Terminal hair

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Terminal hair is developed hair, which is generally longer, coarser, thicker, and darker than vellus hair. Phases of growth in terminal hair are more apparent than in vellus hair; terminal hair generally has a longer anagen phase. A terminal hair has associated sebaceous glands, whereas a vellus hair may not. Under certain conditions, such as puberty, some vellus hairs may become androgenic terminal hairs. Under other conditions, such as male pattern baldness, terminal hairs may revert to a vellus-like state. In the western world it is common that girls let their hair grow to a certain length and keep it until they reach 30-40 years age, while boys usually cut their hair short. This is often influenced by different fashions and when women want longer hair for a short period, they more and more often use hair extensions and fake hair.

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. Terminal Hair is made almost entirely of dead skin particles pushed from beneath the skin and hardening into its seen state.

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