Understanding Hair Growth: The Science You Need to Know

Hair health isn’t about panic or quick fixes. It’s about understanding what your hair needs — and giving it the right conditions to thrive. When you respect the science, results...

Understanding Hair Growth: The Science You Need to Know

If you’ve ever felt confused or worried about hair shedding, you’re not alone.

The good news? Hair loss is rarely random — it follows a predictable biological cycle, and when we understand that cycle, we can support it more effectively.

Let’s break it down.

The Four Phases of Hair Growth

Every hair on your head moves through four distinct growth phases. These phases repeat continuously throughout your life.

1. Anagen — The Growth Phase

Duration: 2–7 years

This is the phase we want to protect and support. During Anagen, hair is actively growing from the follicle.

At any given time, 85–90% of healthy scalp hair should be in this phase.

The longer a hair remains in Anagen, the longer, thicker, and stronger it can become.

2. Catagen — The Transition Phase

Duration: 2–3 weeks

Catagen is a short transitional phase where the hair follicle detaches from its blood supply and prepares to rest.

Only a small percentage of hairs are ever in Catagen at once.

3. Telogen — The Resting Phase

Duration: 2–5 months

In this phase, the hair is no longer growing but remains anchored in the scalp.

Around 10–15% of hairs are normally in Telogen at any given time.

4. Exogen — The Shedding Phase

Duration: 2–5 months

Exogen is when the resting hair is released to make room for a new growing hair.

This is why losing 50–100 hairs per day is considered completely normal.

Shedding doesn’t automatically mean hair loss — it’s part of renewal.

When Shedding Becomes a Concern

Problems arise when internal or external factors cause hairs to exit Anagen too early.

Common influences include:

  • Scalp inflammation
  • Chronic stress
  • Hormonal shifts
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Poor scalp environment

When this happens, more hairs enter Telogen and Exogen at the same time — leading to excessive shedding, reduced density, and slower regrowth.

This is where targeted support matters.

Supporting the Hair Growth Cycle

Healthy hair growth isn’t about forcing follicles to do something unnatural.

It’s about supporting biology, not fighting it.

Our formulations — BFF, Delilah, Easy Rider, and Guitar Hair-O — are designed to work with the natural hair cycle by:

  • Supporting a longer Anagen (growth) phase
  • Helping reduce inflammation around the follicle
  • Assisting in reducing premature shedding
  • Creating a scalp environment that supports stronger, healthier regrowth

These products aren’t overnight fixes, and they don’t promise impossible results.

Instead, they focus on consistent, evidence-led support for how hair actually grows.

The Takeaway

Hair health isn’t about panic or quick fixes.

It’s about understanding what your hair needs — and giving it the right conditions to thrive.

When you respect the science, results follow.

If shedding or thinning has left you feeling unsure, remember:

You’re not broken — you’re just learning how hair really works.

Backed by science. Proven by results.

Understanding Hair Loss

Hair loss is complex, but the solution doesn't have to be. Learn what causes it and how UNCOMMON's results-driven range helps restore growth from the root up.