What stage of hair growth is known as the catagen stage?

The catagen stage refers to the transitional period in the hair growth cycle. During this phase, which follows the anagen stage where the hair is actively growing, the hair follicle begins to shrink and detach from the blood supply. This results in the hair ceasing its active growth and preparing to move into the next stage, known as telogen.

Understanding the catagen stage is crucial in electrolysis since it is one of the phases where hair is more susceptible to permanent removal. Electrolysis works most effectively when hair is in the anagen phase, but being knowledgeable about the catagen phase helps practitioners recognize when hair has transitioned and how that may affect treatment times and effectiveness.

The other choices represent different phases of hair growth: the anagen stage is when hair is actively growing, the telogen stage is when the hair is resting before it is shed, and the term "growth stage" is a less precise description that does not specifically identify any recognized phase in the hair growth cycle. Thus, recognizing the catagen stage as the transitional stage within the growth cycle is essential for understanding hair removal techniques in electrolysis.