The knowledge of basic facts about hair growth and hair loss is immensely important in choosing the best options of hair loss treatment. Every hair grows from hair follicles, the small "bag" within the skin. We are born with a certain number of hair follicles and their number never increases. What varies is their activity and the type of hair they produce throughout our lives. Hair does not grow all the time. Their growth cycle is divided into three phases. The first phase is the phase of active growth, lasting about five years. During this time the hair grows about one centimeter per month. Afterwards is the temporary phase which lasts about 2 weeks during which the hair falls out. Then, the weakened hair follicle stays in a resting phase for about three months. After that time the hair follicle enlarges and returns to the growth phase. The growing of hair means that cells in the bottom of the follicle divide and push the old ones out of the skin making, the hair longer. A healthy head has the most hair in the growth phase and only about 10 percent of the hair that we have in the resting stage.

Hair structure scheme

In the case of typical male hair loss, the quantity of hair follicles in the resting phase increases, and the rest of them produce hair thinner and weaker, the final result of which is the discontinuation of hair production by the damaged hair follicles. Finally after some time the hair follicle just vanishes.