Hair Transplant Glossary
Alopecia Areata: A form of hair loss that occurs in patches on the head. It’s caused by a non-life-threatening autoimmune dysfunction where the body’s immune system mistakes the hair follicles for a foreign agent, attacks it, and this causes the hair to fall out. For more information, see “Definition of Alopecia areata,” MedicineNet.Com.
Avodart (Dutasteride): Is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or ‘enlarged prostate’) in men. Is also an FDA-approved drug treatment of male pattern hair loss.
Biocapillation™: is a patented process designed to minimize hair loss and stimulate hair growth. It was first used with great success in Europe & Israel and is now available for the first time in the United States from Dr. John Frank.
Follicle: A system of cells and connective tissue which surrounds the root of the hair shaft.
Follicular Units: A basic anatomical “unit,” or group, of hair follicles that hold 1-5 hair stems. These follicles often share the same blood supply. Transplanting these units from a donor area of the scalp to a part of the scalp that has suffered permanent hair loss is the basis for the “natural look” in hair transplantation.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): One of two ways of removing follicular “donor” units from the scalp. These units are then placed into a the part of the scalp that has gone bald. This exaction and placement procedure is called hair transplantation. The other technique is called strip harvesting. Both are sometimes called follicular transfer (FT).
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): A technique of hair restoration technique where follicular units of 1 or 2 to 4 naturally co-occurring hairs are taken from a part of the scalp that has healthy hair and transplanting them into the part that has permanently lost hair.
Minoxidil: First used to treat high blood pressure, research has shown it to slows and stop hair loss and to promotes hair regrowth. It is available without prescription (over-the-counter) for the treatment of a specific type of hair loss, androgenic alopecia. However, only a doctor can determine if you have androgenic alopecia.
Mirograft: A skin graft (from the scalp) no larger than 1.0 – 1.5mm in diameter that holds 1 to 3 hair.
Propecia (Finasteride): An FDA-approved pharmaceutical treatment of male pattern baldness.
Single Strip Harvesting: One of two ways of extracting (or “harvesting”) follicular units from a healthy area of the scalp. First, the surgeon removes a narrow strip of the scalp and then carefully removes the individual follicular units. These units are then placed into a part of the scalp that has permanently lost hair. This exaction and placement procedure is called hair transplantation. The other technique is called Follicular Unit Extraction. Both are sometimes called follicular transfer (FT).
Traction Alopecia: This is hair loss caused by sustained pulling (or “traction”) on the hair root. This type of hair loss is common among African American Women & Men who wear a tightly braided hairstyle — “cornrows” can be especially damaging.
Thank you for checking out our Hair Transplant Glossary and staying informed! Read Hair Loss FAQ for more information!
