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

Rapid weight loss can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary condition where bodily stress pushes hair from the growth phase to the resting phase. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 13 May 2025

Sophia’s comments align with the condition known as telogen effluvium, which occurs when hair loss is more likely due to the stress of rapid weight loss, according to Drugs.com. —Charna Flam, People.com, 2 May 2025

Sometimes people experiencing severe emotional stress, poor nutrition, significant weight loss, surgery, childbirth or a high fever caused by illness can develop a condition called telogen effluvium, which causes hair to spend less time in the anagen phase and appear thinner. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025

This consists of a growth phase called anagen, a regression phase (catagen), a rest phase (telogen), and shedding (exogen). —Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025

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