Aldactone: A drug prescribed to treat women’s hair loss. Also known as Spirolactone, is actually a prescription high blood pressure medication, which works in some cases of hair loss particularly if the cause of hair loss is hormonal imbalance. It can also reduce body hair.
Alopecia: The general medical term for hair loss. It can be hereditary, or can be caused by hormonal changes, and other disorders. There are different types of alopecia, and they each have different names. Alopecia can be partial or complete.
Alopecia Areata: A common disease causing hair loss. The immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. It is usually hereditary, and rarely causes total loss of hair on the scalp. Usually, small patches of hair fall out in the case of Alopecia Areata.
Alopecia Totalis: Total loss of the hair. The entire reason is still unknown. The body attacks the hair follicles, and this can happen slowly or all of a sudden. The loss covers the entire scalp.
Alopecia Universalis: Total loss of the hair follicles on the scalp, and the whole body, including the eyebrows and the eyelashes. It is an autoimmune disorder, and is considered to be an advanced form of Alopecia Areata. The causes are yet unknown.
Amino Acids: Play a significant role in building blocks of protein, and are key to hair growth and healthy hair. They are organic compounds.
Amortization: The conversion of one an excess enzyme to another, such as Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone.
Anagen: The active growing phase of a hair follicle. The scalp hair can stay in this phase for up to seven years.
Anagen Effluvium: A sudden hair loss condition that affects the hair that is supposed to be in the growing phase. It can be seen in people who take anti-cancer drugs. The hair follicles are not destroyed in Anagen Effluvium.
Androgen: Any male hormone such as testosterone. Androgen is a general term, and exists in women too. The androgen hormones are responsible for the male features.
Androgenetic Alopecia: Common hair loss in both men and women, caused by genetics. Known as male-pattern baldness. The main symptom is progressive hair loss.
Anterior: Front, frontal.
Antiandrogen: A drug that prevents the effects of androgens. They counteract the effects of male sex hormones (androgens).
Aromatase: An enzyme or complex of enzymes that are responsible for the aromatization of androgens into estrogens.
Autograft: A graft taken from one’s own body, transplanted from one part of the body to another.
Azelaic Acid: A naturally occurring acid. It is effective in treating acne. It is used for treating androgenetic alopecia.
