Hair Dictionary
A
ACV Wash
An apple cider vinegar rinse used to help remove buildup, restore the hair's natural pH, and leave the scalp feeling refreshed.
Alopecia
A medical term for hair loss caused by a variety of conditions that affect the scalp or hair follicles.
Androgenetic Alopecia
A hereditary form of hair loss commonly known as male or female pattern baldness.
B
Beard
Hair that grows on the chin, cheeks, jawline, and neck.
Biotin
A B-vitamin that supports healthy hair, skin, and nails. It is only beneficial when a deficiency exists.
Bixie Cut
A haircut that combines elements of a bob and a pixie cut.
Blow Dryer
An electrical styling tool that uses heated air to dry and shape the hair.
Blowout
A service where the hair is shampooed, conditioned, and styled smooth using a blow dryer and brushes.
Braid-Out
A hairstyle created by braiding damp hair and unraveling it once dry to create stretched waves.
Braided Root Twist
A two-strand twist that begins with a small braid at the scalp for extra stability.
Breakage
Hair strands snapping before reaching their full length due to weakness, damage, or excessive tension.
Bundle
A packaged collection of extension hair sold by weight.
C
Castor
A thick oil often used to help lubricate the scalp and seal moisture into the hair.
Closure
A lace hairpiece used to close off an extension installation while protecting natural hair.
Co-Wash
Cleansing the hair using conditioner instead of shampoo.
Comb Coil
A hairstyle created by wrapping small sections of hair around a comb to form coils.
Conditioner
A moisturizing product used after shampooing to soften, detangle, and strengthen hair.
Curl Defining Brush
A brush designed to help separate curls and improve curl definition.
D
Damage
Changes to the hair structure caused by heat, chemicals, mechanical stress, or environmental exposure.
Dandruff
Visible white or yellow flakes caused by excessive scalp cell turnover.
Deep Condition
An intensive conditioning treatment designed to restore moisture, strength, and elasticity.
Demi Color
A deposit-only hair color that lasts longer than semi-permanent color and gradually fades.
Demarcation Line
The visible line where previously chemically treated hair meets new natural growth.
Detangling Brush
A brush designed to gently remove knots while minimizing breakage.
F
Fade
A haircut where hair gradually transitions from very short to longer lengths.
Flat Twist
A two-strand twist performed against the scalp similar to a cornrow.
Flat Iron
A heated styling tool used to straighten or smooth hair.
Follicle
The tiny structure beneath the scalp where each hair strand grows.
Frontal
A lace piece extending from ear to ear used in extension installations.
Frizz
Hair fibers lifting away from the hair shaft due to humidity, dryness, or damage.
G
Gel
A styling product that provides hold and definition.
Gloss
A color service that enhances shine, refreshes tone, and seals the cuticle.
Gray Blending
A coloring technique that softens the appearance of gray hair rather than fully covering it.
Gray Coverage
A permanent coloring service designed to completely cover gray hair.
H
Hair Clumps
Groups of curls naturally forming together after styling.
Hair Cycling
Alternating products or routines based on the changing needs of your hair.
Hair Dictionary
A glossary explaining professional hair care terms.
Hair Shaft (Hair Strand)
The visible portion of hair extending from the scalp.
Haircut
Removing hair to create or maintain a desired shape.
HD Lace
An ultra-thin lace material designed to blend seamlessly with the scalp.
High Frequency Wand
An electrical scalp tool used to stimulate circulation and reduce bacteria.
High Porosity Hair
Hair with a raised cuticle that absorbs moisture quickly but loses it easily.
Hood Dryer
A stationary dryer that provides even heat for drying and processing treatments.
Humidity
Moisture in the air that affects hair behavior, often causing swelling or frizz.
Hydration
The process of adding water to the hair.
I
Interlock
A loc maintenance technique using a specialized tool to tighten new growth.
Itchy Scalp
Scalp irritation caused by dryness, buildup, dandruff, allergies, or skin conditions.
K
Kankalon Hair
A lightweight synthetic extension fiber commonly used for braiding.
Keratin
The protein that makes up the majority of the hair strand.
Kitchen
The hair located at the nape of the neck.
L
L.O.C. Method
A moisturizing routine using Liquid, Oil, then Cream.
Leave-In Conditioner
A lightweight conditioner left in the hair after washing.
Length Retention
Keeping the hair healthy enough to maintain growth without excessive breakage.
Low Porosity Hair
Hair with tightly closed cuticles that resists moisture absorption.
M
Micro Locs
Very small locs created using tiny sections of hair.
Micro Twist
Small two-strand twists worn as a style or starter loc method.
Microlinks
Hair extensions attached using small beads instead of glue or braids.
Moisture
Water retained inside the hair strand.
N
Natural Curl Definition
Clearly defined curl patterns achieved through proper cleansing, hydration, and styling.
Normal Porosity
Hair that absorbs and retains moisture efficiently.
O
Occipital Bone
The rounded bone at the back of the skull used as a haircutting reference point.
P
Paddle Brush
A wide brush used for detangling and smoothing.
Palm Roll (Palm Retwist)
A loc maintenance technique using the palms to tighten locs.
Permanent Color
Hair color that permanently alters the natural pigment.
pH
A measurement indicating how acidic or alkaline a product is.
Pin Curl
A curl formed by wrapping hair into a flat circular pattern and securing it.
Plastic Cap
A disposable cap used during conditioning or chemical processing.
Pomade
A styling product providing shine and flexible hold.
Porosity
The hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture.
Postpartum Hair Loss
Temporary shedding occurring after childbirth due to hormonal changes.
Pre-Poo
A treatment applied before shampooing to protect hair during cleansing.
Premium Blend Hair
Hair extensions made from a high-quality mixture of fibers.
Protein
A strengthening ingredient used to temporarily reinforce damaged hair.
Protective Style
A hairstyle that minimizes manipulation and helps reduce breakage.
R
Raw Hair
Human hair collected from a single donor that has not been chemically processed.
Rat Tail Comb
A fine-tooth comb with a pointed handle used for sectioning.
Red Light Therapy
Light therapy that may help stimulate scalp circulation and support hair growth.
Regimen
A consistent hair care routine.
Relaxer
A chemical treatment that permanently straightens curly hair.
Retighten
The maintenance process of tightening locs.
Retwist
Maintaining locs by twisting new growth.
Round Brush
A styling brush used while blow drying to create volume and smoothness.
Routine
A planned schedule of hair care practices.
Root
The portion of the hair closest to the scalp.
S
Scalp
The skin covering the head where hair grows.
Scalp Buildup
Accumulation of oils, products, sweat, and dead skin.
Scalp Dehydration
A scalp lacking adequate water content.
Scalp Detox
A treatment designed to deeply cleanse the scalp and remove buildup.
Scalp Scrub
An exfoliating treatment used to remove dead skin and product buildup.
Scarring Alopecia
Permanent hair loss caused by inflammation that destroys hair follicles.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
A chronic inflammatory scalp condition causing flakes, redness, and itching.
Sebum
The natural oil produced by scalp glands.
Semi-Permanent Color
Color that coats the hair without developer and gradually washes away.
Serum
A lightweight treatment designed to address specific hair or scalp concerns.
Shampoo
A cleansing product used to remove dirt, oil, and buildup.
Shedding
Natural hair release from the follicle during the growth cycle.
Shrinkage
The natural shortening of curly or coily hair as it dries.
Silk Press
A heat styling service that straightens natural hair without chemical relaxers.
Silicone
A conditioning ingredient that coats the hair to increase shine and reduce friction.
Single Plait Twist
A traditional two-strand twist created from one section of hair.
Smoothing System
A chemical treatment that reduces frizz and loosens curl patterns.
Split Ends
Frayed hair ends caused by damage.
Standard Comb
A basic styling comb used for detangling or shaping.
Steam
Moist heat used to improve product penetration during treatments.
Sulfates
Cleansing ingredients that create lather and remove oils from the hair.
Synthetic Blend Hair
Extensions made from both synthetic and human hair fibers.
T
Tape-In Extensions
Hair extensions attached using adhesive tape.
Taper
A haircut where hair gradually changes length.
Taper Comb
A comb designed for clipper-over-comb cutting techniques.
Telogen Effluvium
Temporary excessive shedding caused by stress, illness, hormonal changes, or other disruptions.
Temple
The side area of the head between the forehead and ear.
Temporary Color (Rinse)
A color that coats the hair and washes out after one or a few shampoos.
Tension
Pulling force placed on the hair or scalp during styling.
Texture
The natural pattern or feel of the hair.
Texturizer
A chemical service that loosens the natural curl pattern without fully straightening the hair.
Tone
The visible warmth or coolness of a hair color.
Traction Alopecia
Hair loss caused by repeated pulling or tight hairstyles.
Transparent Lace
A lace material designed to blend with lighter skin tones.
Trim
Removing damaged ends while maintaining overall length.
Twist-Out
A hairstyle created by unraveling dried two-strand twists.
TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro)
A very short natural hairstyle typically worn after a big chop.
V
Virgin Hair
Human hair that has never been chemically processed.
W
Wash-and-Go
A styling method that enhances the natural curl pattern immediately after washing.
Wash Day
The day dedicated to cleansing, conditioning, and styling hair.
Weft
Hair strands sewn or bonded together to create extension tracks.
Wrap Strip
A strip used to secure molded hair around the head while it dries.
