Bridging the Gap: Why Collaboration Is the Future of Hair and Scalp Care
The Institute of Trichologists (IOT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sharon Wong, Consultant Dermatologist as its new President, marking a significant moment for the profession at a time of growing demand for credible, collaborative and patient centred hair and scalp care.
A Consultant Dermatologist and one of the UK’s most respected authorities on hair loss and scalp health, Dr Wong brings over 15 years of clinical experience, sector leadership and advocacy to the role. Her appointment reflects the Institute’s commitment to raising professional standards, strengthening recognition of trichology, and ensuring patients receive informed, ethical and evidence-based care.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Wong said: “I am truly honoured to accept the role of President of the Institute of Trichologists. The IOT is a progressive and forward-thinking organisation, and I am proud to support its continued work in raising standards, strengthening professional recognition and promoting excellence in practice.
I look forward to working with a dynamic and dedicated team of Board members and registrants who share a common vision. By collaborating more closely across the industry, we can help streamline the patient journey and ultimately deliver better outcomes for those we support.
At a time when medicine and wellness are more closely aligned than ever before, trichology sits at this unique and important intersection, and along with the IOT I am excited to help shape the future of our profession.”
Responding to a Changing Hair and Scalp Landscape
The hair and scalp sector is undergoing a significant shift. Consumers are increasingly informed and proactive, seeking not only aesthetic solutions but answers around scalp health, hair loss and the wider medical, hormonal and lifestyle factors that influence them. This is reflected in rising demand for targeted in-salon and clinic based treatments, presenting both opportunity and responsibility for professionals across the industry.
While hairdressers and salons are often the first point of contact for clients experiencing concerns, education around hair loss and scalp disorders can be inconsistent. Under Dr Wong’s leadership, the Institute of Trichologists will continue to champion stronger collaboration between trichologists, hair professionals, dermatologists, hair transplant surgeons and allied health practitioners, ensuring clients receive cohesive, compassionate and clinically appropriate support.
“By sharing expertise, investing in education and working together, the goal is simple but vital,” Dr Wong explains. “To ensure that people navigating hair and scalp concerns are supported early, accurately and holistically, rather than being left to struggle alone.”
About Dr Sharon Wong
Dr Wong’s path into hair loss and scalp health began in 2009 during her dermatology training, where she quickly recognised a critical gap in care. Patients with hair loss were often overlooked, both medically and emotionally.
By 2012, she had established one of the UK’s first dedicated NHS hair and scalp clinics, which became rapidly oversubscribed, highlighting the scale of unmet need. Practising in East London, she worked with an exceptionally diverse patient population, developing a nuanced and inclusive understanding of how hair and scalp conditions affect individuals differently across ethnicity, age and lived experience.
Alongside her clinical practice, Dr Wong has become a trusted voice in the field. She has served as a spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, is a member of the British Hair and Nail Society, and acts as an advisor to the British Beauty Council. Her expertise is regularly sought by global brands and featured across national and international media.
Over years of practice, Dr Wong observed a recurring pattern: patients arriving late to clinic after years of distress, financial loss and exposure to misinformation. “Hair loss isn’t just what you see on the scalp,” she says. “It requires early intervention, accurate education, psychological support and access to trusted professionals. That understanding has shaped everything I do.”
DOSE: Translating Expertise into Access
In 2025, Dr Wong extended this philosophy with the launch of DOSE, a science-led hair loss and scalp health platform designed to bridge the gap between dermatology and everyday hair care. Founded by Dr Wong and creative partner Sarah Lim-Murray, DOSE was created to act as a first, trusted point of contact for those navigating hair loss cutting through hype and misinformation with clinically informed solutions. Built on over 15 years of clinical expertise, DOSE combines personalised online consultations, medical-grade treatments, education and a growing professional directory, empowering individuals to understand and take control of their hair health earlier and more effectively.
About the Institute of Trichologists
The Institute of Trichologists is the UK’s leading professional body for trichology, dedicated to the education, accreditation and regulation of trichologists. Through rigorous training,professional standards and ongoing development, the IOT supports best practice in the diagnosis and management of hair and scalp disorders, while promoting collaboration across the wider hair, health and wellness industries.
With Dr Sharon Wong as President, the Institute enters a new chapter one focused on integration, innovation and ensuring trichology continues to meet the evolving needs of both professionals and the public.
