During which phase does hair stop growing and begins to prepare for shedding?

The catagen phase is the transitional stage in the hair growth cycle where hair growth stops and the hair follicle shrinks. During this phase, the hair undergoes significant changes as it prepares for shedding. Typically, this phase lasts for a few weeks and marks the end of the anagen phase, which is the active growth phase for hair.

As the hair follicle moves into the catagen phase, the lower part of the hair growth cycle becomes detached from the follicle, and hair production ceases. This is crucial because it sets the stage for the subsequent shedding of hair during the telogen phase, where the hair remains in the follicle but is not actively growing. Understanding these distinct phases is essential for comprehending the hair growth cycle and the physiological processes involved in hair removal techniques.