telogen

noun

te·​lo·​gen ˈtē-lə-ˌjen 

: the resting phase of the hair growth cycle that typically lasts three months, is preceded by anagen and catagen, and is usually followed by shedding of the hair shaft during exogen

Note: Anagen will immediately follow telogen if hair is not shed at the end of telogen during the exogen phase.

Examples of telogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, the connection between hair shedding and ferritin is well documented, with studies associating low ferritin levels with telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss. — Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 15 July 2026

Each hair follicle cycles through growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and rest (telogen) phases. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

It’ll eventually be pushed out by a new follicle underneath in the telogen phase, and the process repeats itself. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 17 June 2026

What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, says that postpartum hair loss is most commonly caused by telogen effluvium (TE), which is when a large amount of hair follicles reach the shedding phase at once. — Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

telo- + -gen

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

telogen

noun

te·​lo·​gen ˈtē-lə-ˌjen 

: the resting phase of the hair growth cycle that typically lasts three months, is preceded by anagen and catagen, and is usually followed by shedding of the hair shaft during exogen

Note: Anagen will immediately follow telogen if hair is not shed at the end of telogen during the exogen phase.

Scalp hairs spend four to eight years in anagen and just two to four months in telogen.

—Julianne Dunphy

The remaining 10 percent of hairs are in a resting phase called telogen that lasts about three months, after which the resting hairs start falling out.

—Jane E. Brody