Key takeaways
- Learn a few dozen terms first, such as injertos (grafts), zona donante (donor area), coronilla (crown) and entradas (temples).
- In Colombia a pharmacy is usually a droguería, and a prescription is often called a fórmula médica.
- Paracetamol is sold in Colombia as acetaminofén. Knowing that saves confusion at the counter.
- Use the glossary to follow along, but rely on a professional interpreter or a translated written document for consent forms and medication instructions.
- Ask for your aftercare sheet in English as well as Spanish before you leave the clinic.
On this page
Many Colombian hair clinics that see international patients have English-speaking coordinators. Even so, you'll hear a lot of Spanish: from technicians during a long procedure day, from your driver, at the droguería (pharmacy) and at the barbershop. Knowing the core terms helps you follow what's happening and ask better questions.
This glossary is grouped by stage: consultation, procedure day, aftercare and the pharmacy. Each table notes Colombian usage where it differs from textbook Spanish. One firm rule applies: this is for orientation, not medical consent. Anything you sign or any medication you take should be explained in a language you fully understand.
Consultation and planning terms
These come up in the valoración (assessment or consultation), whether it's a video call or in person, and in the quote you receive afterward.
| Spanish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| valoración | assessment / consultation | Very common in Colombian clinics; consulta also used |
| trasplante capilar | hair transplant | Also injerto capilar or implante capilar |
| injertos | grafts | Quotes are often per graft or per session |
| unidades foliculares | follicular units | Groups of 1–4 hairs moved as one graft |
| zona donante | donor area | Usually back and sides of the head |
| zona receptora | recipient area | Where grafts are placed |
| línea frontal / línea de implantación | hairline | Both used for the front hairline |
| entradas | receding temples | The corners that recede first |
| coronilla | crown / vertex | |
| densidad | density | Often discussed as grafts per cm² |
| alopecia androgenética | pattern hair loss | calvicie is the everyday word for baldness |
| caída del cabello | hair loss / shedding | pelo and cabello both mean hair |
| cuero cabelludo | scalp | |
| cotización / presupuesto | quote / estimate | Ask for it itemized: detallada |
| anticipo / abono | deposit / partial payment | See our deposit and cancellation guide |
| historia clínica | medical record | Ask for a copy before you fly home |
| exámenes de laboratorio | lab tests / blood work | Often shortened to laboratorios |
In Colombia you'll often hear ¿me regala…? (literally "will you give me…?") as a polite way to ask for something, as in ¿me regala una copia de la historia clínica? It's normal, not cheeky.
Procedure day terms
On the day itself you'll be lying still for hours while a team works. Technicians often talk among themselves in Spanish. Knowing these words helps you follow along and speak up.
| Spanish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| cirujano / cirujana | surgeon (m/f) | Ask who does which step; see surgeon vs technician |
| técnico / auxiliar | technician / assistant | |
| consentimiento informado | informed consent | Ask for an English copy or interpreter |
| anestesia local | local anesthesia | |
| rapar / rasurar | to shave | sin rasurar = unshaven technique |
| extracción | extraction | Removing grafts from the donor area |
| implantación | implantation / placement | |
| incisiones | incisions / recipient sites | |
| Me duele. | It hurts. | Say it; more anesthetic is often possible |
| Necesito ir al baño. | I need to use the bathroom. | |
| ¿Podemos hacer una pausa? | Can we take a break? | |
| Estoy mareado / mareada. | I feel dizzy (m/f). | Tell the team right away |
Our guide to what a hair transplant trip looks like walks through the day itself.
Aftercare and recovery terms
These appear on your aftercare sheet and come up at your cita de control (follow-up appointment), usually the next day for the first wash.
| Spanish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| cita de control | follow-up appointment | Also just control |
| primer lavado | first wash | Often done at the clinic |
| costras | scabs | |
| inflamación / hinchazón | swelling | Forehead swelling is common in early days |
| enrojecimiento | redness | |
| picazón / rasquiña | itching | rasquiña is very Colombian |
| No rascar. | Don't scratch. | |
| sangrado | bleeding | |
| adormecimiento | numbness | |
| dormir semisentado | sleep semi-upright | See our sleeping setup guide |
| almohada de viaje | travel / neck pillow | Also almohada cervical |
| gorra / sombrero | cap / hat | Loose fit only once cleared |
| sudor / hacer ejercicio | sweat / to exercise | |
| caída por shock / efluvio | shock loss / shedding | Explained in shock loss explained |
| foliculitis / granitos | folliculitis / little bumps | Report these to the clinic |
Pharmacy and medication terms
In Colombia, neighborhood pharmacies are usually called droguerías. You'll also see big chains and pharmacies inside supermarkets. Pharmacists can be helpful, but whether a product needs a prescription depends on the medication and current rules. For anything prescribed after surgery, follow your surgeon's written instructions exactly, and bring the fórmula médica (prescription) with you.
| Spanish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| droguería / farmacia | pharmacy | droguería is the everyday Colombian word |
| fórmula médica | prescription | receta also understood |
| venta libre | over the counter | |
| acetaminofén | paracetamol / Tylenol | The usual name in Colombia |
| ibuprofeno | ibuprofen | Ask your surgeon before taking it post-op |
| antibiótico | antibiotic | |
| analgésico | painkiller | |
| antiinflamatorio | anti-inflammatory | |
| minoxidil / finasterida | minoxidil / finasteride | See hair loss medications in Colombia |
| suero fisiológico / solución salina | saline solution | Often used for spraying grafts |
| gasas | gauze pads | |
| champú suave | gentle shampoo | |
| ¿Cada cuánto lo tomo? | How often do I take it? | Confirm against your written instructions |
| Soy alérgico / alérgica a… | I'm allergic to… (m/f) |
Brand names and strengths in Colombia can differ from those at home. Don't substitute a product the pharmacist suggests for one your surgeon prescribed without checking with the clinic first. Bring a list of everything you already take, including supplements, translated if possible.
At the barbershop
When you're cleared for a first trim, these phrases cover most of what you need. Our haircut after a hair transplant guide explains the timing.
- Tengo un trasplante capilar reciente. I had a recent hair transplant.
- Solo con tijera, por favor. Scissors only, please.
- Con máquina, pero con guía larga. Clippers, but with a long guard.
- No toque la parte de arriba. Don't touch the top.
- Sin navaja y sin toalla caliente. No razor and no hot towel.
- Sin alcohol ni productos en la cabeza. No alcohol or products on my head.
Useful questions to save on your phone
- ¿Quién me va a operar? Who is going to operate on me?
- ¿Cuántos injertos me van a poner? How many grafts will I get?
- ¿Qué incluye el precio? What does the price include?
- ¿Me puede dar las instrucciones por escrito, en inglés? Can you give me the instructions in writing, in English?
- ¿A quién llamo si tengo un problema por la noche? Who do I call if I have a problem at night?
- ¿Me puede enviar mi historia clínica por correo? Can you email me my medical record?
Colombian Spanish quirks worth knowing
Colombian Spanish, and the paisa (Medellín-region) accent in particular, is generally clear and fairly easy to follow. A few habits can still throw you off on a tired recovery day.
Usted, even with friends
In Medellín, people often use usted (the formal "you") even in casual conversation, and staff at the clinic will almost always use it with you. If you're unsure, use usted back. It's always polite.
Diminutives everywhere
You'll hear -ito and -ita added to all kinds of words: un momentico (just a moment), una pastillita (a little pill), despacito (gently, slowly). These are friendly, not medical. A pastillita is the same pill as a pastilla.
"Ahorita" doesn't mean right now
Ahorita can mean "in a moment" or "a bit later," depending on context. If timing matters, such as when the driver arrives or when the doctor will see you, ask for a clock time: ¿a qué hora? (at what time?).
Numbers and dates
Dates are written day first, so 05/11 is November 5, not May 11. Check this on appointment cards and medication schedules. Decimal commas are also common, so "1,5" means one and a half. That matters on a medication label.
Documents to request before you fly home
Ask for these by name at your last appointment, ideally in both Spanish and English:
- Historia clínica: your clinical record, including graft count and technique
- Descripción quirúrgica or nota operatoria: the operative note
- Instrucciones de cuidado postoperatorio: your aftercare instructions
- Fórmula médica: a list of prescribed medications with doses written out
- Factura: an itemized invoice showing the clinic's NIT
When a glossary isn't enough
A vocabulary list helps you follow along. It isn't a substitute for understanding consent forms, complications or medication instructions. For those, ask the clinic for an English-speaking coordinator, a professional interpreter or translated written documents. A reputable clinic serving international patients should offer one of these. If it can't, that tells you something. Our list of questions to ask your surgeon is a good script to bring.
If you'd like help finding clinics with strong English support in Medellín or Bogotá, get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hair transplant called in Spanish?
The most common term is trasplante capilar. You'll also hear injerto capilar and implante capilar, all meaning a hair transplant.
What does valoración mean at a Colombian clinic?
Valoración is the assessment or consultation where the doctor examines you and recommends a plan. It can be in person or by video, and some clinics charge for it.
What is Tylenol called in Colombia?
Paracetamol, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is sold in Colombia as acetaminofén. Follow your surgeon's instructions on which painkillers to use after surgery.
Do I need to speak Spanish for a hair transplant in Colombia?
No. Many clinics serving international patients have English-speaking coordinators. Basic terms still help day to day, and important documents should always be explained in a language you understand.
What's the difference between a droguería and a farmacia?
In everyday Colombian usage they mean the same thing: a pharmacy. Droguería is the word you'll see on most neighborhood storefronts.
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