All About Hair

Anagen

This is the first stage in the hair growth cycle. It is also known as the "growing phase". During the anagen phase, hair is actively growing, the follicle is at its deepest, and the bulb of the hair is visibly darker.

In the early part of the anagen phase, the hair germ grows through continuous cell division until it forms the hair bulb (this all occurs under the skin's surface). The hair then continues to grow outwards until it has reached its full length. This new hair pushes out the previous hair that has stopped growing. Once the new hair is done growing, the hair can remain in place for varying amounts of time based on its location on the body; it can range from a few weeks in the fingers or may last up to six years in the scalp.

Catagen

This is the second stage in the hair growth cycle. It is also known as the "transition phase". The hair follicle shrinks to about 1/3 of its size from when it was in the anagen phase and hair germ cell division ceases. This is the shortest phase in the hair growth cycle and can last a few days to a few weeks.

Telogen

This is the third phase of the hair growth cycle. It is also known as the "resting phase". The bulb at this stage is usually white and looks like a club. After a time, a new hair root is generated and the cycle begins again with the anagen phase. Some hairs may fall out during the telogen phase, however, most will shed during early anagen when the new hair pushes out the old in its approach to the skin's surface.