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
Recent Examples on the Web
About 90% of your hair is in the anagen phase.4
Catagen is a transitional phase lasting about two weeks, during which the hair's attachment to the follicle weakens.
—
Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2024
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
The stages are anagen (growth stage), catagen (regression stage), telogen (resting stage), and exogen (shedding stage).
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
In the study, the mice received their respective treatments daily for 20 days, after which skin sections were analyzed to gauge hair length, diameter, follicle density and width, hair anagen (growth) and telogen (rest) ratio, melanin coverage of hair bulbs and growth in blood vessels.
—New Atlas, 22 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
Scalp health has a major impact on hair growth, and improving blood circulation is important for the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
—Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2024
Researchers concluded that rice bran mineral extract may lengthen the time the hair follicle is in the anagen phase, which is when follicle growth occurs.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 1 Jan. 2024
The anagen phase is not only the most active but also the longest of the stages, lasting anywhere between three to seven years depending on individual factors such as ethnicity, overall health and medication.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2023
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Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2024
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
The stages are anagen (growth stage), catagen (regression stage), telogen (resting stage), and exogen (shedding stage).
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
In the study, the mice received their respective treatments daily for 20 days, after which skin sections were analyzed to gauge hair length, diameter, follicle density and width, hair anagen (growth) and telogen (rest) ratio, melanin coverage of hair bulbs and growth in blood vessels.
—New Atlas, 22 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
Scalp health has a major impact on hair growth, and improving blood circulation is important for the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
—Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2024
Researchers concluded that rice bran mineral extract may lengthen the time the hair follicle is in the anagen phase, which is when follicle growth occurs.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 1 Jan. 2024
The anagen phase is not only the most active but also the longest of the stages, lasting anywhere between three to seven years depending on individual factors such as ethnicity, overall health and medication.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near anagen
Cite this Entry
“Anagen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anagen. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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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