Teloptosis, a Turning Point in Hair Shedding Biorhythms

Abstract

The timing regulation of the hair growth phases is quite complex. We name teloptosis the termination of the telogen phase with hair shedding. The initiation of the next anagen I phase is independent from teloptosis. Both events are triggered by distinct factors. Indeed, teloptosis is the result of the loss of adhesion between cells of the club hair and those of its epithelial envelope. Teloptosis synchronization is perceived as telogen effluvium, related or not to shortening of the anagen phase. Subtle changes leading to early or delayed teloptosis affect hair density. It is possible to distinguish two types of telogen hairs on a trichogram. Those with an epithelial sheath indicate strong binding, suggesting early telogen, whereas the absence of an epithelial sheath indicates loose binding, conveying teloptosis.

Biology of Human Hair: Know Your Hair to Control It

“…This process, exogen or teloptosis, is independent of a possible new HF cycle [52]. In fact, it is most common in mammals that a new hair shaft regrows before the resting shaft sheds, assuring the animal is never completely naked.…”

Facing towards epidermal stem cells (Review)

“…Throughout life new keratinocytes are required to replace the corneocytes that are shed from the skin surface (8,9). Similarly, new hairs need to be produced in order to replace those lost at teloptosis (exogen phase) (10,11). The specialisation of somatic SCs depends on the environment and growth factors to which they are exposed.…”

Kenogen in Female Androgenetic Alopecia

“…These periods coincide with the interval between the extrusion of telogen club hair (teloptosis) [3]and the emergence of a new anagen hair. Kenogen may be the true resting phase of the hair cycle, in opposition to telogen in which the ‘epithelial remnants (distal outer sheath, secondary hair germ, bulge) are engaged in biochemical activity and even some degree of proliferation’ [4].…”