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A Cure For Baldness?

Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 11:40 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under:

We've heard it all before: This product cures baldness! You'll grow real hair! You'll have a hot 25-year-old girlfriend and a new sports car in no time -- and your wife won't mind at all!

Fighting baldness is a $1 billion a year industry, yet what do you see when you go out in public? A lot of bald guys. I'm sure plenty of them are perfectly content being bald, and some women find bald men more attractive.

But for those follicly-challenged -- men and women alike -- that are still searching for a miracle cure, scientists may have stumbled across an answer. WATCH VIDEO

While studying the role of stem cells in skin regeneration, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania medical center say they've been able to regenerate new hair follicles in adult mice. They weren't trying to cure baldness, but they say that they may have, by combining stem cells with a secret compound.

This is different from hair loss drugs like Propecia and Rogaine, which help people maintain their hair but don't grow new hair.

As Dr. Nancy Snyderman said, this treatment could be on the market for humans within three years.

But seriously, what would we do without bald men? Kojack wouldn't have been Kojack, Larry David would have one less thing to complain about, and Gandhi would have had to spend a fortune on hair products.

Is that really what we want?

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Comments

Where do I sign up for the study?

Bruce Roberson, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:12 PM)

This is a wonderful breakthrough for we who have thin hair or even hairless. I hope that this will be affordable when it is approved and marketed.
Think about how many men and women who have great talents may not have been chosen for the career they would have liked because of hairloss.
How many balding women are in Beauty Pagents or chosen as models for clothing or makeup, or a PR person to represent many beauty products?
If I would have had thick hair I would not have wore so many hats. I would have went swimming more, rode on a motorcyle with a friend or went boating without wearing a hat. Heaven forbid if I do not have my hairspray!!

Lynell Cook Lima, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:19 PM)

Can I sign up for this study?

Lynell Cook, Lima, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:23 PM)

This research sounds encouraging. Many, including myself, when asked will say they are not bothered by their hairloss - mainley because there is no cure and we have no choice but to accept it. However, if a cure was discovered, I'm sure that those that are currently content with their hairloss will be lining up in droves for their dosage. I would be interested in participating in any clinical trials.

John Messana (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:27 PM)

Yes where do i sign up!!!

LM (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:31 PM)

Can this "miracle cure" help people with alopecia?

margie rutherford, ashland, ky (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:33 PM)

Me too! I'm in.

Thomas McVety, New Haven, CT (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:38 PM)

I would like to sign up for the study too.  Please let me know where and when.

Elliott Peterson, Hempstead, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:40 PM)

I would like to sign up for the study. Please let me know as soon as it is available.

Kim Riddle, Gambrills, MD (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:13 PM)

At the age of 53 I was diagnosed with Alopecia, but no one can tell me why this happened. I have had numerous test, the obvious would be autoimmune, but test show that isn't the problem. As of January 27, 2008, it has been one year! I haven't given up, I have an appointment Feb 20th with an Alopecia Specialist in San Fran, CA, as there are none in Atlanta. I do have new hair growth, if you can call it that, it is very fine with no pigment.  I would be very interested in signing up for the study, if it would work for alopecia.

Dot Hurley. Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:13 PM)

Yes, please let me in.

Charlene Boyd Eads Tn. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:15 PM)

sign me up please

e ray (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:16 PM)

where do i sign up for the study

k. robert davis, elizabethtown, n.c. 28337 (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:26 PM)

yes I Like to do that Thx Much

Dan Smith Santa Fe NM (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:27 PM)

Over the last 2 years I've lost about half of my hair due to adrogenetic alopecia.  It stinks because I'm not even 30yrs. old!  I've tried everything from hair pieces and medicatations to laser treatments.  Unfortunately a lot of these remedies on the market cater to men, but this is a huge issue for women too. I would love to be considered for this study:)

C.C., Virginia Beach, VA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:29 PM)

If this will also work to help folks with thin hair, I would love to participate in the study. Is there a way to particpate in the study from the Seattle Washington area?

Deandra Bishop, Bellevue, WA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:38 PM)

I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO TRY THIS OUT. I AM ONLY 23 AND ALREADY NOTICE THE BALDING... ITS DIFFICULT FINDING THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE WHEN YOUR YOUNG AND LOOKING LIKE YOUR IM IN MY LATE 30'S.

BRAD PALM BEACH, FLORIDA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:46 PM)

My grandfather was bald, I am bald and my son's maternal grandfather is bald. If my son starts to go bald, will this treatment end the hereditary trait if recieves it before having an offspring.
By the way...sign me up, too.

Andy Weinberg, Vallejo, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:53 PM)

I would like to get more information on this breakthru. This has been a very touchy subject and being a young male it really kills and hurts your self esteem. However, this could be a great step towards fixing this problem. How can we find out how to be part of the study?

wpm (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:58 PM)

yes I would love to be included in the study too to see if it works on females!!

ava (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:00 PM)

I would like to sign up for the trial test's as well. I am 21 y/o and have been losing my hair since I was a senior in high school.

Kyle Steward, Germantown, Oh (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:02 PM)

Finally.  Now watch them charge a %10,000 mark-up. Hey, it's never too early to complain.

Donald T. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:03 PM)

In addition to the prior question, does this apply to those w/ alopecia areatia/totalis?  I am 26 years old and have suffered continuously from this disease for the past 4 years (and in my childhood as well).  It is such a frustrating and devastating disease, and something like this can give much hope and encouragement to finding a cure for those who suffer from alopecia. If it doesnt apply to us, we need to know so not to have false hope.

Amanda Odom, Columbia, SC (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:06 PM)

where do I sign up?

CS El Paso TX (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:13 PM)

I have tried just about everything on market,I think I would be an excellent subject for testing. I live in philadelphia area,I attended Drexel university as under graduate. I am 65 years young,healthy,but have had male pattern baldness for over thirty years

al diangelis (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:39 PM)

I'm a female 65 years old and losing a lot of hair right above my forehead. I would love to participate in the study too. Please contact me.

br, worcester, ma (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:43 PM)

I would like to be part of the study.  I must keep my wife.  :)

Chris Payne, Burlison, TN (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:43 PM)

Where do I sign up?  This is a wonderful breakthrough.  I'm 53 years old and would start treatment tomorrow if it was available.

Tom, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:44 PM)

I would like to ask Nancy Synderman a question re: this cure for baldness. Does this make it possible for congenital defects, i.e. ectodermal dysplasia?

Lynda Clark, Lafayette, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:45 PM)

I am interested in becoming a subject for this study,especially since I think some tests I took in army were cause of my male pattern baldness. It would only be fair if I had such a chance.

al diangelis wilmington,delaware 19803 (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:53 PM)

I am 59 years old and have a receding hair line and balding on the top of my head. I would be interested participating in your study.

Anthony D'Annunzio (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:53 PM)

who has the license to take this to market? Are they a public company with stock for this product?

Steve Coleman Ft. Lauderdale,Fla. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:54 PM)

I am 59 years old and have a receding hair line and balding on the top of my head. I would be interested participating in your study.

Anthony D'Annunzio (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:56 PM)

sign me up for the trials

GV, Austin TX (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 3:06 PM)

If it work for women too, I'm in. Where can I sign up for the study?

Gail Moss, Spartanburg, SC (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 3:08 PM)

I am a sixty year old female,that has been follicly challenged for fifteen years.I have worn a wig that long.I would be so exited to be in the study.I am available at any time.

C.B EADS TN. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 3:38 PM)

Promising information... if a test group is needed, please let me know. I am interested in growing my hair back.

LJB, Cerritos, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 3:46 PM)

I lost my hair at the age of 19,for me it was and still a social death sentence,girls won't date you because you'r bald and friends don't want you because you'r not cool! I am 33 now and hope to God this cure does not take too long.

Nick Durghalli (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:08 PM)

I don't want to see any christians  on this list benefitting from stem cell research.  That just makes me want to pull my hair out!

Hugh Jaynus, Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:23 PM)

I'm in, 55 trying to stay alive!

S (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:25 PM)

Not just men, either.  There are many women who suffer hair loss who want this so desperately.

Elle e-girl, Perth, Australia (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:26 PM)

I would like to sign up for the study.

Anne, Memphis, TN (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:40 PM)

The company that licensed the technology is called Follica.  www.follicabio.com

P (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:42 PM)

I would love to be a part of this study!!! I am 37 years old and lose my hair after I have given birth. I am so insecure with the  hair loss and would love to be able to go running without wondering if I am sweating out my color hairspray. I would love to get on water rides without everyone looking at me like I am contagious. I want to be normal and look normal. I want my husband to be able to run his fingers through my hair. I want my kids to stop being scare of me when I wash my hair or when my baldness isn't covered up. If there is anyway I could be apart of this study it would make such a difference in not only my life but, my whole families lives.

dallas, texas (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:42 PM)

I would love to have thick hair for once in my life. Let me know if they will be doing a trial in CA.

Jodie Smith, Mission Viejo, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:53 PM)

This is great. I've had four hair replacement surgery's. I'm very happy with the results. I've been losing my hair since the age of 16 and any new advancements are welcome.

Grant Herrle, Virginia Beach (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:57 PM)

I am so interested in this study.  Can this finally be the breakthrough that we all have been dreaming for.  I have been so devastated by losing my hair.  People treat you different when you are follically challenged.  I know because when I was younger, I wore a hairpiece that was really good and could not be detected as a hairpiece.  It took me a long time in the morning to get ready with it.  When you meet a girl, you know eventually that she will find out and it was not a pretty sight.  I was tired of all the aggravation so I stopped wearing it.  Please sign me up for any clinical study.  

ATM, Bel Air, MD (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:06 PM)

Hugh, I'm a Christian and see absolutely no problem with this, nor can I fathom a reason why I should. I suspect that you have no hair loss?

Amy, Texas (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:09 PM)

I've tried many products, etc., to deal with my thinning hair--center of head right above the forehead--but to no avail.  I'm excited about this new study.  Keep me informed!!!!!

ft, morgantown, wv (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:14 PM)

Excited about this new discovery.  HAve tried many products, etc., to no avail.  Am very interested in knowing more.

ftompkins, morgantown, wv (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:16 PM)



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