Understanding the hair growth cycle

If you are suffering from a hair loss condition or are worried about losing your hair, it can be useful to know more about the hair growth cycle itself.

There are three main stages in a normal hair growth cycle:

Anagen phase

This is the growth phase, which can last up to eight years. During this time, the hair grows approximately 0.5 inches per month or 6 inches per year. The longer the follicles remain in the anagen phase, the longer and faster the hair will grow.

Catagen phase

This is known as the transitional phase, in which the hair follicles renew themselves before the next phase begins. It generally lasts around two weeks.

Telogen phase

The telogen phase is also known as the resting phase, as it involves the follicles remaining dormant for an extended period of time. This phase generally lasts between one and four months, and 10 -15 per cent of a person’s hairs are in this phase at any one time. Telogen also causes normal hair shedding; it is only when a person develops the hair loss condition telogen effluvium that massive, diffuse shedding is experienced.