NaturAll Club’s innovative use of ingredients is all thanks to our team of scientists who are the authority in hair growth and scalp health. While it’s imperative that our team understands how hair grows, it’s important for you to know as well, especially if length is one of your hair goals. Read on to find out exactly how your hair grows, and a guide with a couple of tips to help your tresses along their way.
From root to tip
Hair growth begins at the scalp. In fact, the hair growth process begins even deeper than that, within the hair follicles. These living organisms are like tiny pockets that hold your hair.
At the base of the follicle, a bulb forms, and from there the cells divide and grow. The hair growing is fed by blood vessels in the scalp which provide your hair with the nutrients and oxygen it needs to be strong and remain anchored as it grows longer and further from the scalp.
Eventually these cells will form the hair shaft, which pushes up and out through the scalp.
The anatomy of the hair strand
The hair shaft pushes through a sebaceous gland on its way out of the scalp. These glands produce sebum (oils) and naturally provide the hair shaft with moisture as it grows. The hair shaft is made out of a protein called keratin.
Once hair is out of the scalp it no longer has access to it’s previous blood supply and is thus considered dead. This is why it doesn't hurt to cut your hair! You feel pain when you tug on a hair because you're pulling the hair follicle which is still very much alive.
Because hair is dead, it is very important to be gentle with your hair, and maintain it’s protein and moisture levels since it cannot regulate these things on its own. The avocado in our Fresh Avocado Deep Conditioners contain protein which helps to support your hair strands and add the instant hydration it needs!
Hair tip: Trimming the hair can help you achieve longer hair, but it doesn't affect growth. It’s natural for your hair to develop split ends and single strand knots, which lead to breakage and keep your hair from getting longer. However, hair itself only grows from the roots.
The life cycle of hair
Your hair goes through three unique stages in its lifetime.
- Anagen also known as the growth stage.
- The hair follicle receives nutrients and oxygen that allow the strand to grow. This stage can last anywhere from 2-8 years.
- Catagen also known as the transition stage. This is when the hair stops growing and no longer receives nutrients from the follicle. This stage lasts about 4-6 weeks.
- Telogen is the final stage. This “rest stage”, is when the now dead hair prepares to fall out. This stage can last 2-3 months before the hair actually falls. This is also when the hair follicle prepares to generate a new hair and start the cycle all over again!
[diagram: Missouri Hair Institute]
At any given time, 90-95% of your hair follicles are in the anagen phase and actively growing. Most people lose about 100 hairs a day as the small percentage of hairs in the telogen phase fall out and new hairs grow in their place. (Learn more about healthy vs. unhealthy hair loss here.)
On average, hair grows at half an inch a month, or 6 inches a year. This rate can be affected by genetics, health, hormones, or hair damage. If you have curly, coily, and kinky hair, it may appear that your hair is growing more slowly, but that is only an illusion due to shrinkage. Hair grows at an average rate across all hair types!
We hope this guide helped you learn more about your hair! For concrete tips on how to promote hair growth and length retention, check out our other Hair Blog articles and hair tips.
