Who does what
| What they are | Can prescribe? | See them for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Your family doctor | Yes | The first look, blood tests, finasteride, scalp conditions, referrals |
| Dermatologist | A consultant in skin, hair and nails | Yes | Unclear diagnoses, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, specialist medicines |
| Trichologist | A hair and scalp practitioner, not a doctor | No | Assessment, hair care advice, non-medical scalp treatment |
| Hair clinic | A private clinic, sometimes doctor-led | Only its doctors | PRP, laser, transplants, micropigmentation |
Trichologists
A trichologist studies hair and the scalp but is not a medical doctor and can't prescribe. The title isn't protected in Ireland, so ask where they trained and which professional body they belong to. A good trichologist will send you to a GP when something needs a medical diagnosis.
Dermatologists
You usually need a GP's referral letter. Privately, ask the consultation fee when you book. Publicly, waiting lists are long, so ask your GP to say on the letter if scarring or fast loss is suspected.
What a first appointment involves
Whoever you see, a proper first visit has the same parts: questions about your health, family and medicines; a close look at the scalp and hair, often with a magnifying camera; a name for what you have, or a plain statement that it needs tests; and the options, with costs.
Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, any blood results from the last year, and photos of your hair from a year or two ago. If you colour your hair, book for a week when the roots are showing: regrowth and the true parting are easier to judge.
Hair clinics
Clinics differ a lot. Some are run by doctors and offer the full range. Some sell one treatment to everyone who walks in. Every doctor practising in Ireland must be on the Medical Council's register, and you can search it by name. Hair restoration has no specialty of its own on that register, so ask what training the doctor has and how many of these procedures they do in a year. How to choose a clinic.
Questions people ask
Is a trichologist a doctor?
No. Trichologists are not medical doctors and can't prescribe or order blood tests.
Do I need a referral to see a dermatologist?
Usually, yes: most consultants ask for a GP's letter, privately as well as publicly.
Who should I see first?
Your GP, unless it's clearly long-standing pattern hair loss and you already know which treatment you want to ask about.
How much does a trichologist cost in Ireland?
A consultation costs €50 to €250 in our price guide, with trichologists at the lower end.