Without understanding the hair growth cycle, it will be difficult to know what causes hair loss. Losing hair is not a simple process as we may think. For human hair to grow, it follows four distinct phases. In between these stages are hair follicles activities that eventually produce hair. We shall be highlighting the phases of hair loss in this article. Grab a cup of coffee and read on.
Hair loss does not happen to everyone. But to the few who can relate to this, the traces of consistent decrease in their hair growth can become a concern. There is no cause for alarm. Everyone came with their hair follicles from birth. So the expansion of the scalp does not get additional hair follicles as we grow older.
So, what phases does hair pass through before growing or receding?
Key Takeaway
There are several phases of hair loss just as there are four phases of hair growth that determine if an individual will lose hair in their lifetime. It occurs in a cyclic pattern, which sees the hair follicles grow continuously. The inability of the hair follicles to continue the cycle usually leads to falling out of the body hair. The growth cycle includes Anagen, Catagen, Telegen, and Exogen.
The Origins of Hair
Humans begin to grow hair at the embryo stage as early as week 22. Hair follicles are completely formed, with about 5 million on the body. The head alone has not less than a million hair follicles, with 10 percent of it on the scalp. Once a fetus has the hair follicle formed, there will be no addition to the already created ones.
This implies that humans do not generate new hair follicles. Whatever you have from week 22 is what you live with throughout your life. The scalp hair reduces as we grow older because of the expansion. So, noticing the scalp hair density reduction is normal when we leave puberty.
The Structure of Hair
Follicle and shaft are the two distinct hair structures we have. The shaft is what we see, while the follicles are beneath the skin. The hair follicle appears in a tunnel-shaped form in the outer layer of the skin. It is the origin of hair growth, with the root comprising protein cells.
The nearby blood vessels nourish the protein cells that aid hair growth. The formation of more cells supports the hair growth until it reaches the surface. The sebaceous glands produce oil close to the hair follicles, which aids nourishment of the hair and skin.
There are several layers in the hair structure performing distinct functions. The hair structure has an inner and outer sheath that shields the hair shaft. They offer protection, with the inner sheath accompanying the hair shaft to the surface. The outer sheath has an arrector pili muscle attached below the gland.
The expansion and contraction of the muscle cause the hair to stand or rest on the skin. The secretion of oil by the sebaceous gland is also due to the activities of the erector pili muscle. Oil production increases at puberty but reduces as we grow older.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Earlier, we mentioned that hair grows in a continuous cyclic pattern. The activities make up the hair growth cycle. The over 5 million hair follicles go through the cycle independently. Hair loss occurs if each hair follicle fails to complete the cyclic pattern. Thus, it is important to understand the phases of hair loss.
The hair growth cycle is not responsible for two types of hair loss, which are Trichotillomania and traction alopecia. Pulling of hair from any part of the body due to tension building up is Trichotillomania. Traction alopecia occurs when a person loses hair around the hairline.
Androgenetic alopecia and other types of hair loss occur when the hair growth cycle becomes weak. Once it gets to this point, there is a significant reduction or complete halt to the hair the follicles can produce.
Based on this, let’s look at the four phases of hair growth and their relationship with hair loss.
Anagen Phase
This is the first stage recognized as the growing phase. This phase will be active for as long as seven years. There will be rapid cell division in the hair root at this stage, which aids new hair formation.
The type of hair loss at this phase is Alopecia Isata. It is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the hair follicles and healthy tissue becomes susceptible to antibodies. The outcome of the attack is falling out of hair and preventing new hair from growing.
Catagen Phase
After the anagen phase ends, the catagen stage becomes active, which lasts for about two weeks. This stage is famous for the shrinking of hair follicles and slow growth. The short transition signifies the end of rapid hair growth. There will be a detachment of the hair follicle from the original cells.
The loose hairs are still in place during the growth final periods.
Telogen Phase
This resting stage is associated with telogen effluvium that makes hair fall off without replacement. The major cause of this is illness or thyroid imbalance. Depending on the trigger’s severity, your hair will grow back within five months.
Deficiency in minerals and medications can also cause hair loss during this phase. The telogen phase is active for up to four months.
Exogen Phase
This is the last phase of the hair growth cycle. It is at this level that hair strand release occurs. Humans shed hair for a new hair shaft to begin growing. Old hair will be replaced with new ones starting from the anagen phase.
A person can shed as much as 150 hairs per day at the exogen stage.
Conclusion
It might not be visible how hair leaves the body. But it happens under a complex cycle. Stress is another thing that causes hair loss, and it could damage the hair follicles permanently. Therefore, it is essential to manage your stress and be health-conscious. Understanding the phases of hair loss can help you maintain your hair growth and prevent losing it. Healthy hair care begins with using the proper treatment for your hair time.