Hair Loss Terminology

Alopecia

• General term for hair loss from the scalp or body.
• Can be temporary or permanent.
• Includes various types like alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia any condition causing acute or chronic hair loss.

Anagen

• Active growth phase of the hair cycle.
• Typically lasts 2-7 years.
• Determines the length , quality and thickness of the hair.
• Most of the hair in the scalp is in this growing phase up to 90%

Catagen

Transitional phase of the hair cycle.

• Less than 1% of scalp hair is in this phase.
• Hair gets separated from the bottom of the hair follicle in this phase , but still there in the place.
• Lasts about 2-3 weeks.
• Hair growth stops, and the outer root sheath shrinks.

Telogen

Resting phase of the hair cycle.

• 9 % to 10% of scalp hair is in this phase at any given time.
• Lasts around 3 months.
• Hair is shed at the end of this phase and makes way to new hair growth.

Telogen Loss

• Hair shedding occurs during the telogen phase,which leads to new hair growth again.
• This is the resting stage of the hair growth cycle.
• This is the 3rd phase of the normal hair growth cycle.
• Can be excessive due to stress or illness.

Cortex

• The middle layer of the hair shaft is mostly made up of proteins, mainly Keratins.
• Provides strength, color, and texture to the hair.
• It contains most of the hairs pigment melanin, giving color to the hair.
• Approximately 90 % of hair’s total weight lies in this cortex.

Bonding

• Method of attaching hair extensions or wigs.
• Uses adhesive and glue, which may damage existing hair in the long run.
• It makes hair dull, dry and frizzy and needs to change every 2-3 months.
• Provides a natural look and feel.

DHT (Dihydro-testosterone)

• DHT is formed from Testosterone by the action of 5 alpha reductase enzymes in the body and scalp.
• This is a male sex hormone [ androgen] that plays a key role in pattern baldness or Androgenetic alopecia.
  Causes hair follicles to shrink and miniatures, ultimately causing baldness in male.
• This DHT binds to the Androgen receptors of the hair follicle,with 5 times greater affinity.
• This action of DHT on the hair follicle also depends on Genes.

Female Pattern Baldness (FPB)

• Mostly caused by Genes and the hairloss gets aggravated by many factors like Vitamin deficiencies, Iron , vit D, vit B12 , protein deficiencies etc.Stress, pregnancy and menopause also play major roles for women.
• Hair thinning in women, usually seen in the top and crown of the head with retained frontal hairline.Often linked to hormonal changes like PCOS and Hypothyroidism.Also known as androgenetic alopecia in women.
• We can control this by early intervention, like consult a proper doctor for evaluation in detail.

Frontal Alopecia

• Hair loss at the front of the scalp mostly due to genetic reasons, sometimes it may be due to Frontal fibrosing alopecia which is an inflammatory condition.
• Can be a permanent loss , needs medical and surgical intervention to cover it and control the condition.
  Common in both men.

Hypothyroid

• Underactive thyroid gland due to Autoimmune condition.
  Can lead to frontal hair thinning and loss.
  Often accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue and weight gain etc..
• Both men and women suffer with this complaint , mostly seen in women.
• Need to supplement with Thyroxine hormone , total recovery of hair loss may not be possible, but can control further hair damage.

Male Pattern Baldness

• Hair loss in men, starting at the frontal hairline , temples and crown.
• Caused by genetics and DHT.[androgen hormone].Dihydrotestosterone.Also known as androgenetic alopecia in men.

Senescent Alopecia

• Hair loss due to aging, not hormone and genetic related, generally seen after 60 years. Affects both men and women. Different from androgenetic alopecia.
• In this progressive decrease in anagen follicles and increase in vellus quality hair with reddish coloration.

Temporal Recession

• Hair loss at the temples, mostly accompanied by recession of frontal hairline also Common early sign of male pattern baldness, usually starters after 20 years. Can also occur in women.
• Regrowth with medication is generally not possible.

Traction Alopecia

• Hair loss due to prolonged or repetitive tension on the hair.
  Caused by tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails.
• In early stages we can reverse the damage , but with advanced stages we cannot regrow the loss, i.e. loss is permanent.
• Mostly seen in African women due to extreme kinky hair they do a lot of hair straightening techniques, which leads to gradual recession of frontal and temple hairline recession.
• Hair extensions and weaves also cause lot of traction on hairlines if we use them for prolonged periods.

Vellus Hair

• Fine, thin, non-pigmented hair , seen in Men , women and children also Covers most of the body, gives protection to skin and maintain temperature under control Can be replaced by terminal hair during puberty in certain areas like upper lip, chin and .face in men.[beard, Mustache]
• In pattern baldness also the hair damages and, gradually and becomes vellus like before their permanent fall.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Also known as male pattern baldness.

• Common form of hair loss that leads to baldness in most of the men and also one of cause of hairloss in
  Caused by genetics and androgens like DHT.Leads to patterned hair thinning.

Telogen Effluvium

• In this excessive hair falls out after a stressful event. Often triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal changes.
  Usually reversible condition on its own after 3-6 months.
• Occasionally need medications. Generally nutritional supplements and reassurance are required.

Anagen Effluvium

• Hair loss during the anagen phase, which is an actively growing phase. Commonly caused by chemotherapy,[ anti malignancy drugs] and heavy metal poisoning and Alopecia areata.
• Can be extensive but usually reversible after stopping the medication.

Alopecia Areata

• Autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss in both men, women and children also. Not only scalp, any hair bearing zone of the body can get affected with this condition. Often unpredictable and varies in severity.[Total body may be affected. [alopecia areata universalis]
• No permanent cure, but responds to treatment well in early stages , with chances of  recurrence at any time.

Tinea Capitis

• Fungal infection of the scalp, also known as ringworm. Causes patchy hair loss and also red ,scaly rash on the scalp with itching Common in children and contagious.
• Needs immediate medical treatment.

Cicatricial Alopecia

• Also known as scarring alopecia.
  Follicles are permanently destroyed due a primary inflammatory condition or due to trauma , burns etc.. where the roots get completely destroyed. Includes conditions like lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.etc..
• No permanent medical cure, remission is possible with medical treatment.
• For stabilized lesions ,we can do hair transplantation to cover that baldness.

Lichen Planopilaris

• Inflammatory scalp condition.
• Causes scarring and permanent hair loss.
• Considered a type of cicatricial alopecia.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

• Chronic skin condition.
• Causes scarring and hair loss on the scalp.
• An autoimmune disease.

Folliculitis Decalvans

• Inflammatory scalp disease.
• Leads to scarring and hair loss.
• Characterized by pustules and crusting.

Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp

• Chronic scalp condition.
• Causes painful nodules and hair loss.
• Often leads to scarring.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

• Type of cicatricial alopecia.
• Affects the front hairline.
• More common in postmenopausal women.

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

• Scarring alopecia that starts at the crown.
• Spreads outward in a circular pattern.
• Common in African American women.

Hair Shaft Abnormalities

• Irregularities in the structure of the hair like changes in color,density, length and structure
  Can cause hair fragility and breakage.
• May be caused by Genetic disorders, acquired conditions like hair treatments- chemical perming grooming etc..and environmental conditions.
• Includes conditions like monilethrix and trichorrhexis nodosa etc…
• No permanent cure
• for congenital conditions.

Loose Anagen Syndrome

• It’s a rare inherited and self limited condition ,in which short angen hair is easily broken off.
• Common in blonde girls between the age group 2-8 years. Both the sexes get affected.
• Hair appears thin and does not grow long, it can be easily and painlessly pulled out.

Trichotillomania

• Compulsive hair-pulling disorder, involuntarily done by people under stress, mostly seen in young women
  Leads to noticeable patchy hair loss, with lots of cut ends.
• Psychological counseling needed to treat that condition, along with medication.

Hypotrichosis

• Condition of having less than the normal amount of hair. Can be congenital or acquired.
• Different from alopecia, which involves hair loss.

Alopecia Senilis

• Hair loss associated with aging.
• Diffuse thinning rather than patterned loss.
• Affects both men and women.

Alopecia Totalis

• Complete loss of scalp hair. Considered an advanced form of alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune condition.
• Can sometimes progress to alopecia universalis, in which total body hair loss is seen.

Alopecia Universalis

• Complete loss of all body hair.
• Most severe form of alopecia areata.
• Involves eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body hair.

Amino Acid

• Building blocks of proteins.
  There are total 22 amino acids in the body.
  Hair contain a major protein called keratin.
• Cysteine and lysine are the amino acids , which help in boosting hair growth, strength and prevent hair breakage.

Asymmetrical Hair Loss

• Uneven hair loss across the scalp.
  Can be due to various causes, including alopecia areata, trichotillomania or other cicatricial alopecias and infections may be fungal and bacterial.
• May require medical evaluation for underlying issues.

Chemotherapy Related Hair Loss

• Hair loss due to cancer treatment. These are antimetabolite drugs that inhibit the Mitosis of cell cycle, leading to fall of Anagen hair.
• Often temporary but can be extensive. Regrowth occurs after stopping the treatment , mostly total.

Club Hair

• Hair in the telogen phase.
• Characterized by a club-shaped root.
• Eventually sheds to make way for new hair growth.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

• Chronic autoimmune condition.
• Affects the skin, causing lesions and scarring.
• Can lead to permanent hair loss on the scalp.

Etiopathogenesis

• Study of the cause and development of a disease.
• Combines etiology and pathogenesis.
• Important in understanding hair loss conditions.

Finasteride

• It is an anti- androgen, used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hypertrophy in men
  Works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT by blocking the Type II – 5 alpha reductase enzyme.
  Can be taken orally and topically.
• Adverse effects are rare, however some men experience sexual dysfunction and breast enlargement, which are reversible+.

Flap Surgery

• This surgical procedure is used to cover large balding areas.
  It involves moving a flap of hair-bearing scalp tissue onto a bald area with intact blood supply at one end.
• In this a portion of the bald area is removed , and replaced with a flap.

Follicle

• Hair follicle is an organ found in the skin.
  The hair follicle regulate hair growth via interaction of hormones, neuropeptides and immune cells
  Essential for hair production and growth.[ hair growth cycle]

Hair Follicle

• Skin organ that produces hair.
• Includes the hair bulb and surrounding structures.
• Key to understanding hair growth and loss.

Hair Loss Management

• Includes medications, surgeries, and cosmetic solutions.
  Aims to slow, stop, or reverse hair loss.
• Early stages of hair loss can be managed well with medication ,PRP, GFC and lifestyle changes.
• Established baldness can be treated with hair transplantation.

Hair Pulling

• This is a recurrent, irresistible desire to pull out hair from scalp ,eyebrows and other areas due to severe psychological stress.
• Also known as Trichotillomania. Mostly young women affected, which needs counseling and medical treatment for hair regrowth.

Hair Replacement

• This is an artificial method of covering the bald area ,for persons who doesn’t want hair transplantation or who are not eligible for transplantation.
• It Includes wigs, hairpieces, etc…Provides aesthetic improvement for hair loss patients.

Hair Transplantation

• This is a superficial surgical procedure for permanent replacement of bald areas with their own hair from the permanent donor area of the scalp.
• Due to the latest advancements in transplantation, we are able to regrow the hair in an undetectable natural manner. Offers a permanent solution to hair loss.

Micropigmentation

• Medical tattooing technique for the scalp.
• Simulates the appearance of hair follicles, in areas of hair thinning on the scalp ,and to cover the scars of donor area.
• SMP creates  the look of  buzz cut hair in total bald areas.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• It is a long lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts that leads to repetitive behaviors.
• Often requires behavioral therapy and medication.

Radiotherapy

• Radiation is a non surgical treatment for cancer.
• It can cause hair loss in the treated area.
• Hair loss is usually temporary but can be permanent in some cases.

Scalp Reduction

• Surgical procedure to reduce the bald area in advanced grades of baldness.
• Involves removing bald scalp and stretching hair-bearing scalp to cover the area.
• Used in conjunction with hair transplantation.

Trichologist

• Specialist in hair and scalp disorders.
• Trained to diagnose and treat hair loss conditions.
• Provides non-surgical treatments and advice.