Wisconsin Cosmetology Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The anagen phase is the stage of hair growth where the most active growth occurs. During this phase, which can last several years depending on genetics and other factors, hair follicles are actively producing new cells that form the hair. This is the longest phase in the hair growth cycle, and it accounts for the majority of the hair's lifetime. The hair grows continuously, and this is also the stage where the shaft of the hair becomes thicker and stronger.

In contrast, the other phases serve different purposes in the hair growth cycle. The telogen phase is a resting phase where hair is shed and the follicles are not actively producing hair. The catagen phase is a short transitional period where the hair stops growing and prepares to enter the telogen phase. The exogen phase is considered a part of the telogen phase, where old hair is shed to allow for new growth to begin in the anagen phase. Understanding these distinctions helps in recognizing the natural cycle of hair growth and its implications for hair health and treatment.