Human hair greying is linked to a specific depletion of hair follicle melanocytes affecting both the bulb and the outer root sheath

BACKGROUND: Although hair greying is a very common phenomenon characterized by loss of pigment in the hair shaft, the events that cause and control natural hair whitening with age in humans are still unclear. OBJECTIVES: To decipher the origin of natural hair whitening. METHODS: Human hair melanocytes were immunohistochemically characterized at different stages of whitening. RESULTS: Loss of hair shaft melanin was found to be associated with a decrease in both bulb melanin content and bulb melanocyte population. Although few melanocytes were present in the bulbs of grey hair, they still expressed tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1, synthesized and transferred melanins to cortical keratinocytes as seen by the presence of melanin granules. In white hair bulbs, no melanocytes could be detected either with pMel-17 or vimentin labelling. Pigmented hair follicles are known to contain inactive melanocytes in the outer root sheath (ORS), and grey and white hairs were also found to contain some of these quiescent melanocytes. However, their population was decreased compared with pigmented hair follicles, ranging from small to nil. This depletion of melanocytes in the different areas of white hairs was detected throughout the hair cycle, namely at telogen and early anagen stages. In contrast, the infundibulum and sebaceous gland of both pigmented and white hairs showed a similar distribution of melanocytes. Furthermore, other distinct cell populations located in the ORS, namely putative stem cells, Merkel cells and Langerhans cells were equivalently identified in pigmented and white hairs. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, hair greying appears to be a consequence of an overall and specific depletion of bulb and ORS melanocytes of human hair.     

Role of hair follicles in the repigmentation of vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a common pigment disease that is difficult to treat. The mechanism of repigmentation is not known. We combined Dopa-Toluidine Blue complex stain, hair follicle split-Dopa stain, and hair follicle split-scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the changes of melanocytes in 23 normal, 24 vitiliginous, and 36 repigmented skin specimens. We found that only active (Dopa-positive) melanocytes existed in the epidermis of normal skin. There were some inactive (Dopa-negative) melanocytes in the outer root sheaths of normal hair follicles, which form the melanocyte reservoir in human skin. In the patients with vitiligo the active melanocytes in the epidermis were totally missing, whereas the inactive melanocytes in the outer root sheaths of hair follicles were not affected. Treatment stimulated the inactive melanocytes in the middle and/or lower parts of the outer root sheaths of hair follicles to divide, proliferate, and migrate upward along the surface of the outer root sheath to the nearby epidermis, where the melanocytes continued to migrate radially to form the pigmented island visible clinically in repigmented vitiligo lesions. During the migration to the epidermis, the melanocytes matured gradually from an inactive phase to an active condition. In conclusion, the existence of these inactive melanocytes provided the melanocyte sources for repigmentation of vitiligo.     

Hair follicle pigmentation

Hair shaft melanin components (eu- or/and pheomelanin) are a long-lived record of precise interactions in the hair follicle pigmentary unit, e.g., between follicular melanocytes, keratinocytes, and dermal papilla fibroblasts. Follicular melanogenesis (FM) involves sequentially the melanogenic activity of follicular melanocytes, the transfer of melanin granules into cortical and medulla keratinocytes, and the formation of pigmented hair shafts. This activity is in turn regulated by an array of enzymes, structural and regulatory proteins, transporters, and receptors and their ligands, acting on the developmental stages, cellular, and hair follicle levels. FM is stringently coupled to the anagen stage of the hair cycle, being switched-off in catagen to remain absent through telogen. At the organ level FM is precisely coupled to the life cycle of melanocytes with changes in their compartmental distribution and accelerated melanoblast/melanocyte differentiation with enhanced secretory activity. The melanocyte compartments in the upper hair follicle also provides a reservoir for the repigmentation of epidermis and, for the cyclic formation of new anagen hair bulbs. Melanin synthesis and pigment transfer to bulb keratinocytes are dependent on the availability of melanin precursors, and regulation by signal transduction pathways intrinsic to skin and hair follicle, which are both receptor dependent and independent, act through auto-, para- or intracrine mechanisms and can be modified by hormonal signals. The important regulators are MC1 receptor its and adrenocorticotropic hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone, agouti protein ligands (in rodents), c-Kit, and the endothelin receptors with their ligands. Melanin itself has a wide range of bioactivities that extend far beyond its determination of hair color.     

Cultured human dermal papilla cells secrete a chemotactic factor for melanocytes

Large numbers of pigmented melanocytes are located in human hair follicles, predominantly around the dermal papillae, and the number of melanocytes and the melanogenic activity of the hair follicles are closely related to the hair cycle. We found that cultured human dermal papilla cells secreted a melanocyte chemoattractant into the medium. Skin fibroblasts also showed weak chemoattraction of melanocytes, while skin keratinocytes and melanocytes did not. Since this chemotactic activity was heat-and protease-sensitive and was present in the relatively high molecular weight fraction (130-200 kDa), it may be due to extracellular matrix (ECM) that proteins secreted from the cultured dermal papilla cells. This chemotactic signal between dermal papillae and melanocytes may control the localization and migration of hair melanocytes in vivo.     

胎儿头皮毛囊的黑素细胞定位及精细结构观察

目的 探讨胎儿毛囊黑素细胞的定位及精细结构。方法 6个月胎儿因宫内发育畸形而引产、死亡后，取其带毛头皮，一部分常规包埋切片，分别用NKI/beteb、HMB-45、酪氨酸酶、酪氨酸酶相关蛋白1（TRP1）单抗染色。另一部分无菌处理后，0.1 g/L的胶原酶Ⅱ和胰酶消化获得毛囊细胞，培养并传代后，透射电镜和原子力显微镜观察。结果 胎儿头皮毛囊NKI/beteb阳性细胞位于外根鞘，而在毛球内许多细胞HMB-45、酪氨酸酶、TRP1单抗染色阳性。在毛囊细胞的体外培养中，除去成纤维细胞和角质形成细胞后，可见两种黑素细胞，一种数目极少，色素很多，传代后消失；另一种数目较多，开始无色素，但增殖很快。传第3代后，几乎所有细胞NKI/beteb染色阳性。扫描电镜和原子力显微镜下，多数细胞为双极梭形，偶尔有3个树突。细胞体呈圆形或卵圆形，极突上无明显的分支，其内有少数散在的黑素体。结论 胎儿头皮毛囊外根鞘的黑素细胞推测为成黑素细胞和（或）其子代细胞。在早期的体外培养中，细胞增殖很快，但形态及功能上不成熟。     

不同黑素细胞群在有色毛囊重建中作用的研究

目的观察不同种属小鼠的毛囊细胞能否嵌合重建有色毛囊, 探讨不同黑素细胞群在小鼠有色毛囊重建中的作用。方法选取C57BL/6J、BALB/C胎鼠或乳鼠皮肤, 分离出表皮细胞群、毛囊上皮细胞群和真皮细胞群, 培养、纯化从表皮细胞群获得的表皮黑素细胞。实验包含三部分, ①乳鼠C57BL/6J毛囊重建实验:分为表皮细胞+毛囊上皮细胞组、真皮细胞组;②嵌合毛囊重建实验:分为乳鼠C57BL/6J真皮细胞组、乳鼠BALB/C真皮细胞组、乳鼠BALB/C真皮+乳鼠C57BL/6J真皮细胞组、胎鼠BALB/C真皮细胞+胎鼠C57BL/6J真皮细胞组;③有色毛囊重建实验:分为乳鼠BALB/C真皮细胞+乳鼠C57BL/6J表皮细胞组、乳鼠BALB/C真皮细胞+乳鼠C57BL/6J毛囊上皮细胞组、乳鼠BALB/C真皮细胞+培养的C57BL/6J表皮黑素细胞组。采用小室移植法将不同细胞接种于裸鼠的背部, 每组4只。于移植后4周和8周, 通过大体观察、组织学及免疫荧光评估毛囊重建情况。结果移植后4周和8周, 乳鼠C57BL/6J毛囊重建实验中(本部分实验2组共8只BALB/C裸鼠, 7只存活, 1只因创面感染死亡...     

毛囊色素

毛发的颜色主要取决于毛囊色素(优黑素/褐黑素)的合成与表达,黑素颗粒由黑素细胞合成,并向皮质及角质形成细胞转运,最终沉积于毛干内,上述过程主要包括了毛囊黑素细胞的发育,黑素颗粒在毛囊中的合成和转运,黑素细胞的调控,黑素颗粒在毛干上的沉积以及毛囊色素单元的老化。     

Extracellular matrix derived from hair and skin fibroblasts stimulates human skin melanocyte tyrosinase activity

There is indirect evidence that both skin and hair melanocytes are regulated by the activity of adjacent cells. In hair, the specialized fibroblasts (dermal papilla cells) appear to play a role in the regulation of hair growth. Hair pigmentation may relate to hair growth. In skin, melanocytes are located adjacent to the basement membrane zone. As far as we are aware, direct interactions of fibroblasts with melanocytes have not previously been investigated. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to develop co-culture conditions in which to investigate whether dermal fibroblasts from skin or hair could influence melanocyte differentiation. The influence of fibroblast-conditioned media, co-culture with fibroblasts, and fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) on normal human skin melanocyte tyrosinase activity was examined. Fibroblasts from both skin and hair were capable of altering melanocyte morphology and significantly increasing tyrosinase activity when melanocytes were cultured in the absence, but not the presence, of the major proliferative drives. Although stimulation of tyrosinase activity was detectable with conditioned medium and co-culture with fibroblasts, the most striking result was obtained with the fibroblast-produced ECM which, on average, produced a four-fold increase in tyrosinase activity within 6 days. Thus, the study describes co-culture conditions in which the stimulatory effect of the fibroblast on melanocyte differentiation can be examined.     

真皮干细胞在毛囊周期中的作用

毛囊由表皮(上皮)及真皮(间充质)组成,它们之间的相互作用在毛囊的形态发生及生长中发挥重要作用,二者之间相互作用是毛囊成功重建的关键因素.在毛发形成过程中,真皮细胞是诱导者,上皮细胞是应答者.真皮鞘和毛乳头内存在毛囊真皮干细胞,属于成体干细胞,具有慢周期、未分化、自我更新和体外增殖能力强的特点.真皮鞘中的真皮干细胞较长寿,可以历经几个毛囊周期,重建真皮鞘.在毛囊周期的生长期,真皮鞘中的干细胞产生新细胞提供给毛乳头;在退行期,真皮干细胞子代移出毛乳头或死亡.毛囊真皮细胞对于损伤和疾病之后的毛囊重建及修复具有重要意义.     

Co-culture of human hair follicles and dermal papillae in a collagen matrix

Human hair follicles, either alone or in combination with dermal papillae, were cultured in a collagen matrix. When plucked hair follicles were cultured alone, spike-like structures composed of outer root sheath cells started growing around the follicle and then radiated into the gel. When isolated dermal papillae were embedded close to the follicles, spikes started growing earlier and grew more rapidly than without the papillae. In cultures of excised follicles from which the dermal papilla had been removed, epithelial cells (possibly hair bulb cells) started growing out from the bulbous portion and then also formed spikes. In the presence of a papilla, the spikes elongated toward the papilla, finally reaching and surrounding it. These findings suggest that dermal papilla cells produce a factor(s) that enhances growth of follicular epithelial cells and also attracts those cells. In cultures of whole excised follicles, two major characteristic patterns of cellular growth were recognized. When the dermal papilla remained inside the bulb in contact with the hair bulb matrix, the hair matrix cells proliferated and differentiated in the normal manner, resulting in elongation of the hair shaft and follicle. But when the papilla was detached from the hair bulb matrix, epithelial cells proliferated from the bulbous portion and finally formed hair follicle-like structures. Thus, attachment of the dermal papilla to the hair bulb matrix in the bulbous portion appears to be necessary for growth of the hair and follicle in the normal manner. Our model may be useful for examining the interaction between follicular epithelial cells and dermal papillae and for studying the growth of hair and follicles in vitro.     

Modulation of BMP signaling by noggin is required for induction of the secondary (nontylotrich) hair follicles

Increasing evidence suggests that morphogenesis of the distinct developmental structures derived from the same organ-committed epithelium is controlled by differential mechanisms. As was recently shown in mice with mutations in the downless (dL) gene, induction of primary or tylotrich hair follicles is strikingly dependent of signaling through the Tnf receptor homologue, Edar. Here, we show that dorsal skin of murine embryos with constitutive deletion of the BMP2/4 antagonist noggin, after transplantation into SCID mice, is characterized by the lack of induction of secondary hair follicles, and by the arrest of primary hair follicle development prior to hair shaft formation. The loss of noggin activity was associated with failure to express genes that specify hair follicle cell fates in the epidermis (Lef-1, beta-catenin, Shh) and dermal papilla (p75 kDa neurotrophin receptor, alkaline phosphatase). This suggests that regulation of BMP2/4 signaling by noggin is essential for the induction of secondary hair follicles, as well as for advanced stages of development in primary hair follicles.     

Androgens and hair growth

Hair's importance in human communication means that abnormalities like excess hair in hirsutism or hair loss in alopecia cause psychological distress. Androgens are the main regulator of human hair follicles, changing small vellus follicles producing tiny, virtually invisible hairs into larger intermediate and terminal follicles making bigger, pigmented hairs. The response to androgens varies with the body site as it is specific to the hair follicle itself. Normally around puberty, androgens stimulate axillary and pubic hair in both sexes, plus the beard, etc. in men, while later they may also inhibit scalp hair growth causing androgenetic alopecia. Androgens act within the follicle to alter the mesenchyme-epithelial cell interactions, changing the length of time the hair is growing, the dermal papilla size and dermal papilla cell, keratinocyte and melanocyte activity. Greater understanding of the mechanisms of androgen action in follicles should improve therapies for poorly controlled hair disorders like hirsutism and alopecia.     

Differences in expression of specific biomarkers distinguish human beard from scalp dermal papilla cells

Androgen exposure stimulates the growth of beard hair follicles. The follicle dermal papilla appears to be the site of androgen action; however, the molecular mechanisms that regulate this process are not well understood. In an attempt to identify genes that contribute to the androgen-responsive phenotype, we compared gene expression patterns in unstimulated and androgen-treated cultured human dermal papilla cells isolated from beard (androgen-sensitive) and occipital scalp (androgen-insensitive) hair follicles. Through this analysis, we identified three genes that are expressed at significantly higher levels in beard dermal papilla cells. One of these genes, sfrp-2 has been identified as a dermal papilla signature gene in mouse pelage follicles. Two of these genes, mn1 and atp1beta1, have not been studied in the hair follicle. A fourth, fibulin-1d, was slightly upregulated in beard dermal papilla cells. The differences in the expression of these genes in cultured beard and scalp dermal papilla cells reflected similar differences in microdissected dermal papilla isolated from intact beard and scalp follicles. Our findings introduce potentially novel signaling pathways in dermal papilla cells. In addition, this study supports that cultured dermal papilla cells provide a cell-based model system that is reflective of the biology of in vivo hair follicle cells.     

Regulation of melanocyte stem cells in the pigmentation of skin and its appendages: Biological patterning and therapeutic potentials

Skin evolves essential appendages and indispensable types of cells that synergistically insulate the body from environmental insults. Residing in the specific regions in the skin such as epidermis, dermis and hair follicle, melanocytes perform an array of vital functions including defending the ultraviolet radiation and diversifying animal appearance. As one of the adult stem cells, melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicle bulge niche can proliferate, differentiate and keep quiescence to control and coordinate tissue homeostasis, repair and regeneration. In synchrony with hair follicle stem cells, melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicles undergo cyclic activation, degeneration and resting phases, to pigment the hairs and to preserve the stem cells. Disorder of melanocytes results in severe skin problems such as canities, vitiligo and even melanoma. Here, we compare and summarize recent discoveries about melanocyte in the skin, particularly in the hair follicle. A better understanding of the physiological and pathological regulation of melanocyte and melanocyte stem cell behaviours will help to guide the clinical applications in regenerative medicine.     

Changes in different melanocyte populations during hair follicle involution (catagen)

Melanin synthesis in the hair follicle (HF) is strictly coupled to the growth stage of the hair cycle and is interrupted during follicle regression (catagen) and resting. Using tyrosine-related protein 2 (Trp)2-LacZ transgenic mice as a model, we show that distinct melanocyte subpopulations of the HF display distinct patterns of apoptosis and survival during catagen. Melanocytes located in the outer root sheath express Bcl-2 and are TUNEL-negative. Part of the pigment-producing melanocytes located above the follicular papilla expresses Fas, TUNEL, and is likely to undergo apoptosis, whereas the other part of these melanocytes expresses c-kit, Bcl-2, and becomes visible in the follicular papilla. During late catagen, TUNEL and Ki-67 negative melanocytes expressing Bcl-2 are seen in the secondary germ of the HF. Lack of proliferation in the follicular melanocytes during catagen suggests that secondary hair germ of late catagen HF is most likely repopulated by melanocytes arising from the outer root sheath or follicular papilla of early/mid-catagen HF. Taken together, these data suggest a possible scenario and mechanisms of the remodeling of the follicular pigmentary unit during HF anagen-catagen-telogen transition and may be used for the establishing in vivo models for pharmacological modulation of melanocyte apoptosis and survival during the hair cycle.     

Comprehensive analysis of melanogenesis and proliferation potential of melanocyte lineage in solar lentigines

BackgroundSolar lentigines (SLs) are characterized by hyperpigmented macules, commonly seen on sun-exposed areas of the skin. Although it has been reported that an increase in the number of melanocytes and epidermal melanin content was observed in the lesions, the following questions remain to be answered: (1) Is acceleration of melanogenesis in the epidermis caused by an increased number of melanocytes or the high melanogenic potential of each melanocyte? (2) Why does the number of melanocytes increase?ObjectiveTo elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of SLs by investigating the number, melanogenic potential and proliferation status of the melanocyte lineage in healthy skin and SL lesions.MethodsImmunostaining for melanocyte lineage markers (tyrosinase, MART-1, MITF, and Frizzled-4) and a proliferation marker, Ki67, was performed on skin sections, and the obtained images were analyzed by image analysis software.ResultsThe expression level of tyrosinase to MART-1 of each melanocyte was significantly higher in SL lesions than healthy skin. The numbers of melanocytes in the epidermis, melanoblasts in the hair follicular infundibulum and melanocyte stem cells in the bulge region were increased in SL; however, no significant difference was observed in the Ki67-positive rate of these cells.ConclusionThe melanogenic potential of each melanocyte was elevated in SL lesions. It was suggested that the increased number of melanocytes in the SL epidermis might be attributed to the abnormal increase of melanocyte stem cells in the bulge.     

Effects of interleukins, colony-stimulating factor and tumour necrosis factor on human hair follicle growth in vitro: a possible role for interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-α in alopecia areata

The immune system may be involved in the regulation of normal hair follicle growth as well as in the pathogenesis of some hair diseases. Immunomodulatory cytokines not only act as mediators of immunity and inflammation but also regulate cell proliferation and differentiation and. as such, may play an important part in regulating hair growth. We have investigated the effects of a number of interleukins (IL). colony stimulating factors and tumour necrosis factors (TNF) on hair follicle growth in vitro. Dose-response studies showed that IL-1α. IL-1ß and TNF-o were potent inhibitors of hair follicle growth. The histology of hair follicles maintained with inhibitory doses of IL-1α. IL-1ß and TNF-α showed similar changes in hair follicle morphology, resulting in the formation of dystrophic anagen hair follicles. These changes in histology were characterized by the condensation and distortion of the dermal papilla, marked vacuolation of the hair follicle matrix, abnormal keratinization of the follicle bulb and inner root sheath, disruption of follicular melanocytes and the presence of melanin granules witbin the dermal papilla. Moreover, these changes in hair follicle morphology are similar to those reported in alopecia areata and suggest that IL-1α, IL-1ß and TNF-α may play an important part in the pathophysiology of inflammatory hair disease.     

A possible role for Langerhans cells in the removal of melanin from early catagen hair follicles

Hair pigmentation is coupled to the hair follicle growth cycle. A common feature of catagen is the translocation of melanin from the matrix to the dermal papilla of the hair follicle. However, the mechanism whereby this pigment, not incorporated into the hair shaft, is removed from the hair bulb during early catagen is poorly understood. Routine ultrastructural examination of four normal scalp specimens revealed a rare hair follicle in early catagen. Close study of the hair bulb of this catagen follicle revealed a Langerhans cell in the process of transferring pigment from the matrix to the dermal papilla. This cell also contained numerous characteristic Langerhans granules (LG) (also known as Birbeck granules). Interestingly, these granules were intimately associated with melanosomes: so intimate, in fact, that melanosomes appeared to have been endocytosed by LG. This unique demonstration of removal of hair follicle melanin by Langerhans cells during early catagen and of pigment uptake by Langerhans cells by endocytosis into LG, suggests one way by which 'unused' pigment can be removed from the hair follicle during catagen.     

Apoptosis coordinates with proliferation and differentiation during human hair follicle morphogenesis

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis sculptures the most complicated skin appendage, feathers, out of epidermal layers by playing a variety of roles (1). Human hair follicle formation is different from feathers in growth direction and pattern formation of proliferative zone. OBJECTIVE: To delineate the apoptotic events together with proliferation and differentiation in developing human hair follicle and emphasis on the mechanism and biological meaning of epidermal hair canal. METHODS: We used TUNEL to examine apoptosis and Ki-67, involucrin, filaggrin immuno-localization to examine proliferation and differentiation. RESULTS: In hair germs, apoptosis was diffuse in periderm, basal keratinocytes, and mesenchymal cells with high Ki-67 expression, but spared follicular germinative cells with low Ki-67 and high bcl-2 expression. In hair pegs, apoptosis was active in high Ki-67 expression area, like outer root sheath, hair follicle sheath, but spared dermal papilla with low Ki-67 and high bcl-2 expression. In bulbous pegs, apoptosis appeared in companion layer, precortical area, inner root sheath and outer root sheath, but spared bulge area with high bcl-2 expression. Apoptosis resulted in epidermal and subepidermal hair canal formation. Filaggrin and involucrin were expressed in the lining cells of hair canal. CD1a+ cells were densely distributed alone the hair canal before its opening. CONCLUSION: During human hair follicle morphogenesis, apoptosis coordinates with proliferation to shape the growth zone, creates space to free the hair shaft from follicular wall, and directs a driving force on hair shaft extension. Apoptosis accompanies the terminal differentiation of epidermal hair canal. The bottom becomes interfollicular epidermis after roof shedding and hair exposure. Langerhans cells also populate in the hair canal before its opening. The biological meaning of epidermal hair canal is supposed to prepare the barrier when hair perturbing the intact of epidermis.     

Oral zinc sulphate causes murine hair hypopigmentation and is a potent inhibitor of eumelanogenesis in vivo

BACKGROUND: C57BL/6 a/a mice have been widely used to study melanogenesis, including in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. Zinc cations modulate melanogenesis, but the net effect of Zn2+ in vivo is unclear, as the reported effects of Zn2+ on melanogenesis are ambiguous: zinc inhibits tyrosinase and glutathione reductase in vitro, but also enhances the activity of dopachrome tautomerase (tyrosinase-related protein-2) and has agonistic effects on melanocortin receptor signalling. OBJECTIVES: To determine in a C57BL/6 a/a murine pilot study whether excess zinc ions inhibit, enhance or in any other way alter hair follicle melanogenesis in vivo, and to test the usefulness of EPR for this study. METHODS: ZnSO(4).7H2O was continuously administered orally to C57BL/6 a/a mice during spontaneous and depilation-induced hair follicle cycling (20 mg mL-1; in drinking water; mean+/-SD daily dose 1.2+/-0.53 mL), and hair pigmentation was examined macroscopically, by routine histology and by EPR. RESULTS: Oral zinc cations induced a bright brown lightening of new hair shafts produced during anagen, but without inducing an EPR-detectable switch from eumelanogenesis to phaeomelanogenesis. The total content of melanin in the skin and hair shafts during the subsequent telogen phase, i.e. after completion of a full hair cycle, was significantly reduced in Zn-treated mice (P=0.0005). Compared with controls, melanin granules in precortical hair matrix keratinocytes, hair bulb melanocytes and hair shafts of zinc-treated animals were reduced and poorly pigmented. Over the course of several hair cycles, lasting hair shaft depigmentation was seen during long-term exposure to high-dose oral Zn2+. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose oral Zn2+ is a potent downregulator of eumelanin content in murine hair shafts in vivo. The C57BL/6 mouse model offers an excellent tool for further dissecting the as yet unclear underlying molecular basis of this phenomenon, while EPR technology is well suited for the rapid, qualitative and quantitative monitoring of hair pigmentation changes.