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Hair Growth Secrets

There is an increasing interest in healthy lifestyle choices. We're paying more attention to what we eat and how we exercise. We're looking to our bodies for proof of good health, and know how to recognize signs of trouble. But through all of this newfound knowledge, many of us don't understand that our hair may be the most essential measuring tool of good health.

It's important to understand the hair growth cycle in order to determine if your hair, as well as your body, is healthy. When you know about the hair growth cycle, and can react appropriately to the different phases, you'll learn how to maintain healthier and thicker hair, and how to prevent hair loss and baldness from occurring unnaturally.

Hair continually grows from the scalp. Naturally, the rate of speed at which hair grows will vary from person to person, but the average is about six inches of growth per year. After a hair initially peeks above the surface of your scalp, it will continue to grow through three different phases. Each phase is essential as the hair continually grows from your scalp.

The catagen is the first phase of growth that your hair will go through. This is also known as a transitional phase for your hair. When hair is in the catagen or "regressing" phase, it is actually getting ready to shed. The moisture, salt and water are released, and the growth of the hair will completely stop. This allows for the outer root of the hair to shrink and attach to the inner root. Catagen can last from two to four weeks. Different areas of your scalp are in this phase at all times, while other areas are in subsequent phases.

The "resting phase of hair growth is known as telogen. Again, some areas of your scalp will be in this phase at any given time. Telogen occurs directly after the catagen phase, lasts about three months and completes the formation of the hair. If you pull out a hair during the telogen phase, you'll notice that it has a hard, dry, white material at the root. You'll also notice some scalp irritation.

Following telogen, the third and final stage of hair growth is the anagen phase. Some hairs are able to keep growing, while others will become dead at the follicle over time. In the telogen phase, the hair that is not able to grow anymore will fall out. The rest of the hair progresses to anagen, known as the "active" phase.

During this stage, roots of your hair begin to produce and divide new cells. New hairs are then pushed through the open follicles in the scalp. This type of hair will remain active from two to six years. If your hair tends to grow quite long, then you likely have a longer active anagen phase.

Baldness and hair loss occur when the anagen phase becomes less active. That's why it's so important to understand the growth cycle of your hair before you can properly respond. By knowing and appreciating the hair growth cycle, you can give your hair the boost it needs. You'll be able to find the best care methods for your hair and scalp, and you may even be able to help prevent the occurrence of premature hair loss.

It's not enough to know your body from head to toe. For optimal health, you must be aware of yourself from HAIR to toe. Use your hair as an effective measuring stick for your overall well-being. Knowing the hair cycle will help you to keep your hair and your body beautiful.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Essayist Venus Enock is a writer for several web sites, on beauty product and personal health care themes.

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