What happens during the catagen phase of hair growth?

During the catagen phase of hair growth, the hair enters a transitional stage after the active growth period known as anagen. This phase is characterized by a cessation of hair growth, during which the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla, leading to the eventual production of a club hair. The hair itself is no longer actively growing, and its attachment to the follicle weakens, preparing for the next phase, known as telogen.

In contrast to the other phases, in catagen, the hair doesn’t continue to grow actively, nor is it in the stage of complete shedding, which would occur later. There's also no regeneration of the hair follicles during this phase. Understanding the dynamics of these phases is crucial for those in the esthetics and hair care fields, as it directly relates to hair health and various treatment approaches.