You've noticed significant hair shedding — more than usual, possibly alarming amounts — and someone mentioned "telogen effluvium." It sounds serious, but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, will your hair recover?
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
To understand telogen effluvium, you need to know how hair normally grows. Each hair follicle cycles through three phases:
- Anagen (growth phase): Hair actively grows for 2-7 years
- Catagen (transition): Brief phase where growth stops
- Telogen (resting phase): Hair rests for 2-4 months, then sheds
At any given time, about 85-90% of your hair is in the growth phase and 10-15% is in the resting phase. This is why you normally lose 50-100 hairs daily without noticing.
What Goes Wrong in Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium occurs when something triggers a larger-than-normal percentage of hair follicles to enter the resting phase simultaneously. Instead of 10-15% of hairs resting and shedding, it might be 30% or more.
The shedding typically becomes noticeable 2-4 months after the trigger — which is why it can seem to come from nowhere.
Common Triggers
- Childbirth — the most common cause
- Severe illness or high fever
- Major surgery
- Significant weight loss
- Emotional trauma or severe stress
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Starting or stopping medications
- COVID-19 — increasingly recognised trigger
The Good News
Classic telogen effluvium is self-limiting. Once the trigger is removed or resolved, hair follicles return to their normal cycle. The hair that shed will regrow. Full recovery typically takes 6-12 months.
The Complicated Part
Sometimes telogen effluvium becomes chronic, lasting beyond 6 months. This can happen when:
- The trigger persists (ongoing stress, continuing deficiency)
- Multiple triggers overlap
- Underlying conditions aren't addressed
- It's not actually telogen effluvium (other conditions can mimic it)
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider a trichology consultation if:
- Shedding continues beyond 6 months
- You can't identify an obvious trigger
- Hair isn't regrowing as expected
- You notice patterns (patches, specific areas)
- Scalp symptoms are present
A detailed trichoscope examination can distinguish telogen effluvium from other conditions and identify factors that might be prolonging the shedding.
At Solent Trichology Clinic in Gosport, proper diagnostic assessment helps clarify exactly what's happening — and what will help you recover.
The Bottom Line
Telogen effluvium sounds scary but is usually temporary. Understanding the condition helps you avoid panic and make good decisions about your hair health.
📞 Phone: 07904 268599
🌐 Website: solenttrichologyclinic.co.uk