STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH CYCLE

The growth of hair occurs in repeated cycles. Each individual hair strand has its own growth cycle independent of the surrounding hair. Each cycle comprises three distinct stages.

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  Anagen Phase

  The Active Growth Phase

  During this phase hair cells rapidly multiply to produce new hair from the follicle. On an average, over 80% of all hair is in the Anagen phase at any one time. This growth phase can vary from 2 to 6 years depending on the individual and sex. The length of this phase will determine how long the hair will grow.

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  Catagen Phase

  The transitional phase

  By the end of the Anagen phase, hair enters an intermediate phase where the hair stops growing and the base of the follicle moves upwards towards the scalp. Lasting for about 2 to 4 weeks, during this phase the hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of its normal length.

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  Telogen Phase

  The resting phase

  Lasting about 5-6 weeks this is the phase when older hair is shed and new hair begins to grow. A new hair gradually grows towards the surface and the old hair is naturally shed in the process. At any given time over 10-15% of an individual’s hair is in the shedding phase. By the end of the telogen phase, hair emerges from the same opening and a new growth cycle or the anagen phase begins all over again.