Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
Each day it’s common to lose approximately 50 to 100 hairs. This happens because each individual hair strand has it’s own growth and shedding cycle. Throughout your life the hair growth cycle remains consistent but the are times when it can become interrupted. To understand the many problems that can affect your hair, you should be aware of the phases of the hair growth cycle.
These are three hair growth cycle phases:
The Anagen Phase
In the anagen phase, your hair is growing. The cells in the hair root divide rapidly and new hair strands begin to grow out from the hair follicle. This happens at a rate of about one centimeter every 28 days. This phase will last 3-5 years depending on your particular genes. At any one time, over 90 percent of the hair on your head is in the anagen phase.
The Catagen Phase
This is a transition phase for your hair. The hair itself detaches from the blood supply and it stops growing. When your hair is in this stage it can remain in place until it is either pushed out by new growing hair or until it just falls out on its own. The catagen phase can last about ten days.
The Telogen Phase
When your hair enters into the telogen phase, it begins what is known as the resting phase. Your hair falls out of the hair follicle and your hair follicle begins to rest. This stage can last for three months and only about 10 percent of the hair on your head will be in this stage at any one time. When this stage is over the hair follicle will return to the anagen phase and new hair growth will begin.
Some of the factors that can have an influence to the hair growth cycle would include; genes, diet, hormones, illness, stress, childbirth, surgery, and drugs. If the hair growth cycle is interrupted, then you may see hair loss or hair thinning as a result.
If you are experiencing any problems that affect your hair then having an understanding of the hair growth cycles can help you identify the issue. Learning how the hair grows and help you take steps to improve your hair growth.
