Soft, fine and generally light-coloured hair

See almost any child sitting in the sunlight. See how their cheeks, faces, arms seem to glow with a tiny aura. Look closely and see that they're covered in something like peach fuzz. Pale, fine hair covering their skin. This is vellus.

Vellus refers to a type of hair found on most areas of the human body. It is typically soft, fine, and lightly pigmented compared to other types of hair. Vellus hair is short (usually less than 2 cm), and it serves several functions, including helping with temperature regulation by trapping a small layer of air close to the skin.

It is present from childhood and covers most of the body. It is most noticeable on areas like the face, arms, and torso. In contrast, terminal hair is thicker, coarser, and darker and grows on areas such as the scalp, eyebrows, and after puberty, in places like the armpits, groin, and face and chest (in men).

The transition of vellus hair to terminal hair during puberty is driven by hormones like androgens. For example, during puberty, some vellus hair in areas like the face, chest, and legs changes to thicker terminal hair, especially in males.

Vellus hair is normal and plays a role in maintaining the skin's health and function. Excessive or abnormal vellus hair growth in areas where terminal hair is expected might sometimes be a sign of a hormonal imbalance, although this is generally uncommon.






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240