Hair Growth Cycle
The alternating periods of hair follicle growth and regression patternize into a cycle of 4 stages: Anagen (growth), Catagen ( transition), Telogen (regression), Exogen ( shedding/ early anagen)
Anagen Phase- Hair follicle produces hair fiber.
Anagen phase divides into proanagen and the metanagen with the entire phase lasting years. During the proanagen phase progenitor cells begin differentiation. The metanagen phase is marked by new hair appearing on the surface of the skin with 80-85% of all hair in this stage for 2-8 years.
Note: The duration of the phase is key to how long hair can grow as well as the fullness of new growth on the scalp. Our formulations are developed to extend the anagen phase
Catagen Phase- Hair follicle is latent pending transition
Catagen phase begins at the end of the anagen phase marking the hair follicles transition into regression. The catagen phases lasts a few weeks during this time club hair form, hair that is detached but still below the surface. If too many club hairs form simultaneously and shed thereafter the appearance of thinning occurs.
Note: Not all hair that enters the catagen phase for club hairs or transition into the telogen phase. If the root is stimulated the growth phase can continue after a brief lapse
Activating the root is apart of a theory suggesting the growth factors produced by the root cause stem cell proliferation, amplify the cells to undergo mitosis and thereby modulate the cycle. We obsess over the root to maintain its functional integrity, stimulating it to reawaken and keep growing.
A restored hair root can generate a new hair shaft after damage from traction alopecia without a hair transplant
Telogen Phase-Hair follicle is not growing
Telogen phase is when the hair follicle is dormant or resting. At any given time 10-15% of hair is in the telogen phase and can lasts for months to a year depending on anatomical location. During this stage detached hairs resting in the follicle are gradually pushed out by new hair emerges.
Though unhealthy hair is prone to breakage at any phase, hair that is resting is particularly vulnerable to damage further up the shaft near the scalp.
Note: Hair follicles can prematurely enter the telogen phase and be forced out all at once in a process called Telogen Effluvium. Imbalanced growth factors and disruption in the cycle cause this and other forms of hair loss. If the root maintains proper functioning the cycle will be uninterrupted and follicles will only enter the telogen phase after maturation
Exogen Phase- Hair follicle is shedding.
Exogen phase causes the detached hair follicle to exit the scalp as new growing hair ejects it from the root. This is also considered the early anagen phase for the new emerging follicle since that is ideally the catalyst for shedding. When the cycle continues the new hair must root, affixing itself to the follicle so cell differentiation can occur once more.
Note: Promoting health root and follicle maintenance is key at any stage, even more so during the early anagen as the new hair is emerging. Boosting the cellular environment can accelerate growth and offset the effects of shedding