Experts in Residence: 15 Top Tips for Healthy Hair with Trichologist Kate Holden

Experts in Residence: 15 Top Tips for Healthy Hair with Trichologist Kate Holden

Welcome to our UKLASH Experts In Residence Series. Over the coming months, we’ll partner with leading experts in dermatology, ophthalmology, trichology, and beyond to explore the science behind beauty, share expert tips, and bust myths—hoping to inspire and support us all on our journey to Never Stop Growing.

For the month of January, we’re thrilled to partner with Trichologist, Kate Holden MIT, whose knowledge and expertise when it comes to hair loss, hair care and scalp health is second to none.

In addition to having dealt with Trichotillomania on a personal level, she has dedicated her career to understanding the science of hair and the balance between lifestyle, genetics, and health that impacts its growth and vitality. 

Kate runs two hair loss clinics out of Manchester and West Yorkshire and is a full member of the Institute of Trichologists. She embraces UKLASH’s ethos to ‘Never Stop Growing’ as she studies to expand her knowledge and earn a master's degree in Nutrition, enabling her to better guide her patients in taking a more holistic approach to their hair and scalp concerns.

We were lucky enough to sit down with Kate to pick her brains and learn more about hair loss, her career in trichology and her top tips on how to grow stronger, longer and healthier hair!

How To Grow Healthy Hair With Trichologist, Kate Holden

1. What was it that made you want to become a Trichologist?

I’ve always loved hair and trained as a hairdresser when I was 16, but it was my Trichotillomania that led me to discover Trichology. That’s when I decided I wanted to help and support people dealing with hair loss. 

2. Can you run us through a day in the life as a Trichologist?

It really varies! On a clinic day, I am back to back with appointments. I spend around one hour with each person to really deep dive into their concerns, creating the right treatment plan for each client. I also teach Trichology and work with hair care brands, so every day is really different. 

3. What are the best and worst parts of your job?

I understand how hair loss and scalp issues can affect a person’s self-esteem and mental health. One of the best parts of my job is when I’m able to make a positive difference in someone’s life through treatment, but it’s also really tough in instances where treatment is unsuccessful or I have limited options for the client to try.

4. How does the hair growth cycle work?

There are three main phases - Anagen (growth), Catagen (transition) and Telogen (rest going into shedding). Each hair follicle has its own rhythm and is largely controlled by genetics. However, the hair growth cycle can also be affected by a variety of factors including things like health, stress, medications, hormones and nutrition. 

5. From your experience, what’s the most common cause of hair loss you see in your clinic?

The most common cause of hair loss is genetic hair loss which affects up to 40% of women and over 60% of men. I see men and women of all ages who are struggling with this, but the good news is there are lots of things that can help, such as balancing a healthy lifestyle and diet and incorporating a proactive haircare routine in your day-to-day life.

6. What hair products do you feel are worth investing in vs. those that aren’t?

I’d recommend investing in a good deep conditioning treatment, such as the UKHAIR by UKLASH Repair Mask. Its innovative bond-building technology can make a huge difference in rebuilding the protein content in your hair, making it smoother and stronger. When it comes to shampoo, it’s best to keep things simple - their most important function is to cleanse the scalp, so you can’t go wrong with a gentle formula.

7. How long can you expect results after starting a new haircare routine?

It depends on what results you’re looking for. If you’re looking for shine and volume, you should be able to see a difference pretty quickly. Whereas reducing breakage and supporting hair growth can take time. Typically, it can take around three months or more before you can start to see noticeable results.

8. What’s the best ingredient to look out for when choosing products to tackle hair loss and what is best to avoid?

Hair loss is usually triggered by genetics or health issues, but your haircare routine can make a huge difference in trying to reduce its effects and boost hair growth. Volumising and strengthening ingredients like Vitamin B5(Panthenol) are great for all hair types, and avoid harsh, stripping ingredients. 

9. What are the best things you can do to improve your hair health during times of hormonal flux, such as postpartum or menopause?

Hormone changes are difficult to tackle, so if you are able to focus on areas that you can control like your nutrition, physical activity and general stress, this can help your body to not go into panic mode and reduce the impact on your hair growth cycle.

10. How can a travel-size haircare set, such as the Mini Haircare Essentials Set we’ve just released, be a game changer for a healthy haircare routine?

People often book in to see me at the clinic after they’ve been on holiday or come back from travelling as a change in environment can really wreck your hair! Being able to maintain your haircare routine while away means that you don’t randomly buy the cheapest product in a pharmacy, which tends to be harsher on the hair and exacerbates damage that your hair could be experiencing from chlorine, hard water and seawater, as well as UV and pollution. 

>>> UKLASH Recommends The Mini Haircare Essentials Set for growing healthy hair on the go!

11. If you were to introduce a newbie to the UKHAIR by UKLASH range, what product would you recommend incorporating into their routine?

UKLASH are known for their serums, and the Hair Growth Serum is easy to incorporate into your everyday as it’s lightweight and not greasy. If you feel like your hair needs a boost but you don’t want to overhaul your whole routine, the serum is a good place to start.

12. How have you found your education in Nutrition affects how you diagnose and treat your clients?

I trained as a Nutritionist because I was seeing so many people with nutrition-related hair and scalp issues and I wanted to be able to help them more! It means that I’m able to dive deeper into their analysis and give evidence-based advice on what to focus on and how to reduce their hair loss.

13. How do you see harsh winter weather affect hair health and what steps should we add to our haircare routines to protect against it? 

In Winter, scalp conditions, like dandruff, often flare up so that’s a common one. Also, the combination of the cold weather and dry indoor heating means many of us struggle with dry, brittle and frizzy hair. The best way to protect against it is to increase the number of times you use a deep conditioning treatment per week and to make sure your shampoo contains ingredients like Piroctone Olamine to help with scalp health.

>>> UKLASH Recommends using our Hair Shampoo which uses a cleansing and clarifying formula that contains Piroctone Olamine to tackle dandruff and scalp build-up to create the perfect environment for growth

14. What’s your favourite UKHAIR by UKLASH product?

My favourite product is the bond-building Repair Mask. My hair is quite fine and becomes limp and flat easily, so it’s great to have found a hair mask that protects my hair while helping with volume.

15. Let's do a Quickfire Round:

Comb or Brush? Comb

Morning cleanse or evening cleanse? Morning

Hat or Scalp SPF? Hat

Regular trims or leave it to grow? Regular trims

Cold rinse or warm rinse? Warm rinse

Silk scarf or satin pillowcase? Silk scarf

We hope you’ve loved this month’s chat with the amazing Kate Holden, MIT, as much as we have! From understanding the hair growth cycle to the dos and don’ts of haircare, Kate’s tips are here to help you feel confident and empowered on your way to Never Stop Growing.

But the journey doesn’t end here! Stay tuned for next month’s Experts In Residence Series, where we’ll be sitting down with the fabulous Dr. Raj Arora to talk about all things lashes, skin, and hair. Expect expert advice, myth-busting, and plenty of tips to help you look and feel healthier, bolder and stronger!

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