The hair growth cycle comprises which phases?

• A. Anagen, Telogen, Catagen
• B. Anagen, Catagen, Telogen
• C. Catagen, Anagen, Telogen
• D. Telogen, Anagen, Catagen

Answer: (B)

The hair growth cycle progresses through growth, transition, and resting in this order: anagen, catagen, telogen. During the anagen phase, hair is actively growing and the follicle is producing hair shaft. This is followed by the catagen phase, a brief transitional period when growth stops and the follicle shrinks. Finally, the telogen phase is the resting and shedding period, after which a new anagen phase begins and the cycle restarts. The sequence matters because each phase has a distinct role in how hair grows, stops growing, and eventually sheds. On the scalp, anagen lasts the longest (years), catagen is very short, and telogen lasts a few months before new growth starts again.