Resource
Hair Loss Glossary
The terms you will meet in guides, on labels and at the dermatologist's office, explained in plain English.
A
- Alopecia
- The medical term for hair loss of any kind.
- Alopecia areata
- An autoimmune condition that causes smooth, round patches of hair loss. It needs assessment by a dermatologist.
- Anagen
- The active growth phase of the hair cycle. On the scalp it lasts roughly 2–7 years.
- Anagen effluvium
- Rapid hair loss during the growth phase, most commonly caused by chemotherapy.
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Pattern hair loss in men and women, driven by genetics and follicle sensitivity to androgens. The most common type of hair loss.
- Androgens
- Hormones such as testosterone and DHT that influence hair follicles, especially in pattern hair loss.
B
- Biotin
- A B vitamin involved in keratin production. True deficiency is rare, and high doses can interfere with some lab tests.
C
- Catagen
- A short transition phase of 2–3 weeks between growth and rest, when the follicle regresses.
- Club hair
- A resting hair with a small white bulb at the root. It is the normal appearance of a shed telogen hair.
- Crown (vertex)
- The top back of the scalp, where hair naturally swirls. It is a common area for pattern thinning.
D
- Density
- The number of hairs per area of scalp. Thinning reduces visible density.
- Dermal papilla
- The cluster of cells at the base of the follicle that regulates hair growth.
- DHT (dihydrotestosterone)
- A potent androgen made from testosterone by 5-alpha reductase. It drives follicle miniaturization in susceptible people.
E
- Exogen
- The release of the old hair from the follicle, often described as a separate part of the resting phase.
F
- Ferritin
- A blood marker of stored iron, often checked when investigating hair shedding.
- Finasteride
- A prescription medicine that reduces DHT, used for male pattern hair loss under medical supervision.
- Foam (Minoxidil)
- A Minoxidil format that dries quickly and usually contains no propylene glycol.
H
- Hair shaft
- The visible part of the hair above the skin. It is made mainly of the protein keratin.
- Hypertrichosis
- Unwanted hair growth outside the treated area, such as on the face. It is a reported Minoxidil side effect.
K
- Keratin
- The structural protein that makes up hair, skin and nails.
L
- Ludwig scale
- A three-stage scale used to grade female pattern hair loss by part width and density on top.
M
- Miniaturization
- The gradual shrinking of hair follicles in pattern hair loss, producing finer, shorter hairs.
- Minoxidil
- A topical active ingredient approved over the counter in the US for pattern hair loss, usually at 2% or 5%.
N
- Norwood scale
- A seven-stage scale (Hamilton-Norwood) describing male pattern hair loss at the temples and crown.
P
- Propylene glycol
- A solvent used in many Minoxidil solutions. Some people find it irritating.
S
- Scarring alopecia
- A group of rare inflammatory conditions that permanently destroy follicles. Early diagnosis matters.
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- A common scalp condition causing flaking, redness and itching, often called dandruff in its mild form.
- Sebum
- The natural oil produced by the scalp's sebaceous glands.
- Shedding phase
- A temporary increase in shedding in the first weeks of Minoxidil, as resting hairs are replaced.
T
- Telogen
- The resting phase of the hair cycle, lasting about three months before the hair is shed.
- Telogen effluvium
- Diffuse, temporary shedding that starts 2–4 months after a trigger such as illness, childbirth or stress.
- Terminal hair
- Thick, pigmented, fully developed hair, as opposed to fine vellus hair.
- Traction alopecia
- Hair loss caused by repeated pulling from tight hairstyles, extensions or headwear.
- Trichology
- The study of hair and scalp health.
- Trichoscopy
- Magnified examination of the scalp and hair that clinicians use to assess hair loss.
- TRIOXIDIL®
- FOLIGAIN's proprietary cosmetic complex, used in selected FOLIGAIN products to support the look and feel of thinning hair.
V
- Vellus hair
- Very fine, short, lightly pigmented hair. Miniaturized follicles can come to produce vellus-like hairs.
Important
This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation.