WHAT TO EXPECT
What to Expect During Your Trichology Consultation.
A calm, structured appointment centred on your concerns. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis. Carmen will listen to what has changed, assess your hair and scalp, and explain practical next steps in plain language.
No referral needed.
Book because something has changed and you would like a clearer direction.
✓ Approximately 45 minutes ✓ Private appointment ✓ Perth CBD
BEFORE YOU ATTEND
There is very little you need to organise.
Follow your normal hair-care routine. If you already have useful information, bring it, but do not delay booking because you do not have paperwork or test results.
✓ Use your usual shampoo and styling routine
✓ Bring recent relevant blood results if you have them
✓ Bring current medication details if available
✓ Save progress photographs that show the change
✓ List products, supplements or treatments already tried
✓ Note recent illness, stress, surgery, weight or hormonal changes
WHAT YOU NEED
You do not need a referral, diagnosis or new blood tests.
✓ No GP referral is required
✓ No need to diagnose the concern yourself
✓ No need to purchase products beforehand
✓ No need to stop your usual routine
For the clearest scalp assessment: avoid applying heavy oils, fibres, concealers or other scalp products immediately before the appointment. You do not need to wash your hair specially unless that is part of your normal routine.
DURING YOUR CONSULTATION
Six connected stages create the full picture.
The consultation is adapted to your concern. Not every person needs every investigation, and trichoscopy or review of existing blood results is used where relevant.
1
Detailed case history
Discuss onset, progression, symptoms, family and medical history, hormonal change, stress, illness, medication, nutrition, hair care and previous treatments.
2
Assess density, distribution, part line, crown, temples, hairline, patchy areas, breakage, scale, redness, oiliness, dryness and inflammation.
3
Use non-invasive high-magnification imaging where appropriate to examine follicle openings, hair-shaft variation, miniaturisation, breakage and scalp signs.
4
Review relevant results you already have in the context of your symptoms and visible pattern. Further testing may be discussed with your GP where appropriate.
5
Possible contributing factors
Discuss patterns such as increased shedding, female or male pattern loss, hormonal change, nutritional factors, scalp inflammation, traction or concerns requiring referral.
6
Personalised next steps
Cover hair and scalp care, product guidance where appropriate, monitoring, follow-up timing and whether GP or dermatologist input may be useful.
The goal is clarity, not a rushed label. Your history, symptoms, visible findings and any relevant existing results are considered together before next steps are discussed.
WHAT YOU LEAVE WITH
A clearer direction, not a confusing list of products.
1
Findings in plain language
Understand what Carmen can see and how it relates to the history you discussed.
2
Practical next steps
Know what to monitor, what may be worth changing and what questions remain.
3
Referral guidance
If diagnosis, prescription treatment or medical investigation is needed, Carmen can explain the appropriate next step.
AFTER THE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Hair and scalp changes often need time and monitoring.
The expected course depends on the concern, its contributing factors and whether medical treatment is required.
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Improvement is gradual
Hair growth follows a slow cycle. Visible change may take several months, and in some situations six months or longer, even after shedding begins to stabilise.
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Follow-up is individual
A follow-up may be recommended to review shedding, scalp symptoms, new results, progress photographs or trichoscopy images and adjust guidance where needed.
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Medical input when appropriate
Some concerns require diagnosis, prescription treatment, biopsy or specialist assessment. Carmen can explain when GP or dermatologist support may be the next step.
COMMON QUESTIONS