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Hair fall is one of the most common problems which one experiences in everyday life. However, some amount of hair loss is considered normal.
Hairs are composed of columns of dead, keratinized epidermal cells bonded together by extracellular proteins.
Stages of Hair Growth Cycle:
There are 3 stages through which each hair follicle goes through.
1) Growth Stage (Anagen ) – Scalp hair is in the growth stage for 2 to 6 years. During this stage, cells of the hair matrix divide. These new cells are added to the base of the hair root and existing hairs are pushed upwards due to which the hair grows longer.
2) Regression Stage (Catagen)– This stage is for 2 to 3 weeks. During this stage, the cells of the hair matrix stop dividing; the hair follicle atrophies; and the hair stops growing.
3) Resting Stage (Telogen)– This stage remains for 3 months. During this stage, the hair stops growing and a new growth cycle begins after this stage.
Following the Resting Stage, new hair begins to grow in the place of the old hair.
At any given point in time, about 85% of the scalp hairs are in the growth stage, and the remaining are in the resting stage.
Normal Hair Loss – In an adult, hair loss of about 70 to 100 hairs per day is considered to be normal and does not require any treatment.
Generally, hair loss is considered for treatment when the rate of hair loss increases suddenly even if it is in the normal range or when the hair loss is greater than 100 hairs per day.