California Cosmetology Written ExamClient Consultation and AnalysisEasy
A client asks why some hairs on her head are shed while others continue to grow. The cosmetologist explains that hair in the resting phase, before it eventually falls out, is in which stage of the growth cycle?
- AAnagen phase
- BTelogen phase
- CMitosis phase
- DCatagen phase
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Telogen phase
The telogen phase is the resting stage of the hair growth cycle, lasting about three to four months, during which the hair is dormant and eventually sheds to make way for new anagen growth.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Anagen is the active growth phase, not the resting stage.
- C. Mitosis is a cell division process, not a named phase of the hair growth cycle.
- D. Catagen is the short transitional phase preceding telogen.
Telogen Phase
The resting phase of the hair growth cycle, lasting about 3-4 months, during which the hair is dormant before shedding.
- Follows the catagen phase
- Hair is dormant, not growing
- About 10-15% of scalp hairs are in telogen at any time
Memory trick: TELogen = TELL it to rest before it falls.