hairline

Mar. 15, 2004. 07:41 AM A bald step toward a cure? Stem cell implants spur hair growth Hope sprouts from mouse experiment PAUL ELIAS ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN FRANCISCO - Research showing that bald mice can grow hair after being implanted with a type of stem cell could lead to a cure for baldness, a group of scientists says. "Blank slate" stem cells were able to induce hair growth during the project, said Dr. George Cotsarelis, a University of Pennsylvania dermatologist and co-author of the study. It was released yesterday on the Web site of the journal Nature Technology in advance of its April publication date. "We've shown for the first time these cells have the ability to generate hair, when taken from one animal and put into another,'' Cotsarelis said in a telephone interview. "You can envision a process of isolating existing stem cells and re-implanting them in the areas where guys are bald,'' Cotsarelis said. The study confirms what scientists have suspected for years: that hair follicles contain "blank slate" stem cells which give most humans a full head of hair for life. The "blank slates" are called stem cells but differ from embryonic stem cells. Use of the latter for medical research has sparked political debate because human embryos are destroyed in the process. Biologists who study hair because of its regenerative qualities said the new study is an important breakthrough but they cautioned that a baldness cure is still some years away. "Like with any stem cells, the amount of information needed to get us from a stem to a fully developed organ is a lot," said Stanford University biologist Anthony Oro. "It will require a lot of things to go right and we are still a long way off.'' Two drugs now on the market, known commercially as Rogaine and Propecia, were designed initially to treat those with hypertension and enlarged prostates. Later, they were discovered to have hair growth as a side effect. Each drug rings up about $100 million (U.S.) in sales annually. It is estimated that people in the United States spend more than $1 billion each year in combating baldness, mostly through hair transplants. www.thestar.com

Mar. 15, 2004. 07:41 AM A bald step toward a cure? Stem cell implants spur hair growth Hope sprouts from mouse experiment PAUL ELIAS ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN FRANCISCO - Research showing that bald mice can grow hair after being implanted with a type of stem cell could lead to a cure for baldness, a group of scientists says. "Blank slate" stem cells were able to induce hair growth during the project, said Dr. George Cotsarelis, a University of Pennsylvania dermatologist and co-author of the study. It was released yesterday on the Web site of the journal Nature Technology in advance of its April publication date. "We've shown for the first time these cells have the ability to generate hair, when taken from one animal and put into another,'' Cotsarelis said in a telephone interview. "You can envision a process of isolating existing stem cells and re-implanting them in the areas where guys are bald,'' Cotsarelis said. The study confirms what scientists have suspected for years: that hair follicles contain "blank slate" stem cells which give most humans a full head of hair for life. The "blank slates" are called stem cells but differ from embryonic stem cells. Use of the latter for medical research has sparked political debate because human embryos are destroyed in the process. Biologists who study hair because of its regenerative qualities said the new study is an important breakthrough but they cautioned that a baldness cure is still some years away. "Like with any stem cells, the amount of information needed to get us from a stem to a fully developed organ is a lot," said Stanford University biologist Anthony Oro. "It will require a lot of things to go right and we are still a long way off.'' Two drugs now on the market, known commercially as Rogaine and Propecia, were designed initially to treat those with hypertension and enlarged prostates. Later, they were discovered to have hair growth as a side effect. Each drug rings up about $100 million (U.S.) in sales annually. It is estimated that people in the United States spend more than $1 billion each year in combating baldness, mostly through hair transplants. www.thestar.com

As the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for" and "penny wise, pound foolish"! If the price sounds too good to be true then most likely your in the wrong place. Check out several doctors and ask lots of questions. All I can tell you is that im 6 months post-op from Dr.Seager's Office and, I haven't had this much hair since highschool!

Yup, thats what I did at the Seager Hair Transplant Centre. You had to pay $1500.00 at the booking and the rest 14 days prior to surgery. Cheers,

Outstanding my man, outstanding! Just wondering, when did you notice the most growth? In what month(s) did it really start to fill in density wise? I'm currently a couple days shy of 5 months and to date I have average growth in the front hairline but behind that and my temples are quite sparce. Any words of wisdom oh mighty hair god?

Donna, you need to have a consultation with a different doctor. I am currently 4 months post-op and have nothing but good things to say about my doctor. I went to the Seager Hair Transplant Centre and it has been very positive thus far. Dr.Simmons was the doc who performed my transplant and do date I have excellent growth. The Seager Centre has been extremely supportive of my emotional needs and questions. They're very approachable and understanding of the needs of their patients. What you have experienced at your doctor is not the norm. If your in the area I would highly recommend you stop into the Seager Centre and speak with Seager or Simmons. Their is light at the end of the tunnel. www.seagerhairtransplant.com

Thanks for the reply's. My doc is Dr.Seager from Toronto. Must admit, this is defintely a rollercoaster ride of emotion.... can't wait for the final outcome.

I'm just over 8 weeks post op after 3080 FU and looking for advice. I have shed about 80 percent of the transplanted hairs and have a fair number of new hairs growing in on the front and left side-very stumbly. My concern is, the right temple area doesn't have nearly the same growth as the right side-its bald. Should I be concerned that something has gone a miss with the HT? Were the implants butchered when split? Am I paranoid?

I'm just over 8 weeks post op after 3080 FU and looking for advice. I have shed about 80 percent of the transplanted hairs and have a fair number of new hairs growing in on the front and left side-very stumbly. My concern is, the right temple area doesn't have nearly the same growth as the right side-its bald. Should I be concerned that something has gone a miss with the HT? Were the implants butchered when split? Am I paranoid?