Telogen Effluvium: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding telogen effluvium
- Common causes of telogen effluvium
- Is telogen effluvium chronic?
- Telogen effluvium treatment: what are the options?
- Can one’s hair regrow after telogen effluvium treatment?
- Final thoughts
- FAQs
One day your hair feels normal and the next, you’re noticing more strands on your pillow, your brush, and in the shower drain. This is not just a little shedding but is a major change.
If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing Telogen Effluvium, a temporary form of hair loss that’s more common than most people realise. It often shows up a few weeks or months after the body goes through stress, illness, hormonal shifts, or sudden lifestyle changes. But this is usually reversible. With the right approach, your hair can and often does grow back stronger and healthier than before.
Understanding Telogen Effluvium
To understand Telogen Effluvium, it helps to know how your hair naturally grows. Hair doesn’t grow all at once. It follows a cycle with three main phases:
- Anagen (growth phase): This is when your hair is actively growing. Around 85–90% of your hair is usually in this phase at any given time. Depending on genetics, it can last anywhere from 2 to 7 years.
- Catagen (transition phase): A short period (about 1–2 weeks) where hair stops growing and prepares to enter the resting phase.
- Telogen (resting/shedding phase): Normally, about 10–15% of your hair is in this phase. Hair stays in the follicle for around 2–3 months and then falls out naturally, making room for new strands to grow.
Now here’s where Telogen Effluvium plays it part.
When your body goes through a shock or stress, whether physical or emotional, it can disrupt the hair growth cycle. As a result, a large number of hair follicles are suddenly pushed out of the growth phase and into the telogen i.e. the resting phase all at once.
A few weeks or months later, this shows up as diffuse hair shedding across your scalp. It’s not patchy like alopecia, and it doesn’t leave bald spots. But your hair starts to feel thinner, especially when you run your fingers through it or tie it up.
The important thing to remember is that the follicles are not damaged. They’re simply “resting.” So while the hair sheds, the root structure remains intact, and given time and the right care, telogen effluvium regrowth is very possible.
Common Causes of Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium hair loss is typically triggered by a sudden shock to the body, whether physical, emotional, or hormonal. Some of the most common triggers we see include:
- High levels of emotional stress
- Illness (including post-COVID hair loss)
- Sudden weight loss or restrictive dieting
- Postpartum changes
- Thyroid imbalances or hormonal shifts
- Certain medications or surgical procedures
In many cases, clients aren’t even aware that these events, sometimes months earlier, could be linked to their current hair loss. That’s why it’s always important to take a closer look.
Is Telogen Effluvium Chronic?
In many cases, Telogen Effluvium is temporary. Once the underlying cause, like stress, illness, or a nutritional deficiency, is addressed, the shedding usually begins to slow down within 3 to 6 months. This is often referred to as acute Telogen Effluvium, and while it can be distressing, the hair typically regrows on its own over time.
However, if the hair fall continues beyond 6 months, it may be a sign of chronic Telogen Effluvium. This longer-lasting form of the condition often points to ongoing or unresolved triggers, such as chronic stress, hormonal imbalances, undiagnosed thyroid issues, or long-term nutrient deficiencies.
Chronic Telogen Effluvium can be more complex to treat because the hair cycle remains disrupted over a prolonged period. In such cases, a more targeted and holistic treatment approach is usually required. This may involve a combination of medical evaluation, scalp therapies, nutritional support, and lifestyle changes to address both the symptom (hair loss) and the underlying cause.
Accurately identifying whether you’re experiencing acute or chronic Telogen Effluvium is a crucial first step. The right diagnosis helps determine the most effective plan for recovery and improves the chances of long-term regrowth and scalp health.
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Telogen Effluvium Treatment: What are the Options?
While Telogen Effluvium often resolves on its own once the trigger is removed, professional intervention can speed up regrowth and restore scalp health more effectively. We offer advanced, customised solutions tailored to each client’s lifestyle, scalp condition, and hair goals.
Here’s what telogen effluvium treatment typically includes:
- Tricho Analysis: A detailed scalp and follicle assessment
- PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Boosts natural regrowth using your body’s own healing factors
- Low-Level Laser Therapy: A non-invasive option to stimulate dormant follicles
- Nutritional & Lifestyle Support: Hair health starts from within—our team helps identify and address any deficiencies
Customised Hair Care Plans: Targeted topicals and treatments based on your hair’s unique needs
Can One’s Hair Regrow after Telogen Effluvium?
Yes, telogen effluvium regrowth is possible, and in most cases, it begins within a few months once the root cause is addressed. Hair density improves gradually, and with the right support, the results can be both visible and lasting.
If your shedding has continued beyond six months, or if you’re seeing a noticeable decrease in hair volume, it’s worth speaking to a specialist. Chronic telogen effluvium treatment may involve a combination of therapies to reactivate hair follicles and support healthy regrowth.
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Final Thoughts
Hair loss can feel deeply personal and when it happens suddenly, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of where to start. But Telogen Effluvium, while unsettling, is not permanent. It’s your body’s way of signalling that something needs attention, be it stress, nutrition, hormones, or overall health.
The key is not to ignore the signs. Understanding the root cause and taking early steps toward treatment can make a significant difference in how quickly your hair recovers and how confident you feel along the way. With the right care, patience, and support, regrowth is absolutely possible. Your hair has the ability to bounce back and so do you.
Frequently Answered Questions
The main cause is a sudden physical or emotional stressor that disrupts the hair growth cycle, pushing more hair into the shedding phase.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common triggers, but low levels of vitamin D, B12, and zinc can also contribute to hair shedding.
By managing stress, improving sleep, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and addressing any underlying deficiencies, many people see natural regrowth over time.
Avoid harsh hair treatments, tight hairstyles, crash diets, and stress—these can all make shedding worse or slow down recovery.