Tag Archive for: Anagen Phase

NEW Hair Growth Treatment! Topical Latanoprost, Finasteride & Minoxidil

Couple talking about their hair loss together.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, if you were destined to lose your hair, there wasn’t much you could do besides accept your fate or shave your head. Thankfully, though, times have changed. Society is more aware of how hair loss affects people aesthetically and emotionally. More research and a wider range of effective prescription hair loss products are available than ever before. If one product isn’t the right fit, there are now others you can try. That’s why Happy Head is proud to add our new hair growth treatment topical Latanoprost, Finasteride, and Minoxidil to our product line.

Discovering Latanoprost’s Ability to Grow Hair

You may have heard the name Latanoprost before. It has been FDA-approved since 1996 as an ocular eye drop to treat glaucoma. When doctors discovered that patients who used the medication began to grow longer, fuller, darker eyelashes as a side effect, Latanoprost was marketed as an eyelash growth solution. “If Latanoprost grows eyelash hair, does it work on the scalp too?” researchers wondered. After testing, it was determined that Latanoprost is indeed effective for treating male and female pattern hair loss and other types of alopecia. Happy Head is one of the first companies to make the medication available for scalp hair loss.

The Science Behind Latanoprost

Latanoprost differs from the other prescription hair loss medications that are currently on the market. It stimulates the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. The anagen phase is the growth phase. Latanoprost helps more hair convert from tiny, thin vellus (think peach fuzz) hair into robust terminal hair that is longer and thicker. When tested on young men with mild androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness, Latanoprost increased hair density in approximately 24 weeks. 

 

The Benefit of Combining Latanoprost with Finasteride and Minoxidil

Happy Head’s newest growth treatment contains 0.005 percent Latanoprost, 0.3 percent Finasteride, and 8 percent Minoxidil. The reason is that treating genetic hair loss often requires a cocktail of medications that attack the hair loss from different angles. As we just discussed, Latanoprost jumpstarts the hair growth cycle. Finasteride is a DHT blocker. It prevents testosterone from converting to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and attaching to the hair follicles. If testosterone doesn’t convert, hair isn’t triggered to fall out. Minoxidil is what’s called a vasodilator. It sends oxygen to the hair follicles, enlarging them. New, healthy hair can emerge when the hair follicles are wide open. So, three different medications with different purposes work synergistically to help regrow your hair.  

Latanoprost for Alopecia

Is Latanoprost the right solution for any type of alopecia? To date, studies have primarily focused on patients with male and female pattern hair loss. More research needs to be conducted to determine whether the treatment is effective for alopecia areata or other types of alopecia. Not sure what type of alopecia you have? Then, it’s time to visit a board-certified dermatologist for a diagnosis.  

How to Use Topical Latanoprost, Finasteride & Minoxidil

Topical hair loss medications are preferred by patients who want to avoid side effects that can accompany oral medications. Each bottle of topical Latanoprost, Finasteride, and Minoxidil comes with a dropper that allows you to measure the exact amount needed and apply it directly to your scalp. The medication is easy to use. Simply fill the dropper twice to the 0.5 ml, align the dropper to your scalp, apply the solution, and rub it in. The most common side effect from topicals is redness and irritation, however, which can easily be avoided by titrating the medication. Simply apply one time per day for the first week, and twice a day the following weeks.    

Getting Your Prescription Filled

Topical Latanoprost, Finasteride, and Minoxidil hair growth treatment is only available by prescription. For your convenience, Happy Head offers free online consultations and will fill your prescription if you are a candidate for the medication. Simply complete a short online questionnaire, and a licensed dermatologist will determine whether our new hair growth treatment is a good fit. We also offer customized treatments, so it’s easy to modify formulas to meet individual needs.      

Our new hair growth treatment combining Latanoprost with Finasteride and Minoxidil is an innovative option for people experiencing male or female pattern baldness. If you’re interested in getting more information, contact us, and take advantage of our 50 percent off introductory offer.

 

Should You Worry About Seasonal Hair Loss?

A little hair loss, about 100 strands a day is normal. What happens when hair loss occurs more frequently during specific seasons? Happy Head dermatologists give you their insights on seasonal hair loss and how to treat it.

Seasonal changes come with standard expectations: new weather patterns, new wardrobes, and holidays. What you don’t expect is hair loss. So should you worry about seasonal hair loss? Unfortunately, it can cause confusion and distress. Let’s find out if you’re experiencing seasonal hair loss and how to prevent it.  

What is Seasonal Hair Loss?

Losing a bit of hair each day is entirely normal. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), the average person sheds 50 to 100 hairs daily. (01) There’s one time of year, however, when you may find yourself losing more hair than usual. This condition is called seasonal hair loss. With seasonal hair loss, a person loses more than the average amount lost through regular shedding. 

Some people may lose up to 150 hairs a day during the fall months, more than the usual amount. Although the reason for this seasonal hair loss is not yet well understood, it’s thought that the condition may be linked to your hair’s growth cycle. 

Seasonal Hair Loss and the Hair Growth Cycle

Hair doesn’t stay on your head forever. Instead, hair grows using a cyclical pattern of growth. Every strand goes through distinct phases and eventually falls off your head naturally, after which another new strand grows in its place. 

  • Anagen Phase: In the anagen phase, hair emerges from the root and undergoes a rapid period of growth. Also known as the “Growth Phase,” hair grows about 6 inches a year for 2 to 8 years in the anagen phase. (02) 
  • Catagen Phase: Unlike the anagen phase, the catagen phase lasts for a brief 10 days to 6 weeks. During this time, the hair follicle shrinks and starts limiting nutrients to the hair, slowly halting hair growth. (02) 
  • Telogen Phase: Also known as the “Resting Phase,” the telogen phase lasts about 2 to 3 months. Hair follicles in this phase completely stop delivering nutrients, thus completely stopping hair growth. At the end of the telogen phase is the “exogen phase,” which is when the strand falls out of the follicle, accounting for the 50-100 hairs lost daily. Events that cause stress, however, can result in a condition called telogen effluvium, in which more hair falls out than typically does in the telogen phase. (02, 03)

An analysis published in the British Journal for Preventative Dermatology found that the risk for seasonal hair loss was higher during the summer and autumn months. According to the data, the temperature transition from summer to autumn likely triggers seasonal hair loss. 

What Causes Seasonal Hair loss? 

The cause of seasonal hair loss has not yet been confirmed. However, most professionals believe that the rapid temperature change between seasons can trigger stress-induced hair loss (telogen effluvium) in some individuals. Telogen effluvium is a diffuse hair loss that happens during times of trauma or severe stress. 

Seasonal hair loss is most likely a form of telogen effluvium as a response to temperature and weather changes. Anything from psychological trauma, illness, medication or external factors like temperature can lead to the development of telogen effluvium.  Approximately 30 percent of hair follicles transition prematurely into the telogen phase during telogen effluvium, causing more hair shedding than usual. 

While temperature changes are thought to be the primary cause of seasonal hair loss, a variety of other factors may also be responsible. For example, the autumn and winter seasons also include the return to the school year and the busy holiday season. The added stress could result in telogen effluvium in the form of seasonal hair loss. 

Is Seasonal Hair Loss Permanent? 

The good news is that seasonal hair loss is temporary, like most cases of telogen effluvium. However, it may recur with the seasons. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent seasonal hair loss. Here are a few things you can do below:

  • Take Care of Your Scalp 
    • Keep your scalp clean and hydrated, especially during the dry fall and winter months. 
    • Make sure to massage gently when shampooing. The activity encourages blood flow and keeps follicles healthy. 
  • Pay Attention to Your Hair 
    • Keep your hair hydrated during cold or dry weather. Dry weather pulls moisture, so replenish it with a leave-in conditioner or do a deep condition. 
    • Limit the use of heat styling tools and restrictive hairstyles that pull at your hairline, particularly at times when you notice seasonal hair loss. 
    • Use shampoos and conditioners that are free of sulfates like our Happy Head Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner.
  • Nourish Your Scalp & Hair 
    • Nutrients help to strengthen your scalp and strands. Consume foods and supplements containing the following: vitamin A, vitamin D, saw palmetto, keratin, and probiotics. 
    • Shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments that “thicken” hair are often infused with nourishing ingredients to help grow and strengthen hair. 

Keep in mind that seasonal hair loss is temporary and should subside as the months go by. So long as you care for your hair, you should see regrowth in a few weeks to a month. In some cases, however, what you think is seasonal hair loss could be something more serious. 

What If It’s Not Seasonal Hair Loss? 

A case of seasonal hair loss might be worrisome, but it’s not usually something to lose sleep over. Your hair might be thinner, but you can rest assured that your hair will grow back. What if you have a more permanent condition? How can you tell? To identify the signs of severe hair loss, be on the lookout for:  (05)

  • Hair that feels lighter. 
  • Bald patches and a more visible scalp. 
  • A change or recession in the hairline. 
  • A more visible scalp. 
  • An increase in strands found on hairbrushes, bedding, or drains. 
  • Signs of a bacterial or fungal infection, like itching, burning, or scaly patches. 

Seasonal hair loss usually occurs diffusely throughout the scalp, with hair falling in an even fashion. You may be experiencing something other than seasonal hair loss if you experience: 

  • Patterned Hair Loss: Progressive balding at the top of the head, temple, or hairline is categorized as patterned hair loss. Hereditary conditions like androgenetic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness) typically see patterned hair loss, like balding at the top of the head. (06)
  • Focal Hair Loss: Focal hair loss typically occurs as bare patches on the head, face, or body. This type of hair loss is usually seen in autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata or type 1 diabetes. (06)

Whether your hair loss is temporary (like seasonal hair loss) or “permanent” (like androgenetic alopecia), there are always steps you can take to take control of the situation. Furthermore, the earlier you can identify and treat your hair loss, the better your chances of seeing regrowth. 

Treating and Preventing Hair Loss with Happy Head

If you suspect your hair loss is more than seasonal, contact a licensed dermatologist at Happy Head. We can help you determine the cause of your hair loss and develop an individualized treatment plan that’s right for you. 

But Happy Head does more than regrow your hair, we help you care for the hair that you have. Our gentle yet effective hair-thickening shampoo and conditioner are infused with hair-strengthening argan oil and biotin. We also offer hair supplements that ensure your scalp and hair get all the nutrients needed to grow healthy and strong. So get started on your hair regrowth journey today with Happy Head here and take our questionnaire. 

 

Resources: 

(01) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/shedding

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/

(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6709511/

(04) https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article/178/4/978/6602544?login=false

(05) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/begin

(06) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2795266

 

Is it Too Late to Treat Your Hair Loss?

 

Happy Head customer looking at his hair regrowth progress after using custom hair loss treatment from his board-certified dermatologist.

If your hairline has already significantly receded or has severely thinned throughout, you might wonder is it too late to treat your hair loss? Are hair treatments still worth the trouble if you’ve already lost most of your hair? Before answering those million-dollar questions, let’s review some basic information about hair loss. 

Your Hair’s Growth Cycle

At a glance, it may appear as though a full head of hair grows at the same rate. However, the truth about hair growth is more complex than it seems. Healthy strands of hair grow under a definite growth cycle consisting primarily of three phases; the anagen phase, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase (01). Let’s walk through each to help you find out if it’s too late to treat your hair loss. 

1. Anagen Phase

The anagen phase is also known as the “growth phase.” About 90% of a full head of hair is in the anagen phase at any given time. This phase lasts the longest of any growth phase, lasting 3 to 5 years. Hair can sometimes remain in the growth phase for almost seven years. During the anagen phase, hair follicles push the hair out until the strand reaches the end of its lifespan. 

2. Catagen Phase

Once the anagen phase ends, the catagen phase begins. Unlike the growth phase, the catagen phase, also known as the transition phase, only lasts about ten days. During this time, hair growth slows down, and the hair follicles shrink. The strands become disengaged from the base of the follicles but still remain in the same spot. 

3. Telogen Phase

The telogen phase is also called the resting phase because it’s during this time that very little activity occurs for three to four months. At the end of this phase, hair naturally falls out. Sometimes, the natural process of shedding hair at the end of the telogen phase is called the “exogen phase.” The average person typically loses about 100 hairs daily. After the hair falls out, new hair growth appears, and the cycle starts over again. 

As you can see, excessive hair loss is not a normal part of the body’s hair growth cycle. If a disruption occurs within any of these three phases, problematic hair loss can result. But is it too late to treat your hair loss? Depending your personal hair growth cycles and the type of hair loss patterns you’re experiencing, let’s find out why disruption occurs.  

Why Are You Losing Your Hair? 

Because your hair’s growth cycle plays such a significant role in the health of your hair, it’s essential to figure out at which point in the growth cycle is seeing a disruption. Many factors can lead to hair loss, but where in the growth cycle a change occurs can determine whether: 

  • You experience hair thinning
  • Hair falls out gradually or suddenly
  • Your hair can regrow on its own

For example, a severe illness or stress lasting a few months or more can lead to telogen effluvium. With telogen effluvium, the anagen phase is cut short. Therefore, a more significant portion of the hair enters the telogen phase simultaneously, causing sudden and diffuse hair loss. Hair may regrow on its own after the illness or stress has passed (02). However, in some cases, hair restoration may be necessary. 

In much the same way, disrupted hair growth can also lead to hair loss. For example, an unhealthy diet or reduced blood circulation can deprive hair follicles of oxygen and nutrients. Without enough sustenance, hair growth becomes disrupted, and the anagen phase shortens. Hair may grow slowly or may never reach a desired length. 

Hereditary hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia, occurs in both men and women. In men, the more common term for this type of hair loss is male pattern hair loss or male pattern baldness. In women, it’s called female pattern hair loss (03).

With hereditary hair loss, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) injures hair follicles, shortening as strand’s anagen phase (04). In addition, the damaged follicle also takes longer to regrow hair after the telogen phase. The hair follicle becomes smaller and smaller, resulting in follicular miniaturization. These smaller follicles produce shorter and weaker hair called vellus. Sometimes, these hair follicles may not grow hair at all without assistance.

What Does Hair Loss Look Like? 

Each person experiences hair loss differently. For some people, baldness develops at the top of the head. In others, baldness starts at the temples. In many others, however, hair loss is spread throughout the head, causing thinning but no bald spots. Hair loss typically occurs in the following three patterns; focal, diffuse, or patterned. 

  • People who experience focal hair loss typically have an autoimmune disorder, like alopecia areata. This type of hair loss occurs in patchy areas on the scalp or body. 
  • Patterned hair loss often develops in people with androgenic alopecia. People with patterned hair loss have progressive balding or thinning at the top of the scalp or the hairline. 
  • Individuals with diffuse hair loss lose hair evenly throughout their heads. Their hair becomes thin and falls out easily. Diffuse hair loss is typically seen in cases of telogen effluvium. 

It’s normal to avoid acknowledging your hair loss at first. After all, hair loss can be a traumatic and life-changing experience. So, if you’ve spent months or years watching your hairline recede or your hair thin out without any intervention, you’re not alone. Once you’ve accepted your hair loss, however, is it too late to take action? 

Is There Hope for Your Hair? 

For a small slice of the population, they can accept their hair loss without stress or a loss of confidence. For most people, however, hair loss is distressing. Watching strand after strand go down the drain or a bald spot grow bigger can hurt a person’s spirit and affect their mental health. Moreover, a person can feel hopeless after losing hair for some time.

Fortunately, there’s good news. To answer the question, “Is it ever too late to treat your hair loss?” The answer is…it is never too late!

It’s always possible to slow hair loss or even regrow your hair. While there’s no magic bullet to stop hair loss, there are methods that can reduce your hair loss. With the proper treatment, you can start seeing results in a few months to a year. Topical and oral medications like minoxidil and finasteride help improve hair follicles and promote hair growth. 

To determine the cause of your hair loss, however, it’s best to work with a trained hair loss professional. This person can provide you with a thorough assessment and recommend how to treat your hair loss. Furthermore, working with a trained professional ensures that your treatment will not only be effective but it will also be safe. 

Happy Head offer custom formulated topical treatments to help you regrow your hair and get back to you. Take the questionnaire to get started today at happyhead.com/start

It’s Never too Late to Regrow Your Hair 

If you’re searching for a hair loss treatment that fits your needs, Happy Head is for you. We customize your treatment based on your sex, age, and medical history. Happy Head’s proprietary formula is compounded monthly and not available anywhere else. 

Hair loss treatments are not one-size-fits-all, and we recognize that our products may not be the best fit for everyone. Our products also come with a money-back guarantee. So, with Happy Head, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Take the questionnaire today and set up a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. It only takes a minute and we’ll formulate a custom-made topical treatment that’s easy to apply daily. We also have lots of options if you prefer an oral solution like our 3-in-1 SuperCapsule™ to help you regrow your hair and feel great about how you look. And you can get 50% off your first order when you use code GOHAIR at checkout. It’s never too late to regrow your hair with Happy Head. 

Resources: 

(01) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/

(02) https://www.aocd.org/page/telogeneffluviumha

(03) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/female-pattern

(04) https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/15/5342

Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Stressed man on the computer in his kitchen, looking into hair loss solutions.

People often joke around about how stress causes hair loss.

“I was so stressed I was losing my hair.” 

“All these bills have me pulling out my hair.” 

“This new job is making my hair fall out.”

But for many, stress causing hair loss is no laughing matter. So does stress really cause hair loss? Yes, stress can cause you to lose your hair. And when you’re trying to keep as much hair on your head as possible, managing stress becomes a top priority. 

Stress: The Good and the Bad

When you feel your heart rate rise because you’re running late or you start to sweat during a work presentation, what you’re feeling is stress. This emotional and physical tension is part of the body’s natural response to potentially dangerous or new situations. 

Known as the body’s stress response or the “fight-or-flight” response, stress can be positive. This emotion keeps you alert and driven, pushing the body to work harder and think faster. Stress works well for short periods, giving you enough energy to power through a challenging event. Long-term (chronic) stress, however, compromises your well-being – and may cause you to lose your hair. (01)

The Physiological and Psychological Effects of Chronic Stress

The stress response comes from your body’s autonomic nervous system, the same system responsible for your heart rate, vision changes, blood pressure, and breathing. 

During a stressful situation, you may experience the following: 

  • Increased heart rate
  • High blood pressure
  • Faster breathing
  • Sweating
  • Tremors

With chronic stress, you can see these additional symptoms: 

  • Headache
  • Muscle tension or pain
  • Chest pain
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Stomach upset

Chronic stress can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, skin conditions, obesity, and heart disease. (01)

Why Stress Causes Hair Loss

To understand why stress causes hair loss, you first need to know the basics of hair growth. Hair grows in a cyclical pattern, with new hair growth to replace older hair once it falls out. Every healthy strand of hair typically grows in three primary stages: 

  • Anagen Phase
  • Catagen Phase
  • Telogen Phase

Anagen Phase 

The anagen phase is also known as the “Growth Phase.” During this phase, a strand of hair grows from the hair follicle. As it grows, sebaceous glands condition and lubricates the hair. Hair grows at an average rate of six inches a year for most people. At any given time, about 80% of hair is in the anagen phase. This phase of rapid growth usually lasts about 2 to 8 years. 

Catagen Phase 

Unlike the anagen phase, the catagen phase lasts only briefly. The catagen phase lasts about ten days, though some people may have hair that remains in the catagen phase for up to 4 weeks. This phase accounts for about 1 to 2 percent of a person’s hair. It is at this point that growth stops, and the hair follicle shuts down to rest. (02) 

Telogen Phase

Hair falls out of the follicle during the telogen phase. The telogen phase is aptly named the “resting phase” because the hair follicle shuts down for a short rest. During this phase, the follicles no longer supply nutrients, which causes the air to fall out. 

The hair that’s lost is usually hairs that are at the very tail end of the telogen phase, called the exogen phase. Approximately 15% of hair is in the telogen phase at any given time. The scalp sheds an average of 100 hairs a day. With about 100,000 hair follicles on the scalp, the daily loss of 100 hairs is negligible. (03)

Hair Loss and Stress 

Hair growth is determined by the stem cells within the follicles. Chronic stress affects the adrenal glands. A recent study published in the journal Nature–with support from the NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), showed how the hormone corticosterone is impacted by the adrenal glands, which respond to stress. (04) 

Stress increases corticosterone levels. Corticosterone prevents the stem cells within hair follicles from activating hair growth. Instead, hair follicles remain in an extended resting phase – in the telogen phase. 

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is the primary condition responsible for hair loss during stress. Stress can cause a greater than usual amount of hair to suddenly shift to the telogen phase all at once. During telogen effluvium, many strands stop growing, and hair follicles become dormant. Fortunately, hair typically regrows within 6 to 9 months. (05)

Signs of Telogen Effluvium 

With telogen effluvium, hair loss is often abrupt. However, hair loss may begin only a few months after experiencing significant stress. Hair follicles prematurely enter the telogen phase, and the follicles may take up to 3 months to start regrowing hair. 

Unlike other hair conditions, like alopecia areata, the hair loss pattern typically experienced by individuals with telogen effluvium is diffuse hair loss. In other diagnoses like female pattern hair loss or alopecia areata, hair falls off in a patchy pattern, or they may experience a widening of the hair part. In telogen effluvium, hair loss occurs throughout the head resulting in an overall thinning rather than bald spots. (05)

Other Hair Loss Conditions Caused by Stress

Telogen effluvium is the second most common type of hair loss for men and women, but it’s not the only hair loss condition due to stress. Chronic stress may also indirectly cause the following conditions:

Alopecia Areata

Although alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease, It results in hair loss. In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss throughout the scalp. Stress may be a trigger for the immune sustain, resulting in further hair loss. There’s no cure for AA, but some prescription hair medications can help manage hair loss. (06)

Trichotillomania

During a bout of trichotillomania, known as “hair pulling disorder,” an individual may feel compelled to pull or tug at their hair. People with trichotillomania have episodes of the disorder during times of significant stress. Trichotillomania causes patches of bald areas where the hair pulling occurred. (07)

Does stress cause male pattern baldness? 

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is not caused by stress. The condition is caused by genetics. Unlike telogen effluvium, androgenic alopecia is not temporary. With early treatment, however, individuals with androgenic alopecia can slow hair loss or regrow hair. 

In general, hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors. Finding the reason for your hair loss is important in addressing the issue. Our Happy Head licensed, board-certified dermatologists can help you determine the best approach to your hair loss including a custom topical hair regrowth treatment that’s made for you. Our hair regrowth products are made for both men and women, so there’s a solution for everyone. Contact us to learn what Happy Head can do for you.

Resources: 

(01) https://medlineplus.gov

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(03) https://www.nejm.org

(04) https://www.nih.gov

(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(06) https://www.niams.nih.gov

(07) https://www.sciencedirect.com

How to Make Hair Grow Faster: 2 Essential Facts You Should Know

 

How fast does your hair grow? If you’re anxious about your hair, your answer might be, “Not fast enough!” Although you can’t grow long hair overnight, there are some steps you can take to make your hair grow faster. Knowing the basic facts about hair growth can help you make better choices regarding your hair.

Fact No. 1: Growth Starts at the Scalp

When it comes to the health of their hair, most people concentrate on the hair itself and overlook the skin on their scalp. The scalp is more than something your hair adheres to, however. It’s like soil for your hair. Just like you can’t grow plants in poor soil, you can’t grow healthy hair on an unhealthy scalp! 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, humans have an average of 100,000 hair follicles with each follicle containing one strand of hair. Blood flow throughout the scalp feeds hair follicles, and without proper blood flow, the appropriate balance of microorganisms, and stable oil production the hair follicles fail to produce healthy hair. Hair grows from the root, not from the tips. The follicle contains a hair bulb that actively grows the strand of hair. (01, 02)

A scalp without healthy blood flow or nutrients is like infertile soil, and can result in weak hair or a loss of hair. Furthermore, each follicle produces sebum to moisturize and strengthen the scalp, creating the right pH balance to keep harmful microorganisms in check. So, follicles need a good balance of sebum and the right nutrients to do their job. Alopecia areata, for example, is an immune disorder that targets hair follicles, compromising their ability to function and causing patchy hair loss as a result. (03, 04)

What You Can Do:

To keep your hair growing as quickly as possible, take care of your scalp. And to keep your scalp in good condition the following is recommended: 

  • Avoid hair products with drying agents like alcohol, sulfates, alcohols, or fragrances as these can strip away natural oils and irritate the scalp. 
  • Practice sun protection for your scalp by using a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on any visible portions of your skin and scalp. 
  • Stay clear of harsh chemicals like dye and bleach, as these can cause scalp injuries. 
  • Gently massage the scalp while shampooing to increase circulation. 
  • Eat a nutritious diet. Nourishing your scalp by consuming foods rich in hair-friendly vitamins and minerals may help boost hair growth. The following are examples of foods that encourage hair growth: 
    • High-quality protein-rich foods
    • Food high in biotin like eggs, almonds, and avocado.
    • Fresh fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C, zinc, and B vitamins. 
    • Cysteine contains foods like garlic, poultry, brussel sprouts, and yogurt.

Fact No. 2: Hair Has a Growth Cycle

Skin cells form through continuous division, with new cells eventually pushing old cells up and out. Similar to skin cells, hair grows through division on a cyclical growth pattern. Individual strands of hair go through a rapid phase of growth and slower phases, then eventually fall out. Each hair will not stay on your head forever and will naturally fall away from the hair follicle at some point, where another hair will typically grow in its place. These are the three primary growth phases of your hair.

Anagen Phase

During the anagen phase, also known as the “Growth Phase,” the hair emerges from the follicle. Consisting of proteins and keratin, hair grows and sebaceous glands condition the hair during this time. Hair grows at an average rate of about 6 inches every year. About 80% of hair is in the anagen phase, which can last about 2 to 8 years. (02) Conditions like androgenic alopecia occur during the anagen phase, shortening the growth cycle of hair and impairing healthy hair growth. (05)

Catagen Phase

In contrast to the anagen phase, the catagen phase is a brief period that lasts only about 10 days, although sometimes can remain up to 4 to 6 weeks. During the catagen phase, which accounts for 1 to 2 percent of hair, growth stops and the hair follicle shrinks. The part of the follicle that nourishes the hair shuts down to rest. (02) 

It’s during the catagen phase that club hair forms. Club hairs are the final state of an attached hair and is a natural part of a hair’s growth cycle. A keratin ball forms at the end of a strand of hair (club hair), keeping it in place until the strand is shed and a new growth cycle begins. If enough club hairs fall out at the same time, hair may appear less full. 

Health conditions like hypothyroidism, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies can cause more club hairs to form than usual, which then fall out around the same time and creates thinner hair. During this phase and the next –the telogen phase – hairs are vulnerable to tugging and pulling and may easily fall out, like in a condition called traction alopecia. (02)

Telogen Phase

The telogen phase is the resting phase, when hair falls out of the follicle. Lasting about 2 to 3 months, the dermal papilla rests during the telogen phase. As the dermal papilla rests, no nutrients are supplied to the hair — causing the hair to fall out and preventing further growth. The tail end of the telogen phase is called the “exogen phase,” where hair falls out of the follicle. Roughly 15 percent of hair is in the telogen phase at any given time, with the scalp shedding an average of 100 hairs a day. (02) 

If a disruption occurs in hair growth at any point in the cycle, the change can affect more hairs than is usual — placing more hairs into the catagen or telogen phase at the same time. Therefore, more than the typical amount of hair sheds all at once. Telogen effluvium is one such example of a hair loss condition that occurs because of stressors like illness or trauma during the telogen phase. 

What to Do:

  • Accept some loss of hair. Knowing that shedding roughly 100 hairs a day is part of the normal growth cycle can keep you from worrying unnecessarily about hair loss. 
  • Because hair grows from the root, trimming your hair will not speed up hair growth. However, trimming your hair every 2 months can keep your hair strong by preventing split ends and breakage.
  • Avoid tight fitting headgear if at all possible. 
  • Be aware of how you handle your hair, especially when you’re anxious. Anxiety-related conditions like trichotillomania (an irresistible urge to pull or tug at hair) can result in bald patchy areas and disrupt the growth stages of hair. Prevent yourself from picking or rubbing at your scalp and hair. 
  • A cold or lukewarm shower keeps hair follicles tight and therefore more likely to hold on to hair, especially during the telogen phase. Hot water, on the other hand, can encourage follicles to shed their hair and should be avoided. 

Know When to Get Assistance

There’s no magic wand that will suddenly grow hair, but following the recommendations above and establishing healthy hair care habits can help you keep as much of the hair that you have. If you’re doing all you can to care for your scalp and you’re still experiencing slow hair growth, consult with your physician. The solution might just be a prescription away!

Resources:

(01) https://www.aad.org/public/parents-kids/healthy-habits/parents/kids/hair-grows

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/

(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369642/

(04) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/alopecia(05) https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/#causes