Skin and hair phenotypes are powerful cues in human communication. They impart much
information, not least about our racial, ethnic, health, gender and age status. In the case of
the latter parameter, we experience significant change in pigmentation in our journey from
birth to puberty and through to young adulthood, middle age and beyond. The hair follicle
pigmentary unit is perhaps one of our most visible, accessible and potent aging sensors,
with marked dilution of pigment intensity occurring long before even subtle changes are …