The hair follicle is a complex miniorgan of the skin and undergoes cycles of growth(anagen), apoptosis-mediated regression(catagen)and rest(telogen). Regeneration of the new hair shaft dependent on the activation of hair follicle stem cells(HFSCs), harboured in the bulge region. Using a hair follicle model, some molecular players that control the balance between HFSC maintenance and ageing-associated HFSC dysfunction have been identified. Here, we reviewed and discussed the recent findings of molecular characterization of HFSCs biology and pathology.