Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium is a condition where a significant portion of your hair follicles in the anagen phase suddenly stop growing and fall out. 80-90% of your hair follicles are in anagen phase at any point in time. The hair shafts break instead of shedding; main difference between anagen, and telogen effluvium. Patients notice a widespread fall out throughout the body, including the eyebrows, and lashes. Individuals will notice a widespread pattern of hair loss. Anagen effluvium can affect all and also hair follicles within the body, such as the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

DIAGNOSIS

Anagen effluvium is most commonly a result of chemotherapy and radiation used for cancer treatment. The purpose of chemotherapy is to kill rapidly growing cells that include cancer and unfortunately target hair follicles also. A majority of patients will have complete recovery after treatment has resolved. However, some can suffer permanent hair loss due to the required concentration of therapy. Other causes include, Commonly growth returns 1-3 months after last treatment. Other chronic illnesses or toxic chemical exposures can cause anagen effluvium, commonly when the exposure is removed, or illness is treated hair growth returns.

TREATMENT

Cold caps help to reduce the ability for the chemotherapy to reach the hair follicles by causing vasoconstriction of the vessels that surround the follicle. Less chemotherapy will reach the follicle, and reduce the potential for damage to occur. Sophia Michelle Aesthetics provides consultations to cancer patients on how to reduce hair loss, and promote growth.