Catagen, a brief transitional stage of hair growth, lasts for how long?

Catagen, a brief transitional stage of hair growth, lasts for how long?

• A. A Few Days
• B. A Few Weeks
• C. Several Months
• D. One Year

Answer: (B)

The hair growth cycle progresses through three phases: active growth (anagen), a brief transitional phase (catagen), and a resting phase (telogen). Catagen is the short transitional stage where the follicle stops growing hair and begins to shrink, preparing to move into telogen. Because this shift happens quickly, catagen lasts only a few weeks—typically about two to three weeks. That’s why the best choice is a few weeks. A few days is too short for the follicle to complete involution, while several months or a year would be far too long for this brief transition and would align more with the resting phase.

The hair growth cycle progresses through three phases: active growth (anagen), a brief transitional phase (catagen), and a resting phase (telogen). Catagen is the short transitional stage where the follicle stops growing hair and begins to shrink, preparing to move into telogen. Because this shift happens quickly, catagen lasts only a few weeks—typically about two to three weeks. That’s why the best choice is a few weeks. A few days is too short for the follicle to complete involution, while several months or a year would be far too long for this brief transition and would align more with the resting phase.