American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Radiologic Technologist Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct term for hair loss caused by radiation exposure is epilation. In the context of radiation exposure, epilation specifically refers to the loss of hair that can result from the damaging effects of radiation on hair follicles. This effect can be temporary or permanent, depending on the dose of radiation received and the sensitivity of the individual’s hair follicles to radiation.

Alopecia is a broader term that refers to hair loss in general, which can occur for various reasons, including genetics, medical conditions, and treatments, but does not specifically indicate that the underlying cause is radiation exposure.

Hypertrichosis, on the other hand, refers to excessive hair growth in areas of the body that are not typically hairy, which is not related to hair loss but rather to an increase in hair.

Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin, which may occur in response to radiation exposure but does not pertain to hair loss directly.

Therefore, epilation is the precise term used when discussing hair loss specifically due to radiation effects.