This archive report was first published on 29 September 2019.
Have you ever wondered why your hair isn't growing as fast as you'd like? As someone who's spent a lot of time under protective styles, I decided to dig deeper into the science behind hair growth.
It turns out that hair growth is a fascinating process that's representative of life itself. Just like how people tell you to 'do you,' every single hair on your head lives, thrives, and grows independently, with its own unique cycle.
Contrary to the common belief that hair has only three stages of growth, research shows that there are actually four: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. The anagen phase is the growing phase, which can last anywhere from four to seven years, with 88% of our hair in this phase at any given time.
During the catagen phase, hair takes a break from growing, preparing for the next phase. This phase is relatively short, lasting around four weeks to four months, and only 1% of our hair gets to experience it.
The telogen phase is the shedding phase, where 11% of our hair sheds at its own time. If you pull your hair out of its follicles, it can take up to four to five months for it to grow back.
After shedding, hair enters the exogen phase, where it lies dormant for around five to six months before starting to grow again. This phase is optional, and not all hair goes through it.
So, why do we never lose all our hair at the same time, or grow it all at once? It's because every hair on our head has its own individual process, influenced by hormones, genetics, and individual hair cycles.
For example, during pregnancy, hormones block the telogen phase, causing hair to stay thick and voluminous. However, once the baby is born, the hormonal tap is released, and the post-partum shedding phase begins, causing hair to come off in handfuls.
Another factor that affects hair growth is reaching terminal length, which is the maximum length your hair will ever grow. This is determined by genes, and the women in your family can help you understand your hair's potential.
So, how can you get past your imagined terminal length? It's all about providing your hair with the right nutrients, care, and love, and allowing it to do its own thing.
