Hair growth cycles-experts please clarify

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi all,
I think it would be really useful if someone could post a link or write an article [color:#3366FF]specifically[/color][color:#3366FF] about hair growth cycles[/color]. It is a very confusing topic for many, myself included. So many people give up treatment far too early because they think the same hairs keep growing back when they different hairs altogether. I have a few questions that hopefully someone can clarify for me.

  1. When hair is removed from the follicle, is the new hair that grows in weeks later from the same follicle?

  2. Is it the removal of hair that triggers the next cycle of growth? Or is it predetermined already?

How does it all work??

So confused :eek:

#2

guinea pig - it’s been explained many times on the forums already, you just need to search.

if we’re talking about laser or electrolysis, after hairs are treated, the hairs that come through in the weeks later are from completely different follicles… a different cycle.

#3

I have searched many times but keep coming across the same standard answers. I understand the different phases and that not all hair is present etc.
What I’m not 100% sure about is what things can affect the rate at which new hair grows in. I am just reading conflicting stories and I don’t know what to believe. Most things I have read say the hair growing back is from another cycle that was due to come in already. However, others say that when hair is removed the new cycle starts. So which is it?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but please humour me :slight_smile:

#4

In terms of time, a hair that is going to cycle in will come in regardless of whether the hairs that are now visible/growing now are treated.

Example:

If visible/growing hairs A and B are treated (each in their own unique follicle), hair C (in its own unique follicle) will cycle in 4 weeks from now.

If visible/growing hairs A and B are not treated (each in their own follicle), hair C (in its own follicle) will cycle in 4 weeks from now.

#5

Thanks. That is what I previously thought, however, I’m not sure why it didn’t happen that way for me? I had a large test patch done 3 weeks before my full treatment and the only growth I had at 8 weeks was where I had my test patch done. The rest of the hair came in at around 11 weeks. There was still definitely more hair in the test area than everywhere else when I went in for the next session. Is this just coincidence or could it be induced growth due to low settings on the test (12j 18mm GL)?
Thanks

#6

Ah I see what you are saying now.

This is normal and I understand your confusion. I cannot provide an adequate explanation.

It is important to note though, that hair in both areas came through 8 weeks after those areas were treated, no?

When you had your next session, there was more hair in the test patch area as it had an extra 3 weeks worth of the next cycle come through. If you waited another 3 weeks, the rest of the arm would have filled in more too.

#7

So now you know why I was confused lol. Yes, both lots started to come in 8 weeks after treatment. Thanks for your help :grin:

#8

Here is a page with some good basic information: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/837994-overview#a30

Something that we must all realize is that there are things that can affect hair growth. An example is someone going through chemotherapy - they will have hair loss en masse. The opposite of that can be things that cause new growth en masse. Drugs (topical and internal) and topical irritations can stimulate hair follicles into “turning on” - as might be the case of laser induced hair growth. We are all unique, though, and two similar people will not have the same hair thing happen.