Vellus hair, terminal hair, peach fuzz… what’s the difference and what exactly do these terms mean when it comes to you? We’ve got the answers to your top five questions about facial fuzz!
What is peach fuzz?
Peach fuzz is the common name for what’s technically known as vellus hair. It’s that thin, fine, soft hair that grows all over your body, including your face, neck and stomach. In fact, the only place vellus hair doesn’t grow is the soles of your feet, your palms, your lips and your eyelids.
The exact color and thickness of vellus hair varies from individual to individual, but in general it’s lighter and finer than terminal hair. What is terminal hair vs. vellus hair, you ask? Terminal hair is the hair that’s found on your scalp and your armpits, and on a man’s beard. It’s much thicker and coarser than vellus hair. “Think of vellus hair like a piece of silk thread, and terminal hair like piece of copper wire,” explains DERMAFLASH founder Dara Levy.
Is peach fuzz normal?
This one is easy! Peach fuzz is 100% normal. The purpose of vellus hair is to help regulate body temperature. It helps to wick away sweat, and it’s also responsible for that “goosebumps” sensation you feel when you’re cold. Brrr!
Removing vellus hair is completely normal, too. Some people simply prefer the look of smooth skin—especially on their face—and others find that makeup applies much more smoothly and easily when your face is free of peach fuzz. Which brings us to our next topic…
How to get rid of peach fuzz
If you’re looking for the best way to get rid of peach fuzz on your face, dermaplaning is hands-down the most effective method of vellus hair removal. In case you you’re not familiar with it, dermaplaning is a procedure where a dermatologist or a specially trained esthetician uses a surgical blade to gently “scrape” vellus hair and dead skin cells off the surface of your skin. Sonic dermaplaning is a more technologically advanced method that gives you the same super-smooth, fuzz-free results as traditional dermaplaning—along with added skin-improving and safety benefits, too.
Unlike dermaplaning with an open scalpel blade, sonic dermaplaning with LUXE+ is completely safe to do at home. The blade that’s used with LUXE+ is our trademarked Microfine Edge, and it has a proprietary Safety Cage that keeps your skin protected from any accidental nicks or scrapes during your treatment. Our patented Sonic Technology allows the device to glide smoothly over your skin, without tugging or skipping like cheap disposable razors can. It also helps boost microcirculation, giving your skin an instant glow.
When you remove vellus hair with sonic dermaplaning, you get so much more than fuzz-free skin… you’re getting gentle anti-aging exfoliation that improves your skin texture and tone immediately and in the long term.
Does vellus hair grow back thicker?
In a word, no! Neither shaving nor sonic dermaplaning can change the hair follicle or affect how hair grows back in any way. Hormonal changes and conditions, along with certain medications, are they only factors that can affect hair’s natural growth pattern. “Your peach fuzz will grow back exactly as it was before. No thicker, no darker, no different,” explains Dr. Arisa Ortiz, a board-certified dermatologist and director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at UC San Diego Health.
Does removing peach fuzz cause stubble?
The answer to this question is also no! Stubble is a result of shaving terminal hair. When you shave your underarms, for example, the hair that grows back has a blunt tip, which gives it that stubbly look and feel. Since vellus hair on your face is so fine and soft (unlike terminal hair), it won’t cause stubble as it grows back.
So remove your peach fuzz (a.k.a vellus hair!) with confidence and enjoy the glowing skin, improved texture and tone, and easier makeup application you get as a bonus!
