A scientific cure for #baldness and #hairloss? New Stem Cell research paves the way...

You may or may not have seen the breaking news which came out a few days ago, showcasing work by scientists to grow hair on bald rats using Stem Cell research...

Researchers in Orlando have successfully grown individual hairs, coaxing stem cells to become dermal papilla cells which are vital to follicle formation. These cells make up the top two layers of our skin and trigger nearby cells to produce hair follicles; if they stop working, it will lead to baldness. One of the challenges which has faced researchers previously is how to multiply dermal papilla cells, which lose their potency and ability to stimulate hair growth when multiplied; this has left every previous experiment with more, but less effective cells! Now, by using stem cells, scientists have been able to create an almost unlimited supply of these cells whilst still retaining their natural ability to stimulate healthy hair growth - a phenomenal breakthrough in hairloss research. 

Associate Professor at Sanford-Burnham who conducted some of the research said 'Our stem cell method provides an unlimited source of cells from the patient for transplantation and isn't limited by the availability of existing hair follicles. Our next step is to transplant human dermal papilla cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells back into human subjects.'

It is estimated that 1.5billion men and women suffer from hairloss worldwide and whilst not necessarily a cure, this breakthrough could be vital to understanding hairloss and could potentially pave the way for affordable, long-lasting hair transplants and more research. 

Speaking to Mark Blake, Trichologist he said “Scientists have taken the next step in unravelling the mystery of growing new hair. They have successfully grown hair on Nude mice using blank slate cells. The next step of the journey is to transplant human dermal papilla cells derived from stem cells back into humans. The final step of the journey could be just round the corner"

Mark Blake Trichology: http://www.markblake.co.uk

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

A bit about me... #bald #hairloss #alopecia

I've had an email from one of our new readers to say there wasn't very much about me! Ooops! I thought the simplest thing to do was to write a profile about myself, but then it dawned on me how hard it is to write about yourself AND keep it interesting! Well, here goes nothing...

My name is Victoria (obvs) and I am an Alopecian! I have Alopecia Universalis and have had for four years! My hair started falling out on the 4th Feb 2011; I was sat in a client meeting and ran my fingers through my hair, stumbling across a bald patch on the left hand side of my head. It was no bigger than a five pence piece, but still my breath caught and I couldn't wait to be out the meeting to check it out. 

At first, I chatted with mum and we agreed to keep an eye on it and monitor what was happening, rather than go into all out panic! A few weeks later the patch had doubled in size and had been joined by three more. Five more patches later and we decided it was probably time to visit the doctor who diagnosed suspected Alopecia Areata and referred me to a Dermatologist! From there, my story is probably very similar to others; I was advised there was little they could do, although I was prescribed some steroid injections into the patches; for a short time it worked and I did experience some re-growth around those specific areas, but alas the rest of my hair fell out faster than those patches grew! As an aside, I'd advise people to very carefully consider those injections; it's safe to say they are incredibly painful and only really help if the rest of your hair stays put! Don't be put off them, but do think carefully before jumping in feet first! 

Anyway, it took nine months for the hair on my head to fall out and a further six for the hair on my body! Now all that remains is a patch on one leg, a few underarm hairs and of course the one stubborn hair that used to live between my eyebrows! *Sighs*

I have definitely come to terms with my Alopecia, am the proud owner of a huge wig collection and general lover of life! Of course I still have my bad days, but when I do, these two beauties keep me going...! Mostly that's because I have to walk and feed them and they simply won't take no for an answer! ;-)