We’re sure that famous bald celebrities like The Rock, Jason Statham, and Bruce Willis wouldn’t have a single problem with the ladies should they ever pop back up on the market. However, most men don’t choose to sport thebald look but more so because they have to. Well good news for all of us out there who are starting to see our hairlines recede: there may be another option.
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Researchers at Indiana University in America have published a study in the journal Cell Reports stating that they have been able to grow hair on mice. Through stem cell therapy, researchers like Professor Karl Koehler were able to successfully induce hair follicle growth.
The initial experiment was performed with the goal of creating miniature replicas of the inner ear, also known as an “organoid”. Using stem cells harvested from mice, this experimented generated an unexpected by-product: skin cells.
They then induced the growth of hair follicles from these skin cells and there you have it – hair. Before this breakthrough, scientists have largely been unsuccessful in producing both layers of skin – epidermis and dermis – with this degree of authenticity.
While, of course, one huge benefit to come from this is the fact that we no longer have to worry about our hair thinning or getting bald spots, there are several other implications that come from the breakthrough. Professor Koehler stated:
It could be potentially a superior model for testing drugs - or looking at things like the development of skin cancers - within an environment that's more representative of the in vivo microenvironment. And it would allow us to limit the number of animals we use for research.
