Understanding the Growth Stages of Hair

Hair, which includes the follicle in the scalp and the shaft, grows about six inches a year. At any given time, a random number of hairs falls into one of three stages.

• Anagen, when the hair is actively growing. (If your hair won’t grow past a certain length, your active growth phase is on the shorter side.) 

• Catagen, when growth stops.

• Telogen, when the hair rests. A bulb develops at the base, turning the hair into a “club” hair, which sheds as, hopefully, new hairs form.

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