Have you ever noticed that no matter what you do, your hair just doesn’t seem to be growing? Your hair seems to retain the same length even after you try every product and do every do-it-yourself treatment.
This annoying sensation frequently makes people wonder what could be wrong. In actuality, hair growth isn’t always as simple as it first appears. The hair growth cycle is one of the natural biological processes that controls it.
We’ll go over how hair grows, the science behind hair growth cycles, the reasons why some hair doesn’t grow above a particular length, and what you can do to promote steady, healthy hair development in this comprehensive guide.
How Does Hair Grow?
The Basics Principles of Hair Growth Cycles
The hair follicle, a tiny tunnel-like structure in the skin, is where hair growth starts. The hair bulb, which is located at the base of each follicle, is where live cells divide to form the hair shaft. Keratin, a protein that also makes up your skin and nails, is the main component of hair.
Hair grows in cycles rather than continuously. In its life cycle, each hair strand goes through three different stages. Let’s analyze them:
The 3 Phases of the Hair Growth Cycles
- The Growth Phase, or Anagen Phase
Duration: 2–7 years, depending on the person.
What Takes Place: The hair bulb’s cells divide quickly during the anagen phase, which is the active growth stage, to produce new hair. Hair grows between 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters per day during this phase, or almost half an inch each month.
Important Facts: At any given time, 85–90% of the hair on your scalp is in the anagen phase.
The Reasons Behind Some Hair Loss: How long your hair can grow depends on how long the anagen phase is. For instance, even if their hair is healthy, persons with shorter anagen phases could have trouble growing it over a particular length. The duration of this phase is mostly determined by genetics.
- The Transition Phase, or Catagen Phase
Duration: 2 to 3 weeks.
What Takes Place: Hair growth slows and eventually stops during the catagen phase. A “club hair” is created when the hair follicle shrinks and separates from the blood supply.
Important Facts: At any given time, just 1% to 2% of your hair is in the catagen phase.
The Reasons Behind Some Hair Loss: Although this is a normal component of the cycle, the growth period can be shortened by external factors such as stress, hormonal imbalances, or inadequate nutrition that cause an early transition into the catagen phase.
- The Resting and Shedding phase, or Telogen phase
Time frame: 3–4 months.
What Takes Place: The hair follicle is at rest during the telogen phase. Old hair strands stay in place until the subsequent anagen phase, when new growth pushes them out. You naturally lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day during this phase.
Important Facts: At any given time, 10–15% of your hair is in the telogen phase.
The Reasons Behind Some Hair Loss: It may seem as though hair is not growing if it stays in the telogen phase for an extended period of time. This disorder, which is sometimes called telogen effluvium, is frequently brought on by stress, disease, or hormonal changes that occur after giving birth.
What Causes Some Hair to Not Grow?
1. Genetic Restrictions
The length of the anagen phase and, eventually, the maximum length of hair growth are determined by your genetic makeup. Even if your hair is healthy, it might never grow past a particular length if your anagen phase is naturally shorter.
2. Unbalanced Hormones
Hair growth is significantly influenced by androgens (like testosterone) and hormones like estrogen. Disorders such as menopause, thyroid problems, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) might interfere with the cycle and cause hair to stop growing or fall out too soon.
3. Deficiencies in Nutrition
A deficiency in vital nutrients such as protein, iron, biotin, or vitamin D can weaken hair follicles and interfere with the growth cycle.
4. Lifestyle and Stress Factors
Prolonged stress can cause excessive shedding and stunted growth by forcing more hair into the telogen phase. Although this condition is usually brief, persistent stress can make it last longer.
5. Health Concerns with the Scalp
Conditions that hinder hair growth and shorten the anagen phase include dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or plugged hair follicles.
6. Damage and Overprocessing
Hair strands can get weaker and break before they can grow long due to harsh chemicals, chemical treatments, and excessive heat style.
How to Encourage Consistent Hair Growth
- Pay Attention to Your Diet
Consume a diet high in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, zinc, iron, and biotin.
Consume meals high in protein, such as fish, eggs, lentils, and nuts, to promote the formation of keratin.
- Apply Scalp Care Products
To increase blood flow and nourish follicles, massage your scalp frequently with oils like castor, coconut, or argan.
To get rid of debris that could be preventing hair growth, exfoliate your scalp.
- Steer clear of overprocessing
Use heat protectants when needed and limit the amount of heat styling.
Chemical treatments including as bleaching and perming should be spaced out.
- Reduce Stress: To reduce stress, engage in relaxation exercises like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
Make sure you’re sleeping enough to maintain your general well-being.
- Treat Your Hair with Care
Steer clear of tight hairstyles as they can lead to breakage and strain.
To avoid snapping and tugging, use a detangling brush or wide-tooth comb.
Professional and Medical Solutions
You might need to see a dermatologist or trichologist if, after trying every recommendation, your hair isn’t growing. They can assist in determining the root causes of problems and suggest remedies such as:
Minoxidil (Rogaine): A topical medication that extends the anagen phase .
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Growth factors are stimulated in hair follicles.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Promotes hair growth and circulation.
The Key Is Patience
Since hair typically grows half an inch every month, noticeable variations in length take time to manifest. Knowing the hair growth cycle encourages you to prioritize long-term care over temporary solutions and helps you set reasonable expectations.
Unlocking the Complete Potential of Your Hair
The first step in resolving the reason why some hair won’t grow is to understand your hair growth cycle. You can establish an environment for the best growth by determining which phase your hair is in and taking care of any issues that can interfere with the cycle.
Maintain consistency in your hair care growth, pay attention to your general health, and allow your hair to grow naturally. Remember, hair growth is a marathon, not a sprint.
Kindly leave a comment and also share to friends if you find this tip helpful.
