During which hair growth phase does the hair become detached from the hair matrix?

The hair growth phase during which the hair becomes detached from the hair matrix is the catagen phase. This transition stage follows the anagen phase, which is when active hair growth occurs. In the catagen phase, the hair follicle shrinks, leading to a cessation of growth and transformation. At this point, the hair detaches from the hair matrix, which is the area responsible for producing new hair cells, forming a structure called the club hair.

Understanding this phase is crucial because it indicates that the hair has completed its growth cycle and is preparing to shed. The telogen phase, which follows catagen, is a resting phase where the hair is still present in the follicle but is not actively growing. The anagen phase involves active growth and doesn’t involve detachment, while the lag phase is not typically recognized as a primary stage in the hair growth cycle. Overall, recognizing the catagen phase's role in hair lifecycle dynamics is essential for understanding hair growth and shedding processes.