Have you ever wondered about you hair growth cycle and why you lose hair in the shower but still seem to have a full head of hair?
Or maybe you’ve started a new hair care routine and expected to see results within a few weeks only to feel disappointed.
Here’s the thing.
Hair doesn’t grow continuously. Every strand on your scalp follows its own natural schedule, known as the hair growth cycle. While some hairs are actively growing, others are resting or naturally shedding. That’s why losing a small amount of hair each day is completely normal.
Understanding how this cycle works can help you set realistic expectations, recognise when something isn’t quite right, and make better decisions about your hair care routine.
Let me break it down for you.
Step 1: Understand How the Hair Growth Cycle Works
Think of your hair like a garden.
Some plants are actively growing, some are preparing to rest, while others have reached the end of their life and make room for new growth.
Your hair behaves in much the same way.
Each follicle moves through four different stages independently, meaning not all of your hair is doing the same thing at the same time. This natural staggering helps prevent you from losing all your hair at once. Scientists continue to describe the hair follicle as a highly active “mini-organ” that constantly renews itself through these repeating phases.
Stage 1: The Anagen Phase – Where Hair Does Most of Its Growing
This is the stage everyone wants their hair to spend more time in.
The anagen phase is the active growth stage. Cells at the base of the follicle divide rapidly, producing new hair fibres that push existing strands upwards.
For scalp hair, this phase typically lasts between two and seven years, depending on your genetics, age and overall health. Around 80–90% of your scalp hairs are normally in this phase at any given time.
The longer a hair stays in anagen, the longer it can grow.
That’s why some people can grow very long hair while others find their hair stops growing beyond a certain length.
What should you do?
Support healthy growth by:
- Eating enough protein
- Managing long-term stress
- Getting adequate sleep
- Looking after your scalp
Healthy habits won’t change your genetics, but they can help your follicles perform at their best.
Stage 2: The Catagen Phase – Your Hair Hits the Pause Button
This stage is short but incredibly important.
During the catagen phase, the follicle begins to shrink and detach from its blood supply. Hair growth stops, allowing the follicle to prepare for its resting stage.
Only around 1–2% of hairs are in this transition phase at any one time, and it usually lasts just a few weeks.
Think of it as your follicle resetting before starting another cycle.
What should you do?
Nothing.
This is a completely normal biological process, and there’s no need to worry if individual hairs naturally enter this stage.
Stage 3: The Telogen Phase – Your Hair Takes a Well-Earned Rest
Now your hair enters its resting phase.
During telogen, the strand stays attached to the follicle but no longer grows. Meanwhile, a brand-new hair is already beginning to develop underneath.
Around 10–15% of scalp hairs are usually resting during this phase.
Many people panic when they hear the word “resting.”
But this stage is essential.
Without it, your follicles would never reset and produce healthy new hair.
What should you do?
Stay patient.
If you’ve recently started a healthier lifestyle or a hair growth treatment, remember that visible improvements often take several months because your follicles still need to complete their natural cycle.
Stage 4: The Exogen Phase – Why Hair Falls Out
Here’s the stage most people notice.
Exogen is when older hairs naturally shed to make room for new ones.
Seeing hair on your pillow, your hairbrush or in the shower isn’t automatically
