What does early anagen refer to?

Early anagen refers to the phase when hair is actively growing. During this phase, the hair follicle is in a state of active production and the hair shaft lengthens as new cells are created at the base of the follicle. This is a critical phase in the hair growth cycle, as it is characterized by the proliferation of keratinocytes, which leads to the production of the hair shaft.

In contrast, shedding does not occur during this phase, nor does it refer to a resting state where growth has ceased. The resting phase, known as telogen, follows the anagen phase, and comes after the active growth phase has completed. The phase that precedes hair growth, which is known as the catagen phase, involves transitional changes in the follicle, and does not represent active hair growth itself. Therefore, the correct understanding of early anagen is that it signifies a vigorous growth period in the hair growth cycle.