What are the three phases of hair growth?

The three phases of hair growth—Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen—represent the complete hair growth cycle.

Anagen is the active growth phase where the hair follicles are producing new hair. During this phase, which can last several years, the hair is growing steadily. The duration of the anagen phase is significant because it determines the maximum length of the hair.

Catagen follows the anagen phase and is a transitional stage that lasts a few weeks. In this phase, hair growth slows, and the hair follicle shrinks. This phase marks the end of active hair growth before the hair enters the resting stage.

Telogen is the final phase in the cycle, where the hair is effectively in a resting state. It typically lasts a few months, during which the hair can fall out and eventually be replaced by new hair growing from the same follicle when it re-enters the anagen phase.

This understanding of the hair growth cycle is crucial for barbers and hairstylists, as it influences hair management, scheduling haircuts, and understanding how and why hair may thin or bald in certain areas. The inclusion of Exogen in some choices is misleading, as it refers to the process of hair shedding rather than representing a distinct