Hair Growth Cycles

Every hair follicle has growth cycles that consists of long growth period, followed with relatively short rest period.  After rest period, hair falls out and new hair follicle starts to grow.

There is genetic predisposition of every follicle and it follows its own somewhat individual pattern of growth and rest. As we grow older follicles rest period increases in length.

Anagen Phase of growth lasts from three to five years. Hair grows about 1cm per month during anagen phase.  Arm, leg, eyebrow and eyelash hair have very short growth period, thirty to forty days, explaining why they are not longer.  84% of hair follicles on the head are in this phase at any given time.

Catogen Phase represents the end of hair growth, and preparation of follicles for the rest phase.  It lasts one to three weeks. 2% of head hairs are in this phase at any given time.

Telogen Phase is the rest phase of the cycle.  At the end of it hair separates from the root and falls out. This phase lasts three to four months.  Hair falls out and new hair strands start to grow.  14% of all head hair is in this phase at any given time.