anagen
noun
an·a·gen
ˈa-nə-ˌjen 
: the active phase of the hair growth cycle that precedes catagen and telogen, that is marked by rapid division and differentiation of cells in the lower portion of the hair follicle and by lengthening of the hair shaft, and that typically lasts between two to six years
Note: At any given time, approximately 80% to 90% of hair follicles are in anagen.
Examples of anagen in a Sentence
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The first is the anagen or growth phase.
—
Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025
Otherwise known as anagen effluvium, hair loss occurs when there’s something that’s preventing your hair from growing, according to the AAD.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
After a stressor, up to 70 percent of your hair in the anagen stage can prematurely enter the telogen phase.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
Mice have distinct hair growth cycles – growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and rest (telogen).
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Taking minoxidil orally can support the hair follicle cycle and trigger anagen (the resting phase) prematurely.
—Jessie Quinn, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2025
Scalp health has a major impact on hair growth, and improving blood circulation is important for the anagen phase of the hair-growth cycle.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2025
Your hair has three stages of growth: the anagen stage, the catagen stage, and the telogen stage.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
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Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025
Otherwise known as anagen effluvium, hair loss occurs when there’s something that’s preventing your hair from growing, according to the AAD.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
After a stressor, up to 70 percent of your hair in the anagen stage can prematurely enter the telogen phase.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
Mice have distinct hair growth cycles – growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and rest (telogen).
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Taking minoxidil orally can support the hair follicle cycle and trigger anagen (the resting phase) prematurely.
—Jessie Quinn, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2025
Scalp health has a major impact on hair growth, and improving blood circulation is important for the anagen phase of the hair-growth cycle.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2025
Your hair has three stages of growth: the anagen stage, the catagen stage, and the telogen stage.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anagen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anagen. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anagen
noun
an·a·gen
ˈan-ə-ˌjen
: the active phase of the hair growth cycle that precedes catagen and telogen, that is marked by rapid division and differentiation of cells in the lower portion of the hair follicle and by lengthening of the hair shaft, and that typically lasts between two to six years
Note: At any given time, approximately 80% to 90% of hair follicles are in anagen.
The initial step, anagen, provides the active growth of the hair fiber, during which cells at the base of the follicle rapidly divide.—Damaris Christensen
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