While hair loss is a subject to be considered 24/7 all year round, August has been ‘Hair Loss Awareness’ month, and continuing our close-up look at the subject, we caught up with hairdresser Anneliese Hesse who works at Tribe Salon in Clapham, London, and is also co-founder of Humankind Hair Education, along with Harriet Stokes. As an educator and hairdresser of 19 years, Anneliese recently certified as a Trichologist. She explains how she’s always been motivated to keep up with her own education, and loves how now her career focusses on science and facts influencing the education she delivers.. Join us for an in-depth chat on all things hair as we ask her, why trichology?
Harriet Stokes & Anneliese Hesse: Humankind Hair
Trichology: the journey
Tribu-te: Tell us about Humankind Hair
Anneliese: Humankind Hair is the education business that I co-founded along with my friend and business partner Harriet Stokes [in 2020]. Having worked together over the years we discovered we shared a joint vision for how we believed education should be. Our mission at Humankind Hair is for humans in our industry to be treated equally, with kindness, consideration and respect. We adapt everything we teach to suit all hair types, for all humans and cover this on every course we teach. We are big believers in understanding the why’s behind the what’s and love a geeky debate! Our education is based on science and facts, and we always keep it fun and full of energy. We teach courses in person from our London academies, or privately for salon teams both nationally and internationally, and also online.
Tribu-te: What prompted you to study trichology?
Anneliese: I had a personal reason…My mum has a form of alopecia – FFA – which has caused significant, permanent hair loss. I was sadly unable to identify it or provide a solution due to the lack of information around hair loss in the hairdressing curriculum, which was frustrating. In her case the hair loss is not really treatable, but I wish I would have been able to at least recognise what was happening and advise her better along the way.
Tribu-te: And that kicked off your interest?
Anneliese: As hairdressers we typically learn how to work with and care for the hair OUTSIDE of the scalp, but really what we need to understand when dealing with these issues is what’s going on INSIDE. There is very little taught information around hair loss, growth and scalp health in hairdressing, yet SO many clients have questions about it, and often look for answers from their hairdresser. I spent so much time Googling things, and trying to navigate all the conflicting information on the internet that I decided enough was enough, and to take the plunge and invest in studying and getting certified myself.
Tribu-te: How long has it taken and what’s it been like?
Anneliese: I studied for a Level 4 Certificate in Trichology, which is formally accredited by ITEC, Ofqual-regulated, and has been written specifically for learners with a hairdressing background. It took 10 months to complete and I studied from home with regular coaching from very supportive tutors. I was also working full-time, running Humankind Hair, and then became pregnant with my daughter two months into studying!
Honestly, it was really hard. It’s so far removed from what we learn in hairdressing as it’s necessary to study a lot of chemistry, cosmetic science, anatomy and physiology, nutrition and more, BEFORE you even start looking at hair and scalp conditions. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and loved being so deeply immersed in an education environment for all that time.
Action stations!
Tribut-te: How will this now shape your career going forward?
Anneliese: This might sound dramatic but I don’t know how I’ve gotten by as a hairdresser without having had this knowledge previously! Being a certified trichologist enables me to provide a consultation service to my salon clients – at Tribe salon – on a much deeper level than I would have been able to before. I also plan to bring elements of what I’ve learned into our courses at Humankind Hair, to share with other hairdressers and hopefully help them too.
Tribu-te: What’s been the most striking thing you’ve learned through this? Either a fact, or area of study?
Anneliese: After studying anatomy, physiology and cosmetic science, I’ll never again be a sucker for marketing jargon! There is no magical product that will make your hair grow, oiling will not fix a flaky scalp, and stopping shampooing your hair is generally not a good idea. Product companies want to sell you a product, but if you really want to encourage healthy hair you need a healthy body, not just the latest ‘must-have’ product.
Anneliese Hesse: hairdresser and trichologist, in 2022
Tribu-te: Is this something all salons should consider?
Anneliese: I think it would be great if all salons had a base level of information in trichology, purely because so many clients reach out to their hairdresser with questions that actually relate more to trichology – and expect them to know the answer. Studying is a big commitment and won’t be for everyone, but for anyone who is interested in going down this route, it is certainly extremely helpful information to have for salon clients. If not, having a trusted trichologist in mind to recommend clients to is also super helpful.
Tribu-te: There’s more interest from the consumer in hair loss and the reasons behind it – will knowing trichology help?
Anneliese: 100%. Trichology is literally the study of the hair and scalp and will provide an understanding of a variety of types of hair loss and, just as importantly, the causes of it and possible solutions.
Hairdresser info
Tribu-te: What do people need to know about hair loss most of all?
Anneliese: What’s causing it. Without knowing this it’s very hard to achieve any kind of long term solution. Sometimes a trichologist can find this out via in-depth consultation, or other times we may refer you to a medical professional for further investigation.
Tribu-te: Can you share anything that hairdressers can take away to help them assist their client better?
Anneliese: I think having a holistic approach is really important. The key to healthy hair is a healthy scalp and ultimately, body. Scalp hair is relatively non-essential and will only thrive when everything else – all the important stuff – is in good working order. When the body is in a state of stress, be that physical or emotional, it focuses its energy on our vital organs – hair is wayyyy down the priority list! As a consequence we often see the hair losing vitality, thickness or density. Quality hair care products are definitely important but will never be enough without really good nutrition, hydration and a healthy lifestyle.
Tribu-te: Wow! Thanks sooo much. You are so inspirational in achieving your qualification. We totally appreciate your time. Readers, if you want to see more then jump onto Instagram and visit: @anneliese_hesse
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