What Are the Four Cycles of Hair Growth?

You want to know how hair grows? Do you wonder about the science behind your lush locks or unmanageable tresses? By familiarizing with the four stages of hair growth, you can create appropriate conditions for strong and healthy hair.

Whether you’re suffering from hair loss, thinning or are simply looking for methods to improve the quality of your hair, this article covers everything you need to know! Now, settle in and get ready to jump into the wild world of hair growth.

Anagen

Anagen is the first stage of hair growth – also referred to as the active growth phase. At this stage, your hair follicles are actively creating new cells of hair that push out hairs from the follicle. This cycle can continue for two to seven years, and it controls the length of your hair.

Due to genetics and hormonal differences, some individuals will have longer anagen phases than others. For instance, people with naturally long hair generally have a long anagen phase.

During this time, good nutrition is essential for healthy hair and to keep it strong. Eating foods that are high in protein and vitamins (such as Biotin and Zinc) helps stimulate cell growth that result in lush tresses.

However, some health problems or medications can interfere with this cycle and cause more hair than normal to fall out if not seen by a doctor!

Anagen is crucial too because it creates a base for thicker, healthier strands later on in other stages of growth such as Catagen!

Catagen

The catagen stage is the second of hair growth, when hair is in transition and lasts for about two weeks. Meanwhile, the hair follicle shrinks to a fraction of its size and the dermal papilla becomes detached from the base of the follicle. This slows down the rate of blood flow, in turn reducing cell division and ceasing hair production.

Think of the catagen phase as the ‘retirement’ stage for your hair. The follicle actually undergoes a process called apoptosis—which is just a fancy way of saying the cells stop producing. The hair then becomes a ‘club hair,’ meaning it’s no longer attached to the blood supply. It stays in place for a bit, but its growing days are officially over to make way for a fresh start.

This sounds like it would be a poor stage of health for your hair but that is not true, because during this process you are getting rid of some strands I mean flushing them out; which may appear to many as if it would damage their hair. It enables new healthy cells to grow in and replace them.

It’s important to remember that not all hairs enter this phase at the same time. At any single time on our scalp, 3%–4% are in catagen whereas others may still be in Anagen and or Telogen stages.

So knowing what happens in each stage can help us keep our locks in better shape by, say, managing stress and eating a balanced diet that is filled with vitamins A-E!

Telogen

Telogen is the phase of hair growth when it rests, and it typically lasts three months. While a new hair continues to grow underneath it, the hair follicle is dormant during this time. But the old hair eventually falls out, clearing the way for new growth.

Up to 10 percent of the hairs on our scalp are in telogen at any one time, but there are factors that can push this phase beyond its normal length. That can include hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause, stress, illness or the side effects of medication.

Telogen effluvium is the occurrence when large amount of follicles enter the telogen prematurely resulting in an abnormal shedding. It can be caused by physical trauma (think childbirth, surgery), as well as emotional stress (like grief or anxiety) and nutrient deficiencies.

Telogen effluvium is self limiting in the majority of cases. Some measures such as good nutrition, lowering stress levels and gentle shampooing might help clear the symptoms more quickly by encouraging healthy hair growth.

Exogen

Exogen is the last phase of the hair cycle and it’s when old or damaged hair sheds. During this time period, the follicle forces out the old strand so that a new one can grow in its place.

This is perfectly natural and nothing to worry about. In reality, we can expect to lose around 50-100 hairs each day in this phase.

While it may seem bad, you want some of your hair to be in the exogen phase because this is part of healthy hair growth. It is possible to shed those old strands and make way for strong and healthy new ones.

Yet, if you observe abnormal amounts of hair loss or thinning while going through this phase – it’s an indication that something else is going on, such as stress or vitamin deficiencies. It’s always a good idea to have a conversation with your health care provider if you’re worried about the health of your hair.

If exogen sounds intimidating, there’s no need to worry—it’s a necessary part of keeping your hair healthy and strong.

Factors that affect hair growth

There are many reasons hair can grow, genetics, age, and general health topping the list. Genetics also heavily contributes to how long the anagen phase of your hair, or growing stage, is and some people have longer anagen phases than others.

There is also the factor of age that affects growth patterns as well, as follicle regeneration slows down as we age.

What you eat and do affects how quickly your hair grows. Good cell production (like skin and hair) needs a good supply of vitamins (like A, B, C & E) which we get from certain foods.

People who smoke or overdo it with the sparkling wine can end up with poor blood circulation to the scalp, which means hair follicles aren’t getting the steady supply of nutrients they need to grow strong. Some people also experience temporary alopecia or thinning as a result of stress-induced hormonal shifts.

Environmental pollutants and chemicals in cosmetic products can be detrimental to the scalp, resulting in unhealthy hair growth. When they wear hair in tight hairstyles, such as braids and ponytails, a lot of pressure is put on their roots which stresses follicles causing eventual breakage.

Regular maintenance like regular washing with mild shampoo and conditioning and combing well are essential for best hair care irrespective of any adverse or beneficial factor.

How to promote hair growth?

Caring for your hair can encourage healthy hair growth. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Eat healthy: Eating a balanced diet with high vitamin and mineral content, particularly iron, zinc, and biotin can enhance healthier hair growth.
• Maintain good hygiene: Keeping your scalp clean and free of buildup that can inhibit hair growth through shampooing and conditioning regularly.
• Style with care: Refrain from any harsh chemicals or heat styling that may damage hair shafts and follicles.
• Give your scalp a good massage: Massaging your scalp increases blood flow to the follicles, and improves circulation for healthier roots.
• Hydrate always: Before, during and after each swim by drinking up to ensure hydration for both skin and hair.

If you stick to these tips on a consistent basis, you will be able to feed healthy hair growth through its entire life cycle—from root to tip!