Researchers successfully grow hair on bald mouse: Humans next?

Scientists were able to successfully transplant human and mouse hair follicle cells and have them produce normal hair growth cycles.

/ ResearchSEA

(CBS News) Great news for bald men men and women: Scientists in Japan have successfully regrown hair on a bald mouse.

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Even though the technological advancement only happened on a rodent, this new development may mean that humans could look forward to a hair-filled future.

Not only were Japanese scientists able to regrow hair in the study, which was published April 17 in Nature Communications, but they were able to manipulate the density and color of the locks.

"Our study provides a substantial contribution to the development of bioengineering technologies that will enable future regenerative therapy for hair loss caused by injury or by diseases such as alopecia and androgenic alopecia," researchers wrote in the study.

Researchers cultivated two different kinds of mice hair follicles and transplanted them on a mouse. Three weeks later, 74 percent of the hair follicles had grown into black hair. When human hair follicles cells were transplanted, human hair grew. The hair continued to regenerate after it fell out due to normal growth cycles.

Hair loss is a very common problem in both men and women. By 35, two-thirds of American men will experience some sort of noticeable hair loss, according to the American Hair Loss Association. At 50, 85 percent of men will have significantly thinning hair. Thought typically considered to be a male disease, 40 percent of women make up hair loss sufferers. The disease is not life-threatening, but it can cause many emotional problems because of the physical changes.

While researchers believe that this method won't be able to cure premature baldness, it may give people a chance to relive their hairy youth and consider themselves locky.

To see what the mice looked like with their new hair, check out the video below from Research SEA:

9 Photos

Eek! Hair loss in women: Top 7 risk factors revealed

[slamothe2001]

Here is the problem with this. The hair loss/regrowth industry is over $1 Billion dollars a year. Scientists just love coming up with a 'new' wonder drug that will cure just about anything, even hair loss.

Take the alternative natural approach to grow hair. You can find my review at http://www.hairlossshampoo.info.

[Atlantis619]

Seriously? IF you are going to use these poor animals for experimentation, at LEAST let it be for a more worthy cause. Sickening.

[JackLeanII]

So, now we're going to have generations of hirsute, middle aged mice dating mice supermodels?

[qmpash]

My wife thinks that bald-headed mice are sexy. Mice that are allergic to Rogaine will be happy. Mice today; Dick Cheney tomorrow.

[audemus]

Great ! Now maybe those mice can discard all those hideous toupees....

[dectra]

Actually, the Mohawk looks pretty cool on Mr. Mouse

[lesserof2evil]

what? I thought being bald were sexy.

[AnnieDanny]

It's a cute mouse.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

"Three weeks later, 74 percent of the hair follicles had grew into black hair."
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No proof reading, no editing.....

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

"...Scientists in Japan have successfully regrew hair..."
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Written by a functional illiterate.

[venusvegasvada]

Yeah, but did they get the female mice to mate with him afterwards?