Information on hair growth cycles

Ann Ruthenburg
HELLO there folks, I hope you are having a great week. This week I will be answering a question from a lady who asked me about information on hair growth cycles. Here it is. . . It saddens me when people look at other people’s hair growth and get depressed when their own hair fails to grow as long as the other person. Even in families, you will be amazed to see that one sibling’s hair is thicker than the other; ones hair is longer than the other and so forth. This is just how nature is. So stop comparing your hair and start concentrating on appreciating your own hair and looking after what you got. But of cause to answer the lady who asked the question here we go. . .

Everyone’s hair grows at different speeds and different lengths. Its composition causes different colours and textures, which influence how long the hair strand grows. The three stages of hair growth are the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases.

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. The general rate or speed of hair growth is about 1,25 centimetres or 0,5 inches per month, or about 15 centimetres or 6 inches per year. Please bear in mind for some people this is less for others it grows more. So let me explain each growth phase.

The Anagen phase is known as the growth phase. It begins in the papilla and can last from two to six years. This growth phase lasts longer in Asian women. The span at which the hair remains in this stage of growth is determined by genetics. The longer the hair stays in the anagen phase, the longer it will grow. During this phase, the cells in the papilla divides to produce new hair fibres. About 85 percent of the hairs on one’s head are in the anagen phase at any given time. . .this is the stage when I encourage people to do as much as they can to encourage their hair growth. Feed your hair from inside with lots of fruit and vegetables that have key vitamins (Vitamin E, K, B6, D etc), drink lots of water and feed it from the outside, by getting pure vitamin D from the sun and last but not least use hair food/ moisturiser etc.

Catagen phase

The Catagen phase, also known as the transitional phase, allows the follicle to, in a sense, renew itself. During this time, which lasts about two weeks, the hair follicle shrinks due to disintegration and the papilla detaches and “rests,” cutting the hair strand off from its nourishing blood supply. Ultimately, the follicle is 1/6 its original length, causing the hair shaft to be pushed upward. While hair is not growing during this phase, the length of the terminal fibres increases when the follicle pushes them upward. In other words this is the stage in which the hair does not do anything but is stagnant. If you have curly hair it may even look shorter than it actually is, but people with straight hair usually notice there is no growth change in the hair just for a short number of days like two weeks.

Telogen phase

This stage is the resting (non growth) stage. During the telogen or resting phase the follicle remains dormant anywhere from one to four months. 10 to 15 percent of the hairs on one’s head are in this phase of growth at any given time. In this phase the epidermal cells lining the follicle channel continue to grow as normal and may accumulate around the base of the hair, temporarily anchoring it in place and preserving the hair for its natural purpose without taxing the body’s resources needed during the growth phase.

At some point, the follicle will begin to grow again, softening the anchor point of the shaft initially. The hair base will break free from the root and the hair will be shed. Within two weeks the new hair shaft will begin to emerge once the telogen phase is complete. The process results in normal hair loss known as shedding.

Unfortunately the amount of hair loss or lack of growth can make one panic about their hair. It is unfortunately hard to tell whether your hair loss is due to the telogen stage or due to some serious medical issue. I think if your hair loss comes straight after a chemical treatment like a hair relaxer or hair dye, then it is safe to say that is what caused the shedding, and you simply have to be patient. But if you have done nothing to your hair yet you are seeing patches, then you know it is a medical issue. This natural hair shedding though does not cause bald patches, the hair just sheds or breaks off in different lengths. It is usually safer to give your hair space at this time. Keep it in a safe hairstyle where you do not have to put heat pressure on it etc. Keep it moisturised too.

So in essence everyone’s hair goes through these three stages one after the other continuously throughout the years. Like I said in the beginning the length of your hair is somewhat affected by your genes, but not limited to your genes. I have seen people look after and feed their hair to the point where their hair length grows three to four times longer than any member in the family. So it is possible to grow ones hair longer than your genes say it should, but it takes a lot of time and care. Also remember that hair that has Asian, Arab or Western roots will definitely grow longer and quicker than kinky hair, it is just the way nature has it. But again not to say that kinky hair does not grow long – it can. Just look at the women in Zambia and Kenya, they are able to grow their hair to great lengths.

I hope this answers your question my dear. That is it from me this week, until next week, God bless!

Anastasia is an ex-beauty queen, photographic model, a blogger (annruthenburg.blogspot.com), a motivational speaker, and a fashionista. Message her on 0733285730 or email on [email protected].