If you’ve noticed a few extra hairs on your hairbrush or strands in the shower, don’t worry. Shedding is a normal and healthy part of the hair growth cycle, and the fallen strands that make up new hair are part of the body’s natural renewal process.
Understanding the hair growth cycle
The hair growth cycle consists of 4 phases—3 growth phases followed by a period of shedding:
Anagen phase
Active growth phase, where cells divide in the root to form fibers. On the scalp, this stage takes 3-7 years on average, determining the length of the hair that can grow, which usually grows more than 1cm per month.
Red LED light therapy is often used as part of a scalp care regimen and is designed to support healthy looking hair by energizing the scalp area.
Catagen stage
Lasting only a few weeks, this stage marks the end of hair growth as the follicle begins to shrink and become deprived of the blood necessary for growth.
Telogen phase
The resting phase, which lasts 2-3 months, when the hair follicle is inactive. Each hair is held by the root, which develops the shape of the club to hold it in place until new hair begins to form.
By improving cell activity and blood flow, red light therapy helps during this phase, causing a return to the anagen phase and new hair growth.
Exogen section
As old hair is released and falls from the scalp. Lasting 2-3 months, this is known as the shedding phase and is an important part of the cycle, preparing the follicles for the growth phase to begin and the cycle to continue.
Factors that affect the hair growth cycle
The length of each phase of the cycle is affected by a combination of internal and external factors that can disrupt its natural rhythm and affect growth.
Genetics
Genetic hair loss caused by sensitivity dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can shorten the growth phase with each cycle. This causes the follicles to shrink, producing shorter, shorter strands until growth stops completely.
Hormones
Estrogen and progesterone help prolong the growth phase and balance DHT levels. Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause, or changing thyroid function can cause hormones to become out of balance, reducing growth potential.
A way of life
A healthy lifestyle is the key to healthy hair growth. Malnutrition, stress and lack of sleep are all known to slow growth, depriving follicles of nutrients and reducing the body’s ability to regenerate, pushing follicles into the resting phase.
Supporting healthy hair growth with LED therapy
At home red light therapy devices are designed to support scalp health and the appearance of fuller-looking hair when used consistently as part of a regular regimen. By helping to maintain a healthy scalp, red light therapy can be a useful addition to a complete hair care regimen.
Devices like CurrentBody Skin LED Hair Growth Mask to help support the scalp and improve the look and feel of the hair, promoting the appearance of thicker, healthier-looking strands over time.
To supercharge your routine and boost your growth to the next level, complement red light therapy with a healthy, nutritious diet rich in protein and vitamins and minerals essential for building strong, healthy muscles. These include iron, vitamin D and biotin – nutrients that build hair.
For best results, follow the LED sessions with a gentle scalp massage to improve circulation, and choose products that are gentle on hair to protect new growth.
Accelerate your hair growth cycle with red LED light therapy
Instead of repeating the same cycle of growth from shedding and coming back again, LED technology offers a way to support your scalp and hair as part of a consistent, thoughtful approach to hair care.
