Stages of Hair Growth

If you are suffering from hair loss it may actually give you a better understanding of “why” if you know how hair grows. Hair growth stems from a follicle, which is a sac like structure designed to generate hair and regulate the hair growth cycle. The follicle sits beneath the skin and is nourished by blood vessels. There are four stages a hair goes through from growth to when it falls out.

1. Anagen Stage

The growth phase of the cycle is called the anagen stage. This stage typically lasts from two all the way up to about seven years. The hairs length will be determined during this growth period. On a regular basis almost all of the hair on your head is in the anagen phase and those who have trouble growing hair probably have shorter anagen stages.

2. Catagen Stage

Following the anagen stage is the catagen phase or the transition phase. When the anagen phase is complete and the catagen phase begins the follicles decrease in size and fall from the dermal papilla. This phase lasts for ten days.

3. Resting Stage

Older hair will be in the resting phase for approximately three months. At any point in time only about 10% of hairs are in the resting stage. New hair growth will begin to overlap the older hair during this phase.

4. Exogen Stage

The exogen stage begins during the end of the resting stage. The old hair falls out or exits while new hair grows. The average person loses 50-100 hairs each day. This amount of hair loss during the exogen stage is completely normal.

Maintaining a healthy diet and being gentle on your hair are great ways to keep these four cycles successfully in motion for years to come. Unfortunately, millions of people suffer from hair loss conditions that are beyond their control. If you have any questions or need hair replacement information please contact us. If you would like to stop in to talk to us, we will be happy to meet with you and answer all your hair loss and hair replacement questions. Please call ahead so we can give you 100% of our attention. All consultations are conducted in a private, respectful atmosphere.

Photo Credit: Andrew Magill via Flickr Creative Commons