There is an increasing interest in healthy lifestyle choices. We're paying more attention to what we eat and how we exercise. We're looking to our bodies for proof of good health, and know how to recognize signs of trouble. But through all of this newfound knowledge, many of us don't understand that our hair may be the most essential measuring tool of good health. To determine whether your hair and body are truly healthy, you need to understand the hair growth cycle. By knowing the growth cycle and reacting appropriately to the different phases, you'll be able to maintain healthier and thicker hair and to prevent unnatural hair loss and baldness. Obviously, hair grows continuously from the scalp. The rate of speed at which it grows varies from person to person, but it averages six inches per year. From the initial growth, your hair will move from the scalp in three different phases. These phases are essential to the continuous growth from your scalp. Catagen is the first stage of hair growth, and is considered to be a transitional phase for your hair. During the catagen or "regressing" phase, your existing hair is actually getting ready to shed. All of the water, salt and moisture are released from the hair and the growth comes to a complete stop. The outer root of the hair shrinks and becomes attached to the inner root. The catagen phase can last anywhere from two to four weeks. Different areas of your scalp will be in the catagen phase at any given time, while other areas will be in subsequent phases. Telogen is the "resting" phase. Again, at any given time some of your hair will be in this phase, which typically lasts for about three months. The telogen phase occurs directly after catagen in order to complete the formation of the hair. If you pull out a hair during this phase, you will see hard, dry, white material at the root and you will experience some scalp irritation. Following telogen, the third and final stage of hair growth is the anagen phase. Some hairs are able to keep growing, while others will become dead at the follicle over time. In the telogen phase, the hair that is not able to grow anymore will fall out. The rest of the hair progresses to anagen, known as the "active" phase. During this stage, the roots of the hair will begin to produce and divide new cells. The result is a new hair that will push through the open follicles in the scalp. This type of hair will stay active for two to six years. If your hair doesn't typically grow too long, it is because your hair has a shorter active anagen phase. Hair loss and baldness occurs when the anagen phase becomes less active. By understanding this, you will be able to properly respond to your hair growth cycle, and give your hair the boost it needs to become more active. Knowing the hair growth cycle can help you to find the best care methods for your scalp and hair, and possibly prevent premature hair loss from occurring. There's more to good health than just knowing your body from head to toe. You need to be aware of yourself from HAIR to toe. Your hair is a great measuring stick for your overall well-being. Learn about the hair cycle and you can keep your hair and body healthy.
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