Vellus hair, also called peach fuzz, is the fine, nearly invisible hair covering most of your body. Unlike terminal hair, which is thicker and pigmented, these tiny hairs are soft, short, and usually no longer than 2 cm. They help regulate body temperature and manage sweat by trapping moisture on the skin surface. You’ve probably noticed vellus hair on your face, neck, or arms. While it’s completely normal, some people prefer to remove it for smoother skin. Methods like dermaplaning can take off these fine hairs without changing how they grow. And no, shaving vellus hair won’t make it grow back thicker—that’s just a myth. But why do some vellus hairs turn into thicker, darker strands? Can removing them damage hair follicles? And what about those tiny brown bumps some people get? Keep reading to learn how vellus hair changes, what affects its growth, and the best ways to manage it.
