This document discusses the structure of hair and the hair growth cycle. It notes that hair is made of keratin and has three layers - the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The hair growth cycle has four phases: anagen (growing phase lasting 2-7 years), catagen (transition phase lasting 10 days), telogen (resting phase lasting around 3 months), and exogen (shedding phase). Each hair follicle grows independently through this cycle to regenerate hair over time. Factors like stress, diet changes, drugs and illness can interrupt the normal cycle and cause excessive hair loss.