Laser Technician IBEC Board Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The growth phase of hair where it is actively growing is known as the anagen phase. During this phase, hair follicles go through a period of vigorous cell division, resulting in increased hair length. Anagen can last from several years to a decade, depending on individual genetic factors and the specific area of the body.

In this phase, the cells in the hair bulb multiply rapidly, pushing the older cells upward. As these older cells move further away from the hair follicle, they undergo keratinization, eventually forming the visible hair strand. This is why the anagen phase is often referred to as the "growth phase," as it is the stage in which the hair is growing at its maximum rate.

Understanding the other phases—telogen, catagen, and exogen—can provide additional context; telogen is the resting phase when the hair is not actively growing, catagen is a transitional phase that occurs after anagen when hair growth slows and the follicle begins to shrink, and exogen refers to the shedding of the hair. Each of these phases plays a unique role in the hair growth cycle, but the anagen phase is specifically defined by active growth.