Utah Esthetics Written State Practice Exam

During which hair growth stage is hair removal most effective?

1. Telogen

2. Anagen

3. Catagen

4. Interphase

The correct answer is: Anagen

During the anagen stage of hair growth, the hair is actively growing and is firmly anchored in the hair follicle. This stage is crucial for effective hair removal methods such as waxing, laser hair removal, and electrolysis. During anagen, the hair is more easily targeted because it has a greater blood supply and is still connected to the follicle, making it easier for the removal processes to work effectively at the root. In contrast, the telogen stage is the resting phase where hair is inactive and more loosely attached, making it less susceptible to removal techniques. Similarly, the catagen stage is a transitional phase where the hair follicle shrinks and hair begins detaching, which also decreases effectiveness for removal methods. The interphase is not commonly recognized in standard hair growth cycle discussions, as it typically refers to a phase in cellular processes rather than hair growth specifically. Thus, the anagen stage is clearly the optimal time for hair removal due to the hair's active growth and attachment characteristics.