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| Index |
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A
| B
| C
| D
| E
| F
| G
| H
| I
| J
| K
| L
| M
| N
| O
| P
| Q
| R
| S
| T
| U
| V
| W
| X
| Y
| Z
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| A
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| Alopecia:
The general scientific term for hair loss.
There are many subtypes of Alopecia including: Androgenetic
Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Traction Alopecia, Alopecia
Universalis. |
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| Alopecia
Areata: An
autoimmune disease that causes the body to form
antibodies against some hair follicles. Alopecia
Areata causes sudden smooth, circular patches of
hair loss. There are no known cures and in many
cases the hair grows back on is own. |
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| Alopecia
Totalis: An autoimmune disease similar
to Alopecia Areata but that results in the loss
of all hair on the scalp. It may begin as Alopecia
Areata and progress into Alopecia Totalis. |
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| Alopecia
Universalis: An autoimmune disease that
results in the complete loss of all hair over the
entire body, including eyelashes and eyebrows.
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| Anagen:
The active growing phase of the hair cycle.
It lasts approximately for 3 years with a range
of 2-6 years. |
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| Anagen
Effluvium: Loss of hair that is in the
anagen or growing phase. This is the type of hair
loss that is associated with chemotherapy or radiation
treatment. |
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| Androgen:
General term for any male hormone. The major androgen
is testosterone. |
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| Androgenetic
Alopecia:
Hair loss that results from a genetic predisposition
that makes follicles sensitive to the effects of
DHT. This is the most common form of
hair loss and can also affect women. Other
terms for this condition include: MPB, male
pattern baldness, female pattern baldness, hereditary
Alopecia and Androgenic Alopecia. |
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| Anterior:
Frontal part of the scalp. |
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| Antiandrogen:
A substance which interferes with the function of
an androgen, or male sex hormone, by taking over
the androgen's receptors preventing their attachment
to receptor cells, interfering with their metabolism,
or decreasing their production in the body.
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| Aromatase:
An enzyme that converts androgens (testosterone)
into estrogens. This enzyme complex is located in
estrogen-producing cells found in ovaries, placenta,
testicles, fat cells, and brain tissues.
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| Apoptosis:
The programmed death of a cell. This type of cell
death occurs by fragmentation of membranes that
are then eliminated. |
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| Atopic
Dermatitis: An allergic response in the
skin that causes itching and flaking (also see eczema).
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| Atrophy:
The wasting away or a diminution in the size of
a follicle so that is cannot produce terminal hair
anymore. |
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| Autoimmune
disorder: A disease resulting from a
disordered immune reaction in which antibodies from
the immune system attack one's own tissue.
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| B
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| Beta
Catenin: A protein that is associated
with cells that are destined to become hair follicle
cells. |
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| C
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| Catagen:
The end of the active growing phase of the life
cycle of the hair. It is a transitional stage between
the growing phase (anagen) and the resting stage
(telogen). In catagen all growth ceases and the
"club" hairs are formed. |
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| Club
Hair: A hair that has stopped growing
and is in the categen or telogen phase. It is attached
to the skin with a "club-like" root, but
will eventually be pushed out and replaced by a
new growing hair. |
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| Cobble
stoning:
Cobble stoning occurs in almost all hair transplant
procedures where "plugs" are used.
It is caused when the plugs that are inserted do
not heal flush with the skin leaving the scalp lumpy.
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| Compression:
Occurs sometimes when grafts are put into slits
when the existing tissue 'compresses' the follicle.
This can cause poor growth and/or improper direction
of the hair. |
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| Cortex:
The main structural part of the hair shaft that
accounts for most of its size and strength. The
cortex surrounds the medulla and is filled with
keratin fibers. |
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| Corticosteroid:
A drug (steroid) used clinically to suppress inflammation
of the tissues and to suppress the immune response.
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| Couvre:
Couvre is a colored cream used as a cosmetic to
fill in the bald spots on the scalp. It blends in
with the hair color and temporarily gives the appearance
of more hair. |
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| Crown:
The top or highest part of the head. |
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| Cuticle:
The outer surface of hair composed of overlapping
scales made of colorless keratin protein. It gives
hair luster and shine and also provides some of
its strength. |
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| D
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| Dermal
papilla: A group of specialized cells
at the base of the hair follicle that give rise
to the hair follicle at birth and supplies the materials
necessary for hair growth during the life of the
person. |
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| Dermatoscope:
A hand held lighted magnifier/microscope used by
some dermatologists in looking for exclamation hairs,
shaft diameter to diagnose Androgenetic Alopecia,
to evaluate scarring, etc. |
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| Dermis:
The skin is comprised of two layers, the outer layer
which is the epidermis, and the inner layer which
is the dermis. |
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| DHT:
Testosterone,
a male hormone, is converted into DHT or Dihydrotestosterone
in various tissues of the body and the skin.
The enzyme 5 alpha reductase converts testosterone
into its more potent form DHT. DHT is
responsible for causing hair loss known as Androgenetic
Alopecia and for stimulating the growth of body
hair. |
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| Donor
site:
The region of the scalp where hairs are harvested
from for transplantation into balding areas of the
scalp. The donor area usually at the back
or side of the head contains hairs that are unaffected
by DHT. |
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| Double
blind study:
A scientific study where neither the subjects nor
the researchers know who is receiving the drug or
the placebo. This is done to ensure that the
results are totally objective. |
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| E
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| Epidermis:
The tough outer protective layer of the skin.
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| F
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| 5-Alpha-Reductase:
An
enzyme that converts testosterone into a more potent
form called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). There
are two types of 5-AR, type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 is found mainly in the skin and type 2 is
found in the follicles and in the genital tissues.
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| Fibroblasts:
Fibroblasts are the connective tissue cells of the
body. They produce long strands of proteins
that act as fibers in tissues. In the skin they
produce collagen, reticulin and other elastic fibers.
At the base of the hair follicle fibroblasts may
help to preserve the 3-dimensional conformation
of the dermal papilla. |
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| Finasteride:
The active ingredient in Propecia and Proscar, Finasteride
inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase type 2 that
converts testosterone into DHT. This lowering
of DHT in the body leads to a halting of hair loss
and causes regrowth of hair in people suffering
from Androgenetic Alopecia. Finasteride is
also useful in reducing excessive body hair in women
which is known as Hirsutism. |
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| Flap:
A type of hair replacement surgery in which a flap
of hair bearing scalp is taken from the side of
the head and transferred to bald areas of the scalp.
The flap is usually still attached to the scalp
on one side to maintain the blood supply to the
flap. There are several techniques including
the Fleming-Meyer flap, rotational flap, Preauricular
flap and the Juri flap. |
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| Follicle:
A tubular sheath below the surface of the skin that
contains the mechanism that creates the hair.
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| Follicular
Unit: Natural
groupings of hair that grow together in the scalp
and share the same blood supply and sebaceous gland.
Follicular Unit Transplantation involves keeping
this natural group of hairs intact when transplanting
them from one part of the scalp to another. |
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| Follicular
Unit Extraction (FUE): A
method of extracting individual follicular units
from the donor area utilizing special instruments
without the need to surgically remove the surrounding
tissue as well. |
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| G
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| Grafts:
Transplanted hairs that are removed from one part
of the scalp and are grafted, or transplanted, into
the balding area of the scalp. Some commonly used
grafting techniques are slit grafts, micro grafting
and mini grafting. |
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| H
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| Hair
cloning: Cloning hairs involves extracting
hair follicle cells and culturing them in a laboratory
until they multiply several times and then reimplanting
them into the scalp where they form new follicles
and begin producing new hairs. |
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| Hair
lift: Surgical procedure used to eliminate
large areas of bald scalp by lifting and moving
the entire hair-bearing scalp in an upward and forward
direction. |
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| Hair
integration: See hair weaving. |
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| Hair
matrix: Region where hair and the structures
that compose it (cortex, cuticle and medulla) are
made. |
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| Hair
Multiplication: See hair cloning |
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| Hair
piece:
A base that is covered with human or synthetic hair
that is attached to the scalp to give the illusion
of natural hair. Also know as a toupee, wig
or hair system. |
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| Hair
shaft: The term given to the part of the
hair that is above the skin. |
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| Hair
pluck test: The hair pluck test is used as
a diagnostic test for Alopecia and is helpful in
determining whether or not a telogen effluvium is
the cause of hair loss. A group of 20-30 hairs is
plucked and then examined by the doctor.
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| Hair
weaving: A process by which a hairpiece is
attached to existing hair on scalp through braiding
or another interweaving process. |
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| Hamilton
scale: A scale designed to classify the severity
of hair loss in men created by Dr Hamilton.
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| Hirsutism:
The excessive growth of facial and/or body hair
in women. It is usually characterized by the growth
of coarse terminal hairs on androgen-dependent areas
of the body such as the chin, chest, abdomen, and
anterior thighs. Principal causes include abnormal
regulation of androgen production by the pituitary
gland, elevated androgen production by the adrenal
glands or ovaries related to the presence of tumors
or cysts. |
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| I
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| Inflammation:
Inflammation is the reaction of living tissues to
injury, infection or irritation. Inflamed tissues
are characterized by pain, swelling, redness and
heat. Anything that stimulates the inflammatory
response is said to be inflammatory. |
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| Intermediate
hairs: Hairs that are between vellus and
terminal hairs. They contain a small amount of pigment
but are smaller and thinner than terminal hairs.
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| J
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| K
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| Keratosis
pilaris:
A slow progressive disorder where pinkish-to-tan
bumps form on the skin and become darker over time
and commonly fuse, forming wart like growths.
The bumps may form on the buttocks, back of arms
or even the back and are associated with eczema. |
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| Keratin:
A tough protein that is the primary constituent
of hair, nails and skin. |
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| Keratinocyte:
A skin cell from the uppermost layer of the epidermis.
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| Ketokonazole:
An antifungal agent that also has antiandrogenic
properties. This is the active ingredient in the
shampoo Nizoral. |
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| L
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| Linear
graft: A method of hair transplantation where
transplanted hairs are removed using a linear (elliptical)
punch, also called slot grafts. |
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| Ludwig
Scale: Scale that measures the severity of
female pattern hair loss. |
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| M
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| Male
pattern baldness:
Also known as MPB or Androgenetic Alopecia.
This is the most common type of hair loss that is
caused by hormones, and affects the central and
frontal area of the scalp and often results in a
pronounced horseshoe pattern. |
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| Megasession:
A transplant procedure in which a large number of
grafts usually 1500-3000 are performed in a single
operation. This is no longer done as it results
in a low yield of successful grafts due to the inadequate
blood supply. |
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| Micrograft:
A small hair graft consisting of one or two hairs.
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| Miniaturization:
The gradual shrinking of the hair follicle in size
which results in eventual baldness as the follicle
produces thinner and thinner hair until its no longer
able to produce terminal hair and can only produce
fine vellus hair. |
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| Minoxidil:
A
pharmaceutical compound that was originally used
as an anti-hypertensive medication. Approved
for use to treat hair loss under the name Rogaine,
Minoxidil is believed to stimulate hair growth by
opening the potassium channels in the follicle. |
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| N
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| Norwood
Scale: A scale that measures the severity
of male pattern hair loss that is based on the Hamilton
Scale. |
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| O
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| Omega
3 fatty acids: Omega-three fatty acid is
a polyunsaturated fat found in seafood, particularly
fish that is fatty. Omega 3 fatty acids have an
anti-inflammatory effect and have been show to have
a beneficial effect in people suffering from lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Healthy
skin and hair are maintained by fat and fat helps
in the absorption, and transport through the bloodstream
of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
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| P
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| Propecia:
The
first FDA approved pill for hair loss. Propecia
contains 1mg of Finasteride which inhibits the enzyme
5-alpha reductase type 2 that converts testosterone
into DHT. This lowering of DHT in the body
leads to a halting of hair loss and causes regrowth
of hair in people suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia.
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| Proscar:
A medication for treating an enlarged prostate (BPH)
that contains 5mg of Finasteride, the same ingredient
that is in Propecia. Some men use Proscar
instead of Propecia since its cheaper when cut into
5 pieces. |
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| Pruritus:
The medical term for itching, pruritus is common
in people suffering from hair loss. |
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| Punch
graft: A group of ten to twenty hairs that
has been removed from the donor area with the use
of a circular punch. |
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| Q
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| R
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| Recipient
site: The area of the scalp where the hair
grafts are transplanted into. |
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| Rejection:
When the body rejects some foreign body or tissue
that has been introduced into it. |
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| Retin-A:
Derivative of vitamin A, which is required for proper
bone development, night vision, and skin integrity.
Retin-A has been used extensively to combat aging
of the skin and acts as a chemical peel. Some
hair loss formulations include Retin-A to increase
the absorption of Minoxidil. Excessive Retin-A
use can result in hair loss. |
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| Rogaine: The
brand name for Minoxidil – See Minoxidil for
more info. |
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| S
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| Scalp
reduction: A surgical procedure designed
to reduce the size of the balding areas in which
an ellipse of bald scalp is surgically removed and
sutured closed. |
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| Scarring
Alopecia: Inflammation of the hair follicles
can lead to scarring Alopecia. This form of Alopecia
is easy to identify because rough patches on the
surface of the scalp made up of small blood vessels
and tissue are present. Scarring Alopecia has many
different causes such as bacterial, viral and fungal
infections. |
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| Sebaceous
glands: Fatty glands found in hair follicles
throughout the body that secrete oil into the hair
and surrounding skin. |
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| Seborrheic
dermatitis: A form of inflammatory skin rash
that results from an over activity of the sebaceous
glands in the skin. Treatment often includes a mild
hydrocortisone-containing cream. |
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| Sebum:
A thick greasy substance that is secreted by sebaceous
glands that consists of fat and cellular debris.
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| Shock
fallout:
The loss of hair that often occurs after hair transplantation.
The resulting trauma causes some of the hairs to
go into the resting phase and some of the existing
hairs are lost. The loss can be permanent
or temporary. |
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| Skin
Biopsy:
A skin biopsy is an analysis done on a small piece
of tissue that is removed from the skin with a small
punch. The tissue is microscopically examined
and is used to help make a diagnosis about a skin
or hair problem. A biopsy may help determine proper
treatment for a skin condition. |
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| Slit
graft: A graft of three to four hairs inserted
into a slit made by a scalpel. |
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| Spironolactone:
Also known as Aldactone, this is potassium sparring
diuretic with anti-androgenic effects. It is most
commonly used for acne and is also been used to
treat Androgenetic Alopecia. Women can take it orally
but men need to use it topically because of the
potential for feminizing effects when taken orally.
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| Stretch
back: A condition that occurs after a scalp
reduction procedure due to the elastic characteristic
of the skin. The bald area that could not be eliminated
totally during a scalp reduction increases in width
three months after the procedure, thus reducing
the procedure's effectiveness. |
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| Suture:
A synthetic or natural based line that is used to
close a wound. |
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| Systemic
side effects: Side effects from a drug or
treatment that that are experienced throughout the
body. |
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| T
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| Telogen:
The resting phase of the life cycle of the hair.
This phase lasts for 3-4 months and ends as new
hairs (anagen) emerge and push out the old telogen
hairs which is was causes shedding to occur.
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| Telogen
Effluvium: Telogen effluvium is an abnormal
loss of hair due to alteration of the normal hair
cycle. Normally, most of the hairs are in the growth
stage and only one hundred hairs per day fall from
the scalp. When telogen effluvium occurs, a greater
proportion of the hairs enter the resting phase
of the cycle and hair shedding is greater than normal.
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| Temporal
recession: Hair loss that occurs in the temple
regions where the hair line retreats leaving a V
shaped pattern. |
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| Terminal
hair: Long coarse hairs that are pigmented,
fully developed, and found on the scalp, beard,
pubic area, arms and legs. |
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| Testosterone:
The male hormone that is released by both the adrenal
gland and the testicles and promotes the development
of male characteristics. Testosterone is also
present in women. |
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| Tissue
expansion:
A method used to increase the effectiveness of scalp
reduction surgery or hair flaps. A balloon-like
device is inserted under the scalp several weeks
before the procedure and is gradually inflated weekly
with saline. The result is new tissue growth
that can then be used in the procedure. |
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| Topical:
Any solution that is administered by applying it
to the surface of the skin. In theory this
limits the activity to the area it was applied to
and prevents side effects, but in reality certain
medications can be absorbed through the skin into
the blood stream. |
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| Traction
Alopecia: Hair loss that occurs due to a
strain put on the hairs. Traction Alopecia is commonly
seen with braids, pony tails and other hairstyles
which place a constant tension on the hair and the
scalp. |
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| Transsection:
Damage done to the hair follicle during harvesting
of the donor hair or dissection of the grafts when
the scalpel accidentally cuts follicles. This
results in the loss of the follicle. |
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| Tretinoin:
The generic term for Retin-A, a vitamin A derivative.
|
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| Trichotillomania:
An obsessive-compulsive disorder that causes a person
to pull their own hair out which can lead to permanent
hair loss. The hair loss tends to be localized
and the resulting patch is angular in configuration.
Treatment usually requires some counseling and/or
medication. |
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| U
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| V
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| Vasodilator:
Medication that causes the blood vessels to dilate
or expand. |
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| Vellus
hair: Fine colorless short hair covering
most of the body surface. Vellus hair replaces lanugo
shortly after birth and may be transformed into
terminal hairs under the influence of androgens.
In people with Androgenetic Alopecia vellus hairs
replace terminal hairs. Vellus hairs lack a central
medulla which accounts for their fine and colorless
appearance. |
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| Vertex:
The crown area of the scalp. |
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| W
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| X
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| Y
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| Z
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| Zinc:
A mineral whose deficiency causes hair loss. Zinc
applied topically has reportedly been show to inhibit
DHT. |
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