Glossary

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): Also known as the strip method, harvested hair follicles, along with a thin piece of the scalp, are dissected from the donor area and transplanted to thinning or balding areas.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): A non-invasive hair transplantation method that harvests each individual hair follicle from the donor site of the scalp to the thinning or balding areas.

Hair Transplantation: A surgical procedure that removes hair follicles and tissue from a donor area of the scalp to thinning and balding areas.

Dermis: The layer of the skin that contains blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, nerve endings, and hair follicles, amongst other structures.

Hair Follicle: Structure or sheath surrounding the root of each hair strand.

Graft of Hair: Strip of skin or scalp containing hair follicles.

Testosterone: Male sex hormone necessary for developing and maintaining male sex characteristics.  Testosterone is converted into Dihydrotestosterone with the assistance of Type II 5-alpha reductase, causing sensitive hair follicles to shrink and cease hair production.

Estrogen: Female sex hormone necessary for developing and maintaining female sex characteristics.  Estrogen, which regulates the presence of Testosterone, decreases during Menopause.  Sensitive follicles are then exposed to the presence of Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone, leading to hair thinning and loss.

Biopsy: Cells and tissue are removed by a surgeon for the purpose of examination and testing in a laboratory setting.

Hair Cuticle: Outer layer of the hair, formed of dead skin cells, which protects the two inner layers (Cortex and Medulla).

Male Pattern Baldness: Genetic form of hair loss called alopecia androgenetic typically occurring at the top, front, and sides of the head, also referred to as a receding hairline.

Female Pattern Baldness: Genetic form of hair loss called alopecia androgenetic caused by hormone fluctuation, which typically results in hair thinning throughout the scalp.

Androgenic Alopecia: Genetic form of hair loss that occurs in both men and women, known as male and female pattern baldness.  Androgenic Alopecia is the result of a sensitivity to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Alopecia Areata: Hair loss caused by the immune system attacking healthy hair follicles, causing hair loss.

Alopecia Totalis: Hair loss of the entire scalp and face, affecting patients with Alopecia Areata.

Telogen Effluvium: Temporary hair loss caused by extreme stress or bodily changes.

Anagen Effluvium: Hair loss caused by medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

Traction Alopecia: Hair loss resulting from hairstyles that repeatedly pull back on the root of the hair.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): A derivative of testosterone that assists in developing male sex characteristics, such as facial hair, muscle growth, and a deep voice.  Testosterone is converted into DHT with the assistance of Type II 5-alpha-reductase.

Type II 5-alpha reductase: An enzyme held in the oil glands of hair follicles that assists in converting Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).