Telogen effluvium (TE) is one of the most important causes of hair loss today. This disorder sometimes goes away by itself, and sometimes it requires treatment. Therefore, tracking the loss is crucial here. So, when and how do you know that Telogen effluvium is over? What are the reasons that trigger this problem?
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What is Telogen Effluvium?
There is a unique growth cycle of the hair on the scalp and this cycle consists of 4 stages. These are;
- Anagen (growth),
- Catagen (regression),
- Telogen (resting) and
- Exogenous (falling).
Approximately 85-90% of the hair on the scalp is in the anagen phase. 10% of the hair remains in the telogen phase for 2-4 months before falling. Telogen effluvium is a condition that causes hair to be pushed into the telogen phase. Due to some changes or shocks in the body, 30% of the hair in the anagen phase stops growing and moves to the telogen phase.
What Triggers Telogen Effluvium?
Different factors trigger this problem. These may vary for each person. However, in general;
- Giving Birth,
- Severe illness,
- Excessive weight loss,
- A stressful experience,
- Hormone therapy,
- Skin disorders affecting the scalp can be expressed as triggers of the related disease.
There are also triggers other than those mentioned here. Conditions such as excessive vitamin A intake, pregnancy, chemotherapy, acute surgery, severe infections, and high fever can cause related discomfort. However, it would be wrong to say that these will cause TE. For example, every pregnant doesn’t face this problem.
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How Do You Know You Have TE?
If there is a triggering event behind the loss, the results may not be obtained from laboratory studies for the diagnosis of TE. So, scalp biopsy stands out as the most useful test. However, if the person’s story is characteristic, a light tension test can be done.
If a significant amount of hair comes out as a result of a light pulling of the hair, one may suspect this condition. However, a tension test is rarely required and used.
Apart from loss, different complaints of patients are also important. Complaints such as stinging, itching, and pain on the scalp are considered to be important signs of TE.
Can Hair Continue Growing with TE?
Losing 50-100 hair strands per day is considered normal for a healthy person. Such loss may occur as a result of the growth phase of the hair.
Due to TE that develops as a result of body changes or important events experienced, 30% of the hair stops growing and passes into the telogen phase. Before falling, the hair remains in this phase. Rest continues their normal cycles.
At Which Stage Does TE Cause More Hair Loss?
TE can be seen in different severity in everyone. However, there are some cases where the peak is clearly defined. Telogen effluvium, which occurs especially after giving birth, peaks after about 3-4 months. During this period, there is excessive falling.
At the end of the 3-4 month period after giving birth, falling begins to decrease. It is only 8 to 12 months after giving birth that the loss stops completely and the hair returns to normal.
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How Long Does It Continue?
Observation is the first process in patient management. Generally, an improvement in patients is expected within 6-12 months. However, chronic TE is seen in some patients and the condition may continue for 7 years.
In some people, the related condition may turn into female pattern hair loss. Such people should be followed up at 6-12 month intervals.
How Do You Know When Telogen Effluvium is Ending?
Realizing that hair starts to regrow 3-6 months after the diagnosis is considered a sign of recovery. If this visible growth continues for at least 3 months without any unusual falling, it can be stated that TE is over.
There are some important points in the answer to the question of how we know when telogen effluvium ends. First of all, it should be noted that this condition improves gradually. An immediate recovery should not be expected after the cause of the discomfort is fixed or the trigger is eliminated. Such an expectation may disappoint you. A gradual and slow recovery process should be expected.
It is easy to feel desperate after TE and believe that it will not improve. However, TE is a treatable condition and it is very important to focus on the positive in this period.
It is important to eliminate the discomfort or shocking issues that cause this problem immediately. The faster the problems are eliminated, the faster the condition starts to heal.
How Do You Stop It Faster?
There are some important issues to be considered and applied to stop TE faster. The major ones are as follows:
- Stress management
- OTC drug therapy
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Fixing the nutritional deficiencies with diet (preferring a diet rich in zinc, iron, protein, and vitamins)
- The right and gentle hair care
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How to Reverse Chronic Telogen Effluvium?
Chronic telogen effluvium is defined as TE that lasts longer than 6 months. Chronic TE is not very common. In the first 6 months, it develops in the same way as normal TE. Therefore, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor who is an expert in the field to understand whether the problem is chronic TE or not. The following recommendations should be considered during the treatment of chronic telogen effluvium:
One of the important keys of the treatment process is to ensure the right functioning of the energy metabolism. Due to the aforementioned issue, patients are provided to take vitamin B complex after their tests.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Reducing the Level of Stress” color=”peacoc” custom_font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:25|text_align:left|color:%230a9ace” custom_google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” custom_css_animation=”fadeInDown” use_custom_heading=”true”]Stress and anxiety have great importance in the TE process. The higher the stress level, the higher the cortisol level, and accordingly the sensitivity of androgen receptors increases. Defense remains unchecked and it becomes harder to fight the inflammation. Therefore, the cortisol level must be taken under control.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Omega-3 Supplement” color=”peacoc” custom_font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:25|text_align:left|color:%230a9ace” custom_google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” custom_css_animation=”fadeInDown” use_custom_heading=”true”]Some experts point to the effect of having a weak immune system on telogen effluvium. A weak immune system is the most important cause of auto-immune system disorders.
It is stated that low immunity can cause infection and stress. Therefore, the immune system is also important in TE and it has to be improved during the treatment process.
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 fatty acids is one of the most effective ways to reverse chronic inflammation damage. An omega-3 supplement will have a very positive effect on the treatment process.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Topical Support” color=”peacoc” custom_font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:25|text_align:left|color:%230a9ace” custom_google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” custom_css_animation=”fadeInDown” use_custom_heading=”true”]A certain amount of time is needed to take the hormones under control. In this process, topical drugs may be helpful both to prevent the loss and to strengthen the hair.
An effective topical product is applied directly to the scalp externally and indirectly supports the treatment process. However, it should not be forgotten that the right topical drugs should be preferred and they should be used with the doctor’s instructions.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Use of Natural Hair Care Products” color=”peacoc” custom_font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:25|text_align:left|color:%230a9ace” custom_google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” custom_css_animation=”fadeInDown” use_custom_heading=”true”]In this period, natural hair care products should be preferred instead of shampoos containing chemical substances. Inappropriate shampoo use can lead to the removal of beneficial oils from the scalp. Besides, shampoos with harmful substances such as sulfates and parabens can accelerate hair loss. Considering all these issues, natural hair care products should be preferred.
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Telogen vs. Anagen Effluvium
There is a difference between telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. In TE, loss begins approximately 3 months after the triggering event whereas, in anagen effluvium, the hair begins to thin immediately after the triggering event.
Apart from this, in TE, hair falls out after the resting phase, while anagen effluvium is a disorder that occurs during the growth phase. Anagen effluvium disorder is most common after chemotherapy.
Schedule a Consultation
Telogen effluvium is one of the important hair problems today. At COSMETICIUM, we solve the hair loss problem of hundreds of patients every year and save their hair. Thanks to the special treatments applied, we ensure that this period is overcome without any problems.
Besides, for those who are late for treatment and have lost their hair permanently, we restore their old appearance with hair transplantation. You can contact us for more detailed information on this subject.
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