Hair Cloning
Scientists are developing a technique that could make hair transplants more successful, and maybe even replace them one day. Researchers have noticed that male pattern baldness leaves certain areas of the head with plenty of healthy hair. Hair transplants take advantage of this, and transplant the hair follicles to the bald spots.
Now a company called Intercytex is trying to use the cells that make these areas healthy to help other areas. They are basically removing cells from healthy hair sections, multiplying them in a laboratory, and then injecting them into other areas of the scalp that are balding. Pretty cool idea. They’ve done some early testing, and things look positive. We’ll keep you updated on this one.
An article about hair cloning by WebMD really seemed to over-hype the technology, the title was “Hair Cloning Nears Reality as Baldness Cure”. They make it sound as if hair cloning treatments are right around the corner, even though there’s nothing I’ve read to support that. Here’s a snippet and link to the article in full:
And no, it’s not ready for prime time. Not yet, says Ken Washenik, MD, PhD. Washenik is medical director for Bosley, the giant hair restoration company that’s one of several firms racing to bring hair multiplication to market. He’s also clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/96/103836.htm
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