How to Reverse Chronic Telogen Effluvium
Did you know that if you shed more than 125 hairs per day, you may be experiencing a form of hair loss? The type of hair loss you may experience can depend on several factors such as the root cause of the hair loss. Telogen effluvium is a unique form of hair loss in that it is temporary and typically caused by stress of some kind.
However, in certain cases, telogen effluvium may become a chronic problem. If you think you might be experiencing this form of hair loss, you might be wondering how to reverse chronic telogen effluvium. While chronic health issues are always difficult to deal with, there may be some guidance you can follow to help with the process of chronic telogen effluvium reversal.
To start, let’s take a look at what telogen effluvium is and why it might happen in the first place.
What Is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is a condition that involves losing large chunks of hair in a short period of time. You may have chronic telogen effluvium if you experience this kind of hair loss for six months or more. The cause of telogen effluvium most commonly has something to do with interrupting the natural cycle of hair growth.
The normal cycle of hair growth involves three phases: the anagen phase, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase. The anagen phase is also known as the growth phase and is the period in which the cells of the hair root are dividing at a rapid rate. Through this fast division, the hair shaft grows out of the follicle and creates new hair.
Most hair exists in the anagen phase. The anagen phase is also the longest phase in the entire hair cycle and may last as long as six years. The next phase is the catagen phase which is also known as the transitional phase.
Only about 3% of all hairs are in this phase at any given time. The catagen phase only lasts a few weeks. It is during this phase that the growth of the hair stops and the hair root starts to wither.
Finally, the hair enters the telogen phase which may last as long as 100 days. This is the phase when hairs start to fall out.
Normally, only around 25 to 100 hairs are shed every day and they are all in the telogen phase. Telogen effluvium involves an abnormal telogen phase.
While the telogen phase is only supposed to affect around 8% of hair, those who suffer from telogen effluvium have around 30% of their hair in this phase. But what might cause this to happen in the first place?
The Causes of Telogen Effluvium
Reversing telogen effluvium would be impossible if you don’t know what causes the condition in the first place. There are many factors that might cause this condition, but the most common cause has to do with stress. Keep in mind that stress does not only have to be a mental problem but a physical one as well.
Telogen effluvium seems to happen most commonly three months after a stressful event. This event is often childbirth, menopause, or another physical event that involves the fluctuation of hormones. Even if you feel mentally calm, your body is stressed in these scenarios because of the significant fluctuations of your hormones.
However, telogen effluvium may occur even if you don’t experience any changes in hormones. For example, it may occur if you follow a diet that doesn’t provide enough nutrition. This may also occur if you are eating well but not enough food.
In the same vein, telogen effluvium may result from sudden weight loss. Sudden weight loss can be a big shock to the body and if your body doesn’t know how to handle it, it may put stress on the hair growth cycle. Certain health conditions such as thyroid problems as well as certain medications may cause telogen effluvium too.
How to Reverse Chronic Telogen Effluvium
The only true way you can reverse chronic telogen effluvium is by targeting the cause. If you have a poor diet, try eating better. If you want to lose weight, try to do it more slowly and make sure you are getting enough nutrition.
If you have recently given birth, give your body enough time to recover and make sure your stress levels are down. Telogen effluvium may become a chronic problem if you are holding onto stress. Besides learning to calm down, you should also practice certain hair care practices.
For example, you should try being more careful with your hair. When you wash your hair in the shower, use hair care products that don’t contain harsh chemicals. Be sure to massage your scalp and don’t tug on your hair as you wash and dry it.
You should also avoid hairstyles such as tight braids that pull too much on your hair roots. You should, of course, treat any underlying health conditions you may have. Nutritional imbalances may also interfere with your ability to grow your hair.
Going to a doctor may help you narrow down what kind of conditions you may need to treat to start reversing your chronic telogen effluvium. Once you get your stress and health under control, you should start seeing improvements in your hair growth. If not, there are always certain treatments you can try.
Everything You Need to Know About Reversing Telogen Effluvium
If you were wondering how to reverse chronic telogen effluvium, you should now know everything you can do to get started. From identifying the underlying cause to reducing your stress levels and leading a healthier lifestyle, there are many things you can do to get your hair growth back on track.
To learn more about treating your telogen effluvium, contact us here.