How Your Hair Grows

Natural hair seldom shows at its true length because our coils tend to shrink up. Many of us are also convinced our hair isn’t growing when that often isn’t the case. Hair growth averages about a half inch monthly and 6 inches annually and has three phases called the anagen, catagen and telogen phase. To maximize growth your hair needs to remain in the anagen growth cylce longer. This can be hereditary or is said to be possible through a good diet with healthy habits.

During the anagen phase, also called the growth phase, you can expect your hair to grow for roughly 6 inches a year for up to 6 years. Anagen is defined as “the active phase of the hair growth cycle that precedes catagen and telogen, that is marked by rapid division and differentiation of cells in the lower portion of the hair follicle and by lengthening of the hair shaft, and that typically lasts between two to six years. ” Depending on your anogen cycle, your hair will grow between 12 inches to 36 inches long.

Following the anagen phase is the catagen phase. This is the phase where the strand transitions from one to the next. It detaches itself from the blood supply and stays in place for the telogen phase. This only lasts 10 to 21 days

Lastly we have the telogen phase. At this time the fully detached strand falls out and allows the root to rest while new hair grows in beneath it. Each strand/ follicle has its own shedule and is independent of the next so that all hair doesn’t shed at the same time leaving us bald.