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The growth phases of hair describe the cycle that each individual hair goes through from growth to loss. This cycle is important for understanding hair health, hair loss and hair rejuvenation. The life cycle of a hair includes several phases, ranging from active growth to natural shedding, with each phase playing a specific role in the overall process of hair renewal.
Beginning with the anagen phase, the period of intensive growth that can last several years, around 85-90% of a person’s hair is in this stage. The length of this phase determines how long a hair can become before it moves on to the next phase.
Growth is followed by the catagen phase, a transitional period of two to three weeks during which hair growth stops and the hair follicle recedes. This short phase only affects 1-2% of the hair.
Finally, the hair enters the telogen phase, a resting period of two to four months during which the hair remains in the follicle but does not continue to grow. In this final phase of the cycle, which affects around 10-15% of hair at any one time, the hair is preparing to fall out naturally, often triggered by everyday activities such as combing or washing.
The cycle then begins again when the follicle re-enters the anagen phase and forms a new hair. This cyclical process enables continuous hair renewal without any noticeable change in overall hair density.
Related terms: Anagen phase / exogenous phase / catagen phase / telegon phase
