TIJDELIJKE DIFFUSE HAARUITVAL

Telogen Effluvium: diffuse hair loss explained

Telogeen effluvium is een vorm van diffuse haaruitval waarbij tijdelijk meer haren dan normaal in de rust- en uitvalfase terechtkomen. Lees hoe je het herkent, welke triggers een rol kunnen spelen en wat je van het herstel kunt verwachten.

Vrouw bekijkt uitgevallen haren in haar borstel bij telogeen effluvium

In brief

Telogeen effluvium veroorzaakt verspreide haaruitval over een groot deel van de hoofdhuid.
De haaruitval wordt vaak pas twee tot drie maanden na een lichamelijke of emotionele trigger zichtbaar.
Mogelijke triggers zijn onder meer ziekte, koorts, een operatie, bevalling, sterke stress, snel gewichtsverlies of voedingstekorten.
De haarzakjes blijven aanwezig, waardoor herstel meestal mogelijk is zodra de trigger voorbij is of wordt aangepakt.

Illustratie van haarzakjes in verschillende fasen van de haarcyclus.

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?

Telogen effluvium can occur after the body has experienced physical or emotional stress. Examples include high fever, an infection, surgery, childbirth, severe stress, rapid weight loss, or a strict diet. Certain medications and nutritional deficiencies can also play a role.

It is not always possible to identify one clear trigger. Timing is important: hair loss often begins only weeks to months after the triggering event.

Vrouw tijdens herstel na een mogelijke lichamelijke of emotionele trigger.

Diffuse haaruitval zichtbaar over een groot deel van de hoofdhuid.

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

Geleidelijk verloop en herstel van telogeen effluvium.

Professionele beoordeling van diffuse haaruitval bij een vrouw.

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.

Belangrijk om te weten

Telogeen effluvium is meestal tijdelijk, maar niet iedere vorm van diffuse haaruitval heeft dezelfde oorzaak. Laat het haarverlies professioneel beoordelen wanneer het langer dan zes maanden aanhoudt, snel verergert, pleksgewijs wordt of samengaat met jeuk, roodheid, schilfers, pijn of andere lichamelijke klachten.

Vragen over telogeen 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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