catagen
noun
cat·a·gen
ˈka-tə-ˌjen 
: a short transitional phase of the hair growth cycle between anagen and telogen that usually lasts between 10 to 20 days and during which the lower portion of the hair follicle regresses and hair growth ends
In catagen, the hair follicle stops producing the fiber and regresses, shrinking dramatically.—
Damaris Christensen
Damaris ChristensenExamples of catagen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Both the catagen and telogen phases of the hair cycle (where the hair shaft is released from the scalp) are reduced and, simply put, stay attached to the scalp for longer.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The hair growth cycle consists of three stages: anagen (the growth period), catagen (the transition period) and telogen (the rest period).
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Your hair has three stages of growth: the anagen stage, the catagen stage, and the telogen stage.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
The stages are anagen (growth stage), catagen (regression stage), telogen (resting stage), and exogen (shedding stage).
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Hair grows in the anagen phase, stays at rest in the catagen phase, and eventually sheds in the telogen phase.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 27 Oct. 2024
Expect to go in for treatments every four weeks, which syncs with the body’s natural hair growth cycle: the antigen phase, meaning growing; the catagen phase, which is when the hair rests; and the telogen phase, the period when the hair falls out.
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 3 July 2024
The average hair growth cycle occurs in three phases: the growing phase (anagen) which can last up to six years until the regressing phase occurs (catagen), before the hair sheds in the (telogen) resting phase.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Normal, healthy hair growth occurs in four stages: Growth (anagen), transition (catagen), resting (telogen), and shedding (exogen).
—Brenda Della Casa, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024
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Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The hair growth cycle consists of three stages: anagen (the growth period), catagen (the transition period) and telogen (the rest period).
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Your hair has three stages of growth: the anagen stage, the catagen stage, and the telogen stage.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
The stages are anagen (growth stage), catagen (regression stage), telogen (resting stage), and exogen (shedding stage).
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Hair grows in the anagen phase, stays at rest in the catagen phase, and eventually sheds in the telogen phase.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 27 Oct. 2024
Expect to go in for treatments every four weeks, which syncs with the body’s natural hair growth cycle: the antigen phase, meaning growing; the catagen phase, which is when the hair rests; and the telogen phase, the period when the hair falls out.
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 3 July 2024
The average hair growth cycle occurs in three phases: the growing phase (anagen) which can last up to six years until the regressing phase occurs (catagen), before the hair sheds in the (telogen) resting phase.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Normal, healthy hair growth occurs in four stages: Growth (anagen), transition (catagen), resting (telogen), and shedding (exogen).
—Brenda Della Casa, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Catagen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catagen. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
catagen
noun
cat·a·gen
ˈka-tə-ˌjen
: a short transitional phase of the hair growth cycle between anagen and telogen that usually lasts between 10 to 20 days and during which the lower portion of the hair follicle regresses and hair growth ends
Anagen is followed by a regressive stage called catagen, of about two to three weeks, then a resting stage, telogen, of about three months.—C. Claiborne Ray
C. Claiborne RayIn catagen, the hair follicle stops producing the fiber and regresses, shrinking dramatically.—Damaris Christensen
Damaris ChristensenLove words? Need even more definitions?
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