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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Vellus Hair Quiz: Which Hair Is Short, Fine, and Unpigmented?

Quick, free quiz to test your knowledge of short fine unpigmented hair. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Hamukoto MathewUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art hair strands quiz text on teal background tests knowledge of downy hair and electrolysis removal insights

This quiz helps you identify vellus hair (the short, fine, unpigmented hair) and tell it from terminal hair in real photo examples. If you want a deeper foundation, try the hair anatomy quiz, and for broader texture checks and context, take the hair type quiz today.

What type of hair is short, fine, unpigmented, and downy?
Vellus hair
Terminal hair
Pili multigemini
Lanugo hair
Short, fine, unpigmented, downy hair covering most of the human body is known as vellus hair. It differs from terminal hair by its lack of pigment and thin shaft. Vellus hairs serve to thermoregulate and provide sensory input. .
Which hair type is coarse, pigmented, and thick?
Terminal hair
Vellus hair
Lanthanic hair
Lanugo hair
Terminal hair is the coarse, pigmented hair found on the scalp, beard, pubic region, and underarms. It has a larger diameter and is longer than vellus hair. The pigmentation and thickness make it distinct under microscopic examination. .
Where on the adult human body is vellus hair most prevalently found?
Eyebrows
Axilla
Scalp
Face and arms
Vellus hair is most noticeable on the face, arms, and torso of adults. It is less prominent on the scalp and eyebrows, where terminal hair dominates. Axillary hair is terminal and pigmented. .
Which hair stage is characterized by active cell division and growth?
Exogen
Telogen
Anagen
Catagen
The anagen phase is the active growth phase of the hair cycle, where matrix cells in the bulb rapidly divide. This phase can last several years on the scalp. Catagen is a transitional phase, telogen is resting, and exogen is shedding. .
What hair type covers the bodies of fetuses and is typically shed before birth?
Terminal hair
Trichotillomania
Vellus hair
Lanugo hair
Lanugo hair is the fine, soft hair that covers a fetus in utero and is usually shed before or shortly after birth. It differs from vellus hair by its larger size and presence during fetal development. Vellus hair appears later in infancy. .
What is the average growth rate of human scalp hair per month?
5 mm
1 cm
0.5 cm
2 cm
Human scalp hair grows on average about 1 centimeter per month. This rate can vary with age, nutrition, and hormonal status. Growth is fastest during the anagen phase. .
Which cells in the hair follicle are primarily responsible for keratin production?
Melanocytes
Keratinocytes
Adipocytes
Langerhans cells
Keratinocytes in the hair matrix synthesize the keratin protein that forms the hair shaft. Melanocytes provide pigment but do not produce keratin. Langerhans cells are immune cells, and adipocytes store fat. .
What structure at the base of the hair follicle anchors it in the dermis?
Arrector pili
Hair bulb
Hair papilla
Bulge
The hair bulb is the rounded base of the follicle that surrounds the dermal papilla and anchors the hair. It contains the matrix cells responsible for hair formation. The bulge is a stem cell niche higher up in the follicle. .
Which treatment method can permanently remove vellus hair using chemical decomposition?
Laser
Shaving
Waxing
Electrolysis
Electrolysis uses a chemical reaction at the follicle to decompose the hair structure and prevent regrowth. It is effective on all hair types, including vellus hair. Laser targets pigment and is less reliable on unpigmented vellus. .
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of vellus hair?
Downy appearance
Coarse texture
Unpigmented
Short length
Vellus hairs are fine, downy, short, and unpigmented; they are not coarse. Coarse texture describes terminal hairs. The downy appearance aids in thermoregulation rather than protection. .
What distinguishes lanugo hair from vellus hair in humans?
Location on adults
Thicker diameter
Timing and shed before birth
Greater pigmentation
Lanugo hair appears in the fetus and is shed before or shortly after birth, whereas vellus hair persists throughout life. Lanugo is typically finer but more abundant on the fetus. Vellus emerges later and remains as fine body hair. .
Which phase of the hair growth cycle follows the anagen phase?
Catagen
Telogen
Lagogen
Exogen
The catagen phase is a brief transitional stage following anagen, lasting about two to three weeks. During catagen, hair growth ceases and the follicle shrinks. Telogen is the resting phase that follows catagen. .
In electrolysis hair removal, the galvanic method destroys follicles by producing which chemical?
Carbon dioxide
Hydrochloric acid
Oxygen
Sodium hydroxide (lye)
Galvanic electrolysis generates a chemical reaction that produces sodium hydroxide (lye) at the cathode, which decomposes follicle tissue. This process permanently damages the hair growth cells. Other modalities use heat instead. .
Which laser wavelength is often most effective for pigmented hair removal?
Diode 810 nm
Alexandrite 755 nm
Nd:YAG 1064 nm
CO2 10600 nm
The Alexandrite laser at 755 nm is highly absorbed by melanin, making it effective for removing pigmented terminal hairs. Nd:YAG is used for darker skin types but less efficient on lighter pigment. Diode lasers operate around 810 nm. CO2 lasers ablate tissue rather than specifically target hair pigment. .
During puberty, vellus hairs in certain areas develop into thicker pigmented hairs, a process called what?
Terminalization
Catagen
Keratinization
Anagen
Terminalization is the process by which formerly vellus hairs become thicker, pigmented terminal hairs under hormonal influence during puberty. This is most notable in the pubic and axillary regions. Keratinization refers to protein changes in skin, not hair type. .
What type of gland is most closely associated with hair follicles and secretes sebum?
Ceruminous gland
Apocrine gland
Eccrine gland
Sebaceous gland
Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles and secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates hair and skin. Eccrine and apocrine glands are sweat glands, while ceruminous glands produce earwax. Sebum plays a role in barrier function and preventing dryness. .
What is the primary protein that forms human hair shafts?
Collagen
Elastin
Keratin
Myosin
Keratin is the tough, fibrous protein that makes up the bulk of human hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin. Collagen and elastin are major components of the dermis but not hair. Myosin is a muscle protein. .
Which layer of the hair shaft contains the majority of the hair pigment melanin?
Follicle
Cuticle
Medulla
Cortex
The cortex is the thickest layer of the hair shaft and houses most of the melanin granules responsible for hair color. The medulla is a central core that may be absent in fine hairs. The cuticle is the protective outer layer. .
What factor largely determines whether a hair follicle produces straight or curly hair?
Number of melanocytes
Follicle shape
Follicle depth
Hair color
The shape of the hair follicle (oval versus round cross-section) influences hair curvature. Oval follicles typically produce curly hair, while round follicles yield straight hair. Depth and pigmentation do not directly affect curl pattern. .
What is the usual duration of the telogen phase in the scalp hair cycle?
1 month
1 year
3 months
2 weeks
The telogen phase is the resting phase of hair growth and lasts around three months on the scalp. After this phase, hairs are shed during exogen. Shorter or longer telogen phases are linked to hair disorders. .
Which histological layer immediately surrounds the hair follicle and provides structural support?
Inner root sheath
Connective tissue sheath
Outer root sheath
Dermal papilla
The connective tissue sheath, or fibrous sheath, encases the follicle and anchors it within the dermis. The inner and outer root sheaths are cellular layers closer to the hair shaft. The dermal papilla lies deep in the bulb, not around the follicle. .
In the hair bulb, the dermal papilla is located directly beneath which region?
Hair matrix
Sebaceous gland
Hair shaft
Bulge region
The dermal papilla sits at the base of the hair bulb, directly beneath the hair matrix where cell proliferation drives hair growth. It supplies nutrients and signals to matrix cells. The bulge region is higher up and acts as a stem cell reservoir. .
Why is vellus hair generally less responsive to laser hair removal compared to terminal hair?
Faster growth
Lower melanin content
Shallow follicles
Larger diameter
Laser hair removal relies on melanin absorbing light energy; vellus hairs have minimal melanin and thus absorb little laser energy. Terminal hairs, being pigmented, respond better to laser treatment. Growth rate and follicle depth are secondary factors. .
Which receptor is primarily targeted in androgenetic alopecia leading to hair follicle miniaturization?
Keratin receptor
Estrogen receptor
Progesterone receptor
Androgen receptor
Androgenetic alopecia involves dihydrotestosterone binding to androgen receptors in the follicle, triggering miniaturization. Blocking these receptors can slow hair loss. Estrogen and progesterone receptors are not primary drivers of this condition. .
Approximately what percentage of all human body hairs are classified as vellus hairs?
25%
60%
70-75%
90%
Vellus hairs comprise roughly 70 - 75% of all body hairs in adults, covering most of the skin surface. The rest are terminal hairs in specific areas like the scalp, beard, and pubic region. This distribution can vary with age and hormonal status. .
In telogen effluvium, shed hairs are often replaced by what type of hair?
Lanugo hair
Terminal hair
Broken hair
Vellus hair
In telogen effluvium, new hairs entering the growth phase may be produced as thinner vellus hairs before normal terminal hairs resume. This makes shedding patients appear to have finer regrowth initially. Terminal hairs return as the cycle normalizes. .
During galvanic electrolysis, the process generates lye at the follicle which is chemically which compound?
Sodium chloride
Sodium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide
Galvanic electrolysis produces sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or lye, at the cathode. The lye chemically destroys the hair follicle's growth center. Other hydroxides are not generated in this process. .
Scientists distinguish vellus hair from terminal hair based on shaft diameter below what measurement?
0.5 mm
0.03 mm
1 mm
0.1 mm
Hairs with a shaft diameter less than 0.03 mm are classified as vellus hairs. Terminal hairs have larger diameters and are pigmented. This metric helps in dermatological assessments. .
The formation of hydroxide ions in galvanic electrolysis occurs at which electrode?
Anode
Both electrodes
Cathode
Neither electrode
In galvanic electrolysis, the cathode reduces water to form hydroxide ions (OH - ), which combine with sodium ions to form lye. The anode produces an acid reaction. This chemical action at the cathode destroys follicle tissue. .
Activation of which signaling pathway is crucial for initiating the anagen phase in hair follicles?
Notch pathway
TGF-beta pathway
Hedgehog pathway
Wnt/?-catenin
The Wnt/?-catenin pathway plays a key role in activating hair follicle stem cells and initiating the anagen growth phase. Dysregulation of this pathway can lead to hair growth disorders. Other pathways have roles but are not the primary trigger for anagen. .
Mutations in which gene are associated with congenital atrichia leading to lack of both vellus and terminal hair?
TP53
MC1R
HR gene (hairless)
BRCA1
The HR (hairless) gene is critical for hair follicle cycling; mutations cause congenital atrichia where patients lack both vellus and terminal hairs. This condition presents at or shortly after birth. Other listed genes affect cancer risk or pigment but not hairlessness. .
Chronic peribulbar inflammation can inhibit the transition of vellus to terminal hair by affecting which dermal structure?
Hair bulge
Epidermal ridge
Arrector pili muscle
Dermal papilla
Chronic inflammation around the follicle disrupts dermal papilla signaling, preventing proper induction of the anagen phase and blocking vellus-to-terminal transformation. The hair bulge houses stem cells but is not the direct signaling center for growth phase initiation. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Downy Hair -

    Recognize the defining traits of short, fine, unpigmented downy hair and correctly answer what type of hair is short fine unpigmented and downy.

  2. Differentiate Hair Types -

    Compare downy hair with vellus and terminal hair to distinguish between fine, unpigmented hairs and coarser, pigmented varieties.

  3. Analyze Electrolysis Methods -

    Explain how an electrolysis hair removal system works and why it's considered the gold standard for permanent hair removal methods.

  4. Apply Quiz Insights -

    Use quiz feedback to refine your understanding of hair removal systems and select the best approach for different hair types.

  5. Evaluate Removal Outcomes -

    Assess the effectiveness of permanent hair removal methods, including electrolysis, based on hair type, skin considerations, and long-term results.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Identifying Vellus Hair -

    Vellus hair is the classic short, fine, unpigmented and downy hair covering most of the body; it's often described as "peach fuzz." According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these hairs measure less than 2 mm in length and lack a medulla, making them nearly invisible. Remember the mnemonic VELvet soft (Vellus = Very Extra Light) to recall its delicate nature.

  2. Vellus vs. Terminal Hair -

    Terminal hairs are thicker, pigmented, and longer, while vellus hairs remain fine and non-pigmented; the ratio of terminal to vellus hair guides treatment planning. Studies in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology show that a high terminal-to-vellus ratio often correlates with hormonal influences. Use the simple formula TVR = Terminal รท Vellus to track changes over time during a hair removal quiz or treatment assessment.

  3. Why Electrolysis Is the Gold Standard -

    Electrolysis hair removal system uses proven FDA-approved methods (galvanic, thermolysis, or blend) to permanently damage the hair follicle's bulb and matrix. Clinical trials in Dermatologic Surgery report success rates above 90% when performed by licensed electrologists. In a downy hair quiz context, emphasize that no other method guarantees absolute permanence like electrolysis.

  4. Core Components of an Electrolysis System -

    An effective electrolysis setup includes a precision probe, power unit, grounding pad, and magnification tools; each plays a critical role in targeting vellus versus terminal hairs. The galvanic method uses chemical decomposition, while thermolysis relies on high-frequency heat - blend combines both for stubborn hairs. Always verify your device meets FCC and IEC safety standards to ensure client comfort and regulatory compliance.

  5. Comparing Permanent Hair Removal Methods -

    Beyond electrolysis, laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) offer semi-permanent results by targeting melanin, making them less effective on unpigmented downy hair. The mnemonic LILPE (Laser, IPL, Light, Permanent?, Electrolysis) helps recall which methods work best depending on hair pigment and thickness. For complete coverage in a hair removal quiz, contrast each method's FDA-cleared indications, downtime, and efficacy for various skin types.

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