Wondering what vellus hair is and what purpose it serves? We’re here to explain. (And if you want to de-fuzz, we have easy tips on how to remove peach fuzz safely and gently.)
What is vellus hair?
Vellus hair is the scientific name for peach fuzz—the fine, soft, fuzzy hair that covers most of your body. For most women, vellus hair grows on areas including the face, neck, arms, stomach, back and even the earlobes. There are only a few places where vellus hair doesn’t grow, including the soles of the feet, the palms, lips, and eyelids.
The exact color and thickness of vellus hair varies from person to person, but in general it’s much lighter, finer, and softer than terminal hair. When it comes to terminal hair vs. vellus hair, there are a few key differences. Terminal hair is thicker, darker, and coarser than vellus hair. A man’s beard, for example, is made up of terminal hair. Women’s facial fuzz, on the other hand, is made up of vellus hair. True to its nickname, vellus hair does resemble the fuzz on a peach. “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?
Yes. Dermatologists say peach fuzz is 100% normal. The purpose of peach fuzz is to help regulate body temperature. It helps to wick away sweat, and it’s also responsible for the “goosebumps” sensation you feel when you’re cold.
While there’s nothing wrong with having vellus hair on your face (or anywhere else), removing peach fuzz is perfectly fine too. Some women simply prefer the look of smooth skin, especially on their face. Others find that makeup applies more easily, looks more natural, and doesn’t cake up 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, experts say sonic dermaplaning is the safest and most effective method of vellus hair removal. Unlike traditional dermaplaning (which is done by a licensed practitioner using an open scalpel blade and should never be done at home) sonic dermaplaning with LUXE+ is completely safe to do at home.
The LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning device uses a patented MicroFine Edge™ with a proprietary Safety Cage, which keeps your skin protected from any accidental nicks or cuts as you’re shaving away peach fuzz. In addition, the proprietary Sonic Technology allows the device to glide smoothly over your skin, without tugging or skipping like cheap disposable razors can. The high-level sonic vibration also helps boost microcirculation, which supports collagen production and helps skin look firmer and younger.
When you remove vellus hair with sonic dermaplaning, you’re getting 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?
When you shave or use a sonic dermaplaning device, your peach fuzz will not grow back thicker. The reason is that neither shaving nor sonic dermaplaning have the ability to change the hair follicle or affect regrowth in any way. The only factors that can affect hair’s natural growth pattern are hormonal changes (such as puberty), certain medications and health conditions, or laser treatments. When you dermaplane, “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.
The bottom line: If you want to remove your peach fuzz, you can do so with confidence and enjoy the glowing skin, improved texture and tone, and easier makeup application you get as a bonus.
