Course review – 01-10-2025
This part time course currently includes 46 assignments which should be completed within 26 academic months.
However this may of necessity be extended to include any delay, re-presentation of essays or additional topics.
To enrol please e-mail the Registrar.
Trichology is the science of Human Scalp & Hair in health, disease and distressed circumstances. This course provides the vehicle to obtaining The Trichological Society’s qualification in Pure-Trichology (with entitlement to use the post-nominal letters LTTS and the opportunity to be listed on this Portal).
The Society welcomes candidates with medical qualification to review and apply for this part time course.
Dermatologists / Surgeons are welcomed into subscription membership by TTS under the listing Physicians / Surgeons without further requirement. However, where a listing under Trichologists is sought the candidate is required to present a series of essays on the hair and scalp conditions / diseases (from the syllabus below) and at the conclusion to submit to a viva examination historically held in London but, can be via internet at a date to be agreed with TTS Governors.
COURSE STRUCTURE
This research based course is primarily conducted by distance learning (an up-to-date computer equipped for theinternet is therefore essential). Non-UK candidates may find attendances at local dermatology / trichology practices for observational study helpful.
However, as a significant number of hair deformities / diseases exist, and many are rare, it is unlikely that live subjects suffering each will be available for study. We therefore recommend candidates to include as many photographs as possible with their essays.
The course must be completed fully. It requires that an essay from the published list (see portal) is researched in chronological order written up in the candidates own words and submitted to the College on the 7th and 21st days of each month. (TTS is unable to provide a catch-up facility for late or failed submissions). Essays should be extensive academic works (where possible containing pictures) which have been researched using Internet resources and the recommended text books (listed herein).
All essays must be submitted in the candidates own words via e-mail to TTS. Plagiarism testing is routinely conducted.
All essays should emphasise a relationship with hair/scalp and include an aetiology, diagnosis and prognosis together with any recommendations as to treatment regimes.
The examiner’s acceptance for each assignment essay (syllabus below) must be gained prior to the examination.
If the TTS appointed external independent examiner suggests further work is required on an essay, it should be carried out as a matter of priority. and submitted as the Candidate’s next scheduled essay. This may thereby delay the course completion.
End of course Viva Voce examinations are held in London, but may if the Governors so direct be conducted by internet or other means.
THE COSTS
Academic course fee: Currently £200 per month throughout the duration of the course (anticipated duration 26 months but may be increased if additional topics are introduced or Candidates fail to submit essays as required.
Payments (currently £200 per month) to be made by Bankers Order. As TTS is a not-for-profit body it requires candidates to pay any charges incurred. Monthly receipts are not provided.
The fee to the College includes the marking of 2 assignments per month which must be mus received on 7th and 21st days thereof.
Additional costs
i) Purchase of text books (listed below).
ii) Attendance in London for occasional one-to-one tutorials. Professor B Stevens charges £100 per hour for private tutorial visits to his practice in Gidea Park, Greater London RM2 6AU.
iii) Expenses involved with travel and hotel accommodation when visiting London for tutorials and the examination.
ENROLMENT PROCEDURE
A prospective candidate seeking enrolment should email The Registrar for an Application for Enrolment Form.
This will usually be sent by email.
On completion this is to be returned to The Registrar by email.
The College will then review the application and inform the applicant accordingly.
Successful applicants will be offered a place on the course to commence on the first day of any preferred month (not August or December).
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Hair science is an area of continuing research, therefore there may be updates and additions to the syllabus at any time which could extend the course duration.
Too much well-presented information is never criticised. Diagrams / pictures are encouraged. Words guides are not generally given because written material will vary in length according to individual composition styles. However the importance of including all relevant data and points of interest cannot be overstated.
An essay for each and every topic listed herein must be submitted. Each must be accepted by the examiners. The head of college will require to meet candidates during their courses to assess progress – this is usually conducted on a one-to-one tutorial day.
The examination (at the end of the final year) is essentially viva/voce and usually held in London. Examinations may be conducted by internet at the Governors discretion.
SYLLABUS
HAIR and SCALP CONDITIONS
Many of the topics in this section will constitute extensive essays which will take time to research effectively to satisfy TTS academic standards.
it is also important to undergo some clinical experience. Where convenient candidates are welcome at their mentor’s clinical practice in UK. Where distances are great and visits to UK are problematic, candidates may be able to gain some practical experience from a supportive local dermatology unit however many of the conditions listed herein are rare, and it is unlikely that candidates will see live examples of them during practical sessions. The recommendation is therefore that the candidate collects an extensive photographic library from which to become acquainted with the visual symptoms of all conditions/diseases. Illustrated dermatology textbooks are therefore helpful.
THE TOPICS
1. The Hair. This extensive work will include a detailed morphology from conception, in-depth accounts of hair type (Afroid, Caucasoid Mongoloid) physical / chemical structure, development, growth cycles (anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen), follicular re-genesis, post puberty development, pigmentation, genetic factors, natural curl, density and other specific characteristics but exclude diseases which will each be the focus of future individual assignments. It is inevitable that some material included herein will be presented in other essays.
2. The Nails – include a detailed account of physical structure, growth cycles. Mention pigmentation and diseases (with photographs were possible).
3. Acne Necrotica Miliaris & Varioliformis
4. Acquired progressive kinking
5. Alopecia areata, totalis and universalis.
6. Androgenetic alopecia in males –include details and discussion regarding modern drug therapies, surgical hair replacement techniques, and non-surgical hair replacement.
7. Androgenic alopecia in females – include details and opinion on currently used drug therapies and suitability to surgical hair replacement. Discuss non-surgical replacement methods.
8. Bubble Hair Syndrome
9. Canities, Leucotrichia, Poliosis
10. Eczema’s – with special reference to scalp and effect on hair.
11. Effluvium’s (anlagen, telogen, loose anagen syndrome)
12. Favus
13. Folliculitis Decalvens
14 Hair Pigmentation Chemistry – Mention the chemistry, function and source of melanin, its distribution and the consequences of its absence.
15. Hair fall associated with fever
16. Hair fall associated with eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia nervosa)
17. Herpes (Shingles)
18. Hirsutism (include differential diagnosis with hypertrichosis)
19. Hyperkeratosis Cystica Follicularis
20. Hypertrichosis (include reference to congenital hypertrichosis, congenital syndromes and metabolic disorders, prepubertal and X-linked hypertrichosis)
21. Idiopathic Trichoclasia, Monilethrix
22. Impetigo – with special reference to scalp and effect on hair
23. Lichen Planus (Planopilaris). Pseudo-pelade (Brocq), Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
24. Lupus Erythematosus (discoid and systemic)
25. Malignant Melanomas and Non-Melanoma skin cancers – with special reference to scalp
26. Nutrition and hair health
27. Pediculus capitis – mention the body and pubic louse and discuss the treatments available
28. Pemphigus – with special reference to scalp
29 Pityriasis (‘Seborrhoeic dermatitis’) with special reference to scalp and effect on hair. (Include graphic descriptions of each together with recommendations as to treatment regimes – include photos where possible.
30 Porphria (congenital or erythropoietic) and hypertrichosis
31. Post-natal alopeci
32. Psoriasis of the scalp
33. Dermatophytosis Capitis (Ringworm) with special reference to scalp and effect on hair. Include details of anthropophilic and zoophilic fungi, microspora, trichophyta, epidermophyta
34. Serum Ferritin, Serum Iron, Vitamin B12 and hair status
35. Thyroid functions and hair status – mention hair loss and changes in characteristics
37. Trichokinesis. Trichomycosis Nodosa
38. Trichorrhexis Nodosa
39 Trichothiodystrophy
40. Trichotillomania, Trichophagy , Plica Polonica
41 Urticaria with special reference to scalp and effect on hair
42. Woolly Hair Syndrome.
43. Cyclical hair growth changes associated with pregnancy.
44. CCCA Central Centrifugal Cicatizing Alopecia
TEXTBOOKS (At least one of which is required)
Diseases of the Hair and Scalp (R Dawber) if available.
Disorders of Hair Growth Diagnosis and Treatment by Elise A Olsen (2nd Edition)
Blume-Peytavi, U. at all. Hair Growth and Disorders.
MENTORS (to be assigned)
Each will be appropriately qualified and experienced.
STUDY ASSISTANCE (via e-mail): Anytime with the assigned Mentor – or with TTS Office.
HAIR PROCESSING PROCEDURES
THE TOPICS Detailed essays are required on the following:
45. Hair Processing Observation The areas of interest are chemical procedures including permanent waving, relaxing, straightening, bleaching and colouring techniques. Verification is required.
46. Hair Processing Essay: This is to confirm a clear understanding of the chemical and physical procedures involved in current hairdressing procedures which can be a threat to health or damage scalp and hair.
Provide detailed explanations of the formulation and use of hair bleaches, tints (oxidative and non-oxidative), relaxers (hydroxides), straighteners (reducing agents), permanent waving chemicals (thioglycollates) and oxidative products e.g. hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulphate etc.
Trichologists need to thoroughly understand the potentially damaging / injurious / even life threatening / attributes of some products which can include; allergic contact dermatitis, allergic irritant dermatitis, oxidative cleavage, trichorrhexis nodosa, bubble hair syndrome, anaphylaxis, full depth scalp burns etc.
This essay should mention the importance of routine testing for allergic reactions (which may present at any time in anyone irrespective of history) and hair-shaft intolerance thereto. Mention the risks associated with high temperature thermal styling irons and driers and of cornrowing, braiding, plaiting, hair extensions etc.the chemical and physical procedures viz bleaching, dying, permanent waving, hair relaxing, extensions, braiding corn-rowing etc involved in current hairdressing procedures.
EXAMINATION
Candidates who have completed the academic work and are considered to be of sufficient standard to enter the examination will be invited to do so.
The examinations take place each year at the discretion of the Governors who will consider special concessions (i.e internet) in the case of overseas and /or far distant candidates.
The examination will be viva/voce, diagnoses, prognosis, and discussion regarding treatment options.
GRADUATION
The President’s Day & Graduation Ceremony was historically been held annually in UK. Graduands (wearing the academic robes and colours of TTS) receive their Diplomas from the President in the presence of Family and Friends. However the Covid-19 pandemic was highly disruptive and the event cancelled. It is to be hoped that some form of ceremony will be introduced in 2026.
OTHER INFORMATION
MENTORS will be appropriately qualified and experienced persons.
STUDY ASSISTANCE (via e-mail): Anytime with the assigned Mentor – or with TTS Office
This overview presents the current syllabus and course details (as at 01-10-2025). As the science of pure trichology advances The Trichological Society reserves the right to implement changes to its courses and additions to the curriculum which may inadvertently extend the course. Candidates should therefore refer to this page from time to time.
ACCOMMODATION
Reasonably priced accommodation (to be funded by the student) is available at local Hotels.
We hope this overview has been helpful and informative. Please address any questions to THE REGISTRAR
© THE TRICHOLOGICAL SOCETY
Distance Learning College of Trichology