The Hair Growth Cycle
Hello all, and welcome to the Brother's Choice family!
It is extremely important for us that you not only have wonderful products that protect, nourish and grow your hair, but also the understanding and knowledge of how to maintain the health of your hair.
In our first blog post, we will be talking about the Growth Cycle. Understanding the different phases of the growth cycle,
There are four key stages in the hair growth cycle:
Anagen:
The Anagen phase is also known as the 'Active' phase, this is when the cells in the root of the hair are rapidly dividing and new hair is formed. During this phase the hair grows around half an inch a month, roughly 6 inches per year. It's important to remember that the hair grows faster in the summer than in the winter.
This phase of the Growth Cycle lasts an average of 3-5 years — so a full-length hair growth averaging 18 to 30 inches. The Anagen Phase is generally longer in people of Asian descent, and can last as much as 7 years — meaning your hair may be able to grow up to 3 feet long!
Catagen:
The Catagen phase of the Growth Cycle is when your hair enters a short transitional period which signals the end of the 'active' phases. In this stage, hair is cut off from the blood supply and from the cells that create new hair.
This phase lasts for around 10 days and roughly 3% of all hairs is in this phase at any time.
Telogen:
During the Telogen phase, the hair remains in the follicle but is not actively growing. Approximately 10-15% of the hair is in this stage at anyone time. This period can last approximately 3months.
Exogen:
The Exogen phase, is the final stage of the hair cycle. This stage is also referred to as the shedding stage, when the hair is released from the follicles and fall out. This could last between 2 - 5 months, then the process begins again!
Note: It's important to remember that each strand of hair goes through this process at different times, otherwise all your hair would fall out at once! We don't want that! A Normal healthy head of hair releases 80 - 100 hairs a day.
Factors to consider: YOUR DIET AND LIFESTYLE PLAYS A PART. It is important to remember that If your hair growth cycle is disrupted for example, poor diet and nutrition, you may find that your hair will not grow as long as it used to. This is because your hairs are never allowed to stay in the anagen phase long enough to reach the desired length.
Tips and tricks: Reduce alcohol in take, reduce smoking. Eat a balanced diet, take vitamins and drink a lot of water.
Having healthier and fuller depends on genetics and hormone levels, which are largely beyond your control, as well as manageable factors related to a healthy lifestyle and proper hair care. Some of the best strategies for all four stages include:
Good nutrition
Because hair is largely made of protein, you should keep up your protein intake by focusing on healthy proteins. Which includes:
- lean meats
- fish
- beans
- legumes
- low-fat dairy products
A 2019 study in the journal
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Iron (especially in women)
Zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B12 is also associated with promoting healthy hair growth.
Reduced stress
Learning to de-stress with the help of yoga, meditation, and avoiding some of the daily stress factors in your life may help reduce your stress, which can have many positive health benefits.
Proper hair care
Healthy hair care starts with choosing the right shampoo. Look for products designed for your type of hair, whether it’s oily, dry, fine, color-treated, etc.
The right conditioner and oils can also make a difference. Pay attention to how your hair responds to various shampoos and conditioners.
Handle your hair with care. BE GENTLE it's important in promoting healthy hair growth. Avoid very hot water when you are shampooing your hair and towel-dry your hair gently when you’re done. Please remember, hair is in a vulnerable state when wet and it's easier to damage. Turning down the heat when drying your hair may also make a difference.
