Hair growth occurs in three phases: anagen, catagen and telogen. During the anagen, or active phase, hair grows approximately 1 cm. every four weeks, according to Dutasteride.com. The last two phases, catagen and telogen, are phases of change and rest. Hair growth does not occur during these phases. Hair follicles, the structures responsible for hair growth, enter phases individually, so not all follicles are at rest at the same time. Approximately 90 percent of hair is actively growing at any given time.
Little to No Visible Growth
If hair grows slowly during the anagen phase, there will be little to no visible growth during a four-week period. Long periods may pass with little change in the length of hair. The time between haircuts may increase, and the need for color or perm touch-ups may decrease.
Short Hair
The anagen, or growth phase, lasts for a period of two to eight years, depending on the individual. With short-growth periods -- two years -- you cannot grow your hair as long as those who have long-growth periods. Likewise, if you have slow growing hair you cannot grow hair as long as those with faster growing hair. This is due to the shedding process, which occurs during the telogen phase of hair growth. If hair grows slowly or only for a short period of time, it cannot grow very long before it is shed, according to hairgrowthcycle.net.
Thinning Hair and Hair Loss
When the rate of shedding outpaces the rate of hair growth, hair loss occurs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Diffused, overall thinning is most common, but loss can occur in patches or according to a hair loss pattern -- such as a receding hairline.
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