Catagen - the intermediate phase

The catagen phase lasts for 2 - 3 weeks in the human scalp. No pigment is produced during this phase and the follicle stops producing hair. The follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of its normal length. The base of the follicle moves upwards towards the surface of the skin. The dermal papilla breaks away to rest below. A new hair forms in the hair bulb itself, underneath the existing hair without the old hair falling out - hair bulb rises up, but stays in the skin.