Are you noticing changes in your hair? Is it thinning, shedding, or just somehow not feeling as full as it used to? There can be many reasons driving the issue: from hormones and genetics, to stress, diet and styling habits. To name but a few! But one important piece of the puzzle can be overlooked – the hair growth cycle. This plays a vital role in how your hair looks, feels and behaves. And when the cycle is disrupted, you’ll often see the effects in your mirror, and on your hairbrush.
So, what exactly is the hair growth cycle? And how can you keep it working in your favour? Here’s the lowdown.
What Is The Hair Growth Cycle?
The hair growth cycle is the name for the ongoing journey your hair follicles go through. Each strand of hair grows, rests, falls out, and then should regrow. The process has three key phases:
Anagen – Growth
This is where the body’s natural magic kicks in! In this phase, hair grows actively from the follicle. It can last anywhere from 2 to 7 years. The longer anagen lasts, the longer your hair will grow. Much depends on your genetics, age and health. And around 85-90% of your hair should be in this phase at any one time.
Catagen – Transition
When the growth phase comes to a close, there is a very brief period of around 2-3 weeks known as catagen. During the catagen phase, hair growth stops, and the follicle starts to shrink. The follicle eventually detaches from the blood supply, forming a club hair, which is essentially the root of a new follicle. Around 5% of your hair is in this stage at any given moment.
Telogen – Shedding
The follicle rests before the cycle begins again, and during this time, hair is shed and falls out. This phase typically lasts around 2 to 4 months.
Why The Hair Growth Cycle Matters
Hair shed is a completely natural part of the process. While shedding around 50-100 hairs a day is normal, problems begin when too many follicles enter the telogen phase. This results in a condition called telogen effluvium. When this happens, you may notice:
- Thinning hair
- Increased hair fall
- Reduced hair volume
- A feeling that your hair just isn’t as full as it was!
What Causes Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium can be triggered by a range of physical or emotional stressors that shock the system and disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Common causes include childbirth (postpartum hair loss), major illness or surgery, extreme weight loss or crash dieting, hormonal imbalances, and periods of intense stress. Certain medications and nutritional deficiencies can also play a role. This phase doesn’t damage follicles permanently, but it can take months for hair to re-enter the active growth (anagen) phase. This makes it essential to support your scalp and follicles during this time with appropriate hair health habits, including targeted supplementation and topical care.
Dos & Don’ts For A Healthy Hair Cycle
So, how can you keep your hair growth cycle in a healthy rhythm and your hair looking its best?
Supporting Hair Health From Within
Following a healthy dietary regimen is essential. But, let’s face it, the pace of our lives mean that we often don’t tick every nutritional box day in, day out. That’s where supplementation comes in! Our Hair Gain Hair Capsules and Hair Gummies are powered by AnaGain™, a phytonutrient derived from organic pea shoots. These mighty supplements reactivate hair growth at the root by boosting key signalling molecules like FGF7 and Noggin. These compounds work to prolong the growth phase, reduce shedding, and support thicker, stronger hair — all with just two capsules or gummies a day.
Don’t Style At The Expense Of Strength
Continual heat styling, tight ponytails, extensions and harsh chemical treatments can damage the follicle and disrupt healthy hair growth. Instead, air-dry your hair wherever possible, swerve damaging hair styles and use natural dyes to colour your locks.
And turn the heat dial down in the shower – hot water can strip your scalp of natural oils, leaving hair dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. While there is no proven link between frequent hair washing and hair fall, every head of hair is different. For many, washing less can help maintain moisture and oil levels. Hair Gain Peptide Puff™ dry shampoo is a brilliant way to extend time between washes, absorbing oil, adding volume, and supporting scalp health with zero fuss.
Nurture Your Scalp
The scalp is home to your hair follicles — and when it’s balanced, hydrated and nourished, it provides the optimal environment for the hair growth cycle to function properly. Hair Gain Scalp Foam is designed to nourish and revitalise the scalp, creating the ideal conditions for growth — use it daily to support stronger, fuller hair from the root up. For an extra boost of hydration and repair, the Hair Gain Hair Mask delivers deep conditioning that helps strengthen strands, improve manageability and restore softness, especially if your hair is dry or stressed. And it’s so easy to use!
Don’t Ignore Stress
Stress is one of the biggest culprits in kicking hair prematurely into the shedding phase. While we can’t remove life’s pressures, we can help mitigate them with ongoing self-care. Regular sleep, gentle exercise and mindful habits can all help.
Brush & Massage Wisely
Using a Hair Gain Scalp Massager encourages healthy blood flow to the follicles and can help improve the absorption of topical products. When it comes to brushing, gentleness is key — the Hair Gain wide-tooth Comb is ideal for detangling without snagging or breakage, helping to distribute natural oils evenly and protect the hair shaft from unnecessary stress.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the hair growth cycle is a great step to taking control of your hair health. It isn’t about overnight miracles, but rather about building and maintaining consistent habits that give your hair the best conditions to thrive. Think of it like fitness or skincare — results come with time, care and the right support.
Whether you’re tackling hair fall, telogen effluvium, postpartum shedding or simply want fuller, healthier hair, Hair Gain’s supplements, topicals, and accessories are here to help you support your hair at every stage of its cycle.
Explore our award-winning range and start your Hair Gain journey today!
Read More
What No One Tells You About Your Hairbrush (But Should)
Hair Gain’s Award-Winning Edible Haircare Now Available at Boots!
Spring Skincare And Haircare: How The New Season Can Affect Your Health
