What’s the Connection Between The Hair Growth Cycle And Hair Loss? Learn About 5 Ways To Improve Growth Phase Hair Loss!

Your hairstyle can affect how attractive you look. But if your hair is so thin that the scalp is visible, can you still look your best? The hair growth cycle plays a key role in how much hair you have—understanding it is worthwhile. The good news? It’s not complicated—there are just four phases: the growth phase, regression phase, resting phase, and shedding phase. Your hair growth rate is closely tied to these cycles. Many people feel their hair grows too slowly, but there’s a reason for that. Once you understand how the cycle works, you can make lifestyle changes to help extend your hair’s “lifespan.”

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The Structure of Hair Follicles

Hair follicles—also known as pores—sit beneath the skin and are where hair grows. They consist of the hair bulb, dermal papilla, inner root sheath, and outer root sheath. Most people have 100,000–150,000 follicles, each producing one strand of hair. The more healthy follicles you have, the more hair you’ll grow.

Hair Bulb

This oval-shaped structure at the base of the follicle is the primary site of hair production. It contains the dermal papilla and various follicular cells, such as dermal papilla cells and matrix cells. Capillaries lie just below the dermal papilla.

Dermal Papilla

The dermal papilla signals matrix cells to continuously divide and create new cells—these contribute to hair formation and growth. These matrix cells push fibers outward and upward until they break through the skin surface—what you see is the hair shaft.

Matrix Cells & Capillaries

Matrix cells produce new hair cells, which eventually form the hair shaft. The capillaries deliver oxygen and nutrients needed for hair growth by connecting with dermal papilla cells.

Inner Root Sheath

This layer wraps around the emerging hair, protecting it from environmental factors. It works with the outer sheath and matrix cells to guide new hair upward through the follicle.

Outer Root Sheath

Located outside the inner sheath, it’s made of multiple cell layers connected to the dermis. It provides stability so hair stays firmly anchored—even in strong winds, the hair shaft may move, but the root stays secure. This sheath also contains bulge stem cells, which determine hair growth potential, regeneration after shedding, and even repair damaged follicles.

Melanocytes

These pigment cells add color to matrix cells during growth—this is what gives hair its color. When they decline, hair turns white or grey.

Sebaceous Glands

These are formed from follicular stem cells and secrete oils to moisturize the scalp. However, excessive oil from poor diet, late nights, or poor hygiene can clog pores and lead to scalp issues like pimples or inflammation.

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The 4 Main Stages of the Hair Growth Cycle

Stage 1: Growth Phase (Anagen Phase)

This is when hair actively grows, emerging from the hair bulb. The follicle is highly active, cells are rapidly dividing, and the hair becomes stronger and longer. The root and bulb are firmly attached to surrounding tissues, so pulling out hair during this phase is painful. The growth phase typically lasts 2 to 7 years, depending on factors like age and lifestyle. The longer it lasts, the longer your hair can grow. Women who struggle to grow long hair often have shorter growth phases. Hair transplant treatments use follicles in this stage.

Stage 2: Regression Phase (Catagen Phase)

This short 2–3 week phase marks the transition. The follicle shrinks, and cell division slows or stops. Hair growth slows down, but the follicle doesn’t die—it’s just moving from growth to rest.

Stage 3: Resting Phase (Telogen Phase)

Hair stops growing and begins separating from the follicle, moving closer to the skin surface. These hairs are known as club hairs, and they often shed easily when brushing. You may notice a white sheath at the root—this is not dandruff, but keratin.

Stage 4: Shedding Phase (Exogen Phase)

The final stage—hair detaches from the follicle and falls out. The follicle then prepares for a new cycle. On average, 50–150 hairs fall out daily. If you notice significantly more hair in your drain or on your pillow, it may be a sign of excessive hair loss.

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What Happens If the Growth Phase Is Too Short?

1. Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia)

This isn’t about hair not growing—it’s that the growth phase is too short. Hair enters the resting phase before breaking the skin’s surface, so it sheds before you even see it.

2. Thinning Hair

New hairs don’t have enough time to replace old ones. As old hairs shed and new ones lag behind, overall hair volume drops, and more scalp becomes visible.

3. Receding Hairline

A shortened growth phase means more hair is entering the resting phase too soon—this worsens hair loss. To check your hairline: measure your entire face length and then your forehead. If your forehead exceeds one-third of your face, your hairline may be receding.

4. Finer, Weaker Hair

This requires sharp observation. Hair naturally feels coarse when shed at the end of a full growth cycle. But if it falls out short or fine, it likely didn’t complete the 2–7 year cycle.

5. Can’t Grow Long Hair

If your growth phase is short, your hair may break before reaching your desired length. This makes it more vulnerable to heat and chemical damage from dyes and perms—leaving hair extensions as the only workaround.

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8 Factors That Affect the Hair Growth Cycle

1. Illness

Thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, and scalp inflammation can disrupt hair growth and increase shedding.

2. Sleep Deprivation & Stress

Lack of sleep and chronic stress affect hormone levels and push hair from the growth phase to resting phase too early—causing breakage and shedding.

3. Hormonal Changes

DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a male hormone, plays a big role and can shrink follicles and shorten the growth cycle. Women can also be affected, especially after menopause when DHT levels rise—leading to female pattern baldness.

4. Genetics

Genes determine how many follicles you have and how active they are. Some people are naturally blessed with more hair because they have more active follicles. Unfortunately, genetics is something we can’t control.

5. Poor Nutrition

Lack of protein, iron, vitamin C, or D slows down growth and weakens hair. A heavy diet high in oil, salt, or sugar can increase free radicals, damaging follicles and causing oily scalps.

6. Medication

Some drugs—like chemotherapy, antibiotics, or antidepressants—can affect follicle cell division and disrupt the growth cycle.

7. Aging

As we age, follicles lose vitality and don’t bounce back into the growth phase as quickly, leading to thinning hair.

8. External Irritants

Frequent dyeing or heat styling, tight hair ties, or harsh shampoos can damage follicles and stress the scalp, causing premature hair breakage.

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How to Improve Hair Loss During the Growth Phase?

1. Seek Professional Help

If you're not sure why you’re losing hair, it’s hard to fix. Get assessed early to identify the root cause.

2. Regular Hair & Scalp Treatments

These treatments can reactivate dormant follicles and supply nutrients to the scalp, helping extend the growth phase and protect hair from damage.

3. Ensure Proper Nutrition

Eat more protein, iron, zinc, fish oil, and vitamins C & D. Avoid cold, greasy, and sugary foods—they harm follicles and scalp health.

4. Get Enough Rest & Manage Stress

Regular sleep promotes healthy hair. Hair grows best while you rest, thanks to growth hormones. Without sleep, nutrients may not reach your scalp. Relax with yoga or calming music to ease anxiety and boost hair health.

5. Minimize Damage

Avoid frequent dyeing or heat styling. Use gentle shampoos and avoid hot water. Choose wide-tooth combs or use fingers to detangle gently—don’t tug or scrape the scalp, as that speeds up shedding.

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Want to Extend Your Hair’s Growth Phase But Don’t Know Where to Start? — Try the Perfect Medical F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment!

Everyone’s hair growth cycle is different, but extending the growth phase can increase hair volume and reduce hair loss. Try Perfect Medical’s F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment!

This treatment uses medical-grade low-level soft laser therapy to stimulate the scalp evenly, boost blood circulation, nourish follicles, and promote cell regeneration. Results are visible after just one session—it helps prevent hair loss and encourages regrowth.

If you’re noticing signs of hair loss, don’t wait! The soft laser only creates a gentle warming sensation, similar to a relaxing scalp massage—no pain or discomfort. Paired with a refreshing hair serum, the treatment cools and nourishes the scalp while helping extend the hair growth cycle.

Click the link below to register and enjoy a free trial session! Don’t miss out!