Colorado Cosmetology Written Practice Exam 2026 - Free Cosmetology Practice Questions and Study Guide

During the telogen phase of hair growth, the hair remains in the follicle until it is pushed out by new hair growth. This phase is considered the resting stage of the hair growth cycle, during which the hair does not grow but is secure in the follicle. It typically lasts several weeks to a few months, allowing for the possibility of growth in new hair strands.

The hair may eventually be shed, but this process does not occur immediately; rather, it will happen when new hair is ready to emerge from the follicle, pushing the old hair out. This phase is crucial for the overall health and renewal of hair follicles, allowing the cycle of growth to restart effectively with new hair formation.

In distinction, hair cells are not produced during this stage (as seen in the anagen phase), and there isn't an immediate shedding of hair; rather, it focuses on maintaining the current hair until it is replaced. The telogen phase does not involve a transition—this characteristic is more connected with the catagen phase, where the hair follicle begins to shrink and prepare for eventual shedding.