Stages Of Hair Cycle Growth

Stages of hair growth

There are three stages in the natural hair growth cycle. These consist of a growth phase called anagen, the transitional phase called catagen and the resting phase called telogen. Together they form what can be referred to as the natural growth cycle.

Anagen Stage

This is the longest stage of hair growth cycle. Anagen hair growth takes between 2 and 6 years of the natural hair growth cycle. During this phase the hair undergoes length increase that could average anything between a few inches to one yard. Most of the hairs on the head at any given time are within this phase of the hair growth cycle. Anagen hair growth comes to an end with the inception of the hair transition phase called catagen.

Catagen Stage

The second part of the hair growth cycle is the catagen phase. The catagen hair cycle is characterized by breakage of the hair papilla as well as shrinkage of the hair follicle. Because it is the second of the three stages of hair growth, the catagen hair cycle is usually referred to as the transitional phase. Unlike the anagen growth cycle, it lasts for just one to two weeks making it the shortest stage of hair growth cycle. Being the shortest stage of hair growth cycle however does not make it any less important because it heralds the resting phase of the natural hair loss cycle.

Telogen Stage

The three stages of hair growth are completed by the telogen phase. It is characterized by hair rest but it is sometimes referred to as the telogen hair loss phase. The telogen phase accounts for about 15% of the average hair cycle at any given time. It is during this phase that new hair begins to form again completing the natural hair growth cycle.

It is pertinent to note that each hair might be in a different phase at any given point in time. This means adjacent hair strands might be in different stages of hair growth.

Hair loss

Hair loss is a natural phenomenon. However, when it exceeds the normal rate expected, it is regarded as abnormal hair loss or alopecia. Though often starting on the scalp, alopecia refers to hair loss from all parts of the human body.

Affecting up to 4 out of 10 people, both sexes suffer from alopecia though it is seems  to affect many more females than males. This should not be confused with male hair loss. Male hair loss refers to male pattern hair loss due to male sex hormones and is called androgenic alopecia.

The chemical responsible for androgenic alopecia is known as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 5 alpha DHT is the chemical metabolite (breakdown product) of testosterone. Testosterone is the well-known male sex hormone and it plays an important role both in prostate cancer and in hair loss. Click to learn more about DHT related hair loss.

Interestingly, androgenic alopecia affects both males and females.

Treatment of Androgenic hair Loss

For this reason, medications for the treatment of androgenic hair loss are targeted at inhibiting the actions of DHT. Click to learn more about androgenic alopecia, DHT, and hair loss and how hair loss shampoo Zenagen can help prevent hair loss.

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