subject: Hair Cloning: The Hair Loss "Silver Bullet" Is Finally In Sight! [print this page] For years scientists have managed clone sheep, dogs and who knows what else. And now ladies and gentlemen, now they have discovered hair follicle cloning. Isn't science wonderful! This could possible be the best present scientists have ever given those of us in the elite hair loss society. Up until today, we have still not found a permanent solution for hair loss, causing us to continue our battles through the use of various hair loss products and treatments. So, could our curse finally be lifted? Hair follicle cloning, unlike like any other hair restoration procedure, does not simply transport hair follicles, or hair grafts from one area of the scalp to another.
So how exactly does it work?
Well it's slightly more expensive than your standard hair transplant. For example, with the FUE transplant, the hair follicles are taken from the donor area of the scalp and inserted into incisions made in the balding/thinning area. Hair follicle cloning uses a completely different procedure. Scientists have found that there are certain points in the hair follicle responsible for hair growth. These are the 'dermal papilla' and 'dermal sheath cells'.
So instead of traditionally extracting whole hair follicles, skin cells are extracted from the donor area. The dermal sheath cells and dermal papilla are extracted from the skin cells and multiplied in a petri dish. The cells are then implanted into the skin of the balding scalp area. By doing this, you will be provided with unlimited amounts of hair, as each cell creates new hair follicles. In theory, you can have thousands of cells implanted into your scalp and end up with a full head of natural looking hair.
For those suffering from androgenic alopecia or male patterned baldness, this is a huge breakthrough. It was considered at first that the dermal sheath cells could be used from a donor (another person) and then implanted the scalp of the patient. But as the majority of us still have growing hair on the sides and backs of our heads, this would be used only in extreme cases, whereby the hair loss is not the result of a genetic condition. So far, the potential of hair follicle cloning sounds amazing. But unfortunately this brilliant scientific breakthrough, in our radar, is not close enough to use just yet. There are still a few issues that need ironing out and retested.
Issues that need to be resolved
One of the plus points of an FUE transplant, is that the hair follicles are implanted in an exact angle for the hair to grow in order for it to look as natural as possible. With the cell implantation procedure in hair multiplication, surgeons are not aware of which direction the hair will grow. Not only that, but the hair might not be resistant to DHT. To keep it natural, it has been suggested that hair multiplication would have to be used in addition to FUE, to create the desired appearance.
The second issue is the length of time these new hairs will continue to grow. It is not yet known if the follicles will complete a hair cycle, and if they do, if they will grow back once the hair is shed.
Hair Cloning: The Hair Loss "Silver Bullet" Is Finally In Sight!
