Which phase is resting?

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

Answer: (D)

The resting phase is telogen. In this portion of the hair growth cycle, the follicle is dormant and not actively producing a new hair shaft. The hair remains in the follicle temporarily, and over time it will be shed as a new growth cycle begins. The duration of telogen varies by body area and individual, but it ends when a new anagen phase starts and the follicle re-enters active growth.

For context, anagen is the active growth phase, where the hair is actively lengthening and attached to a growing follicle; catagen is a brief transitional phase as growth slows; exogen is the shedding phase where the hair is released. In laser hair removal, treatments are most effective during anagen when the hair is firmly in the follicle and pigmented, whereas during telogen the hair is resting and not growing, making removal less efficient.