During the ANAGEN stage, the hair is actively growing. The hair bulb produces pigment and is connected to a blood supply from which it receives its necessary nourishment. This phase lasts from 2-7 years.
The CATAGEN stage lasts about 2-4 weeks. During this phase the hair follicle detaches from its blood supply and shrinks to 1/6 its size. The hair bulb also stops producing pigment.
TELOGEN is the final stage, also known a the resting phase. The hair follicle becomes thin and weak, allowing the hair to be easily pulled out. You may shed 50-100 hairs a day. When the hair falls out, a new one replaces it and the cycle starts back over with the ANAGEN phase again.
When it comes to retaining hair growth, most of us are concerned about the anagen phase. The anagen phase differs among everyone and its duration determines how long your hair will grow. Hair grows about 1/4"-1/2" per month.
So for example, if your hair grows 1/2" a month (6 inches a year) and your anagen phase lasts 4 years, your hair will reach its terminal length at 24 inches before the strand falls out (sheds) and the hair follicle starts over. The longest your hair strands will grow is 24 inches. This is presuming that the hair isn't cut or doesn't break off during that time.
It's said that the length of your hair cycle is genetically determined and that may be true. But if you can take in the appropriate nutrients to encourage the hair to grow at its maximum rate per month, then theoretically your hair could grow longer before the anagen phase ends. People take vitamins like biotin and silica to nourish the hair and MSM is said to actually extend the anagen phase so that the hair grows for a longer period of time. Topical solutions like minoxidil and sulfur are also said to grow hair faster but the effectiveness of all of the above are up for debate.
No comments:
Post a Comment