Growth Cycle of Hair
The hair growth cycle consists of three stages: the growth stage (known as Anagen), the end of growth stage (known as Catagen) and the resting stage (known as Telogen).
Whilst the hair is in the Anagen, active growing stage, the cells in the papilla divide to produce new hair fibres and the follicle buries itself into the dermal layer of the skin to provide nourishment for the strand. This can last anything from 1 – 4 years, and is followed by the Catagen stage.
The Catagen stage (also termed transitional stage) lasts approximately 2 weeks, during which the follicle shrinks and the papilla detaches, cutting the hair strand off from its blood supply. As the follicle shrinks it pushes the hair upwards.
During the Telogen, resting stage the follicle remains dormant, and this can last from 1 – 4 months. At some point, the follicle will begin to grow again, the hair base will break free from the root and the hair will be shed. Within a couple of weeks, the new hair will begin to emerge.
The growing, or Anagen, phase then begins the cycle again.
