Exceptions include the lips, the back of the ear, the palm of the hand, the sole of the foot, some external genital areas, the navel, and scar tissue.

Each strand of vellus hair is usually less than 2 mm (1/13 inch) long and the follicle is not connected to a sebaceous gland.

This insulation regulates body temperature: the vellus hair functions like a wick for sweat.

An abundance of vellus hair can develop from an increase in the production of the cortisol hormone in a person with Cushing's syndrome.

The terminal hair is usually shed after the birth of the baby upon the return of the hormones to the normal levels.