Ever wonder why your hair grows, sheds, or just seems to hit a plateau? It all comes down to the hair growth cycle—a natural process that every strand on your head goes through. This cycle consists of three main stages: the Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen phases. Let’s break down what happens during each one.
1. Anagen Phase – The Growth Phase
The Anagen phase is when your hair is actively growing. During this time, cells in the hair bulb divide rapidly, adding length to the strand as it pushes up and out of the follicle.
- This phase can last anywhere from 2 to 7 years, depending on your genetics, age, health, and even your diet.
- On average, hair grows about half an inch per month, which means it can grow 18 to 30 inches or more during this period.
- About 80–90% of the hair on your head is in this phase at any given time.
2. Catagen Phase – The Transition Phase
After the Anagen phase, your hair enters the Catagen phase, which is a short transitional stage lasting around 2–3 weeks.
- Hair growth comes to a stop.
- The strand detaches from its blood supply and becomes what’s known as a club hair.
- This is a signal that the strand is preparing to shed—but not just yet.
Only about 1–2% of your hair is in this phase at a time.
3. Telogen Phase – The Resting & Shedding Phase
The final phase is the Telogen phase, which lasts for about 3 months.
- During this time, the club hair rests in the follicle while new hair begins to form underneath.
- Eventually, the old hair sheds to make way for the new growth—usually without you even noticing.
- It’s completely normal to shed 50–100 hairs a day during this process.
Because each hair follicle operates independently, you won’t lose all your hair at once. This staggered cycle helps maintain a full, healthy head of hair.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your hair growth cycle can help you better care for your strands and manage expectations when it comes to length and shedding. Remember, most of your hair is in the growth (Anagen) phase at any given time—so trust the process, nourish your scalp, and be patient. Healthy hair is always growing, even if you can’t see it right away!
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