Hair loss remedy. Hair loss glossary

  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

A

Alopecia: The general scientific term for hair loss. There are many subtypes of Alopecia including: Androgenetic Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Traction Alopecia, Alopecia Universalis.

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.

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.

Alopecia Universalis: An autoimmune disease that results in the complete loss of all hair over the entire body, including eyelashes and eyebrows.

Amino Acids: The building blocks of protein. A deficiency of amino acids may adversely affect hair growth. There are twenty common amino acids: alanine, arginine, aspargine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

Anagen: The active growing phase of the hair cycle. It lasts approximately for 3 years with a range of 2-6 years.

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.

Androgen: General term for any male hormone. The major androgen is testosterone.

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.

Anterior: Frontal part of the scalp.

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.

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.

Apoptosis: The programmed death of a cell. This type of cell death occurs by fragmentation of membranes that are then eliminated.

Atopic Dermatitis: An allergic response in the skin that causes itching and flaking (also see eczema).

Atrophy: The wasting away or a diminution in the size of a follicle so that is cannot produce terminal hair anymore.

Autoimmune disorder: A disease resulting from a disordered immune reaction in which antibodies from the immune system attack one's own tissue.

Azelaic Acid: A naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in whole grain cereals. It is FDA approved as a topical preparation to treat acne vulgaris. It is also used by dermatologists to lighten pigmented skin. It has antimicrobial activity and normalizes keratinization and is also believed to inhibit DHT which is why it is used in some hair loss products.

 

B

Beta Catenin: A protein that is associated with cells that are destined to become hair follicle cells.

Biotin: One of the essential water-soluble vitamins manufactured in the gut by bacteria. Symptoms of biotin deficiency include lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and depression. The recommended daily allowance of biotin is 300mg.

Bonding: A method of attaching a hairpiece to the scalp using a layer of adhesive. A horseshoe-like track of existing hair about 1/4 inch wide is shaved to about 1/8 of an inch long. The bonding glue is then applied to the hairpiece, which is then attached to the hair. Bonding lasts approximately 6 weeks, as the hair grows the hairpiece slips around and must be retightened.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: Also known as BPH, is condition usually found in older men when the prostate gland swells restricting urine flow. This prevents the bladder from emptying completely, causing frequent and difficult urination. The most common treatment for this is Proscar, which shrinks the size of the prostate by inhibiting DHT production.

Braiding: Braiding is another attachment method used to attach additional hair to your own. With braiding the existing hair is braided in long rows and hair extensions are sewn to the rows. This method pulls on the already fragile hair and can causes it to come out even faster.

C

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.

Chemotherapy: A chemical treatment, usually of cancers, using drugs that have high levels of toxicity, frequently causing temporary hair loss.

Cimetidine: Known under the brand Tagamet, this anti-histamine is primarily used to inhibit gastric secretions in people with ulcers. Cimitedine also has some weak anti-androgenic and has been used with mixed success for treating Androgenetic Alopecia.

Clinical trials: Clinical trials are the way of testing drug safety, efficacy, and pharmacology. Usually clinical trials are done for the purpose of obtaining approval from the FDA to sell the product as a medication.

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.

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.

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.

Contact dermatitis: A type of immune-mediated inflammatory skin rash that results from an allergy to a particular substance (example metal, poison ivy, lanolin, etc)

Copper: A trace element, which is essential in nutrition and is a component of various proteins. Deficiency, which is rare, may result in a loss of hair color and malformed kinky hair.

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.

Corticosteroid: A drug (steroid) used clinically to suppress inflammation of the tissues and to suppress the immune response.

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.

Crown: The top or highest part of the head.

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.

Cyclosporin: An immunosuppressive agent derived from fermentation of a soil fungi

The drug suppresses the immune system and is used to prevent transplant rejection. Studies have show that it can stimulate hair growth.

D

Dehydroepiandrosterone: DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is a powerful steroid that may be the precursor for androgen and estrogen in peripheral tissues. DHEA is used for reversing aging and has been said to promote a sense of well being, improve sexual function and grow hair.

Demodex Follicularum: The mite that causes mange in animals has also been reported to be present in the hair follicles of humans. These mites burrow down in the hair follicle and live on sebum, the oily material that the scalp secretes. The mites are universally present in all humans after adolescence and have been implicated in hair loss but this has not been proven.

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.

Dermal retention: Exposed as a scam perpetrated by United Micro Systems of Vorhees NJ, Dermal Retention is a fancy way of describing the attachment of hairpiece to the scalp by means of surgical adhesive. The scam involved conning consumers into believing it was a permanent cure for their hair loss.

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.

Dermis: The skin is comprised of two layers, the outer layer which is the epidermis, and the inner layer which is the dermis.

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.

Diazoxide: A drug that works in a similar way to Minoxidil that is used for treating high blood pressure but also promotes hair growth.

DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a solvent made from wood pulp. Its therapeutic uses are based on its ability to penetrate the skin. Its use remains controversial but it is very effective at carrying substances though the skin.

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.

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.

E

Eczema: A group of conditions characterized by an itching inflammation of the skin. In less severe cases the person has a reddening or inflammation of the skin. In more severe cases there is a thickening and change in the pigmentation of the skin. Common trigger factors can include heat, contact with detergents, stress and certain foodstuffs.

Epidermis: The tough outer protective layer of the skin.

Essential Fatty Acids: Fatty acids that can't be synthesized by the body and therefore are required in the diet are called Essential Fatty Acids. Some examples include linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and linolenic acid. A deficiency of essential fatty acids results in dry skin, eczematous changes, poor wound healing, and sparse hair growth with lightening of hair color.

Estrogen: Estrogen is a term describing the three most important estrogens made in the body. Estrone is produced by the ovaries, and also in body fat/muscles/skin. Estradiol is produced by the ovaries. Estradiol is biologically the weakest estrogen and is a by-product of Estrone metabolism. Estrogen is an indirect antiandrogen – its increased presence leads to reduced levels of testosterone.

 

F

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.

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.

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.

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.

Follicle: A tubular sheath below the surface of the skin that contains the mechanism that creates the hair.

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.

Flutamide: A chemical that acts as a pure antiandrogen and works by binding to androgen receptors. Flutamide has been used in women but causes feminizing side effects in men.

G

Gene therapy: A treatment method that involves the manipulation of an individual's genetic makeup. Gene therapy makes changes to an individuals DNA to correct a genetic condition.

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.

Gynecomastia: Excessive development of the male breasts. Usually occurs as a result of excessive estrogen production.

 

H

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 being producing new hairs.

Hair integration: See hair weaving.

 

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.

Hair Loss Remedy Council: The institution behind this website, providing consumer information on hair loss remedies.

Hair matrix: Region where hair and the structures that compose it (cortex, cuticle and medulla) are made.

Hair Multiplication: See hair cloning

Hair pieces: 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.

Hair shaft: The term given to the part of the hair that is above the skin.

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.

Hair weaving: A process by which a hairpiece is attached to existing hair on scalp through braiding or another interweaving process.

Hamilton scale: A scale designed to classify the severity of hair loss in men created by Dr Hamilton.

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.

Hormones: Hormones are chemical messengers that are usually carried by the bloodstream. They exert their effects on specific target organs by attaching to receptor sites causing some type of reaction in the organ.

Hypertrichosis: Excessive growth of terminal hair in areas not normally hairy. It is usually associated with the use of certain drugs like corticosteroids, diazoxide, minoxidil.

Hyperthyroidism: Excessive functional activity of the thyroid gland which causes an increased metabolic rate, enlargement of the thyroid gland, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and various secondary symptoms.

Hypothyroidism: Under active thyroid, which can result in several symptoms like hair loss, drooping/swollen eyes, yellow-orange skin, yellow bumps on eyelids, fatigue.

I

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.

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.

J

 

K

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.

Keratin: A tough protein that is the primary constituent of hair, nails and skin.

Keratinocyte: A skin cell from the uppermost layer of the epidermis.

Ketokonazole: An antifungal agent that also has antiandrogenic properties. This is the active ingredient in the shampoo Nizoral.

L

Lanugo: Fine long unpigmented hairs covering the fetus that usually disappears one month after birth.

Linear graft: A method of hair transplantation where transplanted hairs are removed using a linear (elliptical) punch, also called slot grafts.

Ludwig Scale: Scale that measures the severity of female pattern hair loss.

M

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.

Medulla: T he innermost layer of hair that reflects light giving hair the various color tones it has. Vellus hairs lack a medulla.

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.

Melanin: The pigments that give color to the skin and hair. The greater the amount of melanin the darker the hair. They usually decrease with age, resulting in gray or white hair.

Menopause: The permanent cessation of menstruation and estrogen secretion from a woman's ovaries occurring usually around the age of 50.

Micrograft: A small hair graft consisting of one or two hairs.

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.

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.

 

N

Nioxin: A herbal based hair product sold in salons to treat thinning hair and hair loss.

Non scarring Alopecia: A broad category of hair loss types like Androgenetic Alopecia where the hair follicle remains functional and offers the likelihood that hair loss can be reversed.

Norwood Scale: A scale that measures the severity of male pattern hair loss that is based on the Hamilton Scale.

O

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.

P

Pantothenic acid: People who are deficient in this essential vitamin in can get graying of dark hair followed by Alopecia. Other symptoms of pantothenic acid deficiency include fatigue, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting. Supplementation of diet with pantothenic acid, however, does not prevent the natural graying of human hair with ageing.

Placebo: A pill, topical, or injection made to appear exactly like a medication, but without any of its active ingredients. Often used in double-blinded clinical trials so that researchers can eliminate the so-called placebo effect from the true effects of the drug being tested.

Polysorbate 80: An emulsifying agent often used in food that has been marketed as a hair growth product. The research that initially showed Polysorbate 80 to cause hair growth has been debunked as being unscientific.

Progesterone: Female sex hormone that induces secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. Synthetic compounds with progesterone like activity have been developed that, along with estrogen, are used in oral contraceptives.

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.

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.

Prosthetic: An artificial replacement for an organ or limb.

Pruritus: The medical term for itching, pruritus is common in people suffering from hair loss.

Pseudopelade: A type of scarring alopecia that slowly progresses to irregular areas of hair loss without prior skin disease. It is slowly progressive and shows no evidence of folliculitis or marked inflammation. Pseudopelade is generally regarded as a clinical syndrome that may be the end result of diseases such as lichen planopilaris.

Psoriasis: A skin condition that is characterized by the presence of rounded, silvery scaly patches of skin. These can appear on the scalp, elbows, knees and genital region. Nail changes are common and include pitting and a yellowish discoloration that resembles a fungal infection. Psoriasis may also cause hair loss.

Punch graft: A group of ten to twenty hairs that has been removed from the donor area with the use of a circular punch.

Q

R

Recipient site: The area of the scalp where the hair grafts are transplanted into.

Rejection: When the body rejects some foreign body or tissue that has been introduced into it.

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.

Rogaine: The brand name for Minoxidil.

S

Saw palmetto: The botanical name for Saw Palmetto is Serenoa Repens. The plant is also known as Sabal or Permixon in some countries. Saw Palmetto has been used to treat an enlarged prostate in the same way as Proscar and some companies are using it in formulations to treat Androgenetic Alopecia. It is has been studied for the prostate but not for hair loss.

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.

Scleroderma: A disease of the skin and connective tissue that causes the skin to become hard and can result in hair loss.

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.

Sebaceous glands: Fatty glands found in hair follicles throughout the body that secrete oil into the hair and surrounding skin.

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.

Sebum: A thick greasy substance that is secreted by sebaceous glands that consists of fat and cellular debris.

Selenium: Selenium is an essential micronutrient in the human diet that functions as a component of enzymes involved in antioxidant protection and thyroid hormone metabolism. In combination with vitamin E, it exerts antioxidant effects that help keep the immune system strong. However excessive use of selenium has been linked to skin, hair, and nail abnormalities.

Semodex: Semodex is a product from Nioxin that claims to eliminate demodex folliculorum mites. However there is no evidence that demodex mites are the cause of any type of hair loss and they appear to play a beneficial role in the follicle.

Senescent Alopecia: Hair loss that naturally occurs with age. During the process of aging, both the duration of hair growth and the diameter of the hair follicle decrease.

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.

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.

Slit graft: A graft of three to four hairs inserted into a slit made by a scalpel.

SOD: Also known as Superoxide Dismutase, these enzymes destroy free radicals and prevent the resulting cellular damage. Researchers have discovered that SODases also stimulate hair growth.

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.

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.

Suture: A synthetic or natural based line that is used to close a wound.

Systemic side effects: Side effects from a drug or treatment that that are experienced throughout the body.

 

T

Tacrolimus: Also known as FK506, this is an immuno-suppressive drug that is derived from a soil fungus. Its primary use has been in preventing organ rejection in transplant patient but most recently it has been approved by the FDA for use in certain dermatological conditions like atopic dermatitis. It has been thought that it could grow hair since it acts in a similar way to Cyclosporin, another powerful and toxic immuno-suppressive drug.

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.

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.

Temporal recession: Hair loss that occurs in the temple regions where the hair line retreats leaving a V shaped pattern.

Terminal hair: Long coarse hairs that are pigmented, fully developed, and found on the scalp, beard, pubic area, arms and legs.

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.

Thymus: The thymus gland is the primary organ involved in lymphocyte (T-cell) differentiation. It is also an endocrine organ that produces thymulin, a hormone also involved in lymphocyte differentiation.

Thymuskin: This product is an extract from calf thymus and is supposed to help in Alopecia Areata by boosting the body's own thymus gland function. According to the company ingestion of thymus extract helps by normalizing the creation of the follicle's autoantigens. There is no solid evidence that it helps Androgenetic Alopecia as the company claims.

Thyroid: A gland in the neck near the voice box responsible for producing thyroid hormone. This hormone regulates the metabolism of the body.

Tinea Capitis: A fungal infection also known as "ringworm", it usually manifests itself as a sharply clearly defined patch of partial hair loss. The fungus invades the hair shaft and causes the hairs to break. Inflammation and scaling may be present. The infection may be transmitted through combs, brushes, and from person to person.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tretinoin: The generic term for Retin-A, a vitamin A derivative.

Trichology: A para-medical degree in England and Australia that is approximately equivalent to a Masters degree. It is conferred through the Institute of Trichologists and its practioners, called Trichologists, treat patients with hair loss. Trichologists are not allowed to prescribe prescription medication and are viewed as quacks in some medical circles as they adopt a holistic approach to treating hair loss.

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.

 

U

 

V

Vacuum Attachment: A hairpiece that is made from silicone and causes a vacuum when applied to a person head. This vacuum allows the hairpiece to stay in place and it is the most secure of all hairpieces attachment but is only suitable for people with total hair loss.

Vasodilator: Medication that causes the blood vessels to dilate or expand.

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.

Vertex: The crown area of the scalp.

Vitamin B12: Member of the water soluble B vitamin group, important in the proper function of the nervous system and important in proper carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is manufactured by the body under the influence of UV rays. In its active form vitamin D is a steroid hormone with some anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitiligo: A skin disorder characterized by smooth, irregular white patches of the skin caused by the loss of the natural pigment. The peak incidence occurs during childhood to mid adult life.

Viviscal: A hair growth product obtained from a marine extract and developed in Finland . Viviscal is a nutritional supplement that has not been proven to prevent hair loss but may be beneficial for hair growth.

W

X

Xerosis: This is the medical term for dry, rough, cracking, scaly skin. Treatment involves rehydrating the skin and sealing it with an emollient.

 

Y

Z

Zinc: A mineral whose deficiency causes hair loss. Zinc applied topically has reportedly been show to inhibit DHT.

 

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