HairFactz Definitions
Some words have more than one meaning. Only those meanings relating to this site will be used.
All Definitions
Cartilage Hair Hypoplasis
A hair disorder that results in abnormally fine, sparse, and lightly colored hair that is usually short.
Catagen
The catagen phase of the hair growth cycle is when hair growth begins to shut down and stop activity. Approximately 2 percent of our hair is in the catagen phase at any given time. Catagen phase is the transitional phase from the active growth phase (anagen) to the resting growth phase (telogen) in the hair growth cycle.
Cessation
To cease, stop, or pause.
Chronic
Pronounced - KRAW-nik
A term that refers to disorders that last a long time, often years. A chronic condition is one lasting 3 months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.
Color
Color is the aspect of objects that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation. It should be recognized that the macroscopical and microscopical colors of hairs might appear different. Macroscopic is a term that describes characteristics large enough to be perceived without magnification. Microscopic is a term that describes characteristics too small to be resolved by the unaided eye but large enough to be resolved with the microscope.
Compulsive Hair Pulling
Compulsive hair pulling, called trichotillomania, pronounced - trik-o-til-o-MAY-ne-uh, is a chronic (lasting a long time) psychiatric (pertaining to mental illness) condition characterised by uncontrollable, self-inflicted, hair pulling or twisting and twirling of the hair until it breaks off, resulting in noticeable hair loss. More about Compulsive Hair Pulling.
Congenital
A condition, disease, or disorder that is congenital is one that is present at birth.
Convolution
An abrupt rotation of the hair shaft that can occur naturally, from disease, or as a result of mechanical force.
Cornea
The cornea is the clear, front part of the eye. The cornea is the first part of the eye that bends (or refracts) the light and provides most of the focusing power.
Photo of eye anatomy showing the cornea.
Cortex
The middle portion of a hair between the cuticle (outer layer of the hair) and the medulla (core of the hair) composed of elongated and fusiform (spindle-shaped) cells. It may contain pigment granules, cortical fusi (air spaces ), and/or large oval-to-round-shaped structures called ovoid bodies.
Cortical Fusi
Air spaces located in the cortex of hairs. They are commonly found near the root of a mature human hair, although they may be present throughout the length of the hair.
Corticosteroids
Potent anti-inflammatory hormones that are made naturally in the body or synthetically (man made) for use as drugs. They are also called glucocorticoids. The most commonly prescribed drug of this type is prednisone.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp or inside the ear. It can occur with or without reddened skin. More about Cradle Cap.
Curled
A hair shaft form that is bent into or towards a spiral form.
Curved
A hair shaft form with slight curvature but does not exhibit waviness or does not curl back upon itself to form a circle.
Cuticle
The outermost region of a hair composed of layers of overlapping scales.