The Hair Growth Cycle Explained: Why Hair Loss Happens

To understand hair loss, you first need to understand what healthy hair growth actually looks like. The hair growth cycle is a precisely orchestrated biological process — and when any part of it is disrupted, the result is shedding, thinning, or loss.

At Cosmeticstar in Leeds, educating our patients about the science behind their hair is a central part of how we approach treatment. When you understand the cycle, the logic behind modern hair restoration treatments becomes far clearer.

The Three Phases of the Hair Growth Cycle

1. Anagen — The Active Growth Phase

This is the phase during which your hair actively grows. Each strand in the anagen phase is anchored to a well-nourished follicle and grows approximately one centimetre per month. This phase lasts anywhere from two to seven years, depending on genetics, health, and scalp condition. At any given time, around 85 to 90 percent of scalp hairs are in this phase.

2. Catagen — The Transition Phase

Lasting just two to three weeks, the catagen phase marks the end of active growth. The follicle begins to shrink, detaching from its blood supply and preparing to rest. Around two to three percent of hairs are in this phase at any one time.

3. Telogen — The Resting Phase

During telogen, the hair follicle is dormant, and the hair strand is retained in the scalp but no longer grows. At the end of this phase — which lasts around three months — the old strand is shed, and a new anagen cycle begins. Approximately ten to fifteen percent of hairs are in telogen at any given time. Losing between 50 and 100 hairs daily is considered entirely normal during this phase.

What Goes Wrong in Hair Loss Conditions

In androgenetic alopecia, DHT exposure gradually shortens the anagen phase with each successive cycle. The hair produced becomes progressively finer and shorter until the follicle becomes inactive. In telogen effluvium, a sudden stressor — physical or emotional — causes a disproportionate number of follicles to enter the telogen phase simultaneously, resulting in dramatic shedding two to four months later. In nutritional deficiency, follicles lacking the raw materials needed for growth simply slow down or stop.

Non-surgical Treatment Options at Cosmeticstar, Leeds

PRP Hair Treatment

PRP delivers concentrated growth factors that directly support the anagen phase — encouraging follicles to extend their active growth period and reducing premature entry into telogen. Learn about PRP Hair Treatment in Leeds.

GFC Hair Therapy

Growth Factor Concentrate therapy amplifies the regenerative signals that regulate the hair growth cycle, making it particularly effective at prolonging the anagen phase. Explore GFC Hair Therapy in Leeds.

Exosome Therapy

Exosomes communicate directly with follicular stem cells, helping to reset disrupted growth cycles and reactivate follicles that have been dormant for extended periods. Discover Exosome Therapy in Leeds.

IV Drip Therapy

Providing the vitamins and minerals the follicle needs to sustain an active anagen phase from within. View our IV Drip Therapy in Leeds.

Vitamin Injections

Targeted injections of biotin, B12, and vitamin D directly fuel the biological processes underpinning healthy hair growth cycles. Learn about our Vitamin Injections in Leeds.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

• Protect the anagen phase by maintaining consistent nutritional and hormonal health
• Avoid extreme dieting or high-stress periods where possible — both shorten active growth
• Use gentle, scalp-supportive hair care products that do not disrupt the follicular environment
• Maintain treatment consistency — follicular regeneration follows the cycle’s own timeline

Book Your Hair Consultation at Cosmeticstar, Leeds

Understanding your hair growth cycle is the first step — taking action is the next. At Cosmeticstar, we assess where your hair loss sits within the cycle and build a targeted plan to restore healthy growth. Chat now — click the link, and you will be redirected straight to WhatsApp.

Conclusion

The hair growth cycle is not fixed — it is responsive. With the right treatment at the right time, disrupted cycles can be corrected and dormant follicles reactivated. Cosmeticstar in Leeds combines scientific understanding with personalised care to help you restore and maintain healthy hair growth.

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Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified professional before beginning any treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does the hair growth cycle take in total?

A: A full cycle — from anagen through to the next anagen phase — typically takes three to five years, varying by individual.

Q: Can a disrupted hair growth cycle return to normal?

A: Yes — with appropriate treatment and lifestyle adjustments, the cycle can often be normalised, particularly in early intervention cases.

Q: Does PRP affect the hair growth cycle?

A: Yes — PRP introduces growth factors that support and extend the anagen phase, directly improving the balance of active versus resting follicles.

Q: Is daily hair shedding a sign of a problem?

A: Losing up to 100 hairs a day is considered normal as part of the natural telogen cycle — sustained heavy shedding beyond this warrants assessment.