Hair Growth Cycle: A Little Bit of Science from Eva Proudman

Our Hair is a feature that is part of our identity; it is an expression of who we are! The hair is a ball gown that we never take off! So how should we look after it to keep it healthy? Know more about your hair cell and hair growth cycle

The Hair Cell:

A little known fact is that the hair cell is the second fastest dividing cell in our bodies, it divides every 23 to 72 hours, it requires 25% of our daily protein intake and all 8 essential amino acids that we can only obtain from our diets.

The Hair Growth Cycle:

There are 5 Hair Growth Cycle phases:

Anagen: This is the growing phase of the hair, where the hair is anchored at the root and cell mitosis takes place, roughly 85% of your hair is in this phase at any one time and it lasts for between 2 – 7 years.

Catagen: This is a resting phase that lasts for just 10 days, the cell mitosis stops and the hair just rests.

Telogen: This is the shedding phase that can last for between 2 – 4 months where the hair moves up the hair shaft to be naturally shed.

Exogen: This is where the hair is naturally shed with a new hair appearing behind it to enter the Anagen phase of growing.

Kenogen: This is a phase that affects those people who have Androgenetic Hair Loss, Male or Female Pattern, the new hair stays in the follicle and minaturises, before it begins to grow again, this happens through each successive growth cycle and is how the hair in Androgenetic Loss disappears.

The hair is very sensitive to dietary changes, illness, operations, stress and emotional issues. The growth cycle can become disrupted and hair can start to shed prematurely, re-grow and shed again. This is a condition caused Telogen Effluvium, it is very common and has a very successful treatment rate

Always seek advice from a Trichologist as it may be due to a lack of protein in the diet – Absolute Collagen is fantastic at helping to address this due to the high level of protein in each sachet, or it could be a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, or a combination of both.

A Trichologist will identify the underlying causative factors and will work out a tailor made treatment plan to address them and to correct this condition.

The Hair's Growth Cycle:

Keeping Hair Healthy:

Wash the hair every 2 – 3 days; it is good for the hair and scalp, especially the scalp which provides the growing base for the hair.

Turn the heat down, if the hair could speak it would howl when we use excessive heat to dry or straighten it, ideally heat should be between 120 and 160 degrees celsius to avoid damage, thermal protection products really can help.

Eat a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrate, vegetables, fruit and fats; the hair is a fast dividing hungry cell that must have good nutrition.

When suffering excess stress, or after an illness or operation supplement your diet with Absolute Collagen to boost protein intake and to ensure that the 8 essential amino acids are consumed. As we don’t need our hair to survive our bodies will nourish our major organs first and cut off supplies to the hair, hence using a great supplement will help to provide the nourishment our hair needs.

If you are worried about your hair or scalp seek professional advice from a Trichologist, registered with The Institute of Trichologists, they will accurately diagnose the problem and can in so many cases provide treatments or cosmetic solutions that will ensure that you hair is your crowning glory.