The 4 Biological Phases: Where Does Your Hair Stand?
If you’re like most people concerned about thinning hair, you probably focus on what’s falling out, not what’s happening at the root. But the key to encouraging thicker, fuller hair isn't just about what you apply – it's about understanding the biological cycle that governs every single strand.
Think of your hair as a sophisticated factory operating on a strict timetable. When this timetable gets disrupted by stress, diet, or inflammation, the factory shuts down prematurely, leading to the shedding you see in the shower or on your pillow.
As a doctor, my approach to natural hair health is rooted in understanding these rhythms. Let's break down the four essential phases of hair growth and explore the factors that might be prematurely hitting the 'stop' button on your growth cycle.
1. The Anagen Phase: The Growth Spurt
The Anagen phase is the growth phase, and it’s where all the action happens. This is when the hair follicle is actively creating the hair shaft.
What It Is: Hair cells divide rapidly, forming the hair fibre. The follicle is deeply connected to the blood supply, which provides the necessary nutrients for continuous growth.
Duration: This is the longest phase, typically lasting anywhere from 2 to 7 years. The length of this phase determines how long your hair can actually grow.
The Goal: At any given time, roughly 85% to 90% of the hairs on your head are in this active Anagen phase.
How it Gets Stuck (Cut Short): The key to long, healthy hair is prolonging the Anagen phase. It can be cut short by poor scalp health. Inflammation, nutrient deficiency, or stress-related hormones can signal the follicle to enter the next phase before its time is up.
2. The Catagen Phase: The Transition
The Catagen phase is short and sweet – a critical time of transition.
What It Is: The hair follicle begins to shrink, detaching from the blood supply and vital nourishing cells. Growth stops completely.
Duration: It lasts only about 2 to 3 weeks.
The Goal: Less than 1% of your hair is in this phase at any given time. It’s essentially the follicle preparing to take a deep rest.
3. The Telogen Phase: The Resting Period
The Telogen phase is the resting phase. While no new growth happens here, the existing hair strand remains anchored in the follicle.
What It Is: The hair is dormant, but the new growth process hasn't started yet.
Duration: This phase lasts about 2 to 4 months.
The Danger: When too many hairs are pushed into this phase at once (often due to sudden stress or trauma, a condition called Telogen Effluvium), noticeable thinning occurs months later.
4. The Exogen Phase: The Release
The Exogen phase is often grouped with Telogen, but I see it as its own crucial step: it’s the active shedding phase.
What It Is: The resting hair is finally released from the follicle, and the follicle re-enters the Anagen phase to begin growing a new strand.
The Normal Shed: It is perfectly normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day as part of this natural renewal process.
How Stress and Inflammation Interrupt the Cycle
My own journey with alopecia taught me how deeply the body's internal state affects the hair cycle. Hair loss is often a lagging indicator – what you see today is a result of an event that happened weeks or months ago.
The main culprits for prematurely pushing Anagen hairs into Telogen are:
• Systemic Stress: Emotional trauma, intense illness, or prolonged psychological stress floods the body with cortisol, a hormone that can signal hair follicles to stop growing and enter the resting phase.
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Hair growth requires a high amount of energy. Low levels of Iron (Ferritin), Vitamin D, Zinc, or B12 starve the follicle of the building blocks and energy needed to sustain the Anagen phase.
• Inflammation: Silent inflammation on the scalp (from conditions like dermatitis or simply oxidative stress) compromises the follicle's ability to receive nutrients and thrive, effectively cutting the growth phase short.
Actionable Focus: The Simple Way to Prolong Anagen
As a medical professional, my solution wasn't finding a quick chemical fix; it was about creating the optimal environment for the follicle to do its job for as long as possible. We need to focus on feeding the follicle and soothing inflammation.
Here is my core advice for prolonging the Anagen phase naturally:
1. Nourish the Follicle Externally
The right ingredients, applied consistently, can soothe the scalp and provide concentrated nutrition exactly where it’s needed.
Boost Circulation: Ingredients like Rosemary Oil and Peppermint Oil have been shown to stimulate blood flow, ensuring oxygen and nutrients reach the hair bulb—the engine of growth.
Reduce Inflammation: Powerful natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, such as those found in Black Seed Oil calm the follicle, allowing it to focus on growth, not defense.
This is precisely why I developed the 24-ingredient formula in Locks & Mane Hair Oil – to deliver a concentrated dose of soothing, growth-promoting compounds directly to the root, encouraging the hair factory to stay open longer.
2. Manage Stress Internally
The stress-hair link is one of the most significant disruptors. Even a simple, 5-minute ritual can help.
The Ritual: Regular scalp massage with Locks & Mane is a powerful tool. It stimulates the scalp, yes, but the act of taking 5 minutes to gently care for yourself actively lowers cortisol levels, signaling to your body (and your follicles) that it’s safe to keep growing.
By understanding these four phases (Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, Exogen) and focusing on consistency and nourishment, you move from passively watching your hair shed to actively supporting its long-term health. Be patient with your journey; true, lasting hair health is always a long game.
The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.