Phases of Hair Growth Cycle

People are always very curious and concerned about their health especially about their skincare and hair care mostly about hair fall problems. They always follow skincare and hair growth tips to gain healthy skin and hair. The growth of hair and hair loss seems to be a very simple process all over but the growth cycle of hair consists of four different phases. The four stages of the hair growth cycle have been deeply studied in detail. The three phases of hair growth are:

Anagen
Catagen
Telogen
Exogen

The three phases that are the anagen, catagen and telogen describe hair growth and hair follicles. Exogen is the last stage that helps in the shedding of old hair to welcome the growth of new hair. Some people use hair growth oil to prevent hair loss and take vitamins for hair growth, some hair growth supplements are available in the market that helps in hair growth. But for this, they also need to know the phases of the growth cycle of hair. The cycle of hair growth depends upon the age, diet and health of an individual. Let's describe below the cycle of hair growth:

Anagen Phase

Anagen is the first and the growing phase of the hair growth cycle and it is the most active phase of the cycle of hair growth. The anagen phase is the longest phase among the other three phases that lasts about three to five years on your head for the hair. For some people, hair growth may require time.

The anagen phase varies for different types of hair of different body parts. The growth of hair on the eyebrow requires lesser time than growth on the scalp. About 90 to 92 % of the hair on your head are in the anagen phase. The hair on our head is generally the in anagen phase as the hair in anagen falls out with their hair follicles pushing out the hair. In this phase the new hair growth takes place and the old hir get shredded away. Our hair grew 1cm every one month or 28 days. When people have a short active anagen phase they have slow hair growth and if the people have a long active growth phase their hair growth is fast and they have long length hair.

Catagen Phase

Cataegn phases are the transition phase of hair growth. The catagen phase lasts for about 10days and starts after the anagen phase of hair growth ends. About 4 to 5 % of the hair is on the head-on catagen phase where the separation of hair takes place from the bottom of the hair follicle. In this phase, hair growth takes place slowly. This phase is the development or formation of clubbed hair.

Telogen Phase

The telogen phase is also known as the resting phase of hair growth. This phase generally lasts about 90 days and about 10 % of hair are in this phase. In this phase hair, neither grows nor falls out. The telogen phase occurs when hair from the catagen phase falls out and then the new hair growth starts. The telogen phase can also be called as shedding phase and thus this phase is divided into two stages that is telogen phase and the exogen phase. In this phase when the hair is removed or pulled out, some solid hard white material comes out at the root of the hair. In this phase, the hair follicle is in the resting stage.

Exogen Phase

Exogen is divided into the telogen phase and is also known as the shedding phase of hair growth. The Exogen phase is also known as the extension phase of the telogen stage. In this phase, the hair falls off by washing or brushing the hair. This exogen phase lasts for about three to five months and the new hair grows in the follicles eventually.

Maintaining hair health during these four Phases

The health of the hair depends upon how hair care routine do we follow and also it depends upon the genetic and hormonal factors that are usually can be controlled by maintaining healthy lifestyles and following a proper hair care routine. Some of the best procedures to maintain healthy hair during this hair growth phases are:

Having a good diet and good nutrition intake is a must for healthy hair growth. The hair is made of protein in large amounts that keep the hair healthy. Some foods that contain proteins are fish, lean meats, legumes, beans, etc.
Vitamins such as vitamin D, C and B12 and other nutrients like zinc, iron and folic acid are important for promoting healthy hair.
Doing some destressing exercises like yoga, meditation, etc. as some hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium, trichotillomania and alopecia areata is associated with high-stress levels.
Taking proper hair care using the right hair products like shampoos, conditioner, etc. Using a gentle hair cleanser and treating your hair gently helps in promoting hair growth.

Take Away

Hair growth depends upon many factors like genetic, hormonal and environmental. There are different phases of hair growth like anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen. Hair grows differently in different phases. A healthy lifestyle also changes the pattern of hair growth. Along with these factors, proper hair care is very important and must be included in the hair care routine.