Anagen Hair Phase ·
Catagen Hair Phase ·
Curly Hair ·
Curly Hair Growth ·
Exogen Hair Phase ·
Growing Curly Hair ·
Hair Growth ·
Hair Growth Cycle ·
Hair Loss ·
Hairloss ·
Healthy Hair Growth ·
ICM ·
IntrinsiCurly Me ·
Losing Hair ·
Normal Hair Loss ·
Post Partum Hair Loss ·
Scalp Health ·
Telogen Hair Phase ·
The 4 Stages of the Hair Growth Cycle
As curlies lack of length can be one of our biggest frustrations. We all know shrinkage is real!
While curly hair can grow up to 30% before it gains any length, coily hair can grow up to 75% before any visible change in length is seen. But remember your hair isn't growing or shedding at the same time. Each strand of hair on the human body is at its own stage of development. Once the cycle is complete, it restarts and a new strand of hair begins to form.
It can also sometimes feels like curly girls have more hair loss than our straight haired friends . However, when you are only washing every few days (or even once a week) you'll only notice the loss then. Also, we don't traditionally brush our hair which means that the hair that is shed is more than likely sitting in a curl clump and will only be noticed when you wash or detangle. Remember it's normal to lose 50-100 hairs per day.
The first three phases of the hair growth cycle — anagen, catagen, and telogen — cover the growth and maturation of hair and the activity of the hair follicles that produce individual hairs. In more recent years scientists have also come to identify the 'Exogen Phase' where hair is shed.
Each phase has its own timeline, which can be affected by age, nutrition, and overall health.
Phase 1 : Anagen or 'Growing' Phase
Genetics determine exactly how long your hair remains in this phase but it is usually anything from 3-5 years, although for some people a single hair could continue growing for 7 or more years. The anagen phase for hair like your eyebrows is much shorter than the anagen phase for the hair on your head.
At any one time 90% of the hair on your head is in the anagen phase.
Phase 2 : Catagen or 'Transition' Phase
This lasts about 10 days, during this phase hair growth slows.
About 5% of your hair is in the catagen phase at any one time.
Phase 3 : Telogen or 'Resting' Phase
This phase typically lasts about 3 months. While hair doesn't grow in this phase it also doesn't fall out either. New hairs start to form in the hair follicles that have just released hair in the catagen phase.
An estimate of 10-15% of your hairs are in the telogen phase at any given moment.
Phase 4 : Exogen or 'Shedding' Phase
This is an extension of the telogen phase where losing 50-100 hairs per day is normal.
This phase can last between 2 to 5 months.
Stressful events, a change in hormones (like falling pregnant or having a baby) and a change in medication can also affect these phases. Hair fall typically happens 3 months after any of these factors.
A 2019 study showed that sufficient intake of Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Iron (especially in women) could assist healthy hair growth while stress can severely impact the growth of new hair by shortening the growing phase and lengthening the shedding phase.
Our GrowPro Healthy Hair Tonic contains all of these, as well as Ashwaghanda which may help to reduce stress.
So eat right, stress less and be kind to your hair if growth is your game!
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