Hairstory: How Does Hair Grow

“How does hair grow?” is a question that may have crossed your mind at some point. Your hair plays a huge role in your appearance and protection, so it makes sense to wonder where it comes from.

Everyone’s hair is different – even if they all seem to look the same at first glance. At a microscopic level, each strand of hair varies in diameter, length, and color, which further stresses how unique you are. But if you want to learn how to better care for your hair, understanding how it grows and the role of hair follicles is key.

In this article, we’ll explain how hair grows and how you can care for it to maintain strong, long locks.

The Basics: How Does Hair Grow?

Hair growth is a continuous process, and it all begins in the hair follicle. The hair follicle is a tiny organ located in the dermal layer of the skin. There are millions of hair follicles on your body, and each one goes through a cycle of growth, rest, and shedding at its own pace.

The hair growth cycle has three main phases:

1. The Growth Phase – Anagen or the growth phase is when the hair actively grows from the follicle. The cells in the root of the hair multiply rapidly, which makes hair grow longer. This phase can last anywhere between two to six years.
2. The Transition Phase – Catagen is the transition phase which only lasts for a few weeks. During this phase, the hair stops growing and detaches, marking the end of active growth.
3. Resting Phase – After the transition phase is the resting phase. Telogen is when the hair rests while the hair follicle remains dormant. After a couple of months, the hair falls out naturally and new growth begins. Approximately 10 to 15% of the hair on your body is in this resting phase at any given time.

The length of time your hair spends in these phases depend on your hair’s health and density.

What are Hair Follicles?

Hair follicles are tube-like structures that are located on your dermis. These structures are responsible for producing new hair.

Each hair follicle has four important parts:

• Sebaceous gland – The sebaceous gland secretes sebum, which is an oily protective substance, to protect and condition your hair.
• Arrector pili – The arrector pili muscle is responsible for causing your hair to stand up.
• Bulb – The bulb is where all the action happens because this is where the hair’s root forms.
• Dermal papilla – The dermal papilla is another essential part of hair growth. It’s in charge of supplying your hair with blood, nutrients, and hormones to keep it growing.

Cells in the bulb divide and produce keratin, the protein that forms the structure of the hair shaft. As new cells form, older cells are pushed up through the follicle, harden, and create the visible hair strand.

How Do Hair Follicles Work?

Healthy hair growth depends on the condition of the follicle. When a hair follicle is functioning well, it produces strong, healthy strands. However, factors such as hormonal imbalances, genetics, or stress can lead to conditions like brittle hair, thinning, or even balding.

For instance,women who experience excessive hair loss may experience follicles prematurely transitioning from growth to resting phase. Some of the reasons this could happen is because of pregnancy, menopause, or other medical conditions. Addressing the causes of hair loss can help hair follicles return to normal for a better hair growth cycle.

Factors that Affect Hair Follicle Health

Like we mentioned above there are many factors that can affect how hair follicles work. From environmental stress to hormonal imbalances, external and internal factors will affect your hair’s growth. To keep your hair healthy, here are some things you may want to address:

• Hormonal imbalance – Hormones like androgens and estrogens play a significant role in hair follicle regulation. High levels of androgens can shrink follicles, making it harder for them to produce healthy hair.
• Nutrition – Just like the rest of your body, hair needs proper nutrition to thrive. Nutrients like proteins, iron, and vitamins (especially biotin and vitamin D) are key to keeping hair follicles healthy.
• Environmental stressors – Pollution, sun exposure, and harsh chemicals can damage both hair strands and follicles. Over time, this can lead to weaker hair or increased hair loss.
• Aging – As we age, the growth phase shortens, resulting in thinner, shorter hair. Follicles become less productive, leading to overall hair thinning.
• Drug reaction – Some prescribed medications such as antidepressants, blood thinners, and chemotherapy drugs may trigger hair loss.
• Infection – Scalp infections like folliculitis can damage follicles and prevent them from growing healthy hair. If left untreated, severe infections can cause scarring and permanent hair loss.

How to Have Healthy Hair Follicles

Keeping your hair follicles healthy is key to achieving longer and stronger locks. Here are some tips on how you can keep your hair follicles working in top shape:

1. Nourish your scalp –  healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. Keep your scalp clean and free of buildup to ensure follicles can grow hair effectively. Use gentle shampoos with nourishing ingredients like malunggay hair shampoo to keep scalp hydrated while supporting hair growth.
2. Massage the scalp – Regularly massaging your scalp can increase blood circulation to your hair follicles. This can speed up delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to your follicles for better hair growth.
3. Use natural oils – Massage natural oils such as argan, moringa, and castor oil into your scalp to give your hair follicles a boost in nourishment and protection.
4. Manage stress – Stress can trigger hair follicles to enter the resting phase prematurely, leading to hair loss. Try incorporating stress-relief practices into your day to improve your overall hair health.
5. Balanced diet – What you eat also plays a role in how healthy your hair grows. Try to have a diet that’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins for better hair health.

Having Healthier Hair Starts from the Follicle

Caring for your hair follicles takes effort, but a proactive approach can help you maintain a healthy scalp, strong hair, and prevent excessive hair loss. It’s not just about the products you use but also about understanding how hair grows and adopting lifestyle changes that promote hair growth.

Whether you’re combating thinning hair or simply looking to improve overall hair health, being mindful of how your follicles function will guide you toward better hair care decisions.

For more hair care tips and advice on maintaining healthy hair, check out our blog!