Understanding the Phases of Hairloss

At this stage of life, there are approximately 5 million hair follicles. There are at least one million heads, with hundreds of thousands of them located on the scalp. Most people will notice a decrease in scalp density as their hair grows to adulthood. Our scalp expands as we grow. No new hair follicles have been formed in our own lives. Because we rarely create new follicles while on Earth, we are born with the most hair on our bodies.

There are many types of hair loss. It is often categorized according to when it takes place during the hair growth cycles.

Hair Follicles

A hair follicle is a tunnel-shaped structure in the skin’s epidermis (outer layer). Hair begins to grow at the base of a hair follicle. The hair root is composed of protein cells and is nourished by blood from nearby blood vessels.

Hair grows out of the skin and reaches the surface as more cells are formed. Oil is produced by sebaceous glands near hair follicles, which nourish the hair and skin.

Hair Growth Cycle

Human hair grows in a continuous cyclic pattern of growth and rest known as the “hair growth cycle.” Each hair follicle is independent and goes through the growth cycle at different times. Otherwise, all your hair would fall out at once.

Hair grows for short periods of time and becomes smaller, finer, and lighter as it approaches the Bell’s stage.

There are Trichotillomania and traction alopecia are two types of hair loss that are not caused by the hair growth cycle. Trichotillomania is a compulsive behavior in which a person pulls hair from his or her scalp, eyelashes, or brows. There is usually a buildup of tension before pulling the hair, followed by a sense of relief. Traction alopecia is characterized by hair loss around the hairline.

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness in men, is a condition that affects the growth cycle of hair follicles on the scalp. The hair cycle slows and weakens, eventually coming to a halt. As a result, the follicles stop producing new hairs and need to undergo SMP procedure.

Androgenetic alopecia affects 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States, according to the National Library of Medicine.

There are four existing phases of the hair growth cycle: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, and Exogen.

Anagen Phase (Growth Phase | Active Phase)

Periods of between two and eight years are followed by a brief period, two to four weeks, in which the follicle is almost totally degraded.

Alopecia isata is an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the body’s antibodies attack healthy tissue, including hair follicles. This causes hair to fall out, which aids in the prevention of new hair growth. Hair usually grows back completely after chemotherapy. Dermatologists can provide specialized hair growth treatments. This condition affects both adults and children, and hair loss can become sudden and severe.

Catagen Phase (Degradation Phase | Transitional Stage)

The catagen phase begins when the anagen phase ends and lasts about 10 days. Hair follicles shrink and hair growth slows during this chapter. The hair separates from the bottom of the hair follicle as well, but remains in place during its final days of growth.

Telogen Phase (Resting Phase)

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs when a large number of follicles enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. This results in hair falling all over the scalp and no new hair growth. This type of loss is caused by an illness or an event caused by a thyroid imbalance, childbirth, a procedure, or an illness. When the trigger is short-term, your hair appears to regrow for up to 6 months. The telogen phase can also be caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, as well as the use of medications such as isotretinoin for acne or warfarin. The resting phase lasts for two to four months.

Exogen Phase

Shedding of the hair occurs only the next growth cycle begins and a new hair shaft begins to merge.

This part of the resting phase sheds old hair and new hair continues to grow. Approximately 50 to 150 hairs can fall out daily, this is considered to be normal hair shedding

How to Maintain Hair Health During All Four Stages

Diet & Nutrition

A fiber-rich diet that is balanced A well-balanced vitamin and mineral diet is essential for the proper structure of the hair cycle. You can also add a layer of control by incorporating nutritional supplements into your daily routine.

Minimize Stress

Stress has an impact on the amount of time your hair spends in its “resting stages.” The more effective it is at reducing stressed hair, the better the hair will become.

The ability to relax or calm down through meditation may help to reduce stress. It can be very beneficial to control and reduce stress, which can have a positive impact on your hair’s health.

Proper Hair Care

Gentle treatment of your hair will also promote healthy growth. A healthy lifestyle that includes stress management, a nutritious diet, and gentle hair care would promote long-term growth. Consult your doctor if you believe you are losing hair at an alarming rate. An underlying condition that disrupts the growth stages may be to blame and treating it as soon as possible may help slow down hair loss and protect your remaining healthy hair.

Growth of scale hair is not androgen-dependent but androgens are necessary for the development of male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. This is one of the important control factors of human hair growth.

Hair loss is sometimes caused by mental stress, physical stress, or even high fever.

Key Takeaways

You may not realize that the hair on your head, arms, face, and everywhere else on your body is constantly passing through one of four phases in a complex cycle.

At the same time, different follicles go through different stages of the cycle. Some follicles are in the growth phase, while others may be resting. Some of your hairs may be growing and others may be falling out.