The production of hair is not continuous but cyclic. The growth phase (Anagen) is succeeded through a transitional phase of regression (Catagen), by the rest phase (Telogen), and the cycle is preserved. During the relatively long Anagen phase (which lasts for 1,000 days, i.e. 2- 5 years), the matrix cells divide, become keratinized and hair is produced. The Catagen phase lasts for about 2-3 weeks and is practically unimportant. During the Telogen phase, which lasts for several months, the cell division stops, hair growth ceases, and the attachment of the hair to the base of the follicle becomes progressively weaker. Finally, as a result of ordinary traction, whether that be from combing, washing, its own weight, or a push by a new, growing hair, the old hair is eventually shed and discarded.
In most mammals, the cycles of follicular activity in each region of the body are synchronized, and waves of growth radiate from one or more centres. In humans, follicular activity has a mosaic pattern (dyssynchronous), with neighbouring follicles being at different stages of the hair growth cycle. At any given moment in time, roughly 90% of the terminal hair is in a growing phase and the other 10% is resting.
On average, 100 hairs are physiologically shed on a daily basis throughout the human scalp, at random. Certain common events can alter this shedding. For example, during pregnancy more follicles are maintained in the growing phase and there is less shedding than usual. After delivery, about 30% of the follicles simultaneously go into the resting phase, causing a temporary, self-correcting, profuse shedding generally about 3 months postpartum. A prolonged febrile episode induces an increase in telogen, with a period of shedding noticeably about 3-12 weeks later.
Finally, the hair cycle is also subject to chronological influences. During the autumn months, daily hair shedding may double, while there is diminished shedding in the spring. Both the duration of hair growth and the daily growth rate are greater in summer than in winter. The study of the hair cycle attitude is attainable today with the microscope.
This laboratory test, the Trichogramma, gives significant information on the diagnosis of hair loss. Consequently, we can summarize that the hair cycle consists of three phases, which have the following characteristics:
The Anagen Phase – Growth Phase
- Approximately 85-90% of all hair is in the growing phase at any one time
- It can vary from two to six years
- Hair grows approximately 10-15cm per year
- In general, the length of any human being’s hair is unlikely to grow more than one meter.
The Catagen Phase – Transitional phase
- At the end of the Anagen phase
- It lasts about one or two weeks
- The hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of the normal length
- The lower part is destroyed and the dermal papilla breaks away to rest below
The Telogen Phase – Resting phase
- It follows the Catagen phase and normally lasts about 5-6 weeks
- At any given instance in time, approximately 10-15% of all hair follicles are in this phase
- The hair does not grow but stays attached to the follicle
- The dermal papilla stays in a resting phase below
