Image gotten from The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Each strand of our hair has its own follicle from which it grows from our scalp. We are expected to grow 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of hair per month but due to factors like age, lifestyle and hormones, each person’s hair growth cycle is different.
Furthermore, each hair strand goes through four stages; Anagen ( growing stage), Catagen (resting stage), Telogen (the shedding stage) and Exogen ( the period of time which the hair follicle remains inactive before beginning a new Anagen). These four stages help to keep our hair strands in a continuous cycle, thereby ensuring that we always have hair on our head.
Take home points :
- Hair is unique on every individual.
- Shedding is normal (only when it is excessive should appropriate measures be taken).
- There are several factors that affect hair growth.
- Our hair growth occurs in a cycle.
I hope this brief summary of hair growth stages adds some knowledge to what you already know about hair.
Peace & Blessings,
CJN
Sourced from the Science of Black Hair by Audrey-Davis Sivasothy.