What is the Hair Growth Cycle?

Did you know that the hairs on your head go through a constant life cycle? While we often think of shedding as a negative thing, everyone sheds some hairs due to the normal hair life cycle (visible hair loss occurs when there is excessive shedding). The average person  has about 100,000 hairs on their head, and sheds between 50 and 100 hairs a day. This is all part of the normal hair growth cycle, but sometimes stressful events such as illness, surgery or pregnancy can trigger excessive hair shedding. 

Today, we will take a look at the three phases of the normal hair life cycle: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. Each one lasts a different length of time, with the anagen phase lasting the longest. Both females and males go through these stages. 

Three Main Cycles of Hair Growth

In general, hair growth goes through three main stages:

1. Anagen Phase

The Anagen phase is also known as the “growth” phase. This is the beginning of the hair life cycle. As the blood supply nourishes the follicle with important nutrients, the hair grows healthy and strong. This phase can last anywhere from two to six years.

During the anagen phase, your hair follicles start to push out hairs that will keep growing until cut or until reaching the end of their lifespan and falling out. At any given time, 90 percent of the hairs on your head are in the anagen phase.

2. Catagen Phase

The Catagen phase is also known as the “transition” phase. During this phase, the hair follicle starts to detach from the blood supply, and the hair stops growing longer or thicker. This phase can last anywhere from two to three weeks, signaling the end of active hair growth. Essentially, this phase cuts individual hairs off from the blood supply as well as from the cells that are responsible for producing new hair. About three percent of all hairs are in this stage at any given time.

3. Telogen Phase

The Telogen phase is also known as the “resting” phase. This is the last stage of the hair cycle and is when the hair will fall out. While typically, hairs are not all going through the telogen phase at once, it is possible, due to stress or other factors, for an increased number of follicles to be in the telogen phase, causing a significant shedding event. This is known as telogen effluvium. This phase can last anywhere from three to four months, and is essentially a resting period when hair strands remain in their follicles but do not actively grow. About 10 to 15 percent of your hairs are in this phase at any given time.

With Time, Hair Life Cycle Shortens

Over time, due to genetics, it is possible for the entire hair life cycle to shorten. This means overall, your hairs are in the Anagen “growth” phase for less time, causing hairs to miniaturize as they have less time to grow healthy and thick. This miniaturization is what we see with Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), also known as androgenic alopecia. The good news is that with the correct treatment, this miniaturization can be halted and potentially reversed.

Fun Facts About Hair Growth

Did you know?

1. Hair grows everywhere on the body except the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the lips.
2. Hair grows in cycles, with each differing in length depending on the body part, from body hair to beard hair to scalp hair.
3. On average, hair grows .3 – .5 mm per day. That is up to one-tenth of an inch in a week and a half inch in a month.
4. Disturbances in the natural cycle can disrupt hair growth, with causes ranging from genetic hair loss and stress to illness and menopause.
5. Different sections of your hair enter varying phases at different times to prevent losing all your hair at once.

If you are a female experiencing excessive hair thinning or hair loss, reach out to our hair loss experts. After an in-depth consultation, we can determine the cause of your hair loss and recommend the best treatment for your condition, whether you are experiencing androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, traction alopecia, or have a medical condition causing your hair loss.

Book a Consultation With Medi Tresse Today

With many locations to choose from, we welcome you to schedule your appointment today with our compassionate and knowledgeable hair loss experts for women of all ages and hair types.