By: Venus Enock

Our society has an increased interest in making healthy lifestyle choices. We pay closer attention to what we eat and how we exercise our bodies. We look to our bodies for signs of good health, and we know how to recognize potential trouble. Even with all of our knowledge, however, many of us don't know that our hair can be a great tool for measuring good health.

To determine whether your hair and body are truly healthy, you need to understand the hair growth cycle. By knowing the growth cycle and reacting appropriately to the different phases, you'll be able to maintain healthier and thicker hair and to prevent unnatural hair loss and baldness.

Hair obviously grows continuously from the scalp. The rate of speed at which it grows will naturally vary from person to person, but the growth rate averages about six inches per year. From the time that a hair first appears above the surface of your scalp, it will grow in three different phases. These phases are essential, as the hair continually grows from your scalp.

The catagen is the first phase of growth that your hair will go through. This is also known as a transitional phase for your hair. When hair is in the catagen or "regressing" phase, it is actually getting ready to shed. The moisture, salt and water are released, and the growth of the hair will completely stop. This allows for the outer root of the hair to shrink and attach to the inner root. Catagen can last from two to four weeks. Different areas of your scalp are in this phase at all times, while other areas are in subsequent phases.

Telogen is the "resting" phase. Again, at any given time some of your hair will be in this phase, which typically lasts for about three months. The telogen phase occurs directly after catagen in order to complete the formation of the hair. If you pull out a hair during this phase, you will see hard, dry, white material at the root and you will experience some scalp irritation.

Anagen is the third and final stage of hair growth. Some healthy hairs are able to keep growing over time, yet others will become dead at the follicle. In the telogen phase, hairs that are unable to keep growing will fall out. Remaining hair will progress to "growth" phase known as anagen.

During this stage, roots of your hair begin to produce and divide new cells. New hairs are then pushed through the open follicles in the scalp. This type of hair will remain active from two to six years. If your hair tends to grow quite long, then you likely have a longer active anagen phase.

When the anagen phase becomes less active, hair loss and baldness occur. This is why it's important to understand the growth cycle of the hair before you can properly respond. You can give your hair the boost it needs when you know and can appreciate the hair growth cycle. You're able to find the best care methods for your scalp and hair, and you may be able to prevent the occurrence of premature hair loss.

Keeping healthy is not just about knowing your body from head to toe. It requires full understanding from HAIR to toe. Your hair is a great indicator of your overall well-being. Know the growth cycle and how to keep your hair healthy.