Taglish hair loss glossary

The words Filipinos actually use about hair loss, collected from Reddit threads. Every term links to a thread where it appears.

Shedding

hairfall / hair fall: Hair loss or shedding. The dominant word, especially among women. Most Filipinos say hairfall, not hair loss. Source
lagas, naglalagas, nalalagas: Shedding, falling out. "Ganyan ang lagas every suklay" means that is the shed every time I comb. Source

manipis, numipis, panipis nang panipis: Thin, got thinner, getting thinner and thinner. Used for a widening part or less volume. Source
panot, kalbo, pakalbo, maging prayle: Bald, going bald, bald like a friar (crown). Men's pattern loss talk. Source
walis tambo, buhaghag: Broom-straw hair, frizzy damaged hair. Breakage after rebond or bleach, not root shedding. Source
lahi kasi namin, hirap pag hereditary: It runs in our family; hard when it is hereditary. Pattern loss is strongly genetic. Source

balakubak: Dandruff. Search this site for balakubak to find dandruff and seb derm. Source
anit: Scalp. Makating anit means itchy scalp. Source
makati: Itchy. Itch that worsens in the heat is a common seb derm complaint. Source
umaasim, pawisin, dugyot: Sour-smelling scalp, sweaty person, grimy. Oily scalp in PH heat and on commutes. Source

babad, banlaw: Leave on, rinse. Medicated shampoo needs babad (contact time) before banlaw. Source
kumapal, tumubo: Got thicker, regrew. Used in progress posts. Source
hiyang: The product suits me. Trial-and-error framing: "di ako hiyang" means it did not suit me. Source
maintenance na pala: So it is maintenance after all. The moment people realise treatment is ongoing. Source
pag nag stop ka wala na din: If you stop, it is gone too. Shorthand for what happens when treatment stops. Source
takot ako sa side effects: I am scared of side effects. The most common reason people hesitate. Source
mukha ka pang bagong ligo: You look freshly showered. Teasing about greasy minoxidil liquid. Source
nakakabaog: Causes infertility. A myth for minoxidil; a real but specific topic for finasteride. Source

mahal, sakit sa bulsa: Expensive, hurts the pocket. The standard verdict on anything above the DIY baseline. Source
tingi-tingi: Buying a few strips at a time. How many people buy tablets to spread cost. Source

ED: Erectile dysfunction: trouble getting or keeping an erection. Many readers ask "ano po yung ED?" so we spell it out. Source
sides: Side effects. "No sides" means no side effects noticed. Source
fin, dut, minox: Finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil. Community shorthand. Source
MWF, EOD: Monday, Wednesday, Friday; every other day. Describes self-chosen schedules. Not a recommendation. Source
TGP: The Generics Pharmacy, a PH generic drug chain. Where many people buy generic finasteride. Source
reseta, walang reseta: Prescription, without a prescription. Finasteride and minoxidil 6% are Rx in the PH. Source
asahan mong nde fake: You can expect it is not fake. How people describe a trusted channel. Source
trust the process: Be patient. Community mantra for the first months of treatment. Source
tito hair: Middle-aged uncle hair. Affectionate teasing. Source

Sources are Reddit threads (user language, not medical evidence)

This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist before starting any prescription treatment.