Learn about Hair Transplant terms.

Hair caliber
the cross sectional area of the hair shaft

Hair color
the shading of the hair; the closer the hair color is to that of the scalp skin, generally, the more “apparent” density one achieves from a given number of hairs

Hair curl
the waviness of the hair

Hair density
the number of hairs per square unit of measure

Jeweler’s forcep
tiny surgical forceps that derive their name from devices that watch makers use to fabricate delicate wristwatches

Laxity
the ability of the skin to be stretched

Operatory
a room where some form of clinical or surgical procedure is performed

Petri dish
a glass (pyrex) dish that is usually used to hold biological material

Planter
staff such as Dr. Wallik, nurse Marten or technicians who insert the grafts into the recipient sites using jeweler’s forceps

Procedure gown
a cape that is worn during the procedure to ensure cleanliness and comfort

Saline
a saltwater solution that contains the same proportion of salt as do our tissue fluids

Single strip harvesting
a method of harvesting hair that uses a single bladed scalpel as opposed to a scalpel that has multiple blades. The single strip harvesting technique ensures utmost attention is given to avoiding damage to the hair root.

Sliver
a small section of the donor strip that will contain several dozen hairs; it is of an ideal size to be able to be manipulated by the technicians under the binocular microscope

Stereomicroscopic dissection
the use of a microscope that has two eyepieces or a video monitor that enhances the ability to dissect tissue in a “3-D” environment; tiny “slivers” of hair are dissected into even tinier follicular units.

Telogen effluvium
the term that is given when hair is temporarily shed, usually as a consequence of physical or psychological stress; the hair will regrow usually after 3-4 months of hair root dormancy

Terminal hair
the full size, healthy, hair-root complex;

Trichophytic closure
a technique of closing an incision that promotes the growth of hair through the scar that arises at the exact site where the two skin edges meet.

Vellus Hair
a miniaturized hair-root complex