What is vellus (lanugo) hair?

Vellus, also known as lanugo hair, refers to the fine, soft hair that is typically found commonly on various parts of the face and body. This type of hair is usually light in color and short in length, contributing to the overall smooth appearance of the skin. Vellus hair is important in various stages of development, particularly in newborns, where it can help protect and warm the skin before the growth of terminal hair, which is thicker and more pigmented.

This understanding of vellus hair highlights its role as a common type of hair that serves essential functions rather than being coarse and dense, which is characteristic of other hair types found on the scalp or in specific areas like underarms or facial hair in males.