Hair Cloning Could Revolutionize Hair Loss Treatment

March 2006

A new procedure being tested in New York could revolutionize hair loss treatments.

The procedure is called hair cloning. Unlike transplants, it does not require hair being taken from the back of the head.

The idea is to take cells from the bulb of the hair and grow them in culture. Once they have multiplied, the hair seeds will be injected back to into the scalp to grow hair.

"What you want to grow is nice combable, normal looking, permable, dyable hair and so it has to grow in just like the rest of your hair, and luckily the cells know how to do that," said Bosley Medical Director Dr. Ken Washenik.

Hair cloning has successfully been tested on the back of a bald mouse. Human trials could begin by summer if the FDA approves it.