Telogen Phase

The telogen phase is the resting stage of the hair growth cycle in which the hair follicle is inactive and the hair shaft (club hair) is retained but not actively growing. This phase typically lasts around two to three months for scalp hair and ends when the follicle re-enters anagen (the growth phase), at which point the telogen hair is commonly shed to make room for a new growing hair.

Clinically, a higher proportion of hairs in the telogen phase leads to increased shedding, a pattern often described as telogen effluvium, which can follow physiological stressors such as severe illness, surgery, childbirth, abrupt hormonal shifts, certain medications, or nutritional deficiencies. In many cases shedding resolves as follicles return to the normal cycle over several months, but persistent or severe changes in the telogen phase may require medical evaluation to identify and address underlying causes.