What Is Anagen Effluvium?

To understand anagen effluvium you need a basic understanding of the hair growth cycle. It consists of four phases:

• First comes the growth phase, Anagen. The majority of the follicles remain in this phase for 2-8 years at a time, producing new hairs. At any given time, roughly 85-90% of the hairs on your head are in the anagen phase.
• The Catagen phase follows, where the follicles shrink, and hair growth slows. Usually about 1-3% of the hairs on your head are in this phase at any given time, and it lasts about 2 weeks.
• The Telogen phase (or resting phase) follows next. Hair does not grow or fall out as the hair rests. Follicles that released hair in the catagen phase begin forming new hairs This phase usually runs for about 2 to 3 months and about 9% of your scalp hairs are in this phase at any point. 
• The end of the cycle is the Exogen phase where hair is shed. That is usually 50-100 long hairs per day, which is normal.

Anagen effluvium is a non-scarring form of hair loss that occurs when the anagen stage is disrupted. The most common reason for anagen effluvium is chemotherapy-induced alopecia (also known as CIA). It occurs when anagen phase hairs are subjected to a toxic or inflammatory event, usually caused by the application of antimetabolites, alkylating agents, and mitotic inhibitors during chemotherapy. This event causes the hair shafts to break and fracture, and hair shedding most often occurs within two weeks of the treatments.

Anagen Effluvium vs Telogen Effluvium

Unlike telogen effluvium (which is caused by illness and in which the hairs are shed), in anagen effluvium the hairs are physically broken – which is why chemotherapy patients will typically have some stubble on their scalp. The follicles do not enter the telogen resting state and hairs are shed quickly, often appearing with a tapered or feathered root end.

What Does Anagen Effluvium Look Like?

The onset of anagen effluvium is rapid. Those taking anticancer drugs may begin experiencing the loss of clumps of hair within two weeks of starting the treatments. The extent of the drug induced hair loss varies from individual to individual.

What Causes Anagen Effluvium?

A toxic or inflammatory event, which causes hair shafts to fracture. While chemotherapy is the cause most associated with this disorder, it can also present itself in cases of protein-energy deficiency, pemphigus, alopecia areata, and some types of heavy metal poisoning.

Is Anagen Effluvium Permanent?

Even though there is no cure for this disorder, new research is promising. One technique used as an intervention against hair loss is lowering the temperature of the scalp to less than 24° C / 75° F during chemotherapy through the use of “cool caps.”

Does Hair Grow Back After Anagen Effluvium?

In general, the news is good. In the majority of cases, the hair loss can be reversed. Once the damaging agent is removed from the equation or ceases to be administered, the hair usually resumes its normal growth cycle.

Contact PNW Hair Restoration for Diagnosis and Solutions

Hair loss is often fueled by a combination of factors. A detailed and accurate diagnosis is, therefore, an essential first step for developing a treatment plan. Whether chemotherapy alone is the root cause, or other factors like genetics or illnesses are at work, we will develop the most effective treatment possible. Contact PNW Hair Restoration today!