MECHANISM OF MIGRATION OF THE MELANOCYTES FROM THE HAIR FOLLICLE INTO THE EPIDERMIS FOLLOWING DERMABRASION

[摘要] Regenera-tlon of the melanocytes was studied in Negro subjects after dermabrasion of areas on the scalp. There is rapid formation of epidermis from the hair follicles followed by delaved appearance of pigmentation spreading from the follicles. Occasional pigmented areas not related to the openings of the follicles could be found. The melanocytes regenerate from that portion of the hair follicle carrying apigmented melanocytes. Eventually they migrate from the infundibulum into the epidermis. Small areas of pigmentation not related to the hair follicle are the result of some amelanotic melanocytes having been carried along in the early migration of epidermal cells.