How To Hack Your Hair Cycle (& Make It Work For You)

3 hours ago

When it comes to the human body, most things run in cycles – and your hair is no different.

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more

Circadian rhythms, regular hormone releases, appetite patterns: the human body is built on biological cycles. The one that has our attention right now? The hair cycle. ‘Like your skin, teeth or nails, your hair follows a cycle,’ notes Wil Fleeson, Director Rainbow Room Buchanan Street. ‘And when you nurture or work with that cycle, you encourage your hair to be in its healthiest state.’

But what exactly happens during the hair cycle, and how can we make it work for us? Our expert tells all.

What Is The Hair Cycle?

‘The hair cycle is simply the natural process of hair growth, shedding and regrowth – which all occurs in phases,’ explains Wil. ‘During the hair cycle you will encounter the growth phase, the transition phase, the resting phase and the shedding phase.’

It’s this cycle that is responsible for continuous hair growth, replacing any strands lost through regular (and normal) hair loss.

While it might not be a very well known topic in the beauty sphere (yet), salon experts have started pushing for greater education around the hair cycle in order to help clients better understand how their hair works. ‘It’s really important to work with the hair cycle to maximise hair health and, of course, growth,’ emphasises Wil. ‘It’s something that should be cared for correctly and should become part of your overall health. It’s important to work with your hair and really give it the TLC as part of your overall healthcare routine. This will result in stronger, healthier regenerated hair.’

What Are The Different Phases Of The Hair Cycle?

As Wil mentioned, there are four phases that form the hair cycle: growth (anagen), transition (catagen), rest (telogen) and shed (exogen).

The Growth Phase (anagen): The growth phase is where new hair is produced from the follicle – the general timeline for this is anywhere between two and seven years.
The Transition Phase (catagen): The transition phase is when the hair growth reduces and becomes much slower, which is prepping the hair for shedding. The cycle length for this phase would be roughly two to four weeks.
The Rest Phase (telogen): The resting phase is when hair stops growing completely and sheds. The lifespan of this phase is anywhere from two to five months.
The Shed Phase (exogen): An extension of the rest phase, this is when individual hair strands are released from their follicles and fall out.

How Long Does A Full Cycle Last?

‘A natural full hair cycle generally lasts anywhere between two and eight years,’ says Wil. ‘This is the general and average span.’

That said, the haircare expert does note that cycle lengths can vary from person to person. ‘For men and women this is very different as things such as lifestyle, genetics, age and overall health all have impacts on the hairs lifespan and cycle routine. Generally, we do see men’s hair phase reduce slightly over time, and I would say their hair cycle is between two and five and a half years.’

Is It Normal To Lose Hair Throughout Your Cycle?

Despite worries over hair loss and shedding – especially in the shower – Wil assures us this is ‘completely normal and is part of our hair’s natural process. There has always been a concern over hair loss, however it is completely natural to loose between 50 and 100 hairs per day, give or take.’

This number does fluctuate during some phases of the hair cycle. ‘Shedding may increase, but it’s not a cause for alarm,’ says Wil. ‘It is completely normal.’

@coilydiva What is shed hair!? Shed hair is a natural part of your hair growth cycle. It’s the strands that naturally fall out from the root of your hair, often with a small, white bulb at the end like this strand. This shedding process is normal and necessary for the continuous renewal of your hair. You shouldn’t worry if you see this as it’s a sign of your hair’s natural cycle. Have you noticed shed hair before? #naturalhair #blackgirltiktok #haircare #fyp #blowout #hairtok #haircare #shedhair #hairtips ♬ Stylish Jazz HipHop – Future Oriented Triad

What Happens When Your Hair Cycle Is Disrupted?

However, there may be moments when shedding may be much worse than normal. In this case, it could mean that your cycle has been disrupted. ‘When the natural hair cycle is disrupted this can lead to different and more intense hair issues, such as excessive shedding, thinning or in some cases severe hair loss,’ explains Wil ‘It all depends on the cause of the disruption.

‘Factors such as stress, medical conditions, medications, hormonal changes and general health issues can all cause disruption,’ he adds. ‘It is also important to note your lifestyle can also highly contribute to this.’

How To Keep Your Hair In Good Health

With this in mind, Wil tells us it’s important to keep checking in with our overall health to ensure that we’re creating the best possible biological environment for our hair. ‘Throughout the entire hair cycle, I would advise anyone to really put a focus on their health as a whole,’ he says. ‘Drink water, eat nutrient-rich foods and actively put your health and lifestyle first. The pressures of a work/life balance always remain, but doing what you can to really positively impact the hair is very important.’

When it comes to the hair itself, the haircare professional recommends ‘maintaining a well balanced diet, using professional products that are tailored to your hair needs and protecting hair with limited heat and excessive colouring.’

Below, Wil lays out some more specific hair cycle care advice for each phase:

Growth Phase