Millions of men and women who suffer from premature baldness or hair loss
could soon be able to regain their original lustrous locks - by cloning
their remaining hair in the laboratory, research suggests.
The new technique, known as “follicular cell implantation”, has already shown
positive results in continuing clinical trials on human beings. The work,
being carried out by a British team, is being hailed as a major advance in
hair restoration and is backed by a £1.9 million government grant.
The cell therapy has the potential to provide a limitless supply of an
individual’s hair to replace that lost because of burns, cancer treatment or
simply the onset of age, and could be available to patients within five
years.
The latest results of the Phase II trial, presented at a conference of leading
hair replacement surgeons in Rome, suggest that the technique can increase
hair count in at least two thirds of patients after six months, and four out
of five if the scalp is stimulated beforehand through gentle abrasions that
encourage hair growth.
The new technique involves extracting dermal papilla (DP) cells, the basic
cells responsible for hair growth, from a sample of only about 100 hairs
from the back of the scalp – the area where hair usually continues to grow
despite losses in other areas. These cells are then multiplied many times
over in a special patented culture before being injected back into the scalp
in their millions, stimulating the formation of new hair follicles or
rejuvenating those that have stopped producing hair on the top of the head.
The procedure is being developed by Intercytex, a British company based in
Manchester, which is among many competing to find a cure for hair loss that
affects 40 per cent of men over 50. It may require more than 1,000 tiny
injections to produce that number of hairs in extensively bald patients but
it will be quicker and less invasive than current hair transplant techniques
favoured by celebrities including Sir Elton John and Silvio Berlusconi, the
Italian Prime Minister.
Experts believe that the continual refinements in modern-day hair transplants
and proven medical therapies are creating increased demand for hair
restoration surgery around the world. About 3,000 such procedures – costing
between £2,500 and £7,000 – take place at private clinics in Britain every
year. Current hair transplants involve large clumps of follicles being cut
from the back of the head under local anaesthetic and separated into
individual strands before being transplanted on top of the pate in their
thousands. Surgeons are limited by the extent of hair needed to create a
graft and the scar that it leaves behind.
Bessam Farjo, a hair-loss specialist and president of the International
Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, who is leading the research, said that
results after six months were now available for 11 patients out of 19
currently enrolled on the trial. Of these, four out of five whose scalp had
been stimulated had an increased hair count, noticeable from photographs,
while three out of six without stimulation of the scalp had also noticed
benefits. Full data was not available for two of the remaining patients, he
added.
“We can take a small sample from the back of the head, extract the dermal
papilla [DP] cells and then use a patented method of multiplying these basic
cells of extracted hairs in the lab,” he said. “Within eight weeks they are
capable of generating literally millions of themselves, meaning that only
around 100 hairs are needed in order to produce thousands of new hairs.”
Researchers from the US, Italy and Japan are also exploring the possibility of
cloning hair, including techniques designed to extract stem cells from the
base of the hair follicles.
But Dr Farjo, who runs the Farjo Medical Centres in London and Manchester,
said he was confident that the Intercytex approach was the most advanced and
regulated clinical trial for hair loss anywhere in the world. The full
results of the 48-week study will be available next year.
“For many men and women the consequences of hair loss can be devastating –
whether brought on by pattern baldness or as a result of cancer treatment
such as radiotherapy,” he said. “There are some effective nonsurgical
treatments that can slow down the process but these involve taking daily
pills. For those with more significant hair loss one to two operations per
bald area can give a natural looking head of hair of reasonable density.”
Dr Farjo said that his team was also experimenting with combining the DP cells
with keratinocytes – the cells that produce keratin, the basic building
material of hair – so that they could grow actual hairs for transplant,
rather than injectable cells. This could further improve surgeons’ control
over the amount, direction and appearance of the transplanted hair, he said.
“Hair surgeons and their patients have been waiting for something like this
since the 1980s, but in my view it may be as little as five years before
patients start seeing the benefits.”
Connor Kiely, a hair restoration surgeon based in Ireland, said: “The
possibilties thrown up by this research are very exciting, and we have been
waiting for a long time for a solution like this that will deal with the
problem at source, rather than simply relocating hair from one place to
another."
Andrew Messenger, a consultant dermatologist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital
in Sheffield, sounded a sceptical note. “If they really have done this then
that is quite an achievement, but I would like to see all the data.
“It does work with other species, but these are other species who grow hair at
the drop of a hat. It’s quite a bit more difficult with humans.”
Marilyn Sherlock, chairman of the Institute of Trichologists, and a practising
specialist in hair loss in Salisbury, Wiltshire, said: “If it works as well
as the preliminary findings suggest, this is going to be absolutely superb.
Baldness is sometimes only noticed once a lot of hair loss has already
occurred and a lot of men who do not have a lot left at the back of their
heads cannot opt for current transplants, while the cost is also prohibitive.
“We don’t yet know what the cost of these injections would be, but if they
were made available they could also be a useful treatment for women whose
hair typically becomes extremely thin all over the head. This could allow a
lot more people to opt for hair restoration who currently might previously
not have considered having anything done.”
Look guys it is true some girls won't consider you because you are bald. Others won't because: you wear a hat in bed; you are short; you are tall; you have brown eyes or blue eyes; big feet; small feet; you are thick; you are over-intellectual. Get good teeth; nice colour; stay fit; wash frequently.
Rodney, Modena, Italy
I hope this technology comes about soon too, but I recently had a Hair transplant with Alvi Armani and I am totally thrilled, I have a new head of my own hair and would recommend it to anyone until this new technique is available to all.
Adam, London, UK
i've had a hair transplant and it was a total waste. i cant wait for this technology to come about.
paul, salt lake city, usa
i havent taken my hat off in 15 years i dont go to functions i lost my wife to a younger hairier man i have no social life tend to be alone thats the way its been hope cloning becomes available wish i could become one of the first to have it done so life could begin before it ends
stewart, farmingville, usa
Its sad to hear the opinions of the fully-coifed on this subject. It may seem a trifling matter to you, but if ever you experience it personally.... you will know.
I have heard (more times than I like to think about) "i like him, but he's bald. he was so much better with hair." can you blame them?
Drew, Oma, USA
I had 25 hair plugs put in when I was 18, ( scared to death I would be bald by 25) I'm now 49. I've been able cover up the plugs until the last couple of years. I can't shave my head because the plugs and scars on the back of my head would be too obvious. I cant wait for this!!!
Peter, Covina,
Premature baldness ruined my late teens and twenties. I've now learnt to live with it, but if I got the opportunity I would gladly have these implants.
Hopefully in five years time similarly placed teenage men won't have to endure what I went through.
John, Osaka, Japan
i hate being bald and can't wait for this to work. i havent gone for pills or potions i have just had to accept it. Since my 21st bday i have wet shaved my head every day. i hate looking like every other baldy, its the visible monk hair line i hate and would love to hair filling it.
jim, edinburgh, scotland
Shaving doesn't really work for everyone. It really depends on the shape of your face.
Some of us need hair on top. Trust me, in my case, hair makes ALL the difference in the world. Can't wait for something like this to surface.
Royce, Indianapolis, USA
I've been going bald slowly since my 20's and now at 45 I am quite cald with a nub at the front and a widening top. I just shave it to a number 1 and presto it's fine. You shouldn't worry women don't give a diddley squot about it mate!!! Get yourself a tan, lose weight and shave shave shave!!
Austin, Nottingham, England
contrary to the impression given in this article there are already commonly used methods that do not involve cutting a clump of flesh from the back of the head or any scarring. get your facts right David Rose in Rome.
peter jones, moscow, russia
My hair is thinning a bit but I'm by no means bald yet I shave my head on a fortnightly basis. Having started doing it about four years ago I could have kicked myself for not doing it sooner.
Less hassle, less expense. Hair is overrated, and the ladies seem to think so too.
James, London,
I wish I was in the study group. I started loosing my hair when I was 16, and never came over it . Bald since the age of 25, I will be the first the try this new method. I am 52 now, still trying to find a good solution for my baldness.
Mario , Málaga, Spain
I find prematurely bald men sexy.
Magdalena, Sofia, Bulgaria
Forget about premature baldness, what about the epidemic of 'voluntary baldness' that has been sweeping Britain for the past decade or so? When I was growing up, losing his hair was a man's worst fear, so why do so many blokes shave off their hair these days? Who wants to be bald?
Jasper Reed-Spencer, London, England
My cranium outgrew my hair when I reached the grand old age of 18 in 1982, if I suddenly appeared over the horizon all windswept and interesting I doubt if the newly grown mop would compensate for the incessant mickey taking.
paul, Brighton, UK
One thing is for sure,whoever comes up with a cure for MPB will be a billionaire.
The potential revenue for this will be like announcing a cure for cancer.
CC London, London,
Wow... soon I'll be able to be one of those middle aged guys with an earring and a gray pony tail! Bring it on!
Wait... will I need to lose weight?
Rich, Reading, PA, USA
Funny, if this article was about cell cloning or stem cell research for a life threatening disease there would be loads of comments about 'playing God' & 'going against Nature' etc
Thank God that the human race is so vain that this might become normal enough that we can get on with saving lives!
Sally, Southampton,
I have a full head of hair and enough hair on my chest & back to give Duncan Goodhew dreadlocks. However I have a friend who is losing his hair & it really has affected his confidence at work & with girls. This research looks promising -might give those not as lucky as me a chance with the ladies!
Ben Burger, London,
As one in my dotage, with a full head of hair(alas gray), I am willing to donate my genes to assist those who think it may help. Let me assure my brethren, it doesn't help in the romantic stakes!
Keith Birch, Hamilton, Canada
There is nothing "unique" about being bald. You get grouped into some sort of bald guy group and usually it becomes part of your perceived personality by people. When bald works for guys it's because they usually compensate a lot in other features due to insecurities, similar to a little man syndrom
Jack, San Francisco, USA
Also statements like being bald is great because there are less or no barber visits is very much untrue unless you want to look like some kind of mad scientist. Also, there are other practice issues like wearing hats on very sunny days and hats in less than mild temperatures.
Jack, San Francisco, USA
A common statement by scientists is that the two most certain signs of virility are: baldness and bush eyebrows. A little girl once noted her grandfather's baldness and bushy hair chest and asked him why he didn't take some of the hair on his chest and put it on his head! Now they are doing that!
Richard L.A. Schaefer, Dubuque,Iowa, USA
Looking forward to this, I'm not bald but be nice to thicken my hair up a little!! I wonder how much it would cost though...?
Adam Webb, MK, UK
An article on PLANT cloning, preferably involving exponential growth would make a far more relevant and interesting article.
Then, I would say that, wouldn't I?
Ray Gardenia
Don't worry about people stealing an idea. If it's original, you will have to ram it down their throats.
Howard Aiken
Ray, Gardenia, UK
Guys, are you all crazy? Bald men look great! Cut it short, don't ever do a "Donald" as in Trump, pleeeeease. Better bald and proud than spending time, money and pain to look like everyone else.
Attractive 40 year old HEAD over heels in love with bald guy and wouldn't change a hair on his head.
J. Wheeler, Starnberg, Germany
If it's OK for Homer and the delectable Marge, it's OK by me.
Kevin Straw, Leicester,
All that is known about hair growth can be written on two sides of single space-8pt A4 yet it's likely your GP is not up to speed with even this-unless he has a baldness problem.
Hair loss has many known causes and legends abound: What happened to the 'inherited from mother' re male pattern loss?
Tony, Harrogate, Yorkshire
Its funny because I've always had hair but have always shaved it like a 'beckham' its so much easier and cleaner esp. if you do alot of sports etc. who cares I wouldn't notice if it did disappear.
Hair loss should be the least of any mans worries - don't be so vain.
dewsbry, london, uk
I HATE being bald. There is no uniqueness about it, and I cannot wait to try this new treatment. Sick of looking like the other millions of bald men and being lumped in that category.
Jay, Austin, USA
I just turned 56 and am the oldest of 5 brothers. Despite a growing shiney spot at the back of my head, I have more hair than my other 4 brothers combined. My dad is bald as a baseball and says "a good man always comes out on top". i tend to agree.
Tom, Austin, USA
Dani in Toronto - I understand how you feel. I am experiencing the same loss (hereditary). I am a young woman, too. Have your hormones looked at, testos., estro., etc. Talk to your doc about an Rx for topical progesterone for your scalp. It seems to be helping for my issues.
Steph, Athens, USA
I love being bald !
No frequent visits to the barber, no dandruff, no hairdrying, no shampooing, no bad hair days, no worries !!
I'm slim, good looking, tanned, white teeth, intelligent, funny etc etc
Even if there was a free, no cost, no side effect pill available, I sure wouldn't want it.
Jez, Casablanca, Morocco
I'm 52, and not surprised to see that my hairline has started moving noticeably northward. But at this age I don't really care. If someone could develop a low-cost pill that would resuscitate my failing follicles, I'd take it I suppose. But on the whole I'm not ashamed to look my age. It's who I am
Brent, Ottawa, Canada
still have plenty of hair on my head but could never grow a good beard or mustache. have actually been envious of many female friends. would love to grow a good old handle bar mustache or a willie nelson beard.
martin, phoenix, usa
I am a young female that has female pattern hair loss in my family. Over the last year I have started to enter the dreaded balding phase. It is absolutely horrible and I fear what I may look like in the next 5 years. It's worse when it happens to women and I am not even married as yet.
I need this
Dani, Toronto, Canada
Except for those afflicted, please spare us the false sympathy.
This is about the BILLIONS in money that the doctoring industry will gain by putting hair back on the heads of middle aged men with a bit too much vanity to go along with the coin in their pocket.
Call this Viagra for the scalp.
Charlie, Kensington, UK
I have found the perfect cure for alopecia. CHOCOLATE! Try it, you'll like it. It doesen't need to be Godiva, Tobler or Mars will do. Increase the dosage until hair appears. Hair on head; smile on face.
Colin , Milton, USA
"Could be available to patients within five years"? I needed it (way) more than five years ago!
Paul, Los Angeles, USA
Unfortunately, Dudley's uncle now weighs 28 stone ...
Thomas, London, UK
Where do I sign up to be a guinea pig?
Dan, Nottingham,
Could somebody please forward this to MP Mark Oaten!
Henry, Oxford, UK
Another recommended cure: eat lots of mushrooms and chocolate, the antioxidants and potassium in both help reduce hair loss while re-igniting the recent dead hair follicles back to life!..my uncle tried it for 6 months (now his daily diet) & his hair came bak thicker/fluffier than russel brand's.
Dudley, liverpool, UK
Good news for Barbers I suppose but to be honest there's nothing better than a good old slap head especially when it rains so hard and it makes yer head bleed.
Cromwell, Leeds, England