The growth phase during which hair actively grows is called

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

Answer: (C)

The actively growing hair phase is the anagen phase. During this stage, cells in the hair bulb divide and keratinize, building the hair shaft and pushing it upward while the follicle is well nourished by blood. The length of anagen varies by body site and individual (scalp hair can grow for years, while body hair may only grow for weeks or months). After the growth phase comes a short transition (catagen), then a resting phase (telogen) where shedding occurs, with exogen sometimes described as the shedding step. The key idea is that growth-ready, actively extending hair corresponds to the anagen phase.