How long does a single hair stay on your head?
A single strand of hair on your head can live for up to seven years before falling out.
Hair grows in cycles. The active growth phase, known as anagen, lasts between two and seven years. After this, the hair enters a short transition phase before resting and eventually shedding to make room for a new strand. Since every follicle follows its own timeline, you never lose all your hair at once.
Nerd Mode
The human hair growth cycle is a complex biological process regulated by the hair follicle, a tiny organ in the skin. The first and longest stage is the anagen phase, where cells in the root of the hair divide rapidly. This phase typically lasts 2 to 7 years for scalp hair, which is significantly longer than the 30 to 45 days seen in eyebrow hair. The duration of this phase is largely determined by genetics and dictates how long an individual's hair can grow.Following anagen is the catagen phase, a short transitional stage lasting about 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the hair follicle shrinks and the hair strand detaches from the dermal papilla, which provides the blood supply. This creates what is known as a club hair. While the hair is no longer growing, it remains anchored in the follicle while the body prepares for the next stage.The final stage is the telogen phase, or resting phase, which lasts around 3 months. At any given time, approximately 10% to 15% of the hairs on a healthy scalp are in this stage. Eventually, the cycle concludes with exogen, where the old hair falls out and a new anagen hair begins to push through. Research from the American Academy of Dermatology indicates that losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is a normal part of this continuous renewal process.
Verified Fact
FP-0004682 · Feb 19, 2026