Acute and Chronic Telogen Effluvium

The document from 2015 discussed the human hair cycle, specifically focusing on the telogen phase, which lasts for about 12 weeks in scalp hair. Any disturbance to the hair cycle can cause an acute telogen effluvium, a condition characterized by increased hair shedding. Identifying the factor causing this disturbance is crucial for determining if intervention is needed, though often reassurance is sufficient. If the increased hair shedding persists for 6 months or more, it becomes chronic telogen effluvium, necessitating biochemical investigations. The document also noted that hair loss often leads to changes in hair care and grooming routines, which can artificially increase the observed shedding. In some cases, increased hair shedding can precede reduced hair density.