In what stage of hair growth is hair removal most effective?

Hair removal is most effective during the anagen stage of hair growth. This is the active growth phase where hair follicles are producing new hair. During this stage, the hair is firmly anchored in the follicle and is still receiving nutrients and signals for growth from the hair bulb. Because the hair is actively growing, it is also the most susceptible to destructive hair removal techniques, such as laser treatments or electrolysis.

In contrast, the other stages present different challenges for hair removal. During the telogen stage, the hair is in a resting phase and is not actively growing; it is preparing to shed, making removal less effective. The catagen stage, which follows anagen, is transitional with hair slowly detaching from the follicle, and again reduces effectiveness in removal techniques. Exogen is often considered part of the telogen phase, where the hair is actively shedding but not growing, further diminishing the efficacy of hair removal methods. Thus, the anagen phase is critical for successful hair removal outcomes.