Is Telogen Effluvium Reversible?

Excessive hair fall after a traumatic or stressful event is expected and common. Seeing your hair fall rapidly causes another stressful event, leading you to lose more hair; that is such a paradox. However, losing hair due to stress or trauma is a symptom of telogen effluvium. It is a reversible condition, and there is a hair treatment for men with telogen effluvium.

The hair may fall in large lumps in this condition as one may lose 50 to 100 strands of hair. However, unlike alopecia, telogen effluvium is a reversible condition.

There are two types of telogen effluvium

1. Chronic Telogen Effluvium

This condition is more common in women, and a person with this condition may experience hair shedding that lasts up to six months or more.

1. Acute Telogen Effluvium

This is a condition that a person experiences for less than six months.

How to Identify Telogen Effluvium

The most obvious symptom is an increase in hair fall. In this condition, the top of the scalp is the most affected area, and one may notice large amounts of hair falling out while washing or brushing. In some cases, there is also a visible sign of hair thinning if the symptoms have been recurring.

Telogen Effluvium is triggered by various factors that disturb the natural hair cycle, such as;

1. Stress shock or trauma trigger hair follicles to remain in the resting phase or telogen phase.
2. Pregnancy and childbirth.
3. Menopause is another factor is it causes hormonal changes
4. Poor diet: A diet deprived of vitamins (A, B, D, K, and E), minerals (zinc, iron), and protein.
5. Certain drugs’ side effects can hamper hair growth and cause excessive hair fall.
6. Underlying medical conditions.

Treatment of Telogen Effluvium

The treatment for the condition is simple and can be done at home with advice and consultation from the doctors. Once the triggers have been identified and managed, then telogen effluvium can be rectified with the following treatments and help grow back hair.

1. Correcting nutritional deficiencies through diet

Foods enriched with nutrients for hair include dairy, omega-3, fatty acids, nuts, spinach, etc. Incorporate a balanced diet of vitamins, minerals, and protein into your routine to fix the condition.

1. Use gentle hair care products.

Shampoos and conditioners are often loaded with toxic ingredients like sulfates, parabens, alcohol, fragrances, dyes, etc. Switch to gentle hair care products and keep off blow-drying or curling for better hair growth.

1. Medication

Over-the-counter products can prove beneficial for hair regrowth. Products like Minoxidil with 5% strength can be applied to the scalp during the night as it prolongs the anagen or growth phase of hair to promote speedy regrowth.

1. Hormone Replacement Theory

When the body goes through changes during menopause, it decreases the hormones in the female body. Hormone replacement therapy aims to replace the lost hormones, which can improve and promote hair regrowth.

1. Stress Management

Stress is a leading factor for telogen effluvium, and finding healthy ways to cope with the stress can help manage the condition. Seeking professional therapy or finding ways more specific to your needs for stress management is essential to treat the condition effectively.

While telogen effluvium is the second biggest cause of hair fall, it is reversible. Hair treatment for men for telogen effluvium is a simple process and can be resolved easily at home. Changes in lifestyle, hair products, and proper stress management can quickly treat the hair fall condition.