel Galvin, London and extensions supremo, Inanch Emir.

Among those representing people who have experienced hair loss were influencer and campaigner, Natalie Lee, who also hosted the day, Youtube vlogger, Perry O’Bree and gold medal winning Olympic cyclist Joanna Rowsell Shand MBE.

About The Day

The day was split into three main sections, covering the science of hair loss, the psychological effects of hair loss on those experiencing it and the cosmetic solutions.
The result was a day of education, inspiration and entertainment, with more than a few tears shed during some of the emotional revelations from those who knew the psychological effects of hair loss from personal experience.

Its Founder

The event was founded by Dr Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist and hair expert at the Homerton University Hospital in London. Sharon welcomed delegates to the event by saying: “This event is for you. Hair loss is too often treated as not important and purely cosmetic, and it’s obvious that access to advice, support and reliable information is really difficult.”

Its Sponsors

Delegates were also able to browse numerous stands during their coffee and lunch breaks, to get information and advice from the event’s sponsors, who included HairClone, Trendco, Boots, Organic Colour Systems, Alopecia UK, Nioxin, BAMbeautiful, Banbury Postiche, Philip Kingsley, Batiste, The Skin Health Alliance, British Skin Foundation, Finishing Touches Group and talkhealth.

The Speakers

The Science Session

Glenn Lyons, clinical director, Philip Kingsley Clinic, London
Glenn offered delegates a whistle-stop overview of the different forms of alopecia, how to identify them and the possible causes.

Dr Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist and hair expert and founder of Get Ahead of Hair Loss
Sharon focused on scarring alopecia, a form of alopecia, where a disease process has replaced hair follicles with scar tissue.

Zoe Passam, trichologist, Philip Kinglsey Clinic, London
Zoe’s offered an informed presentation on how nutrition can affect hair loss, while also offering a fascinating insight into the growth cycle of hair.

Dr Bessam Farjo, hair transplant surgeon
Bessam looked at the surgical solutions to hair loss, outlining the types of hair loss that would and would not be suitable for a transplant procedure.

Dr Gill Westgate, Centre of Skin Sciences
Gill explained the science of the hair follicle and the extensive, and growing amount, of research being conducted in the area of hair loss.

Dr Claire Higgins, lecturer at Imperial College, London
Claire offered an absorbing insight into the origins of different hair types found on the human body and how these origins can be used to generate new hair growth.

The Psychology Session

This section of the day saw psychology research associate at the University of Sheffield, Kerry Montgomery, talk to a panel of individuals who have all lived with hair loss. On the panel were Olympic cyclist Joanna Rowsell Shand MBE, Youtube vlogger Perry O’Bree, campaigner and influencer Natalie Lee and Lucy Morewood, a patient at the Philip Kingsley clinic living with female pattern hair loss.

The Cosmetic Session

Tony Maleedy, trichologist and founder of Tony Maleedy Hair
Tony talked about the dos and don’ts when it comes to choosing a shampoo and conditioner and the importance of regularly washing hair.

Stephen Nurse, operations director, Daniel Galvin, London

Working for one of the most renowned colour salons in the world, Stephen offered an insight into how professional colour placement can help disguise the signs of thinning hair.

Errol Douglas MBE

Celebrity hairdresser, Errol, looked at the specific hair loss problems affecting clients with Afro hair and the importance of a thorough consultation.

Inanch Emir

Hair extensions expert Inanch advised on the correct procedures for fitting hair extensions without causing damage to a client’s own hair.

Trevor Sorbie MBE

Trevor Sorbie talked about his My New Hair charity, which offers free wig fitting and cutting for those suffering hair loss after cancer treatments.

You can find out more by visiting Get Ahead of Hair Loss here.