This week, Emirates Man speaks to Mark Birch, a specialised Trichologist, known for creating effective solutions for your haircare routine.
Welcome to the Emirates Man weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to incredible entrepreneurs, and businessmen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
In an industry crowded with quick fixes and louder claims, Mark Birch has built a reputation on something far rarer: results. With over three decades at the forefront of trichology, Birch is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on hair and scalp health, trusted by royalty, medical professionals, and patients across continents. Born into a family of West London hairdressers, his understanding of hair began early, but it was science that sharpened his edge.
A qualified trichologist since 1985, Birch trained in Combined Science (Trichology) and holds City & Guilds credentials in hairdressing, grounding his practice in both clinical precision and real-world application.
Now based in Dubai, Birch occupies a singular position in the region. Appointed under a special licence granted by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum via Dubai Municipality, he is the only trichologist permitted to treat both men and women in the UAE. His approach remains unwaveringly evidence-led, combining deep diagnostic consultation, cutting-edge research, and long-term scalp health strategies. Through the Mark Birch product line, he continues to translate decades of clinical expertise into formulations designed not for trends, but for measurable, lasting results.
To delve into his journey more as an entrepreneur, Emirates Man sat down with Birch to see how his journey began.
What was your favourite subject at school, and did it shape your career path?
Biology. Understanding anatomy gave me a head start in decoding the scalp and hair follicle. I also loved P.E, it hard-wired a respect for routine and led to my hobby of marathon running.
What was your very first job?
I was a trainee trichologist at Molton Brown in 1979. From day one, I was hands-on with real clients and real scalp concerns. I worked with one of the world’s most respected trichologists, Kenneth Price, who was Chairman of the Institute of Trichologists.
With over 40 years of experience, what first drew you into the world of trichology?
Family. My mother was a hairdresser in West London, and two of my aunts were as well. I grew up in a salon, watching transformations happen in the mirror so moving from styling to scalp science was a natural evolution.
What brought you to Dubai and the Middle East?
My father first came to the region in the 1950s. I built on his connections, opening clinics in the early 1990s one in Al Nasr Square, then Al Rigga Street, and another on Khalid bin Al Waleed Street. Dubai’s pace and ambition suited the way I like to practise: proactive, innovative, and results-driven. I was granted a special licence under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, via Dubai Municipality, to treat men’s and women’s hair and scalp problems.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about hair and scalp health?
That frequent shampooing causes hair loss. It doesn’t. The best-conditioned hair and scalp are washed once a day, provided you use a shampoo suitable for your scalp type and a conditioner suitable for your hair type.
What’s one daily ritual you recommend for maintaining healthy hair?
Shampoo once a day with the right products. Rinse thoroughly and finish cool. Simple, consistent, effective.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career?
Debunking myths and replacing them with accurate education. There are too many so-called, unqualified “experts” in the market, but few who will take the time to examine the scalp properly, run through the case history, and explain the true cause to the patient.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in trichology or wellness?
Get qualified through a reputable institution, then spend at least three years in practice treating a wide range of scalp disorders under the supervision of an expert. Build your reputation on evidence, ethics, and patient outcomes, not trends.
Talk us through the concept behind the Mark Birch product line.
We take a 360° approach, formulas for every hair type, texture, and gender, designed with rigorous quality assurance at every R&D stage. The goal is to maintain a healthy scalp to support hair growth, strength, and long-term condition.
Which of your products are you personally most proud of and why?
TR3 Scalp Therapy Lotion. It’s scientifically formulated to help maintain hair growth and reduce hair loss. TR3 is a powerful scalp activator that helps prolong the growth phase and reduce loss signals. It’s a combination lotion that inhibits 5-alpha-reductase (a DHT pathway) while supporting hair-root metabolism and local vasodilation. It’s become a bestseller in the US via Shop LC and is used daily by thousands of men and women with very good results.
How do you balance scientific innovation with natural formulations?
We use plant-based ingredients within evidence-led formulations, mild but powerful actives selected for efficacy. They’re not minoxidil; they work differently and have no known side effects in our formulas. The focus is on supporting follicle metabolism, encouraging local vasodilation, and reducing DHT influence. Several devices/formulations in our range are registered as CE Class I medical devices.
How do your products address common scalp concerns like hair loss or dandruff?
First, we stabilise the scalp and reduce DHT’s impact at the follicle level. Then we restore hydration and barrier function with conditioners rich in proteins and anti-ageing ingredients to improve elasticity, shine, and resistance to breakage. Stronger follicles, better density, healthier hair.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Listen first. You can’t treat what you don’t understand. A thorough consultation and case history are half the cure.
And the worst?
“Stick with something you don’t love.” Passion matters and if you don’t care deeply, you won’t do the work that delivers results.
What lies ahead for the Mark Birch brand. What can we expect next?
More innovation. We’re launching a new laser helmet that draws on the latest research in low-level light therapy. Used alongside TR3, it’s designed to further encourage growth and improve hair quality, evidence-led, user-friendly, and built for daily life.
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Images: Supplied
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: emirateswoman.com
