Delaware Cosmetology and Barbering Practice Exam

During which stage of hair growth does shedding occur?

1. Anagen phase

2. Caten phase

3. Telogen phase

4. Exogen phase

The correct answer is: Telogen phase

Shedding occurs during the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. This phase is characterized by the resting period of hair follicles, during which the hair is fully formed but not actively growing. As the hair reaches the end of its life cycle in the telogen phase, it eventually detaches from the follicle and falls out, making room for new hair to grow in the subsequent anagen phase. While the other phases are important in the overall hair growth cycle, they do not directly involve the shedding of hair. The anagen phase is where active hair growth occurs, the caten phase is a transitional period where growth slows down but does not involve shedding, and the exogen phase is often considered part of the telogen phase where the shedding process may start to happen, but it is not specifically recognized as a distinct phase in all classifications of the hair cycle. Therefore, the telogen phase is specifically identified with the shedding of hair.