What is the catagen stage of hair growth characterized as?

The catagen stage of hair growth is characterized as a transitional period. During this phase, hair follicles undergo changes as they prepare for a shift from the active growth phase to the resting phase. The catagen stage typically lasts about two to three weeks and involves the cessation of active growth, leading to the hair follicle shrinking and detaching from the dermal papilla.

At this point, the hair is not actively growing, and this transition is crucial as it sets the stage for the final phase of the hair cycle, the telogen phase, in which hair will eventually shed. Understanding this phase helps clarify the overall hair growth cycle and the natural processes involved in hair maintenance and development.