To better understand the process of hair growth, you need to know its phases.

Anagen is the active phase of hair growth, during which the cells in the hair root divide rapidly. Each hair on your body grows from a separate hair follicle. The cells the hair is made of are formed at the root of the hair shaft, located inside the follicle. Over time, new hair cells push the old ones out. During this process, the cells die and become hair.
Catagen is the next phase of hair growth and is considered transitional. At any given time, about 3% of all our hair is in this phase. This period lasts about 2-3 weeks. Hair growth stops, the follicle shrinks and disintegrates to renew itself.
Telogen is the resting phase. It usually accounts for 6 to 8% of all our hairs. This phase lasts about 100 days for the scalp and even longer for other hair. During telogen, the hair follicle is completely at rest. Toward the end of this phase, the hair begins to fall out. The phase when the hair falls out is called the exogen phase. Within a couple of weeks, a new hair will form and the follicle will return to phase 1.

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