Have you ever found yourself tugging despairingly at the ends of your hair, wondering why it gets to a certain length and then just stops growing? Or do you find yourself staring at people with luscious locks, wondering why they were so blessed with great hair? If so, you’re not alone. 

Yet luckily, genetics isn’t the only thing at play when it comes to growing your hair. If you’re looking for longer hair, the first step is understanding the science behind it. Once you know the technical side of what’s going on, you can make informed decisions for enhancing your hair's vitality.

Understanding the science behind hair growth

When it comes to maintaining healthy, vibrant hair, you need to understand what’s going on behind the scenes. Not only can healthy hair make you feel confident, but it can also be an indicator of your overall well-being. 

The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: 

Anagen (growth)

Catagen (transition)

Telogen (resting)

The length of these can be impacted by a range of factors which we explore below. 

What are the phases of the hair growth cycle?

While it might seem like your hair is constantly growing (or maybe you feel like it never does), there are three distinct stages in the cycle.

Stage 1 - Anagen, the growth phase

The active growth phase is the longest in the cycle. It can last anywhere from two to seven years. During this time, your hair follicles actively produce new hair cells and the hair shaft grows longer. The length of this phase determines how long your hair will grow. About 85-90% of your hair is in the anagen phase at any given time.

Stage 2 - Catagen, the transition phase

The transition phase is the shortest of all phases and marks the end of active hair growth. Over two to three weeks, the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the blood supply, signalling the end of the anagen phase.

Stage 3 - Telogen, the resting phase

The resting phase lasts around three months. During this phase, the strands remain in place, but the follicle is inactive due to it no longer being attached to the blood supply. After this phase ends, the hair sheds, and the cycle starts again. Around 10-15% of your hair is in the telogen phase.

What factors can influence hair growth rates?

As you can see, the length of time in each phase can vary dramatically, and this is influenced by a range of factors.

Age: As you age, the division and renewal of your cells become much slower, shortening the anagen phase of hair growth. This can lead to thinner hair and increased shedding.

Genetics: Your genetics can play a big part in determining your hair’s growth rate, density, and texture. Conditions such as male or female pattern baldness are typically hereditary.

Health: Poor diet or hormonal imbalances can play a big part in your hair cycle. Minerals such as zinc and iron and vitamins such as biotin, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E are all essential for healthy hair growth. When pregnant, the rise of estrogen from your placenta stimulates hair follicles and extends the growth cycle, which is why so many pregnant women have such thick hair!

Stress: If you’re constantly stressed or going through a tough time in life, you’ll probably find that your hair becomes thinner and sheds more often. Chronic stress can push hair follicles into the telogen phase early, which causes this to happen.

What products and practices can stimulate growth effectively?

When looking to improve the condition of your hair and support healthy growth, consider incorporating the following haircare products and practices. 

Taking care of your scalp

Many people tend to focus on the ends of their hair when trying to improve its health, but you'll get better results by starting with scalp care. The foundation for healthy hair, your scalp is where hair follicles grow from, so you need to take care of it. Use gentle exfoliants and products free from harsh chemicals. You should also do regular scalp massages to improve blood circulation and remove product buildup. 

Using nutrient-rich hair products

The products you use on your hair can have a real impact on its health. Look out for products with ingredients such as biotin, keratin, and peptides. These can strengthen hair, promote growth, and make it look its best. 

Other ingredients that can help include:

Sabal extract, which helps prevent hair thinning and promotes healthy hair growth

Panthenol to help your hair retain moisture

Mulberry root extract to induce the hair growth phase

You can find these ingredients in Neutriderm's Hair Enhancer shampoo, conditioner, and lotion range.

Going for regular trims

While it might feel counterproductive to get your hair cut shorter to make it longer, trimming can help prevent split ends and breakage. Your hair might be growing well, but if the ends are brittle, it could cause strands to snap and your hair to appear shorter. Try to have a trim every six to eight weeks.

Avoiding heat and chemical damage

Limit your use of heat styling tools and harsh chemical treatments. These can make your hair weak and prone to breakage. When you do use things like straighteners or curlers, apply heat protector spray beforehand and ensure you follow up with a deep conditioning treatment. 

FAQs

What are the signs of hair loss, and when should you seek help?

While hair loss is a natural part of getting older, excessive hair thinning could be a sign that you need help. Check for clumps of hair falling out during washing or brushing, bald patches, a receding hairline,  or your parting getting wider. 

If you find yourself experiencing any of these and you’ve tried home treatments, consult a dermatologist or trichologist. They can test if you’re suffering from any conditions and also recommend treatments to try. 

What lifestyle changes can support healthy hair growth?

When looking to support healthy hair growth, there are things you can do to help. You should:

Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins.

Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day.

Manage your stress with medication, mindfulness, or yoga (seek additional support from a mental health professional when needed).

Exercise regularly to help improve blood circulation and deliver nutrients to your hair follicles.

Get enough sleep so your body has time to repair and regenerate.

What products can help with improving hair growth?

Many haircare products on the market are made to assist with hair growth. We recommend our Hair Enhancer Conditioner, Hair Enhancer Lotion, and Hair Enhancer Shampoo. Each comes with the ingredients needed to target hair growth, moisturising and strengthening your hair, and helping to increase elasticity while reducing breakage.

You can also purchase a Hair Enhancer Bundle to save money on all of the products you need.

When you understand your hair cycle, you can better understand the importance of taking care of your hair and what will help it thrive. Keep in mind that while your hair will naturally thin as you age, there are things you can do to help keep it in the best condition possible. Watch for any warning signs that your hair is shedding or thinning excessively and seek help should you need it. 

In the meantime, do what you can to keep your hair healthy with products, vitamins, and lifestyle changes. You can look at our range of hair health products here. 

Please get in touch if you have any questions. We’re here to help you turn your hair concerns on their head so you can be your best, most confident self. Soon, it will be others envying your luscious locks!