UNDERSTANDING HAIR GROWTH

Hair has always played an important role on a cultural and individual level. Historically, healthy hair has been a sign of wealth and status, often conveyed through the use of elaborate wigs, and the desire for a full head of healthy hair continues to the present day, with whole industries revolving around the aesthetics of hair. Traditionally, healthy hair is considered to be a sign of good overall health, with a number of scientific studies supporting this belief. Researchers have shown that a decrease in the quality of hair is an indicator of deteriorating health, due to improper nutrition, chronic disease or aging, and an understanding of the structure and biology of hair supports this belief.

Hair Structure

Each strand of hair consists of three distinct parts:

• The Medulla, which forms the innermost layer
• The Cortex, the middle layer which gives hair its colour and texture
• The Cuticle, which forms an outer protective layer. It is transparent and serves to protect the inner, more sensitive layers.

Hair follicles grow in a cyclic manner going through three distinct phases:

The Anagen Phase: In the Anagen phase, or growth phase, matrix cells are rapidly dividing and differentiating into the various cells that form each strand of hair, believed to be dividing every 18 hours. Under normal circumstances, approximately 85% of all hairs are expected to be in this phase at any given time. The Anagen phase can last anywhere from 2 to 6 years, and the length of this phase determines the length of hair, which is depends on the continued growth of the matrix cells at the follicle base.

Towards the end of the Anagen phase, the rate of growth and differentiation of matrix cells slows down, and the hair follicle moves into the Catagen phase.

The Catagen Phase: The Catagen phase, or transitional phase, lasts one to two weeks. During this phase, the hair follicle shrinks to 1/6th its size, cell growth stops and the dermal papilla breaks away from the follicle. The hair shaft seals off to form a rounded structure (the ‘club’), which continues to move upward.

The Telogen Phase: Following the Catagen phase, hair follicles enter the Telogen or Resting phase. The Telogen phase lasts 5 to 6 weeks, and 10-15% of hair follicles are believed to be in this phase at any given time. Follicles lie in a dormant phase, and no cellular activity takes place.

Towards the end of the Telogen phase, stem cells are activated and cells near the dermal papillae begin to divide. This leads to the formation of a new hair bulb, which leads to the formation of a new hair. The old club hair may be shed (known as Exogen). The new hair bulb enters the Anagen phase, and the cycle is repeated.

It is evident that the hair cycle is essentially a variation in cell division and growth. Like all cells of the body, hair cells also need specific nutrients to grow, and an absence of these nutrients, or a change in an individual’s health that affects cell growth, can impede the process of cell division and cause hair loss. As hair and skin are the most noticeable of our body’s multiplying cells, deterioration in the quality of hair and skin is often an indicator of an underlying condition, which very often, is the outcome of improper nutrition.