Hair Loss Process

Hair loss is a natural process, our hair too has a life cycle of its own and there are 3 stages in the hair life cycle. Each hair strand goes through this life cycle i.e. Anagen, Catagen and Telogen phase. Your hair goes through all the 3 stages and then falls out if it falls out within these 3 cycles then the hair fall is considered to be abnormal.

The Anangen phase lasts for about 1000 days and the hair grows in this stage, later in Catagen stage the hair stops growing and this phase lasts for 10 days. Finally in the Telogen stage, the hair rests and then falls out. This stage is also known as resting stage and lasts for about 100 days. Let’s understand the complex phases in hair life cycle.

Anagen - This is a growing phase of hair and comprises of 85% of hair in this stage. At any point of time only 85% of hair follicles are in growing stage. The rest 15% of hair is in resting phase. Hair grows approximately half an inch every month and the maximum length of hair cannot be more than one meter.

Catagen - Hair stops growing in this stage and there is change and breakdown in the hair. This phase lasts for about one or two weeks. This phase causes shrinkage of hair follicle since the hair bulb begins to break down. Approximately 1% of hair follicle is in this stage. Catagen stage can be considered as transition phase since the hair moves from growth stage to resting phase.

Telogen – This is the last stage in the hair cycle and is known as the resting phase. Telogen stage last for around 3 to 4 months after which the hair sheds and new hair grows. Approximately 10 to 15 % of hair is in this stage at any point of time.