Understanding Hair Growth Cycles

Understanding Hair Growth Cycles

• March 20, 2025
• Dr Paul Spano

Last updated on March 6, 2025

Have you ever noticed that some hairs fall out while others keep growing? That’s because hair follows a natural growth cycle that determines how long it grows, when it sheds, and how often new hair comes in. Understanding your hair growth cycle can help you take better care of your hair, prevent unnecessary shedding, and even improve hair restoration treatments. Let’s break down how hair grows, why it sheds, and what you can do to keep it as healthy and full as possible if you are experiencing hair loss.

The Three Phases of Hair Growth

Hair doesn’t grow all at once—it moves through four distinct phases. Each strand of hair on your head is in a different stage at any given time, which is why you don’t lose all your hair at once.

1. Anagen Phase – The Growth Stage

The anagen phase is when hair actively grows. This stage lasts anywhere from two to seven years, depending on genetics. During this time, hair follicles continuously produce new cells and hair length increases.

People with longer anagen phases tend to grow longer hair naturally. The average hair growth rate is about one centimetre per month or fifteen centimetres per year. Roughly 85-90% of your hair is in this phase at any given time.

Keeping your scalp healthy, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive damage from heat and chemicals can help extend the growth phase.

2. Catagen Phase – The Transition Stage

The catagen phase is a short transition period that lasts about two to three weeks. During this time, hair growth slows down, and the follicle shrinks.
Only about 5% of your hair is in this phase at any time. The follicle detaches from the blood supply, preparing to shed. This phase acts as a reset button before the next cycle begins.

Since this is a natural part of the cycle, shedding a small amount of hair is normal. But if you notice excessive shedding, it could be a sign of stress, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying conditions.

3. Telogen Phase – The Resting Stage

The telogen phase lasts about three to four months, during which hair is no longer growing but remains attached to the scalp.
Around 10-15% of your hair is in this phase at any given time. After this stage, the hair naturally falls out, making way for new growth. Increased shedding due to stress, illness, or postpartum hair loss is called telogen effluvium.

If you’re experiencing excessive shedding, treatments like growth factor therapy, exosome stem cell treatment, or hair transplants can help restore healthy hair cycles.

Shedding 50-100 hairs per day is normal. Factors like stress, hormonal changes, or poor diet can accelerate this phase. Gentle scalp massages and proper hair care can minimise unnecessary shedding.

If you’re noticing thinning areas, it may mean that new hair isn’t replacing the lost hair as quickly as it should. Seeking advice from doctors can help determine the best treatment options.

How the Hair Growth Cycle Affects Hair Loss

Hair thinning and hair loss occur when the growth phase shortens, the resting phase extends, or shedding increases. This can happen due to genetics, hormonal changes, ageing, or medical conditions.

Common hair loss conditions linked to disrupted growth cycles include:

• Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss): A shorter anagen phase and miniaturisation of follicles lead to gradual thinning.
• Telogen Effluvium: Stress, illness, or nutritional deficiencies push more hairs into the shedding phase at once.
• Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition that causes sudden hair loss by attacking hair follicles.

Understanding how your hair cycle works can help you take early action if you notice abnormal shedding or thinning.

How to Support a Healthy Hair Growth Cycle

If you want fuller, healthier hair, supporting your natural growth cycle is key. Here’s what you can do:

1. Prioritise Scalp Health

A healthy scalp is the foundation for strong hair growth. Use gentle shampoos, avoid harsh chemicals, and massage your scalp to boost circulation.

2. Eat a Hair-Friendly Diet

Protein, iron, zinc, and biotin all play a crucial role in healthy hair growth. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to excessive shedding, so a balanced diet is essential.

3. Reduce Stress

High stress levels can push hair into the shedding phase early. Managing stress through exercise, meditation, and good sleep can help keep your growth cycle on track.

4. Consider Medical Hair Treatments

If hair loss is persistent or worsening, professional hair loss treatments like growth factor therapy (Liquid Hair Therapy), exosome stem cell treatment, or a hair transplant can restore natural growth cycles. At Hair Transplants Melbourne, our Australian-trained doctors offer expert solutions tailored to your needs.

Understanding Your Hair for Better Growth

Your hair follows a natural cycle of growth, rest, and shedding, but factors like stress, nutrition, and genetics can disrupt it. By taking proactive steps to support your hair’s health, you can slow shedding, promote thicker growth, and maintain a healthy scalp.

If you’re noticing unusual thinning or persistent hair loss, consulting a hair restoration specialist is the best step forward. At Hair Transplants Melbourne, we offer free consultations and bespoke hair restoration solutions for men, women, and transgender patients. Book your free phone consultation today and take control of your hair growth.

FAQs

How long does the hair growth cycle last?

The hair growth cycle consists of four phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (resting), and exogen (shedding). The anagen phase lasts between two to seven years, while the full cycle can take several years to complete. The length of each phase varies based on genetics, age, health, and lifestyle factors.

Can stress disrupt the hair growth cycle?

Yes, high stress levels can cause telogen effluvium, a condition where more hairs enter the telogen (resting) phase prematurely, leading to increased shedding. This type of hair loss is usually temporary but can take months to reverse. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and a balanced diet can help support a healthy hair growth cycle. To accelerate healthy, thick hair growth, medical hair loss treatments like Liquid Hair Therapy are highly recommended.

What factors can shorten the hair growth cycle?

Several factors can shorten the anagen (growth) phase and accelerate hair shedding, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and medical conditions like alopecia or thyroid disorders. Excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, and harsh hair products can also weaken hair, making it more prone to breakage and shedding. If you’re worried about hair loss, the doctors at our Melbourne hair growth clinic can help you!

Does age affect the hair growth cycle?

Yes, as we age, the anagen (growth) phase shortens, and hair follicles may become smaller and less active, leading to thinner, slower-growing hair. Hormonal changes, reduced collagen production, and decreased blood circulation to the scalp can also impact hair health. Maintaining good nutrition, scalp care, and medical hair growth treatments from a leading hair restoration clinic in Melbourne can help slow down age-related hair thinning.

How can I improve my hair growth cycle?

Maintaining a healthy scalp, eating a nutrient-rich diet (rich in protein, iron, zinc, and biotin), reducing stress, and avoiding harsh hair treatments can help support the natural hair growth cycle. If you’re experiencing persistent thinning, treatments like growth factor therapy or Liquid Hair Therapy, exosome stem cell treatments, or hair transplantation may be beneficial. Book a free consultation to explore options.