The Hair Growth Phases & Why Knowing Yours Matters (Even If You’re Using Great Products)
You’ve invested in the best products. You’re staying consistent. You’re trimming your ends, deep conditioning weekly, and protecting your hair at night. So why does it still feel like your growth is… stuck?
At The Press Room Salon, we teach our clients that product alone won’t fix what your growth phase is blocking. Understanding your hair’s growth cycle is the missing piece most people overlook—especially when it comes to shedding, thinning, or retention plateaus.
Let’s break it down.
The 4 Phases of Hair Growth
1. Anagen (Growth Phase)
This is the active phase where your hair is growing. It can last 2 to 7 years, depending on your genetics and health.
Hair follicles are deeply rooted and actively producing new strands
Most people have 80–90% of their hair in this phase at any given time
Growth rate: about ½ inch per month
If you’re in this phase, your hair is likely retaining length, and consistent care + nutrition will help you thrive.
2. Catagen (Transition Phase)
This short phase lasts about 2–3 weeks and signals that growth is slowing down.
Hair detaches from the blood supply
Follicles shrink and prepare to rest
Only 1–3% of hair is in this phase
You won’t notice this phase happening—it’s internal. But it matters for understanding why sudden shedding may follow.
3. Telogen (Resting Phase)
This phase lasts 3–4 months, where growth is paused and strands eventually shed.
Shedding increases toward the end of this cycle
About 10–15% of hair is in this phase
Hair often looks thinner or lacks density during this period
Postpartum, stress, illness, or tight styles can push more hairs into this phase at once—resulting in noticeable shedding later.
4. Exogen (Shedding Phase)
This is the part of the cycle where older hairs are released and new ones begin to grow underneath.
Normal to shed 50–100 hairs per day
Seasonal shifts, hormone changes, or stress can increase shedding
Shedding from the root bulb is common (and not always a bad sign)
Why This Matters—Even With Good Products
You could be using salon-quality treatments and oils but still see minimal retention if most of your hair is in telogen or exogen phase.
This is why understanding what your scalp and follicles are doing internally matters as much as what you put on your hair externally.
🔍 Here’s What to Look For
Sudden shedding or breakage? You may be in telogen or exogen phase
Stalled growth? You could be approaching the end of the anagen cycle
Shedding from root bulbs (white dots)? That’s exogen, not breakage
Long-term thinning? Could be a reduced anagen period or a hormonal imbalance
What You Can Do During Each Phase
PhaseWhat to DoAnagenSupport with protein, vitamins, scalp oils, protective stylesCatagenStay gentle with styling, avoid high-tension hairstylesTelogenHydrate the scalp, reduce stress, limit manipulationExogenUse lightweight oils (like CÉCRED Scalp Drops) and avoid tight styles
Recommended Support Products
✔️ CÉCRED Restoring Hair & Scalp Drops — Boosts scalp health and circulation
✔️ Nutrafol Hair Supplements — Nutritional support for longer anagen phase (Ask a doctor first)
✔️ CÉCRED Deep Conditioner — Keeps hair soft and strong during resting or shedding periods
✔️ Gold Rush Brush — Detangles gently with minimal breakage
➡️ Use code _Danified on Cecred.com for $10 off + free shipping
Final Thoughts from The Press Room Salon
Healthy hair isn’t just about products—it’s about timing, care, and understanding your body’s signals. Whether you’re shedding, stuck in a plateau, or ready to retain length again, knowing what phase your hair is in gives you the power to respond—not panic.
Need a growth consultation or customized product plan?
Let’s work together.
➡️ Book your healthy hair consultation (virtual or in-salon)
➡️ Shop our favorite tools + hair health support
➡️ Explore the Cecred growth support collection