Louisiana Esthetics State Board Practice Test

What is the term for thick hair typically found in the beard area of men?

1. Vellus hair

2. Follicular hair

3. Barba

4. Lanugo

The correct answer is: Barba

The term for the thick hair typically found in the beard area of men is "barba." This term specifically refers to the facial hair, which includes the beard, moustache, and other facial hair types that are generally thicker and more coarse than other forms of body hair. In contrast, vellus hair refers to the fine, light-colored hair that covers most of the human body, particularly in areas where thicker hair grows but is not present, such as on the arms and back. Follicular hair is not a standard term used in the context of different types of human hair and could be confused with discussions on the hair follicle itself or other hair types. Lanugo refers to the fine, soft hair that covers the bodies of fetal humans, which is typically shed before or shortly after birth. Thus, "barba" is the most appropriate term for describing the thicker hair found in the beard area of men, highlighting its significance in adult male hair characteristics.