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.

Obviously, hair grows continuously from the scalp. The rate of speed at which it grows varies from person to person, but it averages six inches per year. From the initial growth, your hair will move from the scalp in three different phases. These phases are essential to the continuous growth from your scalp.

The first stage of hair growth is called catagen. It is also a transitional phase for your hair. In the catagen or "regressing" phase, existing hair is actually getting ready to shed. The water, salt and moisture are released and the growth of the hair stops completely. When this happens, the outer root of the hair shrinks and attaches to the inner root. Catagen can last for two weeks to as many as four weeks. At any given time, different areas of your scalp are in the catagen phase, while other areas are in subsequent phases.

Telogen is the "resting" phase of your hair. Again, some of your scalp areas will be in this phase at any given time. Telogen lasts for about three months, and occurs directly after catagen. This completes the formation of the hair. A hair pulled out during the telogen phase will have dry, hard, white material at the root. You will also feel some scalp irritation.

Following telogen, the third and final stage of hair growth is the anagen phase. Some hairs are able to keep growing, while others will become dead at the follicle over time. In the telogen phase, the hair that is not able to grow anymore will fall out. The rest of the hair progresses to anagen, known as the "active" phase.

During this stage, the roots of the hair will begin to produce and divide new cells. The result is a new hair that will push through the open follicles in the scalp. This type of hair will stay active for two to six years. If your hair doesn't typically grow too long, it is because your hair has a shorter 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.