Cranial Prosthesis & Hair Loss Terms

Understanding hair loss and cranial prosthesis terminology can make your journey smoother and more empowering. This comprehensive glossary is designed to help you navigate these terms with confidence.

Types of Hair Loss

Alopecia: A broad medical term for hair loss from the head or body. It can occur in many different patterns and for many different reasons, including Alopecia Areata (patchy hair loss), Alopecia Totalis (total scalp hair loss), and Alopecia Universalis (total body hair loss).

Androgenetic Alopecia: Commonly known as male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss, caused by a combination of genetics and hormones.

Telogen Effluvium: A temporary form of hair loss often related to stress, illness, shock, or dietary changes, causing hair to enter the resting phase and subsequently shed.

Traction Alopecia: Hair loss caused by pulling on the hair, often from hairstyles like tight ponytails or braids.

Cranial Prosthesis Terms

Cranial Prosthesis: A custom-made unit specifically designed for individuals who have lost their hair due to medical conditions or treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or alopecia. Also referred to as a medical-grade unit.

Medical-Grade Units: Units designed to meet the needs of individuals dealing with hair loss due to medical conditions. Made with high-quality materials for comfort, durability, and a natural look.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Equipment and supplies ordered by a health care provider for everyday or extended use. Cranial prostheses are classified as DME by many insurance companies.

Monofilament Units: Units with a specific construction that gives a very realistic appearance, with hair hand-tied to a sheer base, allowing for multi-directional styling.

Lace Front Units: Units with a sheer lace front where hair is individually tied, creating a natural-looking hairline.

Synthetic Units: Units made from manufactured fibers. Easier to maintain than human hair units and come pre-styled.

Human Hair Units: Units made from real human hair. They offer a natural look and can be styled like your own hair but require more care.

Hair Quality Terms

Raw Hair: Hair that has never been chemically processed, offering the highest quality for units.

Virgin Hair: Human hair with the cuticle layer intact, making the unit look more natural and less prone to tangling.

Synthetic Hair: Man-made fibers designed to mimic the texture and appearance of real human hair, known for retaining predefined styles even through washing and weather conditions.

Hair Density: The number of individual hair strands per square inch on the scalp. Often confused with hair thickness, which refers to the width of individual hair strands.

Hair Shaft: The part of the hair that is above the skin — the hair you can see.

Medical & Professional Terms

Dermatologist: A doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails.

Follicle: A small organ in the skin where hair grows.

Scalp: The skin that covers the top of the head where hair grows.

This glossary is a starting point for understanding the language of hair loss and cranial prosthesis care. Always consult with a professional for advice tailored to your specific situation.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us!