Docs4Hair Glossary of Terms

  • Acne conglobata: Severe form of acne with multiple grouped comedones (blackheads) cysts, abscesses, and foul smelling puss.

  • Alopecia and Aseptic Nodules of the Scalp: Non-scarring alopecia, a cystic, circular nodules that can be solitary or small in number. There is no scarring and the condition responds well doxycycline 100 daily for 1-3 months. It is rarely seen in patients of African descent. The condition affects Caucasians of Japanese and French origin (Scheinfeld, 2014).

  • Autosomal Dominant Inheritance: When a person gets an abnormal gene from one parent, then the person can get the disease.

  • Folliculitis: Inflammation of the hair follicle

  • Graham-Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome (GLPLS): A condition characterized by the triad of:

    • scarring alopecia of the scalp in multiple locations on the scalp

    • non-scarring alopecia in the armpit and pubic area

    • follicle -based papules (red bumps) on the trunk and extremities

  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A chronic progressive inflammatory condition with recurrent painful deep cysts, nodules, abscesses, draining lesions, hypertrophic (thick) scars.

  • Hirsutism: Excessive growth of hair on a women occurring after puberty in a male pattern.

  • Immune Privilege (IP): Parts of the body that do not readily mount an immune response that may cause destruction of cells in response to a foreign (“non-self”) substance (e.g., protein, bacteria, fungus, cancer, etc.) . IP cells contain no to low amounts of receptors needed for immune cells to bind. Immune privileged sites secrete higher levels of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive substances. When immune privilege collapses, cells may be attacked by the immune system and subsequently destroyed.

  • Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-γ or PPARG): It is mainly found in fat cells (adipocyte) and sebaceous gland cells. Its main functions are to maintain glucose metabolism, regulate fate cell life cycle and storage, and to act as an anti-inflammatory agent

  • Periungual Telangiectasias: Small dilated blood vessels in the skin around the nails

  • Pilonidal Cyst: Recurrent deep draining abscess that may form sinuses typically located on the lower back or between the buttocks

  • Strict sun protection: Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 or higher daily. Reapply sunscreen every 1-2 hours all over exposed skin areas. Avoid prolonged outdoor activity when the sun rays are the most intense. Wear sun protective clothing.