Serving Charleston, SC since 1976

Classification of Hair Follicle Types

There are three major types of hair follicles found in the body:

• Villous hair follicles
• Ambosexual hair follicles
• Male Sexual hair follicles

Villous hairs are those found on the scalp, arms and legs. Their growth is regulated by Growth Hormone and Thyroid hormones.

Ambosexual hair is the pubic hair of the lower Pubic Triangle and axillary hair and is present in both males and females. Ambosexual hair growth is initiated in both males and females by low levels of male sex hormones at puberty.

Male Sexual hair is the hair of the beard, chest, back, and lower abdomen so characteristic of the adult males that is caused by high concentrations of testosterone and other androgens not normally present in females.