Hair Growth Cycle

Hair is simple in describing its structure. However, socially, it consists of important functions. Hair is made of a tough protein called keratin(). Hair follicles are there to anchor each individual hair into the skin(). Hair bulbs begin forming the base of the hair follicle. In the hair bulb, living cells divide and expand to build the hair shaft(). Blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb and deliver hormones that modify hair growth and structure at different times of life. Hair growth occurs in cycles consisting of three phases. These phases include Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. Anagen is the growth phase. Most hair is growing at any given time. Each individual hair spends multiple years in this phase. The transitional phase is known as Catagen. This is when, within a few weeks, hair growth decreases and the hair follicles shrink. Telogen is commonly referred to as the resting phase. The hair rests in its follicle until it is physically dislodged by brushing, washing, combing, or massaging. When the hair reaches the end of its life, it falls out and is replaced by a new hair which grows in the same follicle as the old one. Approximately 10-15% of your hair is in the telogen or resting phase. Hair grows at different rates in different people. Most times, as most traits and characteristics do, this will be based on your
This is small muscles attached to hair follicles in humans. Contraction of the muscles causes the hairs to stand on end known as goose bumps. The When at rest, the Arrector Pili Muscle is extended and the hair shaft emerges from the skin at a shallow angle. However, when the body is under some form of stress, the nerve endings stimulate the APM to contract, which in turn pulls the hair follicles so that the hair shaft emerges from surfaces of the skin. This also results in slight elevations of skin where each hair shaft emerges- which is informally referred to as “goose