Haargroei: hoe groeit haar en welke factoren spelen een rol?

Hair growth: how does hair grow and what factors play a role?

January 23, 2026 OLIEO redactie

Hair growth is a natural process that varies from person to person. Yet, many people notice changes at some point, such as thinning hair, slower growth, or more hair loss than normal. This raises questions: how exactly does hair growth work, and what factors influence this process?

In this blog post, you'll learn about hair growth, what influences the growth cycle, and why paying attention to the scalp is increasingly seen as part of conscious hair care.

How does hair growth work?

Hair grows from hair follicles located in the scalp. Each hair follicle goes through its own growth cycle, which consists of three phases:

Anagen phase: the growth phase, in which the hair actively grows
Catagen phase: a short transition phase
Telogen phase: the resting phase, after which the hair eventually falls out

In a healthy scalp, most hair is in the growth phase. Changes in this cycle can affect visible hair growth.

What factors influence hair growth?

Hair growth is influenced by a combination of internal and external factors. The most common are:

genetic predisposition
hormonal fluctuations
stress and lifestyle
nutrition and deficiencies
condition of the scalp

These factors often work together. Therefore, hair growth can rarely be traced back to a single cause.

The role of the scalp in hair growth

The scalp forms the foundation in which hair follicles function. A well-perfused, calm scalp provides a favorable environment for hair to grow.

Research shows that blood flow and scalp tissue condition are linked to the environment surrounding the hair follicle. Therefore, the focus in hair care is increasingly shifting from the hair itself to the skin from which it grows.

Hair growth and blood circulation

Blood vessels in the scalp supply oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. A temporary increase in blood flow can affect scalp activity.

That's why methods like scalp massage are often mentioned in relation to hair growth. Massage mechanically stimulates the skin and is associated with temporarily increased blood circulation.

Hair growth, stress and hormones

Stress affects various processes in the body, including the hair cycle. Long-term stress can be linked to changes in the hair's growth phases.

Hormonal fluctuations, such as those during pregnancy, after childbirth, or around menopause, can also influence hair growth. This explains why hair changes often coincide with life stages.

The role of care products in hair growth

Care products can't force hair growth, but they can contribute to a healthy scalp environment. Increasingly, there's a focus on products that not only provide cosmetic benefits but also support the scalp.

Within this approach, hair serums and scalp care products based on natural ingredients receive more attention. Not to promise quick results, but to consistently work towards balance.

Hair growth requires consistency

Hair growth is slow. Changes are often only visible after weeks or months. Therefore, a hair growth-focused approach focuses less on immediate effects and more on regularity and long-term care.

A consistent routine that focuses on scalp, lifestyle, and care aligns with how hair growth works biologically.