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

During telogen effluvium, people can shed 300 to 400 hairs a day, compared to the typical 50 to 100 hairs a day. —Yara Simón, Parents, 2 Dec. 2025

Hair growth happens on a cycle over several months and this type of hair loss causes hair to move from the anagen (growth) phase to the telogen (rest) phase, causing hair shedding. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025

Since telogen effluvium’s hair loss occurs with stress on the body, Moustafa explained, once that stressor is removed, patients should make a full recovery. —Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

Excessive hair shedding, also known as telogen effluvium, can be triggered by a multitude of stressors, such as giving birth or recovering from an illness. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 11 Nov. 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