The 4 Stages of the Hair Cycle Explained

The 4 Stages of the Hair Cycle

Did you know that the American Academy of Dermatology says it’s normal to lose between fifty to one hundred hairs each day? Despite this fact, many people begin to immediately panic when they notice hairs coming out in the shower or while combing.

So, what’s normal, and what’s cause for concern? In order to answer this question, you’ll need to know a bit more about the hair cycle. Luckily, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the four stages of the hair cycle in-depth.

We’ll also go over some potential disruptions to the cycle and how to address them. That way, you can get back on track to the full head of hair you’re used to.

1. Growing Phase (Anagen)

Hair growth starts in the anagen phase. During this phase, the cells found in the root of your hair begin to divide rapidly. Eventually, your hair follicles will start to push out new hair growth.

It’s important to note that this isn’t a quick process. The growing phase is the longest out of any other in the hair cycle. For most people, it can last for three to five years.

However, it’s not uncommon for a single hair to continue growing for seven or more years. One study found that roughly 90% of the hairs on your head are currently in the anagen phase.

So, at what rate do they grow? It can differ for each person. But typically, it’s roughly half an inch per month, with hair growing faster in the warm Summer months.

Also, not all the hair on our body grows as fast during the anagen phase. For example, pubic hair and eyebrows will grow much slower.

2. Transition Phase (Catagen)

Next, there’s the catagen phase. This is the shortest part of the hair cycle since it only lasts around ten days. During this phase, two things happen.

First, the follicles in your hair begin to shrink, cutting hair off from its blood supply. This cause the rate of hair growth to slow down significantly.

Second, the hair shaft will separate from the bottom of the hair follicle. However, it doesn’t fall out yet. The hair will remain in place until the final phase of the hair cycle.

3. Resting Phase (Telogen)

After the transitional phase comes the telogen phase. During this period, your hair isn’t growing, but it isn’t falling out either. As such, it’s known as a resting phase. However, there is still activity happening.

Within your follicles, new hair growth will begin beneath the released hairs that haven’t fallen out yet. This phase of the hair cycle will continue for around three months before entering the exogen phase.

4. Shedding Phase (Exogen)

Just like leaves falling down in Fall, all good things have to come to an end. You can think of the exogen stage as an extension of the telogen phase. It’s the phase when the released hair finally leaves our scalp.

Sometimes it can fall out naturally. However, it’s more common for hair shedding to occur after washing the hair or brushing it.

As we mentioned at the start of the article, you will lose roughly fifty to one hundred hairs per day during the exogen phase.

This phase will last roughly two to five months before ending. In the meantime, new hair growth is occurring as the old hairs begin to shed.

What Can Disrupt the Hair Cycle?

If you’ve noticed that certain parts of your hair are thinning, there’s a good chance that something is disrupting your hair cycle. So, what causes disruptions to the hair cycle?

The most common culprits are nutrition and stress. Our hair growth relies on important minerals like iron and folic acid. So, if you’re not getting enough of these in your diet, it could disrupt the cycle.

Stress increases the number of hormones like cortisol in our blood. Cortisol is known to kill off hairs that are in the growth phase. Other causes of hair cycle disruption can include things like:

  • Treating your hair too much
  • Using hair products with harsh chemicals
  • Having a baby
  • Stopping birth control
  • Hormonal changes
  • Not enough vitamin D
  • Weight loss
  • Autoimmune

If any of these hair growth cycle disruptors ring true for you, consider looking for ways to deal with thinning hair.

Best Way to Deal With Thinning Hair

Hair problems are nothing to be ashamed of. The reality is that a huge portion of the population experiences them. Our research found that 39% of men and 61% of women report hair problems.

The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to deal with thinning hair. First, you should ensure you’re getting enough iron, folic acid, and vitamin D in your diet.

Stress relief practices like exercise, meditation and deep breathing can also be beneficial. Scalp massages can also be beneficial. You don’t need a professional one just gently use your fingers to provide pressure on your scalp after a shower.

Certain types of anti-thinning shampoos can be helpful. Look for ones that are loaded with amino acids and vitamins.

These can help encourage new hair growth. You should also consider medication like Tricovel, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Use Tricovel to Reduce Hair Shedding

We hope this article helped you learn more about the four stages of the hair cycle. If you’re experiencing thinning hair, you might be searching for medical solutions.

People who fall in this category should consider the medication Tricovel. If you’re experiencing hair loss from Telogen Effluvium, then Tricovel the amount of shedding after washing by over 75%.

On top of that, it can also increase the amount of hair growth during the anagen phase by 20%. Interested in learning more? Contact us today with any comments or questions to find out if Tricovel is right for you.