Education and Engagement Drive Momentum in Hair Disorders

At the 2025 Elevate-Derm Fall Conference, Victoria Garcia-Albea, NP, highlighted the rapidly growing educational focus on hair and scalp disorders, an area long considered cosmetic but increasingly recognized as clinically significant. Garcia-Albea, director of the nurse practitioner (NP) training program in dermatology, assistant director of the Hair Loss Center for Excellence, and lead NP of the Hansen’s Disease Program at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, emphasized that momentum in hair loss education has accelerated meaningfully over the past year.

A major driver of this shift, she noted, was the inaugural Hair Health Summit, launched in August 2025 by Maryanne Senna, MD, and Crystal Aguh, MD—both leaders in hair disorder research and care. The meeting was developed in response to persistent educational gaps surrounding hair biology, scalp health, and evidence-based management strategies across the spectrum of alopecias. Garcia-Albea was part of the planning committee and described the meeting as a long-needed platform that elevated clinical discussion, standardized best practices, and fostered collaboration among clinicians who manage complex hair disorders. With substantial enthusiasm from attendees, the second annual summit is scheduled for August 2026 in Chicago.

Garcia-Albea noted that this educational resurgence mirrors a broader movement: as hair disorders gain greater recognition as medical conditions with tangible psychosocial and quality-of-life impact, more clinicians and industry partners are prioritizing research and therapeutic development. This shift is gradually dismantling outdated perceptions of hair loss as a purely cosmetic concern.

Looking ahead, she expressed enthusiasm for upcoming dermatology meetings, including RAPIDS in April, which she plans to attend after missing last year’s program.

Garcia-Albea also encouraged clinicians—especially early-career NPs, PAs, and residents—to engage in scholarly activity as a means of professional growth. She emphasized case-study writing as an accessible entry point: capturing high-quality clinical photographs, outlining a focused differential, and describing therapeutic outcomes can lead to publication opportunities. This visibility, she noted, often opens doors to advisory boards, industry collaboration, and future speaking engagements. Writing, she added, allows clinicians to contribute meaningfully to dermatology education without the pressure of live presenting, making it a practical first step toward academic advancement.

For clinicians interested in writing, please email DTEditor@mmhgroup.com.