MILLIONS of slapheads could be cured of baldness after scientists used stem cells to develop a way of making “unlimited” hair.
Replacement locks could be grown from a person’s blood sample. One researcher told a summit: “This is a critical breakthrough.”
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In ground-breaking trials, human cells were grafted on to mice cells and attached to tiny “scaffolds” to help them grow straight. They were then placed under the skin, and emerged through it.
Dr Alexey Terskikh, from the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in La Jolla, California, said: “This is a critical breakthrough.
“Our new protocol described today overcomes key technological challenges that kept our discovery from real-world use.
“Now we have a robust, highly controlled method for generating natural-looking hair that grows through the skin using an unlimited source of human stem cell-derived dermal papilla [hair] cells.”
Colleague Dr Richard Chaffoo added at the International Society for Stem Cell Research in Los Angeles: “It could improve the lives of millions.
“Hair loss profoundly affects many people’s lives. A significant part of my practice involves both men and women who are seeking solutions to their hair loss.”
The team is now working towards tests on humans.
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Little Britain star Matt Lucas with a new do
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Around four in ten Brit fellas suffer some form of baldness.
UK hair loss expert David Fenton said: “This research is very interesting.”
Currently only two drugs, minoxidil and finasteride, are available to treat the condition.
But both have side-effects and do not always work.
The only other option to balding blokes is hair transplantation, which can cost up to £30,000.
