Did You Know That Hair Goes Through Cycle of Growth?

Hair growth undergoes a cyclic process, which begins with a hair development stage called anagen, then followed by hair death or catagen, and ends with follicle rest or telogen. A full anagen-catagen-telogen cycle can take years to complete.

The normal hair count ranges between 100,000 to 150,000, with the loss of up to 100 strands per day being within normal range. Hair is thickest at around age 20 and it continues to become thinner by age of 65 to 70 when it becomes very thin and frail. Hair loss is genetically predisposed and can be inherited from either or both parents. Hair follicles, which are sensitive to DHT male hormone begin to shrink as men age and will eventually never regrow. Hair loss in men averages 15% between the ages of 18-29 and increases to approximately 50% by age of 50. By the age of 40 the rate of hair loss decreases to 10% for each decade.

It is a mystery how hair follicles undergo this cycling process. Hair follicles are one of the few organs or tissues of the human body that undergo cyclic degen­eration and regeneration throughout the human lifetime. The cycle is not affected by change of seasons, as is the case with animals that experience a change in hair color and growth. The causes of hair follicle cycling are buried deeply in human development. We are born with mature hair follicles, but what exactly causes the follicles to begin their life-long pattern of anagen-catagen-telogen cycling is not clear.

If you are suffering from hair loss or hair thinning you can contact us at (949) 219-0027 to schedule for a free consultation or visit our website at www.MeshkinMedical.com.