An adult person has 100,000 to 150,000 strands of hair. As an exception, this number can go up to 300 thousand to 350 thousand strands of hair. Usually, 40 to 100 loss of hair strands is healthy. Furthermore, it can go up to 150 strands. The hair is located in a tiny place called the hair molecule. It is attached to the skin by its root. 

Hair base is the formation area, development organ and living part of the hair. There are capillaries under this region. Capillaries pump blood into this area. Consequently, hair, which has the necessary nutrients and oxygen in the blood, grows in this way. 

As young cells divide in the base area, older cells come forward. These cells die by losing blood circulation and disrupting their structure. These dead cells get harden and keratinized in time. Then, the gaps between them are filled by a sticky substance, then they stick together and form the hair. Therefore, the hair grows from the bottom of the root. The hair strand consists of the stacking of dead cells which is a protein called keratin.

The chemical elements called carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur create the chemical compound called keratin, which forms our hair. 

Hair Growth Cycle

Hair growth goes through a certain period throughout life. These periods are divided into 3;

1) Development Period (Anagen)

This period is the most extended phase, and it may last for six years. Hair length may exceed two meters in this period. This stage maintains hair growth, liveliness and shines for at least three years. Therefore, ninety per cent of hair on the scalp develops at this stage. Some of the drugs that reduce the effect are effective by extending the anagen.

2) Decline Period (Catagen)

This period lasts three weeks. Catagen is a transition period in the growth process. The hair strand enters the period of regression after the anagen. Therefore, the hair loses its vitality, brightness and stance. Consequently, the growth of hair stops. Hair strands are gradually separated from the root and reach to the upper layer of the skin and shed. Sometimes new hair can grow without losing the old one. Your hair goes to the catagen phase with trauma, chemicals and endogenous hormones.

3) Rest Period (Telogen)

This period is the resting and regrowth phase of the roots. It takes around three months. After the regression period, the follicle, where the hairline changes, enters the rest period. At the end of this period, it creates a new strand by dividing the cell. This continues for life. The hair on the scalp decreases by 10 per cent at this stage. This rate explains the daily shedding of 50-100 hair strands per day.

We can divide growth stages into; 85-90 per cent development of hair, 1 per cent regression and 8-10 per cent rest period. The life of a hair strand is approximately four years. This can be up to 7 years if the individual has healthy hair due to genetic factors and a balanced diet since childhood.