While hair plays a vital role in both men's and women's appearance, we typically don't give much thought to the hair growth and loss process. While it may seem like a simple process, it is far more complicated than it appears on the surface. Hair growth actually occurs in a cycle with four distinct phases.
The Natural Hair Growth Cycle
The study and understanding of the hair growth cycle have been instrumental in understanding thinning hair and hair loss and developing treatments to prevent and reverse hair loss conditions. Hair growth occurs in a cycle which consists of four distinct stages: the anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen phases.
Each phase of the cycle has a unique timeline affected by various factors, including age, nutrition, and overall health. Understanding the different stages of the growth cycle enables you to take steps to ensure that your hair maintains a healthy growth cycle.
The Anagen Phase
The first stage of the hair growth cycle is the anagen or growing phase. The anagen phase is the longest in the growth cycle and typically lasts from three to seven years. During the anagen phase, the hair's root is growing rapidly and being pushed out of the hair follicle, adding length to the hair shaft. This phase's length is genetically determined, and each strand of hair will continue to grow until it is cut or reaches the end of its lifespan and falls out. The length of the anagen phase is different for every strand of hair, with nearly 90 percent of your scalp hairs in this phase at any given time.
The Catagen Phase
During the catagen or transition phase, the hair shaft's growth slows, and the hair follicle begins to shrink. This period lasts about ten days, as the hair starts to separate from the bottom of the hair follicle while remaining in place during its final days of growing. Typically, only about five percent of your scalp hairs are in the catagen phase at any given time.
The Telogen Phase
The telogen phase is also known as the resting stage because while the hair is no longer growing, these hairs usually remain in place. This phase typically lasts about three months, and it is estimated that most people have about ten to fifteen percent of their scalp hairs in this phase. During this phase, hair follicles that have just been through the catagen stage begin to form new strands of hair, eventually pushing out the resting hair.
The Exogen Phase
At the end of the hair growth cycle, the hair begins the exogen phase, where the hair is shed from the scalp. Considered by many to be an extension of the telogen stage, the exogen phase can last from two to five months. It is normal to lose about 100 strands of hair daily in this stage, and they are often shed while washing or brushing your hair.
Contact Mane Image
Like many bodily processes, hair growth is a complicated and finely balanced process affected by many factors. If the hair follicle is damaged or the natural growth cycle is interrupted during any phase, issues such as thinning hair or hair loss may occur. A change to your natural hair growth cycle is an early indication of a possible hair or scalp condition and may include subtle signs, like a change in texture or an increase in hair on your brush or in the shower.
Because hair grows in a natural cycle, hair conditions typically progress over time rather than suddenly, making early detection critical. At Mane Image, our staff of hair specialists understand every aspect of hair care and are committed to offering men and women effective solutions to help them with their hair loss. To learn more about hair growth and how you can get help with your hair loss, contact us today and schedule your FREE initial consultation.
