Hair Loss Help: The Science of Hair Growth

When you first start noticing your hair is thinning, the emotions and concern you experience can be overwhelming, but don’t panic. Hair loss is treatable and there are many options. To understand female and male hair loss it is helpful if you first understand how hair grows. This knowledge can be especially beneficial when exploring hair regrowth treatment options that are effective.

A developing fetus will have all of its hair follicles formed by 22 weeks. This means you can expect to have on average of 100,000 - 150,000 hair follicles on your scalp by the time you are born. As you grow older, you may notice that your hair looks and feels thinner than when you were a child. This is because your scalp expands as you mature. Hair is made up of two parts - the follicle, which is in your skin, and the shaft, which is the part you see. Hair follicles produce a protein called keratin in the outer layer of your skin. The hair you see and touch is a string of dead keratin cells, which scientifically speaking, doesn’t sound nearly as beautiful as it looks. Every hair follicle produces one strand of hair and has its own life cycle. This can be influenced by a wide variety of factors including age, genetics, and disease.

Your hair grows an average of half an inch each month. Typically hair grows for two to six years before entering the resting phase, and then the hair falls out. In its place a new hair begins to grow, and the cycle starts over. On average 90% of your hair is in the growing phase, while 10% is in the resting phase. Hair in the resting phase of the cycle falls out regularly, which is why most people lose 50-100 strands each day. If you have questions about losing hair seek professional advice.

To learn more about hair loss and regrowth treatment options or to consult with a Capillus specialist in your area click here or call Capillus for more information at (786) 888 6249 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 272-9599.