The Evolution of the Promise of Hair Cloning: How Hair Cell Cloning Will Fit Into Your Practice

Research in the 1980s showed that cultured dermal papilla cells could form new hair follicles in mice, leading to hopes of a similar treatment for human androgenic alopecia. However, clinical studies by Intercytex and Aderans Research found that while new hairs could be produced, the cosmetic effect was insufficient. Instead, it was found that actively miniaturising follicles could be rejuvenated and returned to the size of terminal hairs. This led to a potential new treatment plan based on mapping the scalp to identify DHT-resistant and DHT-sensitive areas. Hair follicles from DHT-resistant areas could be excised, transported to a tissue bank, and cryopreserved. These could then be used to produce cultured dermal papilla cells to rejuvenate and rebuild miniaturising follicles, maintaining hair throughout life.