Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What type of hair is generally not associated with increased pigmentation?

1. Terminal Hair

2. Cilia

3. Lanugo

4. Villus

The correct answer is: Villus

Villus hair, often referred to as vellus hair, is the fine, short, and lightly pigmented hair that covers much of the body. This type of hair is generally less pigmented compared to terminal hair, which is the thicker, coarser hair found in areas like the scalp and beard. Vellus hair is designed to be soft and scarcely noticeable, which contributes to the appearance of smooth skin rather than a pronounced color or pigmentation. In contrast, terminal hair is commonly associated with increased pigmentation, as it grows thicker and darker, particularly in response to hormones during puberty. Lanugo is fine hair that covers the fetus in utero, and while it can also lack pigmentation, it is replaced by vellus and terminal hair after birth. Cilia refers to the microscopic hair-like structures found on the surface of cells and does not pertain to hair types on the body. Thus, vellus hair is characterized by its minimal pigmentation, distinguishing it from other hair types like terminal and lanugo hair, which can be more pigmented.