Advancements in hair stem cell research creates new follicles: You may have read that scientists now have the ability to create new hair follicles to treat hair loss from existing precursor cells. In 2012, headlines across the media reported on the study involving a bald mouse who was able to grow hair on its back due to the insertion of follicles that were generated in vitro (i.e. culture)

This advancement in which hair stem cell research creating new follicles was conducted by the Tokyo University of Science. And the findings were published in Online Journal Nature Communications.

The bioengineered hair follicles were derived from epithelial stem cells and derma papillae cells. Both types of cells were derived from the base of the hair follicle.

At the bottom of the hair follicle structure, there are derma papillae cells. Surrounding these cells is a matrix layer where stem cells can be derived.

The derma papilla cells basically carry inductive properties (in vivo). They have the potential to induce stem cells from the matrix into becoming new hair follicle structures.

The Japanese scientists developed a technology for converting these base cells into a fully functioning follicle. Once inserted, these tiny little organs will form connections between the nerves and muscles. They exhibit normal hair growth cycles and even the pilo erection reflex.

The lead researcher even incorporated specific stem cells to adjust the color and the texture of the hair.

Hair stem cell research creates new follicles: The Status of Cloning For Hair Loss in Humans

Hair loss sufferers around the world have long been waiting to hear such news. The creation of new follicles has been highly anticipated as a way to replace faulty ones that have miniaturized.

However, hair cloning is still not ready for prime time. Although scientists now have the ability to create new follicles, they still do not have a way to make them conform to natural hair growth patterns on the head.

The bioengineered follicles are injected into the scalp. However, they would need to grow at proper angles, orientations and directions. These characteristics are unique across different regions of the head.

Issue of Immune System

Although the Tokyo researchers were able to successfully grow hair in a bald rat, this scenario may be quite different in humans. Scientists are not sure how the immune system may react to follicles created in vitro.

What To Do If More Hair Follicles Are Needed for Hair Loss

If a greater number of hair follicles are needed, body hair transplant (BHT) is a reliable way to acquire them from various regions of the body such as:

nape
chest
arms
legs
abdomen
beard regions

These areas can serve as extra resources for large numbers of follicles. In fact, these quantities are often enough to offer coverage for even the most severely bald cases (i.e. Norwood 6 and Norwood 7).

Severe Hair Loss - Follicles to treat hair loss — The answer for reversing severe baldness is available now through the use of body hair grafts.

The extraction of hair follicles from the body is an advanced form of Follicular Unit Extraction. Specialized FUE punch tools are needed to help ensure the following:

(1) body follicles are extracted safely with very minimal risk of being damaged by the edge of the punch

(2) donor wound healing occurs without visible traces of scarring.

To see actual results of a body hair transplant procedure on a real patient, click here.