Terminal hair

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Human hair
By area Head hair Androgenic hair Facial hair Chest hair Underarm hair Abdominal hair Pubic hair Leg hair
By type Vellus hair Terminal hair Lanugo
Related topics Human hair color Hypertrichosis Trichophilia Hair removal Hair loss
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Terminal hair is developed hair, which is generally longer, coarser, thicker and darker than the shorter and finer vellus hair. It can be found on the scalp, beard, armpits, and pubic area. Phases of growth in it are more apparent than in vellus hair; it generally has a longer anagen phase. It has associated sebaceous glands, whereas a vellus hair may not. Under certain conditions, such as puberty, some vellus hair may become androgenic hair. Under other conditions, such as male pattern baldness, it may revert to a vellus-like state.

In humans, terminal hair is generally more abundant on males than females. However, variations exist within populations with some women appearing more hairy than some males.