Hair loss is widespread—it is estimated that more than 50% of women in the U.S. and 80% of men will experience noticeable hair loss at some point during their lifetime. Hair loss can occur for many reasons, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and more.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
The average person has between 100,000-150,000 hairs on their head at any given time, and each of these is in a state of growth or rest. You likely have hair in all three of these growth phases:
- Anagen – Active growth phase, can last for up to eight years
- Catagen – Transitional phase, usually lasts for a few weeks
- Telogen – Resting phase, lasts for two to three months. Hair falls out at the end of telogen, and the cycle begins again.
Hair cycles through these phases when the body is functioning properly. There are typically many more hairs in the anagen phase than the catagen and telogen phases. Hair that is lost is quickly replaced by new hair growth. When this cycle is interrupted, hair loss occurs.