Unraveling the Phases of Hair Growth and Disruption of Hair Growth Cycle

Anagen Phase In this phase, your hair grows around half an inch a month, and faster in the summer season as compared to winter. This is why this phase is called the growth phase, and it lasts for an average of 3 to 5 years, so a full-length hair has an average length of 18 to 30 inches. The anagen phase is usually longer in Asians and can last as much as 7 years with hair being able to grow to 1 meter.

Catagen Phase Your hair enters the catagen phase at the end of the anagen phase. This is generally a short transitional phase that goes up to approximately 10 days.

Telogen Phase Next, your hair goes to the telogen phase, which is called the resting phase when your hair is released and falls out. For 3 months, the follicle then remains inactive and the whole process is repeated. Each hair follicle goes through the growth cycle at different times as it is independent; otherwise, all your hair would fall out at once. That’s why you only shed a certain number of hair a day, like up to 80 to 100 hair on a healthy head of hair.

Exogen Phase At the end of the resting phase comes the shedding phase, in which the hair will steadily cut off from the follicle and fall out. This is the reason why an average person loses between 50-100 hair each day.

It’s imperative to note that the last three phases (transitional, resting and shedding) combined take place over a period of around 3-4 months. This is the reason it takes at least 3 to 4 months before you start to see results from any topical, laser, supplemental or surgical treatments for hair loss.