Utah Master Esthetician Practice Exam

What phase of hair growth is known as the transitional phase?

1. Anagen

2. Telogen

3. Catagen

4. Exogen

The correct answer is: Catagen

The transitional phase of hair growth is referred to as the catagen phase. During this phase, which usually lasts a few weeks, the hair follicles shrink, and the hair growth slows down significantly. It's a critical period where the hair detaches from its blood supply and prepares to be shed. The catagen phase is essential in the overall hair lifecycle, as it marks the end of active growth from the anagen phase and transitions towards the telogen phase, where the hair is at rest and eventually falls out. Understanding this phase is crucial for estheticians, as it informs them about the natural hair shedding process and how it relates to hair treatments and overall skin and hair health. The other phases, such as anagen (growth phase), telogen (resting phase), and exogen (shedding phase), each play different roles in the hair cycle but do not represent the transitional characteristics found specifically in the catagen phase.