Hair Restoration Definitions
What is it?
Want to get familiar with some of the hair restoration terminology? Refer to this guide as a quick reference.
ARTAS Robotic Hair Restoration:
The most advanced robotic FUE device used to extract donor hair from the back of the head or “the safe zone” to be used in the hair replacement process.
The most advanced robotic FUE device used to extract donor hair from the back of the head or “the safe zone” to be used in the hair replacement process.
Cosmetic Concealer:
Topical powder used to help conceal hair loss or a poorly done hair transplant scar.
Anagen Phase (hair cycle):
This is the first stage of the hair cycle where hair grows for an extended period of time averaging 3-5 years (see Catagen Phase and Telogen Phase).
Catagen Phase (hair cycle):
This is the second stage of the hair cycle following the Anagen Phase where hair is in a temporary state lasting only two to three weeks before moving to the Telogen Phase. (see Anagen Phase and Telogen Phase).
Telogen Phase (hair cycle):
This is the final stage of the hair cycle following the Catagen Phase where hair goes into a resting phase before falling out. This cycle generally lasts for two to three months before the follicle produces a new hair and the growth cycle starts over (see Anagen Phase and Catagen Phase).
Diffuse Hair Loss:
When hair thins all over the head including the ‘safe zone’ which is normally resistant to hair loss. Those with diffuse hair loss are not candidates for a hair transplant but other hair restoration modalities may help.
Donor Area (Donor Hair):
The area in the back of the head extending from ear to ear containing hair follicles that are permanently resistant to DHT which causes hair loss.
Female Pattern Hair Loss:
See Pattern Baldness.
Graft:
Tissue containing one or more hair follicles to be used in a hair transplant.
Hair Attrition:
When donor hair is harvested for a hair transplant but dies prematurely due to extended time outside the body.
Hair Follicle:
A naturally occurring bundle of tissue containing one or more hairs.
Hair Plugs:
Terminology referring to an older style hair restoration technology prior to the late 90’s where follicles contained too many hairs and were spaced too far apart, leaving unsightly evidence that a hair transplant had been done. Hair plugs resemble the appearance of hair on a toy doll’s head.
Male Pattern Baldness:
See Pattern Baldness.
Multi-Unit Hair Grafting™:
PAI Medical Group’s trademarked, specially developed hair restoration procedure that yields twice as much hair when compared to traditional FUT procedures. The secret is in the specialized graft sizes and the tricophytic closure.
Necrosis:
When skin tissue in the transplanted area dies due to compromised blood supply.
Pattern Baldness:
For men, pattern baldness is called male pattern baldness, and for women, it’s called female pattern hair loss. Both types of pattern baldness are genetic in nature where loss occurs in the temple areas, the vertex and crown. Hair in this area is genetically more susceptible to DHT, a hormone that causes hair loss.
Recipient Sites:
When a surgeon creates incisions in the balding area where new hairs will be placed.
Safe Zone:
See donor area.
Transection:
When the base of a hair follicle is damaged or destroyed as it is harvested.
Tricophytic Closure:
Specially developed, extremely thin suture closure that overlaps at an angle, allowing hair to grow through the scar remnant while camouflaging its appearance.
Beard Transplant:
When DHT resistant hair is harvested from the patient’s donor area and transferred to thin patchy areas of the beard to give it a thicker, fuller appearance.
When DHT resistant hair is harvested from the patient’s donor area and transferred to thin patchy areas of the beard to give it a thicker, fuller appearance.
Finasteride:
FDA approved medication used to treat pattern baldness. This prescription drug slows hair loss and sometimes improves hair growth.
FUE Hair Transplant:
When DHT resistant hair follicles are extracted directly from the patient’s donor area one follicle at a time using either a manual or robotic device and transplanted (moved) to balding areas. (ARTAS, Neograft)
FUT Hair Transplant:
When a segment of linear tissue containing DHT resistant hair follicles is harvested from the donor area and manually separated into individual bundles of hair by a technician to be transplanted into balding areas. (Muti-Unit Hair Grafting™)
Low Level Laser Therapy:
An FDA approved hair regrowth therapy that utilizes safe, painless laser light to strengthen and regrow failing hair. Equipment varies from industrial strength to home devices.
Micro-Pigmentation:
When colored cosmetic pigment is embedded in balding areas to give the appearance of hair.
Minoxidil:
A topical formula that improves blood flow in the scalp and increases hair growth primarily in the crown and mid-scalp areas. (Rogaine)
Enhanced Hair Growth Therapy Treatment:
When a Phlebotomist draws fluid from your own body and spins it in a specially designed centrifuge where tissue healing fluid is isolated and reintroduced into thinning areas through injection.
Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Baldness):
Genetic hair loss that occurs in the temples, on the top of the head or the crown but not in the DHT resistant donor area. Men: Male Pattern Baldness – Women: Female Pattern Hair Loss
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata:
Auto Immune condition that causes patches of hair loss.
Alopecia Totalis:
Auto Immune condition that attacks all the hair follicles even on other parts of the body such as the eye lashes and eye brows.
Alopecia Universalis:
Total hair loss on the entire body everywhere. This includes facial hair such as eyebrows, eye lashes and beard, hair on and under the arms, legs, back and chest as well as pubic hair.
Diffuse Hair Loss
Diffuse Hair Loss:
When thinning occurs all over the entire head.
Postpartum Alopecia:
Temporary hair loss due to hormones after pregnancy.
Telogen Effluvium:
Due to illness or stress, hair follicles enter the Telogen or resting phase prematurely.
Traction Alopecia:
When hair follicles become permanently damaged and scarring occurs due to pony tails, braids or other hair styles that involve excessive pulling.
Trichotillomania:
A psychological condition where the patient pulls out their own hair. If scarring occurs hair follicles can become permanently damaged.
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