Glossary
Hair restoration terms, defined
Short definitions you can quote in consults. These explain planning language—they are not medical advice.
- Graft
- A follicular unit harvested for transplantation, usually containing 1–4 hairs. Graft count is not the same as hair count.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:How Many Grafts Do I Need? A Calculator-First GuideGraft Count Estimates: How to Read the Numbers Without Getting Misled
- Follicular unit
- A natural grouping of 1–4 hairs that grows together. Hair transplants move follicular units, not individual hairs.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:Graft Count Estimates: How to Read the Numbers Without Getting Misled
- FUE
- Follicular Unit Extraction—a technique that removes individual follicular units from the donor area before implantation into recipient sites.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Related articles:FUE vs DHI: Planning Notes Before You Pick a Technique
- DHI
- Direct Hair Implantation—an implantation workflow that often uses a pen-style tool to insert grafts. Planning needs are similar to FUE; placement mechanics differ.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:FUE vs DHI: Planning Notes Before You Pick a Technique
- Donor area
- The region (typically back and sides of scalp) where grafts are harvested. Safe yield limits how many grafts can be taken without visible thinning.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:How Many Grafts Do I Need? A Calculator-First Guide
- Recipient area
- The balding or thinning zone where grafts are implanted—hairline, mid-scalp, crown, or temples.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:Graft Count Estimates: How to Read the Numbers Without Getting Misled
- Norwood scale
- A clinical staging system for male pattern hair loss (types I–VII). Used to estimate recipient area and coverage needs in planning.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Related articles:Norwood Scale: How Staging Guides Transplant Planning
- Ludwig scale
- A staging system for female pattern hair loss. Used alongside male classification when planning diffuse thinning coverage.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Related articles:Norwood Scale: How Staging Guides Transplant Planning
- Hairline design
- The planned border between forehead skin and transplanted/native hair. Good design balances face shape, age, and donor supply.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:Golden Ratio Hairlines: Useful Map or Online Shortcut?Golden Ratio Hairlines: A Practical Explainer
- Golden Ratio (in hair planning)
- A proportion map using facial landmarks to suggest where a hairline could start—not a mandate to copy celebrities.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:Golden Ratio Hairlines: Useful Map or Online Shortcut?Golden Ratio Hairlines: A Practical Explainer
- Density (grafts/cm²)
- How many grafts are planned per square centimeter in a zone. Higher density in the hairline often uses single-hair grafts.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:Graft Count Estimates: How to Read the Numbers Without Getting Misled
- Graft survival
- The percentage of transplanted follicular units that successfully grow after surgery. Affected by handling, technique, and aftercare.
- Reference: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Shock loss
- Temporary shedding of transplanted or native hairs weeks after surgery. Distressing but often temporary; follow your clinic’s timeline.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Related articles:After Surgery: Graft Survival, PRP, and Recovery Photos
- Miniaturization
- Progressive shrinking of hair shaft diameter in thinning areas. Visible on trichoscopy before obvious baldness.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Trichoscopy
- Magnified scalp imaging used to assess hair density, miniaturization, and inflammation during hair loss evaluation.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Related articles:Biological Scalp Age: Why Your 20s Might Not Mean "Healthy Hair"
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
- A blood-derived treatment sometimes used as adjunct therapy after transplant or for androgenetic alopecia. Evidence varies by protocol.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hair transplant simulation
- A digital preview of hairline shape and density on your photo. Used for consult alignment—not a guarantee of final appearance.
- Reference: ishrs.org
- Related articles:Hairline Preview Apps: What They Show Before SurgeryHair Transplant Planning Apps Compared (2026)
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Pattern hair loss driven by genetics and hormones—the most common reason patients seek restoration surgery.
- Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov