{"id":42995,"date":"2021-04-16T14:55:35","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T12:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elithairtransplant.com\/?p=42995"},"modified":"2021-04-16T14:55:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-16T12:55:35","slug":"how-does-hair-grow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elithair.com\/uk\/blog\/how-does-hair-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"ow Does Hair Grow? The Hair Growth Cycle, Speed & What Affects It (UK 2026 Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How Does a Hair Strand Form and Grow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hair strands grow from the root of the hair follicle. Formed by cells multiplying and fed by blood vessels in your scalp, hairs are then pushed up through your skin as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the hair follicle moves up through your scalp, it produces a hard protein called Keratin. This is a protective protein you find in your skin, hair, and nails. As it forms Keratin gathers oils from surrounding glands to keep your hair shiny and soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, once your hair has reached the top of the hair shaft it emerges from your skin. At this stage it is no longer \u2018living\u2019 as it is external to the body. You may be wondering \u201chow does hair grow if it\u2019s dead?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it\u2019s dead after leaving the surface of the skin, the follicle and root are still alive, which continues the transformation of keratin into hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Stages of Hair Growth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"here<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Your hair grows from a tiny organ called the hair follicle<\/strong>, which ushers each strand through four distinct phases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase<\/strong><\/td>Name<\/strong><\/td>What Happens<\/strong><\/td>Typical Duration*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Growth<\/td>Anagen<\/strong><\/td>Matrix cells divide and push the hair shaft outward. The follicle is active and deep in the dermis.<\/td>2-8 years (scalp)<\/td><\/tr>
Transition<\/td>Catagen<\/strong><\/td>Follicle shrinks and growth stops; the lower part regresses.<\/td>~2-3 weeks<\/td><\/tr>
Resting<\/td>Telogen<\/strong><\/td>Hair no longer grows; follicle stays inactive before shedding.<\/td>~2-4 months<\/td><\/tr>
Shedding<\/td>Exogen<\/strong><\/td>The old hair is released and new anagen begins; sometimes included as part of telogen.<\/td>~Variable<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Durations vary between individuals and with age, health and hair type. On the scalp, about 80-90 % of follicles are in anagen at any one time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What this means is that at any moment you\u2019re shedding some hairs while new ones grow. Losing 50-100 hairs per day is considered normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Fast Does Scalp Hair Grow?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n