The Hair Growth Process

Hair grows from the follicle or “root” underneath the skin. Each hair goes through three stages during its lifetime—the Growth Phase (anagen) when hair pushes its way through the scalp and continues to grow approximately a half inch per month, Transitional (catagen) when the hair no longer grows and will soon be released from the scalp, and Resting (telogen) when hair falls out in order for the Growth Phase to begin again. If hair is too weak to penetrate the scalp, or if the scalp is too congested with buildup, hair may not make it through the Growth Phase. Similarly, if hair strands are not strong enough or if they are put under stress from chemicals or heat, they may break before completing the Resting Stage.

Hair Biology

When people speak of the “root” of hair, they often mean the strands that can be seen at the base of the scalp. True roots begin deep within the scalp in the hair follicle and can’t be detected above the skin. The base of the hair follicle beneath the skin is formed by a club-shaped bulb which contains blood vessels and cells that help hair grow and regenerate. These vessels receive nourishment from the hair papilla which is rich in blood supply. When all of these structures are healthy and working properly, hair grows through the scalp and begins each phase of it’s lifetime.