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Aug 8, 2024
9 min
Shilpee Singh
Hair grows in four distinct stages: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. Most hair that you see is in the anagen phase, which lasts about 2 to 8 years, which may shorten due to factors like stress, hormones, poor nutrition, inflammation, etc. Whereas other hair growth stages last for a shorter period of time in which hair growth slows down, stops, and, in fact, in the last stage, hair falls out. Shedding hair in the exogen phase is normal as long as you shed a very few strands; excessive shedding is alarming and needs to be taken seriously. All four hair growth stages have their own importance, and through this blog, we will understand what happens in each hair growth cycle, and what steps you can take to prevent external factors or conditions that disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Healthy hair follows this cycle that involves anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. Here are what the four hair growth stages cover:
Anagen: It’s the first stage of hair growth and is also referred to as the growing phase. Hair continues to grow until it’s cut or until the end of its lifespan. It lasts for about 3 to 5 years.
Catagen: During this phase, hair follicles shrink and hair growth slows down. It lasts for about 10 days or so.
Telogen: In this hair growth phase, hair stops growing but doesn’t fall out. It’s also called the resting phase, wherein new hair begins to form within hair follicles. It lasts around 3 months.
Exogen: it’s when hair falls away or sheds from the scalp and is nothing but an extension of the telogen phase. It lasts about 2 to 5 months.
This is a complete cycle of hair growth and is dependent on various factors: hormone levels, genetics, and lifestyle.
The first two are not in our control, but we can certainly focus on our lifestyle and shape it in a way that’s healthy for this hair growth cycle. Below, we have shared some tips on how to provide necessary support during these hair growth stages.
Our hair needs necessary nutrients, including protein, vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, and a bunch of others, for its growth and maintenance. When our body doesn’t get enough nutrients, it prioritises essential functions of the body and uses available nutrients accordingly; and our hair and skin take a back seat here! That’s why it’s essential to consume nutrient-rich foods, especially those high in protein, as our hair’s structure is primarily made up of a type of protein, called keratin.
Scalp massage offers a bunch of benefits, from promoting relaxation to boosting hair’s health. Regular scalp massages not only help you relax but also improve blood flow on the scalp, giving the hair follicles a boost. Make sure you practise regular scalp massage, and use a good quality hair oil which nourishes your scalp. Parachute Advansed Castor and Shea-enriched Coconut Hair Oil is a good option to help reduce hair fall and promote healthy hair growth, thanks to ingredients like castor, shea, and coconut oil.
High stress levels put hair into a resting phase, which makes it fall out disproportionately. Stress-induced hair fall can be seen over a period of two or three months. To manage stress effectively, indulge in regular physical exercises, meditation, and personal interests that help you relax.
Enough sleep is essential for your hair’s health. While sleeping, our body goes into repair and rejuvenation mode, and it does the fixing job, including the cells in the hair follicles. Amidst this, various hormones get released. One of them is melatonin. Scientific literature has shown impact of this hormone on hair growth cycle.
Healthy habits and choices keep hair’s health in check and support its growth. Our hair can also be nurtured with great hair care products, including hair oils that deeply nourish hair shafts and maintain healthy hair. Parachute Advansed features a wide range of hair oils, which offer several benefits, from nourishing your scalp to locking in moisture in your strands. So pick your hair oil as per your needs and keep your lovely strands in their best shape!
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