TEMPORARY DIFFUSE HAIR LOSS

Telogen Effluvium: diffuse hair loss explained

Telogen effluvium is a form of diffuse hair loss in which temporarily more hairs than normal enter the resting and shedding phase. Read how to recognize it, which triggers may play a role, and what you can expect from recovery.

Briefly summarized

Telogen effluvium causes diffuse hair loss over a large part of the scalp.
Hair loss often only becomes visible two to three months after a physical or emotional trigger.
Possible triggers include illness, fever, surgery, childbirth, severe stress, rapid weight loss, or nutritional deficiencies.
The hair follicles remain present, meaning recovery is usually possible as soon as the trigger has passed or is addressed.

THE HAIR CYCLE

What happens with telogen effluvium?

Hair grows in a cycle of growth, transition, rest, and shedding. With telogen effluvium, more hairs than normal temporarily move from the growth phase into the resting phase.

Increased shedding usually becomes noticeable only two to three months after the triggering event. The hair follicles are not destroyed and can produce hair again once the cycle recovers.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

What triggers can cause telogen effluvium?

Telogeen effluvium kan ontstaan nadat het lichaam lichamelijke of emotionele belasting heeft doorgemaakt. Voorbeelden zijn hoge koorts, een infectie, een operatie, een bevalling, sterke stress, snel gewichtsverlies of een streng dieet. Ook bepaalde geneesmiddelen en tekorten aan voedingsstoffen kunnen een rol spelen.

Niet altijd is één duidelijke trigger aan te wijzen. De timing is belangrijk: de haaruitval begint vaak pas weken tot maanden na de uitlokkende gebeurtenis.

Verdiep je in drie mogelijke triggers: schildklierproblemen, ijzertekort en medicijnen.

What triggers can cause telogen effluvium?

RECOGNIZABLE SIGNALS

How can you recognise telogen effluvium?

The hair loss is usually diffuse: you lose more hair than normal across a large part of the scalp. This may be noticeable in the shower, on your pillow, in your brush, or while washing and styling your hair.

Clearly defined bald patches generally do not develop. The hair may feel less full overall, while the hairline usually remains intact. A widening part or a distinct pattern may also indicate another form of hair loss.

Read about sudden hair loss

DURATION AND RECOVERY

How is the recovery going?

The increased hair shedding in acute telogen effluvium often lasts for several months. After that, the shedding usually gradually decreases, provided the trigger has passed or is addressed.

New hairs need time to become visibly longer and fuller. As a result, restoring hair density can take longer than stopping the shedding. When hair loss persists for more than six months, it is referred to as chronic telogen effluvium, and further evaluation is advisable.

Read about chronic telogen effluvium

POSSIBLE APPROACH

What support is available?

The most important step is to determine whether a possible trigger is present and whether it is still having an effect. This may include recovery after an illness, prolonged stress, a significantly changed diet, blood loss, or the use of certain medications.

A balanced diet and gentle hair care support the overall condition of the hair. Supplements are not a treatment for every cause and are mainly useful when relevant nutrients are insufficient. If symptoms persist or have no clear explanation, first seek a professional assessment of the appropriate approach.

Important to know

Telogen effluvium is usually temporary, but not every form of diffuse hair loss has the same cause. Have the hair loss professionally assessed if it persists for longer than six months, worsens rapidly, becomes patchy, or is accompanied by itching, redness, scaling, pain, or other physical symptoms.

Questions about telogen effluvium

Often. In acute telogen effluvium, hair loss usually decreases once the triggering factor has passed or is addressed. The pace of recovery varies from person to person, and visible restoration of hair density takes longer than stopping the hair loss.

The increased hair loss often only becomes noticeable two to three months after a physical or emotional trigger. As a result, the connection with, for example, an illness, fever, surgery, childbirth, or severe stress is not always immediately clear.

In the acute form, increased shedding often lasts for several months. It can then take several more months for new hair to grow to sufficient length and for hair density to visibly recover. Hair loss lasting longer than six months requires professional assessment.

Severe or prolonged stress can be a trigger, but diffuse hair loss does not always have a single cause. Illness, fever, hormonal changes, rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, or medication can also play a role.

Yes. Due to hormonal changes, relatively many hairs can enter the resting and shedding phase at the same time after childbirth. Hair loss usually becomes noticeable a few months after delivery and generally resolves gradually.

Have hair loss assessed if it persists for more than six months, worsens rapidly, occurs in patches, or is accompanied by itching, redness, flaking, or pain. Assessment is also advisable in cases of fatigue, unexplained weight loss, a significantly changed diet, or when the cause remains unclear.

FIND WHAT SUITS YOU

What support is suitable for diffuse hair loss?

The TRIX Hair Check helps you better understand your situation and shows which TRIX Basic products may be suitable for you. The Hair Check does not provide a medical diagnosis.

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