California Cosmetology Written ExamHair RemovalHard
A client's hair follicle has stopped receiving nourishment from the blood supply and is beginning to detach from the dermal papilla, though it has not yet shed. Which phase of the hair growth cycle is this?
- ATelogen phase
- BExogen phase
- CCatagen phase
- DAnagen phase
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Catagen phase
The catagen phase is a brief transitional stage between active growth and rest, during which the hair follicle shrinks, detaches from the blood supply, and begins separating from the dermal papilla, but has not yet fallen out.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Telogen is the resting phase after catagen, when the hair is fully detached and awaiting shedding.
- B. Exogen refers to the actual shedding of the hair, which has not occurred yet in this scenario.
- D. Anagen is the active growth phase, not the transitional detachment stage.
Catagen Phase
A brief transitional phase of the hair growth cycle in which the follicle shrinks and detaches from its blood supply and papilla before entering the resting phase.
- Lasts only a few weeks
- Follicle shrinks and separates from papilla
- Precedes the telogen (resting) phase
Memory trick: Catagen = Changing — the bridge between growth and rest.