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
Scalp health has a major impact on hair growth, and improving blood circulation is important for the anagen phase of the hair-growth cycle.
—
Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2025
Body hair cells have anagen phases lasting just a few weeks or months, giving them less time to grow.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
During anagen, the hair follicle will produce a new shaft–the part of the follicle that pokes above the skin.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
Your hair has three stages of growth: the anagen stage, the catagen stage, and the telogen stage.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
These cells are responsible for the regeneration of hair during the growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Estrogen supports hair growth by extending the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, James says.
—Eva Crouse, Flow Space, 31 Jan. 2025
Hair grows in three stages, driven by stem cells inside the hair follicles: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 30 Jan. 2025
The stages are anagen (growth stage), catagen (regression stage), telogen (resting stage), and exogen (shedding stage).
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
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Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2025
Body hair cells have anagen phases lasting just a few weeks or months, giving them less time to grow.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
During anagen, the hair follicle will produce a new shaft–the part of the follicle that pokes above the skin.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
Your hair has three stages of growth: the anagen stage, the catagen stage, and the telogen stage.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
These cells are responsible for the regeneration of hair during the growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Estrogen supports hair growth by extending the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, James says.
—Eva Crouse, Flow Space, 31 Jan. 2025
Hair grows in three stages, driven by stem cells inside the hair follicles: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 30 Jan. 2025
The stages are anagen (growth stage), catagen (regression stage), telogen (resting stage), and exogen (shedding stage).
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anagen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anagen. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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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