The future answer for hairloss?

[MyNameIsRich]

I was doing some reading and came across this article, several years back, no doubt many of you have seen this at some stage:

(Can't find the article, but its described on wikipedia) :

"In May 2007, researchers at the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Pennsylvania unveiled a new scientific breakthrough that may cure baldness with stem cells. A product could be on the market within three years.[35][36] The researchers discovered that the growth of new hair producing follicles could be stimulated in mice by damaging their skin.[37]"

 

This was years back, and still no advances? Another relatively new article that gives hope:

"In December 2010, scientists at the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Technical_University in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany revealed they have grown the world's first artificial hair follicles from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cells'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cells.'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cells. Research leader Dr Roland Lauster said within five years millions of hair-loss sufferers could grow new hair from their own stem cells and have it implanted into their bald spots. He also announced that preparations for clinical trials were "already in motion".[42]

 

 

I guess my questions are, how often do these type of 'complete miracle cure/scientific breakthrough' stories come up, and also how likely is it that we will see a universal fix to baldness in our lifetimes, nay, the next 5-10 years? Both stories use words like 'may have' 'within years to come' 'should' 'could' etc, and whilst this is nice, it's nothing until it becomes a reality. surely if "they have grown the world's first artificial hair follicles from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cells" is true, then we will DEFINITELY be seeing this in practice very very soon, right?

Edited August 6, 2011 by Richlol

[Gin0rm0usF0rehead]

I remember that Upenn story. I was very excited. Im still waiting......

[MyNameIsRich]

Exactly. Where is the proof of any of these stories?

 

What are you guys' opinions on these sort of 'breakthroughs'?

How likely is it that this type of cure will be with us within the next 10 years?

[NEWHAIRPLEASE]

Thats why Im not waiting on some future cure.. I remember reading an article in 1992 when I started losing my hair that ther would be a for sure cure by the year 2000. Well, thats come and gone..there have been some great advances, but I would suspect we are still a ways away from a cure..thats why Ive chosen a transplant with Dr Rahal..if a cure happens later and Im not happy, well that option will be there!

[MyNameIsRich]

My problem is that, my donor hair isn't that great... my hair isnt that dense as it is, and it may prove pretty hard for me to get good coverage or a result id be happy with, BHFUE is not something im happy to do either as it looks pretty stupid, i guess unless its being used to fill in the gaps in any patchy areas.

 

And that's why I'm really hoping on some sort of follicle cloning, as I really feel I need more hair

[SkinUpPinUp]

Whilst the future may indeed hold good things for MPB, that's no excuse for not acting now.

 

Preserve what you have with a DHT inhibitor. If you can regrow more hair via minoxidil - fine, but finasteride, dutasteride are pretty much unavoidable and it would be prudent to look after what you still have.

[Troll]

The near-future cure is cloning. cloning = unlimited donor supply

 

Beyond that I imagine there will be breakthroughs in preventive treatment, along the lines of an improved-Propecia.

[MyNameIsRich]

The near-future cure is cloning. cloning = unlimited donor supply

 

Beyond that I imagine there will be breakthroughs in preventive treatment, along the lines of an improved-Propecia.

Yeah, thats the cure that every man on the planet would be hoping for, and its obviously possible.. but how soon?

The story in the OP says that German doctors were successful in doing so last year, so does that mean it will be within a few years, or will we just never hear of this again?

[Troll]

worth a read: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/fashion/05SKIN.html?_r=1

 

(scroll down a little for cloning info)

[Hal]

It's always "five to seven years away" with these "breakthrough" treatments.

 

What seems to happen is some news comes out about a new approach or method that seems promising. It's stated that studies are underway and human trials should be happening "in the near future".

 

So it's the talk of the community for a few years and then the treatment or whatever it is doesn't pan out.

 

But wait! here's another breaking news story about another method. And human trials should be starting soon...

 

Eventually, something will work. However, don't look for a "cure". "Cure" implies a one time treatment and you're done.

 

In the hair loss game, "treatment" is far more lucrative and profitable.

 

Which means something you have to go back for and do repeatedly to maintain results.

 

I agree that a lot of these new treatments on the horizon look promising. However, I think you're looking at a least seven or eight years before they are available, if that.

 

Additionally, any new treatment is bound to be expensive. Tack on an additional few years before mainstream acceptance and pricing comes down to be affordable to the masses.

 

So say 10 years. Maybe.

 

That's why I agree with the other posters that you should investigate your options with current treatments.

 

JMO.

 

Hal

[MyNameIsRich]

worth a read: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/fashion/05SKIN.html?_r=1

 

(scroll down a little for cloning info)

 

Interesting read... He says without a doubt they will successfully be cloning hair and therefore, find a cure. Within 10 years to be commercially available. Does that mean 20 years and it will DEFINITELY be available?

[mick reno]

People tend to believe that cloning hair is much easier than say, cloning a heart. It's not. If a point is reached where hair cloning is viable, it will be very low on the list of headlines. Behind: "Dr. finds a way to clone lung and heart. Immortality, here I come!"