The growth of hair occurs in repeated cycles. Each individual hair strand has its own growth cycle independent of the surrounding hair. Each cycle comprises three distinct stages.
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During this phase hair cells rapidly multiply to produce new hair from the follicle. On an average, over 80% of all hair is in the Anagen phase at any one time. This growth phase can vary from 2 to 6 years depending on the individual and sex. The length of this phase will determine how long the hair will grow.
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By the end of the Anagen phase, hair enters an intermediate phase where the hair stops growing and the base of the follicle moves upwards towards the scalp. Lasting for about 2 to 4 weeks, during this phase the hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of its normal length.
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Lasting about 5-6 weeks this is the phase when older hair is shed and new hair begins to grow. A new hair gradually grows towards the surface and the old hair is naturally shed in the process. At any given time over 10-15% of an individual’s hair is in the shedding phase. By the end of the telogen phase, hair emerges from the same opening and a new growth cycle or the anagen phase begins all over again.
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