Hair follicles naturally function in cycles. Most scalp hair remains in the active growth stage, called the anagen phase, while a smaller percentage enters the resting stage, known as the telogen phase, before shedding. However, intense physical or emotional stress can prematurely force a large number of hair follicles into the resting phase. This condition – known as telogen effluvium- often causes sudden and noticeable hair fall weeks or months after severe stress occurs.
