Hair Loss Glossary: A to Z Balding Terminologies for Informed Recovery

Hair loss is a common problem affecting billions of people worldwide. Whether you’re experiencing thinning hair, bald patches, or complete baldness, it can be a frustrating and emotional experience. While thousands of guides and advice blogs are available on the internet to help people manage different hair fall conditions, we believe there are very few hair loss glossaries out there capture the most important aspects of hair damage. That’s why we decided to create this A-to-Z hair loss glossary!

Lordhair is working to demystify the complex world of temporary and permanent baldness. Whether you are a young dermatologist or someone facing thinning for the first time, this glossary will help you confidently navigate recovery.

Let’s start with the letter “A”

A to Z Hair Loss Glossary

The following are key terminologies related to hair loss, thinning, and damage. These will help you better understand the different aspects of baldness including signs, symptoms, equipment, conditions, and treatments:

A

Alopecia: It is a common medical term used for hair loss. Alopecia can affect a single or multiple areas of your head and body. Alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis are some of its major types.

Aging: Our body experiences many changes when we age, and hair loss is one of them. Dermatologists refer to ageing as one of the major causes of hair loss in men and women above 40. You’ll notice a change in hair color and thickness as well with each passing year.

Anagen: Do you know approximately 80% to 90% of hair follicles on your head are in the anagen phase? Never heard of this term before? It means an active hair growth phase that generally lasts between 2 to 8 years. Anagen paves the way for catagen and telogen.

Asymmetrical hair loss: Asymmetrical hair loss refers to hair thinning that occurs unevenly on one side of the scalp. It can be caused by various factors like alopecia areata, traction alopecia, trichotillomania, scalp infection, physical trauma, and hormonal changes.

B

Bulge: Hearing this hair loss glossary terminology for the first time? The middle portion of a hair follicle that contains the highest number of stem cells is called a bulge. If there’s anything that causes hair to regrow on your scalp, it’s this! Damage to the hair follicle bulge can lead to hair loss.

 

C

Chemotherapy: Alright, most of us have heard about it. For those who are unaware, it is a type of anti-cancer treatment used to destroy the cancer cells in the body. Chemotherapy sadly is also one of the major causes of hair loss in men or women undergoing cancer treatment.

Thankfully, hair damage by chemo is temporary.

Club Hair: A club hair is a fully formed hair strand that has stopped growing. It appears during the catagen phase of your hair growth cycle. A transitional phase between growth and rest.

 

D

Dermal Papilla: Located at the bottom of a hair follicle, the dermal papilla stimulates hair growth by activating stem cells in the bulge. It supplies necessary nutrients to the hair cells for growth.

DHT: Dihydrotestosterone is very important in stimulating hair growth but it is also associated with male pattern baldness. Higher levels of DHT overstimulate the hair follicles and trigger hair loss.

Donor Area: Dermatologists often refer to donor area terminology as the hair present on the back and sides of your head. This is the area from where hair grafts are harvested for transplantation into areas experiencing hair loss. Strands usually grow back within a few months at the donor site after surgery.

Donor Dominance: A key concept of hair transplant, donor dominance refers to the principle that hair follicles taken from the donor area retain their original characteristics when transplanted to the balding or hair-thinning area.

Density: Hair density is the number of hair strands per square inch on the scalp and other parts of the body. It is the key factor in determining how thick or full your hair actually looks. Hair density can be influenced by age, genetics, and overall health.

Densitometry: It is a diagnostic technique used to measure hair density in different areas of the scalp. Densitometry is crucial for assessing the extent of hair thinning. It is often used in the evaluation and planning of hair restoration treatments.

Diffuse Hair Loss: It is a form of hair loss when hair starts to fall out from your scalp. Some of the common causes of diffuse hair loss are nutritional deficiencies, telogen effluvium, thyroid disorders, medications, chronic illness, and hormonal changes.

 

Discover answers to all your hair system related questions:

 

Our next terminology in the A-Z hair loss glossary guide is epidermis!

 

E

Epidermis: It plays an indirect yet pivotal role in hair growth and health. It acts as a protective barrier against physical damage and environmental factors that help in maintaining a healthy scalp and prevent damage to hair follicles.

Estrogen: A group of hormones that serve a crucial function in various psychological processes, estrogen also affects hair growth and overall health. If hair loss reasons couldn’t be detected, check on estrogen levels is commonly run by dermatologists.

 

F

Female Pattern Baldness: Also known as androgenetic alopecia, it is one of the most common causes of hair loss in women. It usually affects the crown and top of the head.

Finasteride: Okay, most of us are aware of this hair loss glossary terminology. Finasteride is an FDA-approved medication used to treat male pattern baldness and BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) in men. It was first used in 1992 to treat BPH.

Follicle: It is a small dynamic organ found in the skin responsible for producing and growing hair. Hair follicle exists in the top two layers of your skin.

FUT: Also known as strip procedure, follicular unit transplantation is a hair restoration technique used to recover from hair loss and hair thinning. This hair transplantation technique involves transplanting hair follicles in their natural groupings from a donor area to the balding area.

FUE: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique involves harvesting strands using microscopic circular incisions on the scalp. Two types of FUE surgery exist: manual and robotic. Both are less invasive than FUT because there’s no need to remove hair in strips.

Flap Surgery: Another hair transplantation technique used to treat extensive hair loss. Dermatologists often recommend it when FUT and FUE don’t help in achieving the desired results. Flap surgery involves transporting healthy live tissues from one location of the body to another.

 

G

Graft: It is a piece of tissue that includes hair follicles that are transplanted from a donor area of the scalp to the balding or thinning area. Each graft contains one or more hair follicles.

 

H

Hair Systems: Also called hairpieces, wigs, non-surgical hair restoration systems, toupees, and hair units, hair systems are popular non-surgical hair recovery products that are made using natural human hair woven onto a high-quality base (lace and thin skin, for instance). Lordhair provides comfortable, realistic, and durable hairpieces for men and women!

Hamilton Scale: It was developed by Dr. James Hamilton in the 1950s and later refined by Dr. O’Tar Norwood in the 1970s. Popularly known as Norwood scale, the Hamilton scale is used to classify the extent and pattern of male pattern hair loss.

Hormones: Hormones are basically chemicals that coordinate different functions in the human body by carrying messages to the organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues. Hormones also play a major role in hair growth, hair loss, and overall hair health.

Hair Loss Management: Preventing and treating hair thinning and baldness is known as hair loss management. It can involve medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and surgical treatments for recovery.

Hair Transplantation: It is a surgical procedure used to overcome hair loss problems in men and women. This technique involves moving hair follicles from one part of the scalp to the balding area.

Hair Cloning: As the name suggests, hair cloning means replicating hair follicles to create additional new healthy hair follicles. This technique is new and in the early development stages. It is believed that hair cloning will be able to help people with limited donor area availability.

Hair Growth Cycle: A complex process that involves several phases that determine how strands shed, grow, and regenerate. One needs a clear understanding of the hair growth cycle to address any underlying hair fall concerns.

Hairline: The area where the hair meets the forehead. Hairline is very crucial to determine the overall appearance of the face. Genetics, hormones, aging, health conditions, and injury can bring changes in your hairline appearance.

Check out these sources as well for additional insights:

Best diet, hair care, and styling tips for hair recovery
Men’s glue-on hairpieces that look absolutely amazing!
Everything about a bald spot on the crown of the head
Glueless lace human hair wigs for women
A complete guide to different types of alopecia

I

Ingrown Hair: An ingrown hair refers to the hair that grows back into the skin. It often happens after hair on your body is removed by shaving cream or depilatory cream. An ingrown hair will eventually come out on its own but can cause inflammation, soreness, and infection.

Interlocking Hair – A common method in which hair is maintained or tightened using a tool. Interlocking dreads is a technique to create and keep dreads. It includes drawing completions of the lock with the origin to develop a knot at the base and also tightening up new development to the scalp.

Ionic – Ionic refers to hot tools that emit negative ions. These disperse water quickly and dry the hair faster. Ionic based products are pretty popular among youth but wrong use can lead to hair damage.

Immune system- Immunity system is your body’s defence mechanism against harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses. Different types of cells, tissues, and organs work together to identify and eliminate threats to keep you and your hair healthy.

Involutional alopecia: It is a natural cycle of hair when the hair gets thin gradually with age. More hair follicles go into the resting phase. And the remaining strands become shorter and fewer in number.

Itchy scalp: A condition that may accompany hair loss due to dandruff or scalp infections. Itchy scalp is often the result of residue buildup that’s not correctly managed. Itchy scalp if left untreated can weaken hair.

 

J

Jojoba Oil: A shrub that only grows in dry regions of northern Mexico. It has a lot of hair benefits since it’s rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish hair, including vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin E, copper, and zinc.

Layers is the next terminology we will talk about in our A-Z hair loss glossary.

 

L

Layers: It is a type of haircut that brings volume and gives the illusion of length and a polished look. Layers are created by cutting the shortest layer, longest layer and then blending everything in between.

Lightener: Hair Lightener is a substance or chemical used to change the hair color. A process of artificial reduction and dissolution of pigment in hair. Men and women can even lighten their already colored hair!

Lipid Layer: This hair loss glossary’s terminology can be defined as the natural barrier that is made of lipids mainly. It acts as a protective layer for hair.

Laser therapy: A treatment option for hair loss that uses low-level laser light to stimulate hair growth. It helps strengthen hair follicles by targeting the hair roots. It helps diffuse hair thinning, improving hair volume!

Lichen planopilaris (LPP): A type of scarring alopecia that can cause permanent hair loss. Lichen planopilaris results in inflammation on your scalp and hair follicles. Those suffering from this hair loss condition will notice scars on their head.

 

M

Medulla – The innermost part of hair structure, medulla is composed of moderately keratinized cells. It is less rigid and weaker than its surrounding layers. Dermatologists state that it may be absent in some people. Reason? Well, it’s still unknown.

Melanin: Whether your hair color is black or brown is determined by the amount of a pigment called melanin. A high concentration of melanin results in black or brown hair.

Male pattern baldness: The most common form of hair loss in men, MPB causes the hairline to recede and coin-sized bald spots to form over the head. How does it begin? Well, you’ll see your hair falling in an M-shaped pattern, beginning above both temples.

Minoxidil: A topical treatment used to stimulate hair growth and slow hair loss. It is helpful in the initial stages of hair loss and is available in the form of a topical solution or foam. It does have its share of side effects though.

N

Natural Hair: Hair that has not been chemically treated or altered is called natural hair. It usually comes out of the scalp either straight, curly, kinky, or coily.

Nutritional deficiency: As the name suggests, nutritional deficiency means a lack of essential nutrients in the body. Riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.

Non-scarring alopecia: Hair loss that does not result in scarring and tissue damage is called non-scarring alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, anagen effluvium, traction alopecia, trichotillomania, and alopecia syphilitica are some common examples of nonscarring alopecia.

 

O

Overprocessing: Damage caused to the hair by excessive chemical treatments like coloring, perming, or relaxing is called overprocessing. If you’ve undergone any of these treatments multiple times, you’ll notice that your hair shaft has become dry, brittle, and porous. They may even break or fall out.

Outer Root Sheath: A soft thin layer that surrounds the lower two-thirds of your hair. The outer root sheath of hair follicles is a multilayered tissue made up mainly of undifferentiated keratinocytes.

Oxidation: When the hair is exposed to the scorching sun, UV light, or chemicals, hair color oxidation takes place. You’ll notice that your hair has lightened and has a reddish undertone. This is a result of loss of pigment in the hair shaft. It means the outer layers of your strands have been damaged.

 

P

Porosity: It represents your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Overprocessing - discussed above - impacts porosity and slows down the hair recovery.

Protective Style: This hair loss glossary term is all about what you are thinking: a hairstyle that protects strands from getting damaged. Those who wear it often minimize their exposure to environmental factors and reduce hair manipulation.

Papilla: Papilla refers to the area at the base of the hair that provides essential nutrients for its growth. It retains capillaries that supply blood to the growing hair.

Permanent Hair Reduction: Permanent hair reduction includes treatments like IPL where the follicle is disabled by light energy. This prevents further hair growth.

Protein Treatment: A type of deep conditioning treatment that adds protein to the hair cortex. This strengthens hair and adds elasticity, helping them get healthier.

Pattern baldness: This refers to the typical pattern of hair loss usually in a horseshoe shape. Both men and women can be affected by it.

Phototherapy: A treatment involving light exposure, sometimes used for hair loss conditions like alopecia areata. This hair recovery treatment is not very popular though.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: PRP therapy is a procedure where dermatologists draw blood from the patient and then inject plasma into the scalp. This helps in stimulating hair growth.

Postpartum hair loss: Postpartum hair loss occurs in women after childbirth due to hormonal changes. Women undergoing postpartum hairfall may notice shedding and thinning of hair. Thankfully, it’s temporary, and gets resolved as hormone levels stabilize.

Q

Qualitative hair analysis: It’s a comprehensive evaluation of hair strands that help dermatologists assess their condition, thickness, and overall health. By running it, they can help individuals determine underlying hair loss causes.

Quiet hair loss: A gradual and often unnoticed type of baldness that progresses slowly over time. It can be challenging to detect in its early stages. However, it’s noticeable if one takes and compares their photos of the head over time.

Quick weave: Quick weaves are temporary hair recovery solutions that involve attaching a weft of hair to existing hair using clips or adhesives. They offer a quick way to add volume or length just like hair systems.

Queasiness hair loss: Some men and women experience nausea or queasiness as a side effect of certain hair loss treatments or medications.

 

R

Regrowth: Regrowth is the body’s natural process of replacing lost hair. Meaning, new follicles begin to produce hair, gradually restoring your hairline. While it’s a natural occurrence, factors like age, genetics, and underlying health conditions can influence its pace.

Relaxer-induced hair loss: Love using relaxers to chemically straighten up your hair? Well, the harsh chemicals can weaken your hair follicles, leading to breakage and potential hair loss.

Reverse telogen effluvium: Reverse telogen effluvium is an unusual hair growth pattern where hair enters the growth phase (also called anagen) more rapidly than usual. It leads to a temporary boost in hair density and is often mistaken for new growth.

Resistant hair: Many of you might be new to this hair loss glossary terminology. It basically means that hair is difficult to style or manage due to factors like texture, damage, or lack of moisture.

Relaxed hair: Relaxed hair refers to strands that have undergone a chemical straightening process. Although it offers a sleek appearance, the process can weaken hair and increase the risk of breakage, contributing to future hair fall.

 

S

Scalp micropigmentation: SMP is a cosmetic procedure that creates the illusion of hair follicles by depositing pigment onto the scalp. A popular option for those experiencing hair loss or thinning, it can also cause problems like allergies, scalp pruritus, redness, itching, and chapping dryness.

Shock loss: It means a temporary increase in hair shedding triggered by some sort of illness, stress, or major life changes. Although alarming, it is usually reversible once the underlying cause is addressed.

Scabies: A skin infestation caused by tiny mites. While rare, severe cases can lead to hair fall due to intense itching and scratching.

Seborrheic dermatitis: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common scalp condition that causes dandruff, flaky scalp, itching, and inflammation. While it doesn’t directly cause hair loss, persistent scalp irritation can contribute to thinning.

Senile alopecia: This terminology in our hair loss glossary is associated with aging. A gradual process that often involves thinning hair and a receding hairline.

Shedding: Shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. Our hair follicles go through three phases i.e. growth, rest, and shedding. Excessive shedding, however, can be a sign of underlying hair loss issues.

T

Thinning hair: One of the most common hair loss glossary terminologies out there! Thinning hair, as the name suggests, is a gradual decrease in hair density, often noticeable on the crown or hairline. It’s caused by various factors including genetics, hormonal imbalances, and underlying medical conditions.

Traction alopecia: Traction alopecia occurs when hair is pulled too tightly. It happens often among those who wear hairstyles like braids, ponytails, and weaves. Constant tension on follicles weakens them. Thus, leading to hair loss.

Although one can reverse this condition in the early stages, it can cause permanent hair damage if not addressed.

Trichotillomania: A lot of people think traction alopecia and trichotillomania mean the same thing but there’s a difference! Trichotillomania is a mental condition characterized by compulsive urge to pull out hair. It can result in patchy hair loss and significant emotional distress.

Telogen phase: Remember, we told you about the three phases of the hair growth cycle? The telogen phase is the resting phase! After the growth phase i.e. anagen, hair enters telogen where it remains dormant for about 2-3 months before shedding. This is a normal part of the process.

Trichoscopy: A non-invasive diagnostic tool used to examine scalp and hair follicles. Trichoscopy involves using a specialized camera to magnify hair and scalp. Using this tool, dermatologists can identify underlying causes of hair fall.

Toupees: A common hair loss recovery product for men. It’s the same as hairpieces and hair systems we have already discussed.

 

U

Underactive thyroid: Another important terminology of our hair loss glossary. Also called hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid can disrupt hormonal balance which leads to thinning and baldness. This condition often presents with other symptoms like fatigue and weight gain.

Unhealthy hair habits: We bet you’ve already figured out what this term is about. Unhealthy hair habits significantly impact strands’ health. Excessive heat styling, frequent chemical treatments, and tight hairstyles can weaken hair, causing breakage and potential hair loss.

Under stress: When under stress, our body releases hormones that can disrupt the hair growth cycle. This, in turn, leads to conditions like telogen effluvium. Chronic stress can exacerbate hair loss.

V

Vitamin deficiencies: Vitamins A, B, E, and C play an important role in keeping hair healthy, shiny, and bouncy. Nutrients like biotin, iron, and zinc improve hair strength. A lack of these can lead to hair thinning. Incorporate a balanced diet and supplements to address vitamin deficiencies.

Vascular disorders: For those unaware, vascular disorders affect blood circulation. This also includes blood flow to the scalp. Conditions like peripheral arterial disease can reduce nutrient and oxygen delivery to the hair follicles, hindering hair growth in the process.

Volume loss: A common concern for men and women experiencing hair thinning. As hair becomes sparser, the overall volume and fullness also decrease. Several factors contribute to volume loss. Family genes and hormonal changes are some known reasons.

 

W

Wash day woes: For some people, this terminology of hair loss glossary can be no less than a nightmare, especially for those dealing with baldness and thinning. Yes, it’s true! Act of washing hair can sometimes feel overwhelming if your hair is fragile or prone to breakage.

In such cases, Lordhair suggests using gentle products and techniques to alleviate these concerns.

Wide-part hair loss: This pattern is often observed among individuals facing hair thinning. As hair density decreases, the part on the scalp where you divide the hair in two appears wider. It can be a noticeable sign of hair loss and may cause emotional distress.

Wigs: Wig used to represent hair recovery and styling products used by women but this is fast changing. Men are also using this terminology to discover hair replacement products focused on them.

 

X

Xeroderma pigmentosum: A rare genetic condition, xeroderma pigmentosum increases sensitivity to sunlight. It can lead to skin and hair damage, potentially contributing to hair loss.

 

Y

Young-onset hair loss: Young onset hair loss is when hair begins to fall at a relatively young age. This can be particularly distressing and may even indicate underlying medical conditions. Consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Yeast infections: While not a direct cause of hair loss, yeast infections on the scalp can contribute to thinning and breakage. How, you ask? By creating an unhealthy scalp environment! Treating yeast infection is important for improving overall hair health.

 

Z

Zinc deficiency: Zinc is a vital mineral for overall body health and hair growth. Lack of it can impede hair follicle function, and leads to slower growth, thinning, and even hair loss. Ensure adequate zinc intake through diet or supplements.

 

Hair Loss Glossary: Final Words

Above are crucial hair fall and thinning-related terminologies to consider in 2024. Remember, understanding these terms is the first step toward addressing hair loss concerns. While this glossary provides a basic understanding, we still recommend consulting a dermatologist to correctly identify the reason behind your hair damage. They will make a proper diagnosis and create a perfect treatment plan.

Do you have any other questions about hair loss? Contact us today to have them answered by our hair experts!