Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs when a large number of hair follicles suddenly enter the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle. Normally, about 10% of the hair on a person's scalp is in the telogen phase at any given time, but in telogen effluvium, this number can increase to 30-35%, leading to excessive hair shedding. Telogen effluvium is often triggered by a physical or emotional stressor, such as a severe illness, injury, childbirth, or a major life change. The hair loss usually starts 2-3 months after the trigger and can continue for several months, but eventually the hair will regrow on its own and is not a form of permanent or scarring hairloss. In some cases, telogen effluvium may be a sign of an underlying medical condition and a dermatologist should be consulted to rule out other causes of hair loss. Treatment for telogen effluvium is usually not necessary, as the hair will regrow on its own, but a dermatologist may recommend a balanced diet, stress management techniques, biotin supplementation and possibly topical minoxidil.