Understanding Your Hair’s Growth Cycle: What’s Happening on Your Scalp?

Have you ever noticed your hair grows to a certain length and then seems to stop? Or wondered why you shed strands daily without going bald? The secret lies in your hair growth cycle—a natural, ongoing process happening in every follicle.

At Happy Pharmacy, we believe that understanding your body is the first step toward healthier living. So let’s take a closer look at what’s going on at the root of your hair.

🔁 The Three Phases of the Hair Growth Cycle

Your scalp has around 100,000 hair follicles, each operating independently through three distinct phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen.

1️⃣ Anagen (The Growing Phase)

This is where all the action happens.

• Hair grows about 1.25 cm per month

• This phase lasts between 2 to 7 years, depending on genetics

• Around 85-90% of your scalp hair is in this phase at any given time

📌 Fun Fact: The length of your anagen phase determines how long your hair can grow naturally. That’s why some people can grow waist-length hair while others can’t get past their shoulders.

2️⃣ Catagen (The Transition Phase)

This is a short but crucial phase where:

• Hair growth stops temporarily

• The follicle shrinks and detaches from the blood supply

• It lasts about 2–3 weeks

• Only ~1% of hairs are in this phase at any given time

3️⃣ Telogen (The Resting Phase)

The telogen phase is your hair follicle’s version of a holiday.

• Lasts around 3 months

• Around 10–15% of hairs are in this stage

• The follicle rests before shedding the old hair (a process called exogen)

• A new hair then starts growing, restarting the cycle

🧬 What Affects Your Hair Growth Cycle?

Several internal and external factors can disrupt this natural rhythm, leading to thinning, breakage, or excessive shedding.

Common triggers include:

• Genetics (e.g., androgenetic alopecia)

• Hormonal changes (e.g., thyroid disorders, menopause, pregnancy)

• Nutritional deficiencies (especially iron, vitamin D, protein)

• Stress and anxiety (which can trigger telogen effluvium)

• Medications or treatments (like chemotherapy or certain antidepressants)

• Scalp conditions (including fungal infections or dermatitis)

👉 Tip: If you're experiencing sudden or excessive hair shedding, consider speaking to a healthcare professional. Book a consultation with us at Happy Pharmacy

🧪 The Science Behind Hair Loss

According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, most hair loss conditions are the result of disturbed hair cycles.

In androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), the anagen phase shortens, and the telogen phase extends, resulting in finer, shorter hairs until follicles stop producing hair entirely.

🌿 How to Support a Healthy Hair Cycle

Understanding your hair’s growth phases can help you manage expectations and take meaningful steps to support regrowth.

✅ Tips to Encourage Hair Health:

• Ensure a balanced diet rich in iron, biotin, and protein

• Reduce stress through mindfulness, sleep, and physical activity

• Use gentle, scalp-friendly shampoos and avoid over-styling

• Speak with a pharmacist or GP about hair loss treatments and supplements

• Consider topical treatments such as minoxidil (available through our pharmacy)

🔗 Explore our hair health products to find targeted supplements and clinically proven solutions.

💡 Why Patience Matters

• Hair loss treatments usually take 3–6 months to show results

• Recovery from stress-related hair loss (telogen effluvium) often occurs within 6–9 months

• Seasonal shedding is completely normal for many people

📌 Final Thoughts from Happy Pharmacy

Whether you’re experiencing hair thinning or simply curious about your body, understanding the hair growth cycle is a great step toward taking control of your health.

If you're worried about excessive shedding, or have questions about hair loss treatments in the UK, our team at Happy Pharmacy is here to help with advice, support, and access to trusted solutions.

🧠 FAQs: Hair Growth Cycle & Hair Loss

Q: How many hairs do we lose daily?
A: It’s normal to lose around 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of the natural shedding process.

Q: Is it possible to regrow hair after hair loss?
A: Yes—depending on the cause. Treatments like minoxidil or nutritional support may help restart the anagen phase in active follicles.

Q: How do I know if my hair loss is abnormal?
A: If you notice clumps of hair, visible thinning, or bald patches, it’s best to speak with a healthcare provider.