Hair Growth Phases

The structure of hair is much more intricate than it appears. It is common knowledge that not only does it play a significant part in the outward appearance of both women and men, but it also contributes to the transmission of sensory information and performs a role in establishing gender identification. We have 4 hair growth phases, which we will explain in this article.

One million hair follicles are distributed around the head, with only a hundred thousand located on the scalp. Since humans do not produce new hair follicles at any moment during their lifetimes, this is the maximum number of follicles a person can ever have. As people transition from infancy to adulthood, most will become aware of a decreased air density on their scalp. The reason for this is that the scalps enlarge as we get older.

Hair Growth Phases

The average rate of hair growth on the scalp is between 0.3 and 0.4 millimeters per day or approximately 6 inches annually. In humans, growing new hair and losing old hair do not follow a seasonal or cyclical pattern as in other mammals. There are four stages of development and shedding that hairs go through anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen.

Anagen Phase

This hair cycle stage, known as anagen, is the production stage. The cells that make up the hair root are increasing at an extremely high rate. When the scalp generates new hair, the club hair, which is hair that has finished developing or is no more in the anagen stage, is pushed up its follicle and finally exits the body of the hair follicle. The body increases hair length by approximately one centimeter every 28 days. During this time, hair on the scalp grows at a rapid rate.

Short active growth periods are why some people have trouble growing their hair long enough. On the contrary, persons whose hair exceptionally long has an extended period during which it is actively growing. Because the active development phase of the hairs on the legs, eyelashes, arms, and eyebrows is only around 30 to 45 days long, this explains why the length of this hair type is shorter than that of the hair on the scalp.

Catagen Phase

The root sheath on the hair pauses growth and eventually contracts to become attached to the hair root. This phase is considered a transitional phase, and approximately 3% of all follicles are in this stage. This phase often lasts for somewhere in the range of 2 to 3 weeks. This process is an example of the development of club hair.

Telogen Phase

This phase, also known as the resting period, typically accounts for between six and eight percent of all hairs. This stage lasts for around one hundred days for hairs on the scalp, but it lasts far longer for hairs on the arm, brow, eyelash, and leg. At this point, the follicle is fully dormant, and the club hairs are reaching their final stage of development. When a hair strand in this stage is pulled out, the root will expose a solid, tough, dry, and white material. The average person will lose between 25 and 100 telogen hairs daily.

Exogen Phase

This is the final phase of the hair cycle, during which single hair strands are loosened from individual follicles and falls off. This means that the process can start all over again!

What Are the Consequences of Interrupting the Hair Growth Phases?

Because every hair follicle is autonomous and undergoes its growth cycle at its own pace, you won’t lose all of your hair at once. Instead, a healthy scalp will lose between 80 and 100 hairs per day. Disruptions to your development cycle can lead to hair loss, thinning, or balding, among other issues. Conditions like metabolic imbalances, sickness, or inappropriate diet can all play a role in bringing about this condition.

For example, you may suffer telogen effluvium approximately 12 weeks after a very restrictive diet or a high fever. This occurs when your body’s anagen (growing) phase is disrupted, causing many hairs to enter the telogen phase simultaneously. This leads to an increase in hair loss three months later when the body is in its exogen phase.

The hair won’t grow long if the hair growth phase is consistently thrown off, as when you don’t provide it with the proper nutrients it needs to thrive. This is because the hairs can never remain in the anagen stage for sufficient time to attain the length you desire.

How to Keep Your Hair Healthy During All 4 Hair Growth Phases

Having hair that is both healthier and fuller is dependent not only on your genes and hormone balances, which are primarily out of control, but also on things that you can influence, such as a healthy lifestyle and taking care of the hair properly. The following are some of the most effective ways to maintain hair growth during all four phases:

Diet & Nutrition

Maintaining a regular diet that provides your body with adequate vitamins, iron, fiber, and protein will assist in regulating the hair growth cycle. You may want to consider adding supplements to your routine to exert additional control over your body.

Minimize Stress

As a result of increased stress, the period the hair is in its resting phase can be shortened. The more you can use strategies to lessen and manage stress’s effects, the more the hair will benefit.

Use the Appropriate Products

Whether you battle with limp hair or hair thinning, products that precisely appeal to the requirements and needs of your hair will allow your hair to get the most out of whatever stage it is in. This is true regardless of the condition of your hair.

Hair Growth Phases conclusion

Loss of hair is a problem that affects a large number of people, and it can have a negative impact on a person’s self-confidence as well as their mental health. Talking to a specialist or another healthcare practitioner is a smart first step to take if you are experiencing hair loss or beginning a new medication to relieve it.