The Hair Growth Cycle

your hair is constantly cycling through three key phases:

• Anagen (Growth Phase) – Active growth lasting 2–7 years

• Catagen (Transition Phase) – Follicle shrinks and detaches

• Telogen (Resting Phase) – Hair sheds and prepares for renewal

When this cycle is disrupted, hair becomes thinner, weaker, and eventually stops growing.

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 Why Hair Thinning Happens

Hair loss is rarely caused by just one factor. It’s typically a combination of:

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Hormonal Imbalance (DHT Sensitivity)

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) binds to hair follicles, causing them to shrink over time—a process called miniaturization.
This leads to:

• Thinner strands

• Slower growth

• Eventual follicle dormancy

 

Inflammation & Scalp Stress

Chronic, low-grade inflammation around the follicle disrupts the growth cycle and weakens the hair root.

Triggers include:

• Oxidative stress

• Poor scalp circulation

• Environmental toxins

 

Nutrient Deficiencies

Hair is a non-essential tissue—your body prioritizes vital organs first.
Deficiencies in key nutrients can immediately impact hair growth:

• Biotin (B7) – Keratin production

• Zinc – Follicle repair & oil balance

• Iron – Oxygen delivery to follicles

• Vitamin D – Follicle cycling

• Amino acids – Structural building blocks

 

Stress & Cortisol Imbalance

Physical or emotional stress can push hair into the telogen (shedding) phase prematurely.

This condition, known as telogen effluvium, can cause:

• Sudden shedding

• Thinning across the scalp

• Delayed regrowth

 

Aging & Cellular Slowdown

As we age:

• Collagen production declines

• Follicle stem cells become less active

• Growth cycles shorten

This results in weaker, finer, slower-growing hair.

 

What Happens Inside a Thinning Follicle

• The follicle shrinks (miniaturization)

• Blood flow decreases

• Nutrient delivery is reduced

• Hair strands become finer and shorter

Over time, the follicle may become dormant—but not permanently dead.