California Cosmetology Written ExamClient Consultation and AnalysisMedium
A cosmetologist explains the hair growth cycle to a client and describes a brief transitional phase during which the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from its blood supply before the hair becomes dormant. Which phase is being described?
- ACatagen phase
- BExogen phase
- CAnagen phase
- DTelogen phase
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Catagen phase
The catagen phase is the brief transitional stage (lasting about one to three weeks) during which the hair follicle shrinks, detaches from the dermal papilla's blood supply, and the hair stops growing in preparation for the resting (telogen) phase.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Exogen (shedding) is not a standard phase tested; the transitional phase is catagen.
- C. Anagen is the active growth phase, not the transitional shrinking phase.
- D. Telogen is the resting phase that follows catagen, not the transition itself.
Catagen Phase
The brief transitional phase of the hair growth cycle where the follicle shrinks and detaches from its blood supply, lasting about 1-3 weeks.
- Occurs between anagen and telogen
- Follicle shrinks and separates from blood supply
- Affects about 1% of hairs at any time
Memory trick: CATagen is the CATnap between growing and resting.