The Hair Growth Cycle Explained: Why Your Strands Are Basically in a Never-Ending Soap Opera

by sofia montella

Let’s talk about the drama going on up top.

If you’ve ever stared at your hairbrush, horrified at the clump of strands stuck in it, and thought, “Am I slowly going bald?!”—don’t panic. What you’re witnessing is just the natural, albeit slightly chaotic, hair growth cycle.

Your hair follicles are actually living their best soap-opera-level lives in a three-phase loop:

Anagen (Growth) – The glow-up phase.
Catagen (Transition) – The awkward "we need a break" phase.
Telogen (Rest) – The Netflix-and-chill phase.

Let’s dive into the science behind each stage, why it matters, and the best products from The Warehouse Salon to keep your hair thriving through every phase.

Phase One: Anagen – The Growth Spurt

The anagen phase is the golden age of hair growth—this is when your strands are thriving. During this phase:

Hair follicles are actively producing new cells, which push out older ones, resulting in visible hair growth.
Your strands grow around 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters per day, which adds up to about half an inch per month.
This phase lasts anywhere from 2 to 7 years, depending on your genetics, overall health, and scalp condition.

The Science:
During anagen, keratinocytes (the cells responsible for producing keratin) work overtime, building the protein structure that makes up your hair. Simultaneously, melanocytes inject pigment into the growing hair shaft, determining your hair color. The longer your follicles stay in this phase, the longer your hair can grow.

Products to Fuel Growth:
To maximize this phase, you want to nourish your scalp and follicles with products that strengthen and extend the growth cycle:

Alfaparf Milano Semi Di Lino Scalp Renew Energizing Shampoo – Formulated with Microbiotic System technology, this shampoo stimulates the scalp and strengthens hair follicles, encouraging longer, healthier anagen phases.

Nioxin System 3 Scalp Treatment – This leave-in treatment boosts follicle activity, promoting thicker, fuller strands by targeting thinning hair.

Phase Two: Catagen – The Transition Drama

The catagen phase is the short but pivotal transitional period where your hair prepares for its grand exit. During this phase:

Your hair detaches from the dermal papilla, cutting off its blood supply.
The follicle shrinks slightly, and the hair strand becomes club hair, meaning it’s no longer growing.
This phase lasts around 2-3 weeks and involves only about 1-5% of your hair at any time.

The Science:
Think of catagen as your hair’s "pre-shedding maintenance mode." The follicle cells stop dividing, and the keratin production slows down. Hair is still firmly in place but no longer receiving nutrients, making it more vulnerable to breakage.

Products to Fortify Hair in Catagen:
Since hair is fragile in this stage, use bond-repairing treatments to strengthen strands and prevent premature shedding:

Olaplex No.0 Treatment and No.3 Hair Perfector Duo – This bond-building treatment repairs disulfide bonds in the hair shaft, preventing breakage and keeping strands intact during the transition phase.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Cream Rinse Conditioner – A deeply nourishing conditioner with enzymes and amino acids that fortifies weakened strands, making them more resilient.

Phase Three: Telogen – The Rest and Release

The telogen phase is when your hair decides to take a little vacation. It’s also when you’ll notice some shedding (totally normal—don’t freak out). During this stage:

Hair follicles are inactive, and no new growth occurs.
The existing hair is pushed out by the newly forming strand underneath.
Telogen can last 3-4 months, with around 10-15% of your hair in this phase at any time.
You’ll shed anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs daily—yes, even if you’re being nice to your hair.

The Science:
During telogen, the follicle is dormant. It essentially “pauses” while the underlying follicle cells prepare to begin the anagen phase again. If you’re under stress or dealing with hormonal changes, more hair follicles may enter telogen prematurely, leading to telogen effluvium (temporary hair shedding).

Products to Minimize Shedding:
To reduce fallout, focus on scalp health and hydration during this phase:

Alfaparf Milano TheHAIR Supporters Bond Rebuilder– fantastic styling cream that provides protection to the hair fiber. The cream helps to rebuild and reinforce the hair bonds, reducing breakage and leaving the hair looking and feeling healthier.

Nioxin System 4 Scalp Therapy Revitalizing Conditioner – Nourishes and refreshes the scalp while reducing hair loss, helping strands hang on a little longer.

Why the Hair Growth Cycle Matters for Your Hair Goals

Understanding the science behind hair growth is the key to:

Preventing unnecessary breakage and thinning.
Choosing products that target specific phases for optimal growth and strength.
Knowing that seasonal shedding is totally normal and nothing to freak out about.

Pro Tips to Boost Hair Growth Through Every Phase:

Scalp massages: Increase blood circulation to follicles for better growth during anagen.
Hair-healthy diet: Load up on protein, iron, and biotin.
Gentle detangling: Prevent breakage during the catagen and telogen phases.
Use heat protection: To avoid unnecessary strand damage, even during resting phases.

💖 Final Thoughts: Let Your Hair Live Its Best Life

Your hair is in a constant cycle of growth, transition, and rest—kind of like a moody teenager going through phases. The key to longer, stronger, and healthier hair is knowing how to nurture it during each stage with the right products.

If you’re ready to level up your haircare game, shop the best growth-boosting products at The Warehouse Salon. Your future fabulous hair will thank you! 💁‍♀️✨