Hair glossary.

Alopecia is an umbrella term, not a single disease. It may appear as a widening part, bald patches, or thinning across the scalp. Its course and the possibility of regrowth depend on the cause. A scalp examination, the history of the hair loss, and targeted tests when needed help distinguish these situations before care is planned.

It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, or other hair-bearing areas. Follicles are not necessarily destroyed, but the course varies. Care addresses the disease itself; transplantation is not a usual solution for active alopecia areata.

The term describes the extent of alopecia areata on the scalp. It does not by itself establish how long the condition has been present or how it will progress. Dermatologic assessment and its personal impact guide discussion of options.

This form can involve eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair as well as scalp hair. It calls for comprehensive dermatologic care. Protection needs and the person's experience are also part of that care.

During this phase, the follicle actively produces a growing fiber. Its duration contributes to the length hair can reach. Changes in the cycle help explain why regrowth is assessed over time rather than within days.

These hormones are present in both women and men. Their effects depend on tissue sensitivity, not only on a blood level. Hormonal testing is therefore not automatically needed for every case of hair loss.

In hair transplantation, the follicles come from the person being treated. The procedure redistributes an existing resource; it does not create new donor follicles. This limitation explains why planning must fit the available supply.

In everyday language, this often refers to pattern hair loss, but the term is imprecise. The affected area and its progression should be described before discussing solutions. Advanced baldness does not automatically mean a transplant is possible or impossible.

Claims of stronger hair do not by themselves justify supplementation. An established deficiency differs from use without a clear indication. Tell the clinician about biotin before blood testing because it can distort some results.

Blood supply supports tissue function and repair. Local characteristics may differ in scarred areas and require assessment. Blood supply alone cannot predict a regrowth rate.

The follicle gradually stops producing the fiber and transitions toward rest. This is part of normal renewal. A healthy scalp therefore contains hairs at different stages of the cycle.

A graft is loaded into the Choi pen and then placed in the scalp. The term describes implantation, not the harvesting method. At NOVA Capillaire, we do not recommend this approach within our protocol: based on our experience, it is less suited than Sapphire FUE to the control of direction and graft distribution we seek. We therefore favor preparing recipient sites with sapphire blades. This reflects our team’s practice, not proof of universal superiority. Our comparison article explains this position and its limitations.

The curvature of the strands affects visible volume and styling. For transplantation, assessment also considers the follicles beneath the skin and the donor area. A texture category alone does not determine the right approach for an individual.

It may be temporary or lasting. Active inflammation, certain medical conditions, or insufficient donor supply may lead to postponing or ruling out surgery. The decision should explain why and what other options may be considered.

Hair changes direction around the whorl, making coverage sensitive to lighting and styling. A crown transplant requires a distribution suited to that pattern. The size of the area and the donor reserve must be considered together.

They describe a visible finding but do not identify every cause of scaling. Marked redness, pain, or broken hairs may point to a different condition. Care therefore depends on the underlying skin condition too.

The device reveals details that are difficult to see with the naked eye. Its use on hair and scalp is called trichoscopy. The image is part of an examination, not an automatic diagnosis generated by the device.

Not all follicles respond to this hormone in the same way. In pattern hair loss, local sensitivity matters alongside the hormonal context. Hair loss alone therefore does not establish an abnormal blood DHT level.

“Diffuse” describes a distribution, not a specific diagnosis. Shedding, miniaturization, or several mechanisms together can produce this appearance. Examining the donor area also helps avoid an unsuitable transplant plan.

On the scalp, inflammatory lesions can change the skin and destroy follicles. Distinguishing an active lesion from an old scar is important. Dermatologic care comes before any discussion of hair restoration.

Its suitability is not based only on visible hair count. Diameter, distribution, scalp condition, and follicular stability also matter. Excessive harvesting can leave this region permanently thin.

This resource is limited and should be considered over time, including possible future loss. Taking more now may reduce future options. A reasonable strategy balances recipient coverage with preservation of the back of the scalp.

This involves removing skin, unlike simply shaving a strip of hair. The donor site is closed afterward and leaves a linear scar. It should not be confused with the narrow shaved areas used in partial shaving.

The timing of treatment and shedding can be informative without proving a connection. The prescriber assesses other causes and possible adjustments. Stopping medication independently may pose a greater risk than the shedding.

Swelling can temporarily change an area's appearance after a procedure. Context and progression matter more than a single photograph. Significant or painful swelling, or swelling with other symptoms, should be reported to the team.

Redness can follow irritation or a procedure, or occur with a skin condition. Its intensity, duration, and accompanying signs guide assessment. Persistent or worsening redness should not be interpreted solely from a distance.

A family history of hair loss may suggest susceptibility, but it cannot predict your exact progression. Information from both sides of the family can be useful. An individual examination is still needed to interpret that history.

The result is interpreted with the clinical context and other tests when needed. One value cannot establish a single cause of shedding. Iron supplementation should follow an appropriate assessment rather than an arbitrary “ideal” hair-related target.

Its use is discussed for specific indications, alongside contraindications and possible adverse effects. It is not suitable for every person or cause of hair loss. The prescriber should guide the decision, monitoring, and any treatment change.

Harvesting should protect the grafts and distribute removals across a suitable donor area. The number taken is not based only on the area to cover. The remaining appearance of the harvested region also matters.

Several hairs may emerge from the same natural group. In transplantation, this organization helps guide graft distribution. The number of follicular units should therefore not be confused with the total number of hairs.

The term describes follicular inflammation, which can have different causes and levels of severity. It is not automatically folliculitis decalvans. Painful, recurring, or spreading lesions need assessment to guide care.

It can involve inflammation, pustules, crusts, and areas of scarring loss. Controlling the disease and assessing activity come first. A transplant does not treat that inflammation and is not considered in the same way as for ordinary pattern baldness.

It may appear as band-like recession of the frontal hairline, sometimes with eyebrow loss. It needs to be distinguished from a purely cosmetic hairline change. Disease activity is a key consideration before any surgical discussion.

FUE primarily describes harvesting, not every step of the procedure. It leaves small dot-like scars in the donor area. Planning quality also depends on patient selection, harvesting technique, and implantation.

After the strip is removed, it is divided into grafts and the donor site is closed. The linear scar differs from the small marks associated with FUE. Choosing between methods requires assessment of the patient and discussion of practical limitations.

Counting grafts means counting transferred tissue units, not individual hairs. Some contain one hair and others several. Their composition and distribution help explain why the same graft count does not always produce the same coverage.

Drying can compromise delicate tissue during handling. Hydration is therefore part of graft storage alongside other surgical conditions. It is different from moisturizing care used later on the scalp.

Grafts remain delicate while outside the body. Handling, hydration, and the organization of surgical time are part of the protocol. An advertised graft count alone does not describe the quality of this care.

It brings together the pattern of loss, hair characteristics, scalp condition, and the person's goals. Additional tests are used when they address a specific question. The assessment may lead to monitoring, treatment, or a discussion about transplantation.

The bulb lies beneath the skin within the follicle. It is not the same as the small pale tip sometimes seen on a shed hair. Seeing that tip does not mean the entire follicle has been pulled out.

Density may be expressed as hairs or follicular units per square centimeter; these measurements are not interchangeable. Visible fullness also depends on strand thickness and length. One number alone cannot predict a cosmetic result.

Two heads of hair with the same hair count can look very different when individual strands differ in thickness. Diameter therefore matters when assessing coverage. It is considered alongside density, texture, and contrast between hair and skin.

They change the appearance of hair without increasing follicle numbers. Their effect depends on existing hairs to which they can adhere. When comparing photographs or examining the scalp, it helps to know whether they were used.

The follicle is a living structure within the skin; the visible hair is the fiber it produces. A hair can shed while its follicle remains intact. This distinction helps explain why regrowth is possible in some types of loss but not others.

Follicles do not all cycle at the same time, allowing continuous renewal. An event can disturb this balance and make shedding more noticeable. A change in the cycle does not necessarily mean the follicle has been destroyed.

After transplantation, visible hairs may shed before new fibers grow. Length, thickness, and coverage then change gradually. Comparing standardized photographs at agreed intervals is more useful than daily inspection.

This is the part that is cut, styled, or colored. A broken fiber and a hair shed from its follicle are different phenomena. Distinguishing them helps guide assessment when length or volume decreases.

The growth pattern may reveal some scalp at the center, especially in direct light. This alone neither establishes nor rules out hair loss. Gradual thinning around a whorl is best assessed by comparison over time.

The hairline frames the face and is considered alongside the temples, facial proportions, and age. Its design should also account for possible future loss. The aim is not to reproduce one standard hairline for everyone.

Skin changes gradually after a procedure; its immediate appearance is not the final result. The care team's instructions help protect healing tissue. Increasing pain, drainage, or spreading redness are reasons to contact the team.

This band is not automatically an entirely usable donor supply. Its density, size, and hair stability need assessment. Harvesting is planned to preserve an even appearance at the back and sides.

An area may feel less sensitive after a procedure, but its course should be monitored. Reduced sensation differs from pain, burning, or tingling. If it persists or comes with other symptoms, the team should be informed.

Placement considers depth, direction, and graft distribution. It should fit the existing hair and agreed design. Implantation is separate from harvesting, even when both are described under a single method name.

Hair rarely grows perpendicular to the skin. Following neighboring hairs helps create a coherent pattern, especially at the hairline and crown. Angle is one part of the overall plan, alongside direction and graft distribution.

Understanding the expected benefit is only one part of the decision. Limitations, recovery, alternatives, and the option of no procedure should also be discussed. There should be time for questions; a signed document supports that conversation rather than replacing it.

Testing for deficiency depends on context, including diet, blood loss, and other symptoms. Correcting a confirmed deficiency does not mean it caused all the shedding. Assessment also helps avoid unnecessary supplementation.

It is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It may accompany irritation, inflammation, or other scalp problems. Duration, products used, and visible skin changes help identify the cause.

The visible fiber is largely made of keratin and is not living tissue that repairs itself like skin. Cosmetic products can improve its feel or appearance. That does not mean they create follicles or treat the cause of alopecia.

Inflammation can permanently damage follicles and may cause itching or burning. Diagnosis requires dermatologic assessment, sometimes including a biopsy. The aim is to limit progression rather than promise regrowth over scar tissue.

It aims to reduce pain in the treated area while the person remains awake. Pressure or movement may still be felt. Previous medical conditions and any past reaction to anesthesia should be discussed before the procedure.

It describes the extent of thinning over the top of the scalp. It supports communication and follow-up but does not summarize the cause or personal impact. Not every pattern of female hair loss fits this classification.

The clinician asks when changes began, what has recently changed, and whether other symptoms are present. A medication list and older photographs can help establish the timeline. This conversation guides the examination rather than simply completing a checklist.

“Micro” indicates small size without independently describing quality or recovery. Every incision involves healing. Understanding a technique requires knowing where and why these openings are made.

A miniaturized hair becomes finer and contributes less coverage. Magnified examination can reveal differences in strand diameter. This finding is interpreted alongside its distribution and the history of loss, rather than from one photograph.

Topical and oral forms are not interchangeable and do not carry the same precautions. Choice depends on the indication, medical context, and planned monitoring. A familiar name does not mean a treatment suits every type of hair loss.

It can continue to change after a transplant, independently of implanted follicles. Planning therefore considers its density and vulnerability. The result is assessed as a combination of existing and transplanted hair.

The follicle is not replaced by scar tissue, but that does not guarantee full recovery. Regrowth depends on the cause and course. This group includes very different conditions that do not all respond to the same care.

It describes patterns of frontal recession and crown loss. It helps characterize a situation without predicting exact future stages. Two people at the same stage may have very different donor supplies and needs.

This means shortening hairs in a selected area without removing a strip of skin. Surrounding hair may cover the shaved region, depending on its length and density. The expected appearance should be shown and discussed beforehand.

Hair gradually becomes finer in certain areas, without all of it necessarily shedding at once. The pattern and speed of progression vary. A transplant can redistribute follicles, but it does not by itself stop changes in the surrounding, nontransplanted hair.

They can occur as small wounds heal, but should not be picked off to speed up the final appearance. Care should follow the team's instructions. One photograph alone cannot establish whether their evolution is normal.

Follow-up addresses questions, monitors healing, and assesses regrowth. Photographs can support communication without replacing an examination when needed. Instructions and contact information should be clear before going home.

Instrument choice depends in part on the follicles and skin. A very small advertised diameter alone does not establish harvesting quality. Protecting graft integrity and the donor area remains essential.

The plan identifies the areas to treat and their relative priorities. Surface area, remaining hair, and donor availability guide distribution. A large area cannot always receive the same density throughout.

Preparation considers graft size and the intended hair direction. Direction and depth are planned alongside overall distribution. The precision of the technique matters more than an instrument name on its own.

“Sapphire” refers to the blade material used for recipient sites. It does not change the follicles themselves or independently guarantee density or growth. Design, technique, and follow-up remain important when evaluating a treatment plan.

They may be thin or thick, dry or oily. Their appearance is interpreted alongside redness, itching, and location. Removing them mechanically does not necessarily address the cause of their recurrence.

It contains follicles, sebaceous glands, blood vessels, and nerves. Hair loss may occur alongside skin changes such as scaling or inflammation. Examining the skin is therefore as important as looking at the hair.

It may be considered when examination alone does not clarify the cause, particularly in some inflammatory alopecias. Choosing the sampling site matters. It is not a routine requirement before every transplant.

Plaques may extend beyond the hairline and flare over time. Scaling alone does not distinguish it from other conditions. A transplant plan needs to consider skin condition and ongoing care.

Scar tissue replaces the structures that produce hair, so spontaneous regrowth is not expected where follicles have been destroyed. Medical care focuses on identifying and controlling the underlying disease. Redness, pain, or an enlarging area should be assessed before considering a transplant.

It can flare with scaling and itching. It does not mean poor hygiene, and it does not automatically explain all associated hair loss. Scalp condition and symptom control should be discussed before a transplant.

It contributes to the skin's oily film and can make hair look greasier. Its presence does not establish the cause of hair loss. Cleansing and care depend on scalp tolerance and accompanying symptoms.

Shedding may appear weeks or months after an event as more hairs reach the end of their cycle. This delay can make the trigger less obvious. Persistent or unusual shedding deserves assessment rather than being automatically attributed to stress.

This shedding can involve hairs around the treated area and is not the same as losing a graft. Its course depends partly on the condition of the hair before surgery. A density change should be discussed with the team rather than assumed to be a failed transplant.

It allows delicate placement where a soft transition is desired, particularly at the front. This does not mean every graft should contain one hair. Selection depends on the intended effect in each region.

Using the same angle, lighting, distance, and hairstyle makes comparisons more reliable. Wet hair or camouflage fibers can greatly change perceived density. A consistent series helps separate real changes from differences in photography.

Hair loss may be influenced by disease activity and other associated factors. Hair loss alone cannot establish this diagnosis. Care should be coordinated with the clinicians managing the systemic condition.

Shedding often starts after a delay following a trigger, making the connection less obvious. Hair tends to shed diffusely rather than from one isolated patch. Identifying the cause and monitoring changes help distinguish it from other forms of hair loss.

Hair is no longer actively lengthening during this period. Shedding and replacement are part of follicular renewal. When more follicles shift toward rest together, shedding may become more noticeable.

Their shape naturally varies and may change with hair loss. Restoring them involves considering facial balance and the future hairline. A very low or tightly closed hairline is not automatically the most suitable choice.

Its thickness and pigmentation contribute to visible coverage. During miniaturization, some hairs become finer and provide less coverage. Comparing these characteristics helps assess changes in the hair.

Diffuse loss may accompany some thyroid disorders, but many other causes look similar. General symptoms and examination guide the need for blood tests. Any treatment addresses the identified disorder, not only the appearance of the hair.

It can resemble other causes of patches or scaling, but its infectious origin requires appropriate care. It may be contagious. Medical advice is needed rather than treating it as ordinary dandruff.

Tension can come from tight hairstyles, extensions, or repeated pulling. The most stressed areas are often affected. Reducing traction is essential: early changes may be reversible, while prolonged tension can lead to permanent loss.

Cutting a follicle may compromise a graft and its growth potential. Risk depends partly on follicular anatomy and harvesting technique. It is a technical consideration alongside graft integrity, not just the advertised count.

The scalp may feel tender, tight, or sensitive when hair moves. This sensation alone does not establish the cause of hair loss. Examination can look for irritation or another associated condition.

It allows inspection of variation in hair diameter, follicular openings, and certain skin signs. These findings complement the clinical examination. They help guide diagnosis but must be interpreted alongside symptoms and the person's history.

Affected areas may contain broken hairs of different lengths. This is not simply a bad habit for which someone should be blamed. Appropriate support, including psychological care, can address the behavior and its impact.

Vellus hair naturally occurs in certain areas. On the scalp, very fine hairs need to be interpreted alongside other findings. Their presence alone does not establish full regrowth or a transplant result.

Zinc supports many biological processes, but hair loss does not automatically indicate deficiency. Assessment considers diet and conditions affecting absorption, among other factors. Taking a supplement without an indication does not guarantee hair improvement.