Michigan Cosmetology Licensing Practice Exam

Shedding of hair typically occurs during the telogen phase, which is the resting stage in the hair growth cycle. In this phase, the hair follicle is inactive, and the hair shaft is fully formed. It remains in place for a while, but at some point, the hair will detach from the follicle and fall out, making way for new hair to grow. This phase is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance of hair growth and shedding, allowing the cycle to continue.

The other phases of hair growth have different characteristics. During the anagen phase, which is the active growth phase, hair is continuously growing and is firmly anchored in the follicle. The catagen phase is a transitional stage where hair growth slows, and the follicle shrinks, but shedding does not occur at this point. The exogen phase refers to the process of hair falling out, but it is typically considered a part of the telogen phase, serving as a transition to the shedding of old hair. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of the telogen phase is essential for grasping how and when shedding takes place.