Editing Melanocyte (section)

=== Stem cells ===
The [[Precursor cell|precursor]] of the melanocyte is the [[melanoblast]].  In adults, stem cells are contained in the bulge area of the [[outer root sheath]] of [[hair follicle]]s. When a hair is lost and the hair follicle regenerates, the stem cells are activated. These stem cells develop into both keratinocyte precursors and melanoblasts - and these melanoblasts supply both hair and skin (moving into the [[Stratum basale|basal layer]] of the [[epidermis]]). There is additionally evidence that melanocyte stem cells are present in cutaneous nerves, with nerve signals causing these cells to differentiate into melanocytes for the skin.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cichorek M, Wachulska M, Stasiewicz A, Tymińska A | title = Skin melanocytes: biology and development | journal = Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii | volume = 30 | issue = 1 | pages = 30–41 | date = February 2013 | pmid = 24278043 | pmc = 3834696 | doi = 10.5114/pdia.2013.33376 }}</ref>