Glossary of Terms

A

ALOPECIA: The medical term for baldness.

ALOPECIA AREATA: Hair loss in sharply defined patches

Alopecia totalis: An advanced form of alopecia areata that results in total hair loss of the scalp

Alopecia universalis: Another form of advanced alopecia areata that causes hair loss over the entire body

ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA: The most typical pattern of balding whereby the balding pattern is controlled by hormones.

Traction alopecia: Hair loss caused by physical stress and tension on the hair, such as prolonged use of hair weaving or braiding.

D

DONOR AREA: The fringe above the ears and around the back of the head where hair follicles are genetically programmed to remain intact and grow throughout life.

DONOR DOMINANCE: The concept that hair follicles transplanted from the donor area will continue to grow in the recipient area.

DHT (DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE): DHT is a male hormone that is suggested to be the main cause for the miniaturisation of the hair follicle and for hair loss. DHT is formed when the male hormone testosterone interacts with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

F

FEMALE-PATTERN BALDNESS: A pattern of baldness found in women characterized by a diffuse thinning of hair, or hair loss at the front portion of the scalp in a rectangular pattern.

G

GRAFTING: A variety of procedures where a strip of hair-bearing skin is removed from the lower scalp at the back of the head-the "donor area"- and transferred to the upper balding scalp. The most popular varieties are micrografting (1-2 hairs) and minigrafting (3-8 hairs). A few surgeons selectively use standard grafts which have 10-20- hairs each.

H

HAIR ECONOMICS: A theory that states only a limited or decreasing supply of hair exists, but the demand for hair increases as balding patterns develop.

HAIR FLAPS: Techniques to transfer large portions of hair on the sides and back of the scalp to the front and central areas of the head. Most effective when used with a tissue expander. Hair flaps represent the fastest and most complete technique to eliminate baldness for appropriate patients.

HAIR FOLLICLES: A strand of hair and its root which is extracted from the donor area and transplanted to the recipient area during hair restoration surgery.

HAIR GRAFTS: Groups of individual hair follicles extracted from the donor area for transplantation into the recipient area of the scalp.

HAIR TRANSPLANT: A surgical technique that transfers hair follicles from the donor area to the recipient area.

HAMILTON / NORWOOD: a graphic scale representing the extent of hair loss / recession of alopecia androgenetica in males

K

KERATIN: Keratin is a type of protein that is present in the hair and nails.

L

LUDWIG STAGING: a graphic representation of the severity of alopecia androgenetica in women, originally published in 1977 in the British Journal of Dermatology

M

MALE-PATTERN BALDNESS: A genetic predisposition to lose hair at the crown or front portion of the scalp, usually caused by the male hormone testosterone. It is prevalent in both males and females.

R

RECIPIENT AREA: Area of the scalp where hair loss occurs and hair will be added in hair restoration procedures.

S

SCALP REDUCTION: A procedure that removes bald scalp and brings the hair-bearing scalp closer together. Scalp reduction is most often used in patients with posterior baldness.

SCALP ROTATION FLAPS: A type of procedure that involves the lifting and rotation of a strip of hairy scalp which is placed into an area of simultaneously removed balding skin.

T

TELOGEN: The resting phase in the hair cycle.

TESTOSTORONE: A predominantly male hormone which promotes the development of male characteristics.

TOPICALLY: Means to apply directly onto the scalp.

TRACTION ALOPECIA: This refers to hair loss which occurs due to traction being placed on hair. Traction alopecia is commonly seen with braids, pony tails and other hairstyles which cause tension on the scalp.

TISSUE EXPANDER: A reconstructive balloon-like device which can be used to enlarge hair-bearing scalp on the sides of the head, providing a larger supply of hair with which to replace the bald areas. Often used in hair flap techniques and scalp reductions.

TISSUE EXTENDER: A device used to stretch scalp. Often used to speed up the process of scalp reductions by stretching the sides of the scalp that contain hair to achieve rapid elimination of bald areas. The tissue extender is temporarily inserted below the scalp and remains in place for a three-week period.