When you’re looking in the mirror every day, it’s hard to see the minute changes that make up the hair growth cycle. But it’s a much more fascinating process than it appears. There are four distinct phases your hair goes through as it grows. Read on to learn all about the normal human hair cycle and how understanding it can help keep your hair healthy and growing throughout all four phases.
The Four Stages of Healthy Hair Growth
The hair cycle consists of four stages: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. While most of your hair is on the same page, not every hair follicle goes through the same phase simultaneously. Understanding these stages can help you make informed decisions to keep your hair and scalp healthy and address hair loss, including issues like bald spots and thinning hair.
1. Anagen Phase: The Active Growth Stage
Think of the anagen phase as the hardest working one in the hair follicle cycle. It’s long, vital, and works overtime for you. For two to seven years, your hair follicles produce new hair using a rich blood supply as fuel to nourish the hair bulb and roots. About 85%-90% of your scalp hair is in the anagen growth phase, growing steadily, but your hair doesn’t grow as fast as your friend’s or your cousin’s. Genetics and hormone levels play a significant role in determining how long your hair can grow. Supporting the anagen stage with proper care is key to achieving healthy hair growth patterns and optimal hair length.
2. Catagen Phase: The Transitional Period
The catagen phase is brief, lasting about two weeks, when all hair production stops. Don’t worry — it’s totally natural and necessary. Disruptions to this transitional phase can lead to thinning or delayed growth. During catagen, the hair shaft detaches from the nutrient supply in the dermal papilla. Then, the follicle begins to shrink.
3. Telogen Phase: The Resting Stage
Now, the hair follicles rest. For three to four months, the follicle goes into a bit of hibernation, so to speak. About 10%-15% of your individual hairs are resting in the telogen stage of hair growth at all times. Factors like scalp health and stressors can extend this telogen resting phase, so if you feel stagnant for longer than average, you should see a hair loss expert.
4. Exogen Phase: Hair Falling Out
If you thought hair falling out was a reason for panic, you’ll be relieved to hear it’s just a phase of the hair cycle. The exogen phase, also known as the shedding phase, marks the very end of the cycle, during which old hairs are shed, clearing the way for new ones. You may lose 50-100 hairs a day during this normal hair shedding. However, if you’re experiencing sudden or rapid hair loss, or more than that, the excessive shedding could point to other issues with your hair growth cycles. Hair experts at HairClub can offer personalized solutions to hair loss to address your specific needs during this stage and beyond.
Factors Affecting Hair Growth Patterns and Cycle
For better and sometimes worse, you heavily influence the changes in your hair. Here are some elements that affect your hair cycles:
Hormonal Changes
Hormones affect so much in the body, from weight to sleep and beyond. It makes sense that they also significantly affect the function of hair follicles. Shifts in hormone levels commonly occur during pregnancy, menopause, or as a result of thyroid dysfunction, which can alter the hair growth cycle. In fact, conditions like Hashimoto’s disease—a common thyroid disorder—can contribute to hair thinning. Learn more about the connection between Hashimoto’s disease and hair loss here. If you’re experiencing unexpected changes in your hair, it’s always a good idea to check your hormone health with your doctor.
Nutritional Influences
Your hair needs a steady supply of essential nutrients to grow strong and healthy. When that supply is diminished or cut off altogether due to nutritional deficiency, your follicles can become weak or stuck in the telogen phase. To provide your scalp with biotin, iron, and other vital nutrients, eat a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins that maintain healthy hair growth. Be aware that deficiencies in specific nutrients, such as vitamin D, zinc, or biotin, can significantly impact your hair health.
Scalp Health
Dandruff, excess oil, or inflammation can disrupt blood flow to hair follicles, preventing hair growth. Treat your scalp as you do your face, regularly cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating to improve circulation and allow your scalp hair to flourish. Regular scalp massage can also help stimulate blood flow and promote healthier hair growth.
Supporting your hair growth cycle can mean balancing several factors, such as hormones, nutrition, and scalp care. Addressing these factors will create the ideal environment for your hair to thrive at every stage of the hair follicle cycle.
Impact of Disruption on the Hair Growth Cycles
The hair growth cycle is delicate and susceptible to even minor disruptions. These disruptions lead to noticeable changes, but the good news is that changing your hair care routine will also significantly improve your hair. Here’s a closer look at what disruptions to look for and why:
Causes of Hair Loss
A lot can go wrong, both internally and externally, to disrupt the hair growth cycle. There are several causes of hair loss and types of alopecia. The hormonal influences discussed above can shrink hair follicles, a process known as hair miniaturization, especially when dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels are elevated. Nutritional deficiencies, stress, and some medications can also throw the cycle off track, leading to extended telogen phases or premature shedding during the exogen phase. Dandruff or psoriasis can also cause inflammation, which disrupts the natural cycle by restricting blood supply to your follicles.
Common Hair Loss Conditions
Disruptions often manifest as conditions like androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss), which is driven by a genetic sensitivity to DHT. Telogen effluvium, on the other hand, occurs when a significant number of hairs enter the resting phase due to stress, illness, or other triggers, leading to excessive shedding. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, can cause patchy hair loss when the immune system mistakenly attacks individual hair follicles.
Each of these conditions disrupts the balance of the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. Luckily, many of them are manageable and can be treated with the proper care.
Maintaining Hair Health Through the Growth Cycle
Hair care isn’t just about what you do during the “growth” phase of the hair growth cycle. It’s about consistent daily practices that support every stage. By focusing on healthy habits and proactive measures, you can help your hair thrive and maintain optimal hair density.
Effective Hair Care Practices
Start with making small changes, and you’ll already see a big difference. Here are some of the best practices to get you started:
- Wash your hair regularly to keep oil buildup in check, helping to keep follicles clear and healthy.
- Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos that won’t strip your hair of natural oils.
- Incorporate scalp massage to stimulate blood supply and encourage growth.
- Avoid harsh styling practices like frequent heat use or tight hairstyles, which can weaken your hair shaft and lead to breakage.
- Keep your hair and body hydrated. Drink water and use moisturizing products to support healthy hair growth by preventing dryness and brittleness.
Proactive Steps for Hair Regrowth
If you’re experiencing hair loss or premature hair loss, early intervention is your friend. You can start with supplements like biotin, zinc, and other vitamins to fill gaps in your diet and strengthen your hair. Consider treatments such as minoxidil or finasteride, which are FDA-approved for hair loss. For more advanced cases, hair restoration techniques such as hair transplantation might be options to explore.
At HairClub, we offer tailored solutions for every stage of hair loss. Whether you’re looking to prevent hair loss or kickstart your anagen phase, our personalized hair regrowth and replacement plans are here to help.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with a certified hair loss expert and take the first step toward healthier hair today.
FAQs
How to know if inflammation is causing hair loss?
Inflammation of the scalp can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to hair loss. A hair loss expert can perform a detailed scalp analysis to identify inflammation.
Why do I have so much new hair growth on my head?
This is often a positive sign that your hair is entering the anagen phase after a period of rest in the telogen phase. You might see extra hair growth after recovering from stress, illness, or other disruptions that may have affected your hair cycle.
Does hair grow back after falling out from the roots?
Hair often does grow back after falling out from the roots if the follicle remains healthy. However, if the loss is due to permanent conditions like scarring, alopecia, or severe damage to the follicle, regrowth may be limited. Consult with a specialist to determine the extent of the damage and explore solutions together.
Schedule a free consultation with a HairClub certified hair loss specialist and take the first step toward healthier hair today.
