Understanding the hair growth cycle, growth, transition, rest, and shedding is the first step towards achieving vibrant, healthy hair. Whether you’re experiencing hair thinning, aiming for longer locks, or want to maintain your hair’s health, understanding the complexities of hair growth can help you make knowledgeable decisions about your hair care routine.

What is The Hair Growth Cycle?

The hair growth cycle is an ongoing process, comprising four phases:

• Anagen is the growth cycle
• Catagen is the transition cycle
• Telogen is the rest phase
• Exogen is the shedding phase

Each of these phases plays an essential role in the development, maintenance, and renewal of your hair strands. When you can recognize these phases, you can identify your normal hair behavior and recognize when something is wrong.

The Four Phases of the Hair Growth Cycle

1. Anagen Phase (Growth Phase

The Anagen phase is the crucial stage of the hair growth cycle. It’s when your hair is growing and can last from two to seven years, depending on your genetics, overall health, and your hair care routine.

During this time, the cells in the root of the hair follicle divide, and as they multiply, hair is formed and pushed up through your scalp. On average, hair in the growth phase grows about half an inch per month, adding up to six inches per year.

For some people, especially those with a longer growth cycle, hair can grow longer. The Anagen phase is responsible for producing your thick, healthy strands, contributing to a full head of hair.

Interestingly, at any given time, around 85–90% of the hairs on your scalp are in the Anagen phase.

If you’re noticing slowed growth, thinning, or stunted hair length, it could mean that your growth phase is shorter than average or that your follicles are not functioning well. Professional treatments, nutrition, and stress management can help support and extend this vital phase.

2. Catagen Phase (Transition Phase)

The Catagen phase is a brief transitional period that lasts about two to three weeks.

In this stage, your hair stops growing because the follicle begins to shrink and detach from its nourishing blood supply. Think of this as the body’s way of preparing to recycle the follicle for new growth.

Although brief, the transition phase plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced hair growth cycle.

Only about 5% of your hair is in this phase at any moment. The hair, now termed a “club hair,” is no longer growing but hasn’t yet been shed. It’s resting in place, awaiting the next phase of the cycle.

This stage is critical for the healthy renewal of hair follicles. If something disrupts this transition, such as severe stress or sudden hormonal shifts, it can prematurely end the growth cycle for multiple follicles, leading to sudden hair loss.

3. Telogen Phase (Resting Phase)

We found that the Telogen phase is often misunderstood, but it’s a natural and essential stage of the hair growth cycle. It lasts for about two to four months.

During this time, your hair does not grow, but also does not fall out immediately. Instead, the follicle remains dormant while new hair begins to form underneath the surface.

Approximately 10–15% of your hair is in the resting phase at any given time. This is when your body conserves energy for producing new hair, and the old hair simply rests in place. While this may sound concerning, it’s a good sign that the cycle is progressing as it should.

Telogen Effluvium, a condition where a large number of hairs enter this phase simultaneously due to stress, illness, or trauma, can lead to noticeable shedding. But in typical scenarios, losing 50 to 100 hairs per day is normal during this resting stage.

4. Exogen Phase (Shedding Phase)

The Exogen phase is sometimes lumped in with the Telogen phase, but it’s a separate and final part of the cycle that deserves its spotlight. This stage involves the shedding of the old “club hair” that was formed in the resting phase, making room for a new strand to grow in the follicle.

This phase can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on various factors such as seasonality, stress levels, and your overall health. During this time, you might notice more hair on your pillow, in the shower, or on your hairbrush, but again, this is entirely normal.

A healthy hair growth cycle includes natural shedding. However, if shedding becomes excessive and isn’t followed by regrowth, it may signal an imbalance in your scalp health, hormonal levels, or nutritional intake. At Haste, we specialize in identifying these issues and recommending treatments to restore a balanced cycle.

What Affects The Hair Growth Stages?

While your hair growth stages are a natural process, several internal and external factors can influence the phases of hair growth. When disrupted, you can experience more shedding, slowed growth, or thinning hair.

• Genetics: Your DNA influences the length of the hair growth phases, particularly the Anagen phase. A shorter Anagen phase can result in thinner, shorter hair, while genetics also influences texture and susceptibility to hair loss.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, such as during pregnancy or menopause, can push hair into the resting phase, resulting in noticeable hair loss.
• Stress and Emotional Health: Chronic stress can cause telogen effluvium, leading to the simultaneous shedding of many hairs, as well as disrupt the hair growth cycle through raised cortisol levels.
• Nutrition and Diet: A lack of essential nutrients like protein, iron, and biotin can weaken hair and slow its growth.
• Scalp Health: A healthy scalp is crucial for hair growth. Conditions like dandruff or poor circulation can impede the growth cycle.
• Medical Conditions and Medications: Certain health issues (e.g., autoimmune diseases) and specific medications can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to shedding.
• Age: As we age, the Anagen phase shortens, leading to slower hair growth and fewer active follicles.
• Hair Care Practices: Harsh chemicals, heat styling, and tight hairstyles can damage hair and weaken follicles, resulting in breakage and thinning.

Optimizing Your Hair Growth at Haste Urban Hair Spa

At our hair wellness spa, we offer you personalized treatments to support and enhance your natural hair growth:

• Scalp Treatments: Deep cleansing and nourishing treatments to maintain a healthy scalp environment.
• Nutritional Guidance: Advice on diet and supplements that promote hair health.
• Stress Management: Relaxation therapies to reduce stress-related hair issues.
• Customized Hair Care Plans: Tailored regimens based on individual hair and scalp assessments.

Wrap-Up: Embrace The Natural Rhythm of Your Hair

Understanding the hair growth cycle is essential for healthy hair. Each strand goes through four stages—Anagen (growth), Catagen (transition), Telogen (rest), and Exogen (shedding)—at its own pace.

Hair loss or growth may seem random, but it reflects your inner health and lifestyle.

Improving hair health requires thoughtful care rather than quick fixes. At Haste Urban Hair Spa, we recognize that every scalp is unique and offer customized solutions. Embracing science and self-care can lead to healthier, longer, and stronger hair.

Remember, healthy hair is a journey that begins with knowledge.

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