Which of the following statements about the anagen phase of hair growth is INCORRECT?

The anagen phase is indeed recognized as the growth phase of hair, during which hair follicles actively produce new hair. This phase is crucial to the overall length of the hair because the longer the hair remains in this active growth phase, the longer it can ultimately become before transitioning into the next phases of the hair growth cycle.

The anagen phase can last several years, which is why it plays such a significant role in determining the maximum length that hair can achieve. Depending on individual genetics and health, this phase can vary significantly in duration, further contributing to variations in hair length among different people.

The statement that is considered incorrect pertains to the sequence of the hair growth phases. The anagen phase occurs prior to the telogen phase, not after. After anagen, the hair goes through the catagen phase, followed by the telogen phase, which is a rest period before the cycle starts over with another anagen phase. Thus, understanding the correct sequence of these phases is essential for recognizing how hair growth operates.