Stem Cell Artificial Hair Follicles May Become Hair Loss Reality
Researchers out of Germany have been studying stem cell technology for artificial hair follicle production.
Researchers at the Berlin Technical University claim to have grown the first artificial hair follicle. The hair follicles were created from animal cells which are thinner than normal human hair, but the researchers are optimistic they could grow human hairs from in the near future.
Roland Lauster, the lead hair loss researcher who heads the baldness hair loss study, said within five years, millions of hair-loss sufferers could grow new hair from their own stem cells and have it implanted in their bald spots, reports the Daily Mail .Lauster told the German newspaper Die Welt that preparations for clinical trials were “already in motion”.
Stem cells are the body’s most intriguing cell types. When manipulated they have the ability to be grown into any tissue in the human body from blood to bone and even whole organs.
There are relatively few treatments for the most sever forms of androgenic alopecia (baldness) which include hair transplants and hair plugs which are stronger hair follicles from the side and back of the head are transplanted to the bald spots.
However, the treatment takes five to 10 hours and would need to be performed repeatedly to create a natural appearance.
“Since 1950 the number of new chemicals used in cosmetics has risen 500-fold, and so has the need for animals to be experimented upon to ensure they are safe for humans. This could well do away with the need for them to suffer,” he said.