Frequency
The average person loses between 50 and 100 hairs every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss is a common part of your body's natural cycle, allowing older hair strands to fall out, and new hair follicles to take their place. This process occurs in three main stages.
Anagen
The cycle of hair growth and loss starts with the anagen phase. The anagen phase, also considered the growth phase, occurs when the cells in the root of your hair follicles begin to multiply at an accelerated rate. As the cells multiply, lengths of hair strands are formed. The hair strand continues to grow until it is long enough to exit the follicle.
Catagen
After two or three years of growing hair, the follicle will move from the anagen phase into the catagen phase, or the "transition" phase. During this stage of hair loss, the cells in the follicle stop multiplying and a club hair is formed. A club hair is a hair that has been cut off from the hair root, as well as from any blood or nutrient supply.
Telogen
Once a club hair has been formed, the hair follicle moves into the telogen phase, or "resting" phase. During this time the follicle rests for up to 100 days before transitioning back into the anagen active growth phase. During this time hair loss can occur as the old hair strand is no longer attached to the hair root. If hair loss does not occur during the telogen phase, it will occur during the new anagen phase as the new hair growth pushes the old hair out of the follicle.
Other Factors
The loss of hair can be influenced by other factors as well. For example, inflammation of the scalp, such as with cicatricial alopecia, can affect the follicles ability to grow new hair strands once the follicle has finished its telogen phase. In men, a hormone called dihydrotestosterone can cause hair loss to occur as it binds to the hair follicle, preventing the follicle from receiving the nutrients it needs to function. Diseases, such as the autoimmune disease alopecia areata, may also affect natural hair loss.
Member Comments