paronychia is inflammation of the skin around a fingernail or toenail. It most often involves the proximal nail fold (near the cuticle) or the lateral nail folds (the sides). It can be acute (sudden) or chronic (longer-lasting), and may be infectious or irritant-driven. It is commonly discussed in both cosmetic settings (manicures, nail trauma) and reconstructive/hand care (periungual infections and wound management).

Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. It most often starts at the free edge of the nail and moves inward. It is a clinical finding (a sign), not a cosmetic procedure. It is discussed in both medical dermatology and cosmetic nail care because it changes nail appearance and can affect function.

brittle nails is an umbrella term for nails that split, peel, crack, or break more easily than expected. It describes a change in the nail plate (the hard keratin layer) that can affect appearance and daily function. It is commonly discussed in cosmetic care (hand aesthetics, manicures, nail camouflage) and in medical evaluation (to rule out skin or systemic contributors). It may involve fingernails, toenails, or both.

onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail unit (the nail plate, nail bed, and surrounding structures). It most often affects toenails, but fingernails can be involved. It can change nail color, thickness, surface texture, and shape, which can affect both appearance and function. It is discussed in general dermatology and podiatry, and it can matter in cosmetic and reconstructive planning when nails are visible or need to be healthy for procedures.

trichoscopy is a close-up examination of the hair and scalp using a magnified lighted device (a dermatoscope). It helps clinicians see hair shafts, follicle openings, and scalp skin details that are not visible to the naked eye. It is commonly used in medical dermatology and hair-loss clinics, including cosmetic hair restoration settings. It can support both cosmetic concerns (appearance and density) and reconstructive concerns (scarring and scalp disease).

– hair shedding is the natural release of hair fibers from the scalp or body as part of the hair growth cycle. – It can be normal, or it can feel excessive when more hairs are released than a person expects. – Clinicians use the term when evaluating hair concerns such as diffuse loss, pattern change, or sudden increases in hair fall. – It is discussed in both cosmetic settings (appearance and hair density) and reconstructive settings (scalp health after injury, scarring, or surgery).

hair thinning is a reduction in visible hair density on the scalp or other hair-bearing areas. It can occur from smaller hair shaft diameter, fewer growing hairs, increased shedding, or a mix of these. The term is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive contexts to describe a common appearance-related concern. Clinically, it is a presentation that prompts evaluation for underlying causes and pattern.

hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth that is unusual for a person’s age, sex, or body area. It can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired). It may affect a small area (localized) or large body regions (generalized). The term is used in both cosmetic care (appearance concerns) and reconstructive care (hair growth in unwanted locations after surgery or injury).

hirsutism is excess growth of coarse, dark “terminal” hair in a typically male-pattern distribution in females. It most often affects areas such as the upper lip, chin, chest, abdomen, lower back, and inner thighs. The term is used in both medical evaluation (to look for underlying causes) and cosmetic care (to reduce visible hair). It is a clinical description, not a single procedure.

traction alopecia is hair loss caused by repeated pulling force on the hair and hair follicles over time. It most often affects the hairline and edges, where styling tension is highest. It is a clinical diagnosis used in both cosmetic and reconstructive hair restoration settings. Early forms may be reversible, while long-standing cases can lead to permanent follicle damage.

alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sudden, patchy hair loss. It most often affects the scalp but can involve eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, and body hair. It is typically a non-scarring hair loss, meaning follicles are usually preserved. It is discussed in both cosmetic and reconstructive settings because hair framing the face strongly affects appearance and symmetry.

telogen effluvium is a type of diffuse hair shedding caused by a shift in the hair growth cycle. It happens when more hairs than usual enter the resting (telogen) phase and then shed. It is commonly discussed in medical dermatology and hair restoration consultations for cosmetic concerns. It can also be relevant after reconstructive or aesthetic surgery when stressors affect hair cycling.

androgenetic alopecia is a common, patterned form of hair thinning caused by genetic susceptibility and hormone-related follicle changes. It typically affects the scalp hairline, temples, and crown in men, and the central scalp with preserved frontal hairline in many women. It is discussed in both cosmetic medicine (appearance-focused care) and reconstructive hair restoration (restoring density after loss). It is a diagnosis, not a single procedure, and it can be managed with medical, device-based, and surgical approaches.

alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard area, or body hair. It describes a clinical finding and may have many different causes. It is discussed in both cosmetic and reconstructive care because hair framing influences appearance and identity.

excision is a surgical method of removing tissue by cutting it out of the body. It is used to remove a lesion, growth, scar, or excess skin and then manage the wound. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, excision can improve contour, symmetry, or surface appearance by removing unwanted tissue. In reconstructive care, excision may remove diseased tissue or prepare an area for repair and closure.

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dermoscopy is a non-surgical skin examination method that uses magnification and specialized lighting. It helps clinicians see structures in and under the outer skin layer that are hard to see with the naked eye. It is commonly used in medical dermatology and skin cancer screening, and it can support cosmetic and reconstructive planning. It is also used to document and monitor spots, moles, scars, and hair or scalp conditions over time.

The ABCDE rule is a clinical checklist used to evaluate skin spots, moles, and pigmented lesions for features that can be concerning. It summarizes five visible characteristics: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving. It is commonly used in dermatology and in plastic surgery settings where skin lesions are assessed before cosmetic or reconstructive treatment. It helps structure documentation and communication, but it does not diagnose skin cancer on its own.

skin cancer screening is the process of checking the skin for lesions that could represent skin cancer or precancer. It usually involves a visual exam by a clinician and may include tools like dermoscopy or photography. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive settings, often as part of routine skin health and pre-procedure assessment. It can also guide whether a spot needs monitoring, biopsy, or referral for diagnosis.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive type of skin cancer that begins in the skin’s neuroendocrine (hormone-signaling) cells. It often appears as a fast-growing, firm, painless skin-colored to reddish-purple bump on sun-exposed skin. In cosmetic and plastic surgery settings, it is most commonly encountered during evaluation of new skin lesions or during reconstruction after tumor removal. It is relevant to both reconstructive care (repairing a surgical defect) and appearance-focused planning (scar placement and contour restoration).