Are you struggling with telogen effluvium and searching for effective solutions in 2024?
Telogen effluvium, a common form of hair loss triggered by stress or a traumatic event, can be distressing.
However, understanding and addressing this condition can lead to significant hair recovery. In
this article, we'll explore seven effective ways to manage and potentially reverse telogen effluvium, helping you regain not just your hair, but also your confidence.
Table of content
What is telogen effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is a temporary form of hair loss that occurs when a significant number of hair follicles in the growth phase prematurely enter the shedding phase. This shift often follows a major stressor or change in your body.
To understand this better, it’s essential to know about the three stages of hair growth and loss:
- Anagen (growth): The most active period where hair follicles are busy dividing and pushing new hair up and out. This stage can last up to four years with most of our hair (80% to 90%) in this phase at any time.
- Catagen (resting): A brief transitional phase where hair growth stops and the follicle begins to shrink. About 5% of our hair is in this stage.
- Telogen (shedding): During this stage, the hair doesn’t grow but stays attached to the follicle. Typically, about 5% of our hair is in this phase, but with telogen effluvium, this number can dramatically increase due to stressors, causing noticeable hair loss.
This condition primarily affects hairs in the telogen stage, and after a stressor or bodily change, up to 70% of anagen-phase hairs can abruptly transition to the telogen phase, leading to significant shedding.
As your leading source for hair health information over the past 4 years, we never compromise on accuracy. When it comes to your health, you deserve information you can truly rely on - and earning your trust is our top priority.
Here's how Scandinavian Biolabs ensures every piece of content meets the highest standards of accuracy and integrity:
- Credentialed Experts: Our reviewers are actively practicing doctors and medical researchers
- Stringent Reviews: Content undergoes rigorous editing by subject specialists and review by a practicing doctor.
- Evidence-Based: We rely on well-established research from trusted scientific sources like peer-reviewed journals and health authorities.
- Full Transparency: Our editorial standards, writer credentials, reviewer credentials, correction process, and funding are all publicly documented.
- Independent Voice: While we do promote products, we operate in a vacuum to business operations. Our main goal is just an unwavering commitment to providing medically-sound guidance.
You can count on Scandinavian Biolabs to consistently deliver the trustworthy health information you deserve. Read our Editorial Standards.
What causes telogen effluvium?
Telogen effluvium can be sparked by various factors, significantly altering the normal, healthy cycle of hair growth. These triggers can be diverse and sometimes simultaneous:
- Emotional or physical stress: Significant stress can push more hairs into the shedding phase.
- Dietary deficiencies: Lacking essential nutrients can affect hair strength and growth.
- Hormonal changes: Events like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can precipitate this condition.
- Medical conditions: Certain health issues, particularly those affecting hormones or the immune system, can lead to hair loss.
- Medication effects: Some drugs can cause hair to enter the shedding phase prematurely.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to toxic substances can also trigger hair loss.
Understanding these triggers can help in managing and treating telogen effluvium more effectively.
What are the symptoms of telogen effluvium?
If you're experiencing telogen effluvium, the signs can be quite distressing but are also noticeable and measurable:
- Noticeable increase in hair shedding: This might be evident in your hairbrush, around your home, particularly in the shower drain, or even on your pillow.
- Visible thinning of hair: You might observe a reduction in volume, primarily on your scalp.
- Brittle texture: The hairs that fall out tend to be dry and brittle, easily detaching from the scalp.
- Healthy scalp appearance: Despite the hair loss, your scalp should appear normal without signs of rash, itching, or flaking.
These symptoms primarily affect the scalp and hair but are not accompanied by other distressing scalp conditions, which helps distinguish this condition from others that cause hair loss.
How to treat telogen effluvium
Here are some of the effective ways to treat telogen effluvium:
1. Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum
Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum is a groundbreaking product designed to help combat hair thinning and promote regrowth.
Developed using advanced stem cell technology, it incorporates plant growth factors that nourish the hair follicles and stimulate blood flow, enhancing nutrient delivery to your scalp and hair.
Clinically tested, the serum has shown promising results in just 45 days, with consistent use leading to reduced hair thinning and increased hair density.
Key statistics from clinical trials highlight its efficacy:
- 77% of participants reported reduced hair loss after 45 days.
- 93% noticed a clinically significant reduction in hair loss by day 150.
- 73% experienced an increase in hair density after 150 days.
Customers often report seeing less hair fall during showers within just a few weeks of use. The serum is drug-free, safe for daily use, and has garnered a 93% satisfaction rate among users in clinical studies.
For those considering a long-term solution, we offer a 150-day money-back guarantee, ensuring that you can try Bio-Pilixin® with confidence.
2. Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a well-known topical treatment for hair loss, particularly effective in cases of androgenetic alopecia but also used for telogen effluvium.
It works by enlarging hair follicles and prolonging the growth phase of hair. Regular application can lead to thicker, fuller hair over several months.
However, it's important to continue the treatment to maintain results, as stopping the application might reverse the benefits.
3. Finasteride
Finasteride, primarily used to treat male pattern baldness, works by inhibiting the body's production of a hormone that leads to hair loss.
It's less commonly prescribed for telogen effluvium but can be effective in certain cases, particularly when hormonal imbalance is a contributing factor.
Note that Finasteride is typically prescribed only to men.
4. Iron supplements
Iron supplements can be a crucial treatment component for individuals with iron deficiency, which is a known trigger for telogen effluvium.
Restoring iron levels can help normalize the hair growth cycle, reducing shedding and promoting healthier hair growth.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you suspect an underlying deficiency.
5. Biotin supplements
Biotin, a B-vitamin, is essential for the health of hair, skin, and nails. Supplements can help improve hair quality and strength, particularly in people with a biotin deficiency.
While not a cure-all, biotin supplements are a simple adjunct therapy that can support other hair loss treatments.
6. Low level laser therapy
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) uses laser lights to stimulate cell growth in the scalp, improving hair density and thickness.
This non-invasive treatment is gaining popularity for its effectiveness in treating various types of hair loss, including telogen effluvium. It's particularly appealing for its ease of use and minimal side effects.
7. Microneedling
Microneedling, a procedure that involves rolling fine needles over the scalp to create micro-wounds, stimulates the body's natural healing response and can enhance the effectiveness of topical treatments by increasing their absorption.
It's often used in combination with other therapies like minoxidil for enhanced hair regrowth results.
Who does telogen effluvium affect?
Telogen effluvium can impact anyone, but it is more commonly diagnosed in women, particularly those aged between 30 and 60 years. This wider window of susceptibility suggests hormonal and other physiological changes as potential contributing factors.
How does telogen effluvium affect my hair?
Telogen effluvium dramatically accelerates hair shedding, causing you to lose up to 300 strands per day compared to the typical 100 strands most people lose. While it predominantly affects the top of the scalp rather than the sides or back, it doesn’t usually lead to complete baldness. In severe cases, however, it might also impact other body hair, including eyebrows.
The psychological impact of telogen effluvium is significant, often causing emotional stress, anxiety, and depression due to the visible changes in appearance.
How is telogen effluvium diagnosed?
Diagnosing telogen effluvium involves a combination of methods due to its similarity to other types of hair loss. Here are some key diagnostic techniques used by healthcare professionals:
- Scalp examination: By visually assessing the pattern and type of hair loss, specialists can often identify telogen effluvium.
- Discussion of personal history: This includes talking about any recent stressors, dietary changes, or medications that might have triggered the hair loss.
- Pull test: This test involves gently pulling on a small section of hair to see how many strands come out, looking specifically for the characteristic white bulbs of telogen hairs.
- Wash test: Counting hairs lost during washing can also provide insights.
- Blood tests: These are crucial for uncovering any underlying conditions like thyroid issues or deficiencies that could be causing the hair loss.
How long does telogen effluvium last?
Telogen effluvium typically resolves itself within three to six months, depending on the resolution of the underlying cause.
Will my hair grow back after telogen effluvium?
Yes, your hair will indeed regrow after experiencing telogen effluvium. Following the shedding phase, which lasts between three and six months, you should start to see new growth in the affected areas.
How to prevent telogen effluvium
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing telogen effluvium. Here are some practical tips to help keep your hair robust and healthy:
- Increase protein intake: Aim for 40 to 60 grams of protein daily, especially if you're vegetarian or vegan.
- Supplement wisely: Include essential vitamins and minerals like A, B, C, D, E, zinc, biotin, and iron in your diet. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting new supplements.
- Manage stress: Identify effective stress relief methods that work for you, whether it's through meditation, hobbies, or exercise.
- Ensure adequate sleep: Strive for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to help reduce stress and support overall health.
- Avoid restrictive diets: Instead of extreme dieting, opt for balanced eating plans like the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
What’s the difference between telogen effluvium and androgenic alopecia?
Telogen effluvium is rapid, temporary hair loss typically triggered by stress or hormonal changes and usually reverses once the stress is alleviated. In contrast, androgenic alopecia, or pattern baldness, is a gradual, permanent hair loss whose exact causes are not well understood and typically requires treatment to manage.
Conclusion
In 2024, if you're battling telogen effluvium, there's hope for recovery. This article explored various effective approaches—from understanding the condition's basics and symptoms to leveraging advanced treatments like Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum, Minoxidil, and innovative methods like low level laser therapy and microneedling.
Each strategy offers a pathway to not just stem hair loss but also to encourage robust regrowth.
Ready to take action against hair loss? Consider starting with Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum, clinically proven to reduce thinning and enhance hair density.
With a 150-day money-back guarantee, there's no better time to begin your journey to fuller, healthier hair.
FAQs
Can you fully recover from telogen effluvium?
Yes, in 95% of cases, acute telogen effluvium is fully recoverable. Chronic telogen effluvium, lasting longer than six months, may be more persistent without a clear cause but typically does not lead to total baldness.
Does new hair grow during telogen effluvium?
Yes, hair regrowth is common within 3–6 months after the underlying cause of telogen effluvium is managed. While the shedding may slow, it usually does not stop entirely, and in most cases, no more than 50% of the hair will be lost.
What vitamins stop telogen effluvium?
Vitamins and minerals that may help in managing telogen effluvium include vitamin D, ferritin (a stored form of iron), vitamin B12, folate, and zinc, all of which play roles in hair follicle cycling and growth.
Will telogen effluvium ever stop?
Yes, chronic telogen effluvium is typically self-limiting in the long run. Although the hair shedding can be distressing, it does not lead to complete baldness, and reassurance is often necessary for patients worried about losing all their hair.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430848/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15309635
- https://www.ccjm.org/content/88/3/173
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24486-telogen-effluvium
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5676194/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8922312/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691938/
