Hair Lifecycle

Human hair has a three stage life cycle: Anagen (hair is growing), Catagen (a transitional phase), and Telogen (resting phase).

Anagen Phase

In the anogen phase, hair begins its life and continues its growth for 3 to 5 years. Kerotin and proteins are produced and the hair shaft grows upward and out of the follicle to its natural length.

Catagen Phase

In the catagen phase, hair undergoes a transition where the structure of the hair changes, and hair growth stops. This phase lasts only a few weeks.

Telogen Phase

The final stage of hair growth, ultimately the death of a hair, is the Telogen stage, where hair is dormant for a period of months before falling out to be replaced by the hair produced in the following anagen phase.

The Hair Life Cycle begins in the womb where hair growth begins a few months after conception. Hair enters its first telogen phase just after birth, effected by hormones. The wispy hair often present at birth is shed and replaced by coarser hair.