NIC Barber Written (Theory) ExamScientific ConceptsHard
A barber is performing a consultation for a client who is concerned about excessive hair shedding. The client reports that large amounts of hair are coming out at the root, and they notice a small, white bulb at the end of each shed hair. This indicates an increased proportion of hair in which phase of the hair growth cycle?
- ATelogen
- BAnagen
- CCatagen
- DExogen
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Telogen
The presence of a small, white bulb at the root of a shed hair indicates that the hair has completed its growth phase and entered the resting (telogen) phase before shedding. Excessive shedding with these characteristics points to a higher-than-normal percentage of hair prematurely entering or remaining in the telogen phase.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Anagen is the active growth phase; hair shed in this phase would likely be broken, not with a white bulb at the root.
- C. Catagen is a transitional phase where the hair follicle shrinks, but hairs are not typically shed with a prominent white bulb from this phase.
- D. Exogen is the active shedding part of the telogen phase, but the question specifically asks for the 'phase' of the hair growth cycle, which is Telogen, encompassing the resting and shedding period.
Telogen Phase (Hair Cycle)
The resting phase of the hair growth cycle, during which the hair follicle is dormant and the hair shaft is fully keratinized and prepares to shed.
- Lasts approximately 2-4 months.
- Hairs in this phase have a characteristic white bulb at the root when shed.
- Usually, 10-15% of scalp hairs are in this phase at any given time.
Memory trick: A Cat Tells Everything: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, Exogen!