Stem cell treatments show promise for hair loss but need more research.
February 2026 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Removing Lrig1-positive cells in mice leads to temporary loss of sebaceous glands.
283 citations
,
February 2011 in “Cell stem cell” COL17A1 is crucial for preventing hair graying and loss by supporting hair and pigment stem cells.
260 citations
,
January 2020 in “Nature” Stress can cause hair to turn gray by depleting stem cells.
260 citations
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June 2011 in “Cell” Wnt signaling is crucial for pigmented hair regeneration by controlling stem cell activation and differentiation.
210 citations
,
May 2006 in “The FASEB journal” Oxidative stress causes hair to gray by damaging and killing pigment cells.
177 citations
,
November 2002 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Transplantation is effective for stable leucoderma but not for progressive, widespread vitiligo vulgaris.
164 citations
,
February 2010 in “Journal of Cell Science” Human dermal stem cells can become functional skin pigment cells.
105 citations
,
April 2005 in “Cell” Hair graying happens because certain cells aren't maintained properly.
93 citations
,
October 2006 in “The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology” Melanocytes are crucial for skin pigmentation and can affect conditions like melanoma, vitiligo, and albinism, as well as hair color and hearing.
91 citations
,
March 2011 in “Stem Cell Reviews and Reports” Human epidermal neural crest stem cells can become bone and skin pigment cells, making them useful for therapies.
69 citations
,
January 1995 in “PubMed” Mouse melanocyte structure and function are influenced by genetics, hormones, and environmental factors.
68 citations
,
March 2008 in “Experimental dermatology” The new assay can track and measure melanosome transfer between skin cells, confirming filopodia's role in this process.
66 citations
,
March 2019 in “Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences” Melanocyte development from neural crest cells is complex and influenced by many factors, and better understanding could help treat skin disorders.
66 citations
,
December 2014 in “Nature Communications” Fibroblasts can be turned into melanocytes for potential skin treatments.
59 citations
,
April 2016 in “Cell Reports” EdnrB signaling helps melanocyte stem cells regenerate and could be targeted to treat pigmentation issues.
56 citations
,
November 1958 in “The Journal of Cell Biology” A unique skin cell similar to hair bulb melanocytes was identified, with better preservation using permanganate fixation.
55 citations
,
December 2014 in “Dermatologica sinica/Zhōnghuá pífūkē yīxué zázhì” Keratinocytes control how melanocytes work.
46 citations
,
April 2014 in “PLOS ONE” Gray hair may be caused by lower antioxidant activity in hair cells.
45 citations
,
April 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” The Wnt/β-catenin pathway can activate melanocyte stem cells and may help regenerate hair follicles.
43 citations
,
October 2005 in “Molecular and cellular endocrinology” Hair melanocytes help the skin respond to stress and regulate hair pigmentation.
41 citations
,
December 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology” Understanding how melanocyte stem cells work could lead to new treatments for hair graying and skin pigmentation disorders.
40 citations
,
November 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Different melanocyte types in hair follicles either survive or die during the catagen phase.
39 citations
,
March 2017 in “Dermatologic clinics” UV light can help stimulate the growth of new pigment cells from hair follicles in people with vitiligo.
35 citations
,
August 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Melanocytes might be targeted by the immune system in people with alopecia areata, but more research is needed.
30 citations
,
April 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Radiation mainly affects keratinocyte stem cells, not melanocyte stem cells, causing hair to gray.
30 citations
,
December 2001 in “Experimental dermatology” Gonadal hormones significantly affect the severity of alopecia areata in mice.
27 citations
,
May 2024 in “Clinical and Translational Medicine” Melanocyte stem cells are vital for skin and hair color and have potential in treating skin disorders and cancer.
26 citations
,
February 2022 in “Journal of pineal research” Melatonin affects skin and hair color and protects skin cells, with potential benefits for hair growth and skin health.
26 citations
,
September 2012 in “Cell Reports” B-Raf and C-Raf are essential for maintaining melanocyte stem cells to prevent hair graying.