Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle

The Greaux Girl™ Educational Blog

July • Week 3

Strong Roots. Strong Results.

Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle

Without the Confusion

Your hair is growing.

Your hair is resting.

And yes—some of your hair is shedding.

All at the same time.

Sounds confusing, right?

It becomes much easier to understand once you realize that every hair follicle operates on its own individual timeline.

Hair doesn’t simply grow continuously forever. Instead, each follicle moves through a repeating biological cycle of growth, transition, rest, and release.

Understanding that cycle can completely change the way you look at shedding, length, and your healthy-hair journey.

So this week, we’re breaking down the hair growth cycle—the Greaux Girl™ way.

Simple. Clear. No science degree required.

🔬 Education

Your Hair Has a Life Cycle

Each hair follicle repeatedly moves through different phases.

The four stages you’ll hear about most often are:

🌱 1. ANAGEN — The Growth Phase

This is where the action happens.

During anagen, cells within the follicle are actively producing the hair fiber, and the strand continues growing.

Scalp hair can remain in this phase for several years, which is one reason some people are naturally able to grow their hair longer than others before it sheds.

How long an individual follicle remains in anagen is influenced largely by biology and genetics, along with other factors.

Think of anagen as:

GROW.

🍃 2. CATAGEN — The Transition Phase

Catagen is much shorter.

During this transitional stage, active hair production stops and the follicle begins changing in preparation for its resting period.

Only a relatively small percentage of scalp hairs are normally in this phase at any given time.

Think of catagen as:

TRANSITION.

🌙 3. TELOGEN — The Resting Phase

Now the follicle rests.

The hair is no longer actively growing, but it may remain in place for a period before eventually being released.

Meanwhile, biological activity within the follicle prepares for another growth cycle.

Think of telogen as:

REST.

🍂 4. EXOGEN — The Shedding Phase

This is the part that can make people panic.

During exogen, the old strand is released from the follicle.

You may notice these hairs:

In your comb.

In the shower.

On your clothing.

Inside your bonnet.

Or wrapped around your fingers during wash day.

But here’s the important part:

Shedding is a normal part of the hair cycle.

Losing some hair does not automatically mean your hair has stopped growing.

Think of exogen as:

RELEASE.

And then the cycle begins again.

Shedding vs. Breakage

Greaux Girls need to know the difference. 👑

SHEDDING

A shed hair separates naturally from the follicle as part of its growth cycle.

A full-length shed strand may have a tiny club-shaped bulb at one end.

BREAKAGE

Breakage happens somewhere along the hair shaft.

Instead of the entire strand releasing from the root, the strand physically snaps.

You may notice:

✔ Short pieces of hair

✔ Uneven lengths

✔ Increasing split or frayed ends

✔ Difficulty retaining length

This distinction matters because the solutions aren’t necessarily the same.

Shedding begins at the follicle.

Breakage happens along the strand.

🌿 Botanical Spotlight

Amla

Amla—also known as Indian gooseberry—has been used for generations in Ayurvedic hair-care traditions.

Naturally rich in vitamin C and numerous plant compounds, including polyphenols, amla has traditionally been incorporated into herbal oils, powders, masks, and scalp preparations.

It’s often valued in botanical hair care for conditioning the hair and supporting the appearance of strong, healthy-looking strands.

But remember:

No botanical can force every follicle into continuous growth.

The hair cycle is a biological process.

Botanical ingredients are best viewed as part of a well-rounded hair and scalp-care routine, not as a way to override your body’s natural cycle.

⭐ Crown Review

“I used to panic every wash day when I saw hair coming out. Learning the difference between normal shedding and breakage completely changed how I look at my hair. Now I pay attention to what I’m seeing instead of automatically assuming something is wrong.”

— Greaux Girl™ Reader, Joyce M.

💡 Crown Tip

Don’t Judge Your Growth by the Hair in Your Comb

Instead, look for patterns and changes.

Ask yourself:

✔ Is this amount of shedding typical for me?

✔ Has it suddenly increased?

✔ Am I seeing full-length strands or lots of broken pieces?

✔ Have I recently changed hairstyles or products?

✔ Have I been wearing my hair in a style where shed strands remain trapped until wash day?

If you wear braids, twists, locs, or another style for several days or weeks, naturally shed hairs may remain trapped in the hairstyle.

When you finally detangle, seeing them all at once can look alarming—even though they accumulated over time.

Know what’s normal for your crown.

And if you experience sudden, persistent, or unexplained excessive shedding, bald patches, scalp pain, or other concerning changes, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist rather than trying to diagnose the problem through social media.

📚 Did You Know?

Not Every Hair on Your Head Is in the Same Phase

Imagine if every follicle followed exactly the same schedule.

Your entire head of hair could grow together…

rest together…

and shed together. 😳

Thankfully, scalp follicles generally cycle independently.

At any given moment, most scalp hairs are typically in the growing phase, while smaller portions are transitioning, resting, or shedding.

That’s why normal hair renewal happens gradually rather than all at once.

💬 Quote of the Week

“Not every strand you lose represents lost progress. Sometimes it’s simply a crown completing its cycle.”

🤎 Commit to Your Crown™

This week, stop measuring your healthy-hair journey only by inches.

Learn what’s happening beneath those inches.

Your follicles are constantly moving through their own biological cycles.

Some strands are beginning.

Some are growing.

Some are resting.

And some are ready to leave.

Your job isn’t to stop the natural cycle.

Your job is to create healthy habits that support your scalp while protecting the strands you’ve already grown.

Support the roots.
Protect the strands.
Reduce unnecessary breakage.
Preserve your length.

And give your crown time to do what it was beautifully designed to do.

Grow. Transition. Rest. Release. Repeat.

That’s the hair growth cycle—without the confusion. 🌿👑

 

The Greaux Girl™ Educational Blog
By Golden Greaux Hair Rx®

Commit to Your Crown™