Hair loss often begins beneath the surface, long before shedding becomes visible. Trichologists who investigate internal health frequently uncover patterns, such as nutritional gaps, chronic inflammation, or metabolic imbalances, that help explain why hair loss persists despite external treatments. But knowing why hair loss occurs internally is only half the solution. The crucial next question is: what can be done about it?
This is where internal protocols become essential tools in modern trichology. They transform laboratory findings and clinical observations into practical strategies for restoring balance and supporting hair regrowth. Internal protocols aren’t simply about running tests; they’re about creating a clear plan of action that clients can realistically follow.
Translating Test Results into Practical Steps
Functional blood chemistry analysis and thorough health assessments provide a roadmap for intervention. Yet it’s what practitioners do next that determines outcomes.
Some practical examples include:
- Low Ferritin or Iron Deficiency
- Encourage iron-rich foods such as red meat, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and leafy greens.
- Pair iron sources with vitamin C to enhance absorption (e.g., citrus with meals).
- Identify and address digestive issues that might impair iron absorption (Trost, Bergfeld, & Calogeras, 2006).
- Gut Health Imbalances
- Recommend removing potential irritants (such as gluten, dairy, and excess sugar) if sensitivity is suspected.
- Incorporate fermented foods for microbiome diversity.
- Support gut lining with nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc, and omega-3s (Almohanna, Ahmed, & Tosti, 2019).
- Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation
- Advise an anti-inflammatory diet rich in colorful vegetables, berries, and healthy fats.
- Reduce processed foods, sugars, and seed oils.
- Include natural antioxidants such as green tea polyphenols or curcumin (Trueb, 2003).
- Blood Sugar Dysregulation
- Encourage balanced meals combining protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Recommend avoiding high-sugar snacks and large carbohydrate loads.
- Educate on meal timing to stabilize insulin levels (Messenger, Sinclair, & Farrant, 2010).
While hormonal imbalances also play a significant role in hair loss, addressing hormones typically requires collaboration with medical professionals. Hormonal therapies should always be managed under medical supervision due to their complexity and risks.
Lifestyle as Protocol, Not Just Advice
Internal protocols don’t end with lab results or a list of supplements. They involve changing daily habits, which can be the hardest part for clients.
Many individuals know what they should do for their health, but they feel overwhelmed about how to get started. This is where functional medicine health coaching bridges the gap between information and real change. Effective coaching involves:
- Helping clients identify their reasons for change
- Breaking goals into manageable, practical steps
- Navigating obstacles—whether logistical or emotional
- Offering accountability and encouragement over time
- Teaching clients how to track progress and adjust plans as needed
The Institute for Functional Medicine emphasizes that sustainable change originates from addressing lifestyle factors—namely, nutrition, stress, sleep, movement, and reducing toxin exposure, not just prescribing supplements (IFM, 2021). In trichology, coaching transforms protocols into actionable routines that clients can maintain over the long term.
Internal and External: A Unified Strategy
Internal protocols are not a replacement for external treatments. Instead, they work in conjunction with topical therapies, scalp treatments, and other trichological interventions.
For example:
- Addressing scalp inflammation externally with essential oils and pH-balancing treatments while also reducing systemic inflammation internally.
- Using microneedling or laser therapy to stimulate follicles while correcting nutrient deficiencies internally to support new hair growth.
Both sides of the protocol, internal and external, are essential for sustainable hair health. When combined, they create a comprehensive strategy that addresses not just symptoms but the underlying factors contributing to hair loss.
Moving from Insight to Action
For trichologists and professionals in related fields, internal protocols represent an evolving frontier in hair loss care. Laboratory results and functional assessments offer powerful insights, but it’s the practical, personalized action plan that turns those insights into results.
By embracing both science and coaching, trichologists can help clients not only restore their hair but also improve their overall well-being. Hair often speaks as an early warning signal for the body, and learning to listen and act can change lives.
References
Almohanna, H. M., Ahmed, A. A., & Tosti, A. (2019). Nutritional factors and hair loss in women. Dermatology and Therapy, 9(1), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-4
Institute for Functional Medicine. (2021). Functional medicine: A systems biology approach to personalized medicine. Gig Harbor, WA: IFM.
Messenger, A. G., Sinclair, R., & Farrant, P. (2010). Disorders of hair. In T. Burns et al. (Eds.), Rook’s textbook of dermatology (8th ed., pp. 66.1–66.100). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Trueb, R. M. (2003). Association between smoking and hair loss: Another opportunity for health education against smoking? Dermatology, 206(3), 189–191. https://doi.org/10.1159/000069962
Trost, L. B., Bergfeld, W. F., & Calogeras, E. (2006). The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 54(5), 824–844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2005.11.1104
