We are born with all of the follicles we will ever have. In fact, there are about 100,000 living follicles in our scalp.
Each follicle, in turn, produces a single hair that grows about six inches per year and eventually is replaced by a new one that forces the old one out.
Each hair follicle has its own blood, nerve and muscle supply
Anagen Phase - Growing Phase (6+ years) The birthing stage of hair lasts for several weeks to months. Anagen growth is the active phase of this process. During this stage, the hair follicle takes on an onion-like shape. It works continuously to produce the hair fiber.
Catagen Phase - Transition Phase (3 months) Catagen is the transition phase and the hair stops growing and becomes detached from the base of the follicle. The hair bulb begins to break down, resulting in the follicle becoming shorter.
Telogen Phase - Resting Phase (Up to 1 year) Hairs don’t grow during the telogen phase, but they don’t usually fall out either. The telogen phase is also when new hairs start to form in follicles that have just released hairs during the catagen phase.
Kenogen Phase (Up to 1 year) Kenogen indicates the physiological interval of the hair cycle in which the hair follicle remains empty after the telogen hair has been extruded and before a new anagen hair emerges.
Exogen Phase - Shedding Phase (2-5 months) The exogen phase is essentially an extension or a part of the telogen stage of hair growth.During the exogen phase, new hairs are growing in the follicles as old hairs fall away.
Return to Anagen Phase Birthing stage to repeat hair growth cycle.
