Hair growth is a dynamic process beginning deep within the skin.
At its core, hair grows through the continuous formation of new cells at the base of the hair root. These newly formed cells are crucial; they multiply rapidly, forming a rod of tissue nestled within the skin layers.
As more and more new cells are created beneath them, these rods of cells are pushed upward through the skin. This upward journey has a significant consequence: the cells gradually become disconnected from their supply of nourishment.
Cut off from nutrients, these upward-moving cells undergo a transformation. They begin to form a tough, fibrous protein known as keratin. Keratin is the primary structural component of hair, giving it its strength and texture. The rod of keratinized cells is what we see emerging from the skin surface as a hair strand.
This cycle of cell formation, multiplication, upward movement, and keratinization is how hair elongates and grows.
Key Stages in Hair Growth (Based on Reference):
- Stage 1: New cells form at the base of the root.
- Stage 2: Cells multiply, creating a rod of tissue in the skin.
- Stage 3: Rods move upward as new cells form below.
- Stage 4: Cells are cut off from nourishment during upward movement.
- Stage 5: Cells begin forming the hard protein, keratin.
This continuous process drives hair upward and out of the skin, resulting in visible hair growth.
