Vallus & Terminal hair
There are two types of hair growing on our scalp Vallus & Terminal hair. The first type of hair is vellus hair, which is approximately 1 mm long. This fine hair is present on the body after the soft hair of infancy is gone. Vellus hair is very fine and shallow-rooted.
It is sometimes described as “peach fuzz” when on the top of the head, around the the hairline, or on the back of the neck. Vellus hair is shallowly rooted in the scalp making it extremely fragile and easy to detach from the scalp and more susceptible to environmental conditions. Something as simple as a vigorous shampooing or rough scalp massage can cause vellus hair to be damaged or fall out.
When provided with an optimal scalp environment Vellus hair, can remain in the anagen phase (growth cycle) longer and continue to migrate deeper into the scalp to eventually become healthy, more resilient terminal hair.
Terminal hair is thicker and stronger, it is the hair we all desire to have and keep. It’s the only hair we are able to cut style and chemically treat. Terminal hair is the mature, thicker, deeper-rooted hair that can grow up to 3 feet long.
Terminal hair is deeply rooted thus closer to the blood supply (the prime source of essential nourishment). Think of it this way, the deeper the root the more nourishment the hair receives and the healthier, fuller and thicker each hair will be. An open follicle free of debris is vital to vellus and terminal hair growth, development and a long life-cycle.