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Telogen Effluvium Patient

Telogen Effluvium

Sophia Michelle Aesthetics refers to telogen effluvium hair loss as the “Stress Hair Loss Condition.” Telogen is the most common type of sudden hair loss. A small percentage of our hair falls out every day. On average 10-20% of our follicles are in a resting state called telogen; this state allows 50 to 100 follicles to be lost each day. However, some individuals will suffer a sudden and abrupt loss of hair due to a temporary condition that stimulates a fallout. Breaking hair occurs in anagen effluvium, but instead, telogen effluvium is a shedding. A specific stressor causes this early push of resting state hair into fall on the body. During styling, you may notice specific areas of your scalp with greater thinning. Commonly the cause of the fall out occurs 4-6 weeks before the onset of the fallout. A majority resolve within six months, however many can last for years in a cyclic pattern called chronic telogen effluvium.

DIAGNOSIS

Often diagnosed by medical history and physical exam alone. When 25% or more follicles fall out within a few weeks, the diagnosis of telogen effluvium is commonly made. The fall out occurs throughout the scalp, and weaker follicle areas can experience a higher percentage of fall out. This is a distinctive difference from patterned loss.

  • Pregnancy and Menopause
  • Sudden Weight Loss
  • Medical Conditions: Thyroid Dysfunction, Diabetes, Severe Anemia, SLE, Psoriasis
  • Mental Health: Chronic Pain, Severe Stressor (Sudden Death)
  • Medications: blood thinners, medications for acne, cancer, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, epilepsy, depression, and gout have all been correlated with cases.

No matter the cause of the trigger, more commonly than not patients are struggling with identifying a single cause. The best way of trying to identify a trigger begins with evaluating what has changed in the weeks, and months before the onset. One-third of patients never find the cause, and often end up with the chronic form.

TREATMENT

Often patients over two years will have a return of their normal hair density. However, many never have a complete return. Removing the trigger, seeking counseling, and treating the condition that caused telogen effluvium is the mainstay of therapy. Most patients will notice faster improvements in the return of their hair health by having a series of PRP treatments, low laser therapy, and topical stimulation.