Biomarkers for identifying trichogenic cells have been identified. The biomarkers include microRNA as wells as mRNA and proteins. Certain biomarkers are upregulated in trichogenic cells compared to non-trichogenic cells; whereas, other biomarkers are down-regulated in trichogenic cells compared to non-trichogenic cells. The cells can be dermal cells, epidermal cells, or a combination thereof. Preferably the cells are mammalian, more preferably the cells are human. One embodiment provides a method for selecting trichogenic cells by assaying the cells for expression of one or more biomarkers for trichogenicity, and selecting the cells having increased expression of the one or more biomarkers relative to a control, wherein increased expression of the a biomarker in the cells is indicative of trichogenicity. Preferably, the one or more biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of hsa-miR-200c, hsa-miR-205, hsa-miR-200a*, hsa-miR-200a, hsa-miR-141, hsa-miR-182, DEPDC1, hFLEG1, ESM1, TOME-1, THBD and combinations thereof.