MCAN Health Hair Transplant Glossary

A

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Afro Hair Curvature

Afro Hair Curvature describes the tight, spring-like coils and distinctive curl patterns seen in afro-textured hair, which are produced by...

Angle and Direction

Angle and Direction describes how individual hairs are oriented as they exit the skin and the path they take across...

Anagen Phase

The anagen phase is the active growth stage of the hair cycle during which cells in the hair bulb divide...

B

Biotin

Biotin (vitamin B7) is a water-soluble B vitamin involved in metabolic processes and in the formation of keratin, the structural...

Beard-to-Scalp Donation

Beard-to-Scalp Donation is a surgical technique in which follicular units are harvested from the beard area and transplanted to the...

Body Hair Transplant (BHT)

Body Hair Transplant (BHT) is a form of hair restoration that uses follicles taken from body donor sites—commonly the chest,...

C

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Cyst Formation

Cyst formation on the scalp refers to the development of small, usually benign sacs beneath the skin that can contain...

Cobblestoning

Cobblestoning refers to a characteristic bumpy or nodular appearance of the scalp where areas of raised scar tissue or irregular...

Channel Opening (Incisions)

Channel opening (incisions) are the small, controlled cuts or slits made in the recipient area of the scalp during hair...

D

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Donor Tightness

Donor tightness refers to the laxity or looseness of the scalp tissue in the donor area—typically the back and sides...

Dense Packing

Dense packing refers to a hair transplantation approach in which follicular unit grafts are planted at a higher density than...

DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)

DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) is a hair transplantation technique in which individual follicular units are implanted into the scalp using...

E

Edema (Swelling)

Edema (Swelling) occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the spaces between cells, producing visible puffiness, a feeling of tightness, or...

F

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Finasteride

Finasteride is a prescription oral medication that treats androgenetic alopecia by inhibiting the 5-alpha-reductase type II enzyme, which reduces levels...

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an inflammation or infection of one or more hair follicles caused by bacteria, fungi, yeast, viruses, or physical...

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is a surgical hair-restoration technique in which individual follicular units are harvested one at a time...

G

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Graft Anchoring

Graft anchoring describes the techniques and practices used to stabilize hair grafts after placement in the recipient area during a...

Graft Dislodgement

Graft dislodgement is the accidental displacement or loss of one or more transplanted hair grafts during the early postoperative period,...

Graft Desiccation

Graft desiccation occurs when extracted hair grafts dry out while outside the body, leading to dehydration of follicular cells and...

H

Hypertrophic Scar

Hypertrophic scar is a raised, firm area of scar tissue that develops when the body produces excess collagen while healing...

Hairline Design

Hairline design is the process of planning the shape, position, height, and density of the frontal hairline to achieve a...

I

Infection

Infection occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses invade the scalp or hair follicles, causing inflammation and damage...

K

Keloid

Keloid is an abnormal wound-healing response in which excess collagen causes a raised, firm scar that extends beyond the boundaries...

Keratin

Keratin is a family of strong, fibrous proteins that form the main structural component of the hair shaft, as well...

L

Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes to deliver light energy to the...

M

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Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical vasodilator applied to the scalp to help treat pattern hair loss and other forms of thinning....

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive scalp treatment that delivers small, targeted injections of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and...

Multi-Hair Graft

A Multi-Hair Graft is a hair transplant graft that contains multiple hair follicles—typically two or more—harvested and implanted together as...

N

Necrosis

Necrosis is the premature death of cells or tissue in a localized area, most commonly resulting from interrupted blood flow,...

Norwood Scale

The Norwood Scale is a widely used staging system that categorizes the typical patterns and severity of male pattern hair...

O

Overharvesting

Overharvesting refers to removing too many follicular units from the donor area during hair restoration procedures, leaving that zone visibly...

Occipital Area

The occipital area is the lower back portion of the scalp that overlies the occipital bone and extends upward from...

P

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PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is an autologous treatment where a small sample of the patient’s blood is processed by centrifugation to...

Pitting

Pitting describes tiny, often shallow depressions on the surface of the nail plate and, less commonly, irregularities of the scalp...

Punch (Extraction Tool)

A punch extraction tool is a small hollow or circular blade used to harvest individual follicular units from the donor...

R

Ridging

Ridging describes a raised or indented linear irregularity in the scalp or donor area, often visible as a ridge or...

Retrograde Alopecia

Retrograde Alopecia is a descriptive term for a hair loss pattern where the margin of hair recedes or thins in...

Recipient Area

The recipient area is the region of the scalp (or other body site) where hair follicles are implanted during a...

S

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Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is an extract derived from the berries of the Serenoa repens plant and is sold as an oral...

Scab Formation (Crusting)

Scab formation, also called crusting, describes the dried layer of blood, serum, inflammatory fluid, and cellular debris that forms over...

Shedding Phase

The shedding phase, often called the telogen phase, is the resting stage of the hair growth cycle when hairs detach...

T

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Texture Mismatch

Texture Mismatch occurs when the physical characteristics of transplanted hair — such as curl pattern, shaft diameter, porosity, or coarseness...

Tumescent Solution

Tumescent Solution is a medical mixture injected into subcutaneous tissue to produce localized swelling (tumescence), anesthesia, and hemostasis. In hair...