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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

Sign me up the sooner the better. Thank You

Anthony Peters, Mayfield, New York (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:30 PM)

after 40 years of being bald I would definitly like to be in the study.

William Jacobs, Franklin, mi. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:57 PM)

I've been a police officer for nearly 22 years and had to deal with hairloss for the past 10 years.  You don't know how much times I wish I had my hair back when ever I looked at my police academy photo.  Having a head full of hair once again will definitely boost my self esteem in this job.  Please sign me up to test your product.

Ka V Ka (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 6:09 PM)

Very interested in this study. My 3 yr old daughter suffers from alopecia aerata and would love to know more.

Shawn Drane, Greenwood, IN (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 6:13 PM)

I will gladly be a guinea pig!! Please sign me up.

Jimmy Harris, Clarksdale, Ms (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 6:28 PM)

I would go anywhere to be able to participate in this study since I have suffered from alopecia for the last 25 yrs and have been to numerous doctors, have had needle injections, used prescription creams with no postitive outcome.  I am a 60-yr. old woman.  The media puts SO much emphasis on hair and hair products.  Guys are so shallow when they find out I'm bald and don't want to pursue a relationship.  People need to see what's inside a person that really counts!!! I'm so hopeful this might be the answer to my prayers!!!

SMB, DuBois, PA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 6:41 PM)

I would very much like to sign up for the study,also.

N.A (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 6:46 PM)

Please keep me posted on this topic!!  I am interested in signing up for the study also.  Thanks!

Dave Spieker, Jefferson City, MO. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 6:57 PM)

My son lost his hair when he was 6 years old. He was diagnosed with Alopecia Arenta. We tried several treatment such as steroid injection into his head to topical creams, with no success.  He is now 17, and just yesterday we went to University of Miami Dermatology Dept.to one of the experts for Alopecia to see if there were any new treatments. As far as avaiable to the general public there is no cure.  It is a shame that the goverment considers this issue a cosmetic not medical codition.  Which means the funding is not offered and ins does not always cover the treatments. My son is a wonderful young man who has always said even at 6, "mom it is just hair, it is not who I am."  I would not ever want to jeopardise my sons health with a treatment that may have risk greater then hairloss but I would like to know how to contact the Doctor to get more information and to see what maybe possible. Thank you

Sandra, North Palm Beach,Florida (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:20 PM)

I have been a hairstylest for 26 yrs.  My husband started loosing his hair at age 26.  He has had 4 hair trsplants totaling about $20,000.00.  He still needs several more transplants. If you need him to be a part of this study please let me know.

Pittsburgh Pa 15001 (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:27 PM)

This is very excitng news.I would love to know of any study I would be able to participate in.  

Gregg, Omaha, Ne. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:39 PM)

If they need a female who permanently lost part of her hair due to radiation therapy 18 years ago, I would be more than willing to participate in the research.  

MW, Graeagle, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:54 PM)

please send me the proper spelling of the Dr. Name so that I can contact the hospital to perhaps get on the list for the clinical trial.  Thanks

d.monahan,phila (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 8:03 PM)

i would like to get in on the trial, but would be interested in knowing the side effects and how safe it really is.  also are these adult stems? If so I am definately interested.  If you are killing babies for this then forget it. I will continue to wear a wig before I would sacrifice a baby to regrow hair.  thanks

DLD Iowa (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 8:10 PM)

I'm a 37 year old woman, I've been loosing my hair for five years. My self-esteem is not what it use to be. I'm self contious every day. Please let me know if they are looking for people to help with research.  

Kris Cartwright, Eagle Point, OR (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 8:49 PM)

I mentioned what I saw this morning to my boss, and she got all excited she is very interested; herself being a physician.

norma rodriguez, laredo, texas (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 8:59 PM)

I mentioned it to my boss she, ;"asked where so I sign in!

norma rodriguez, laredo, texas (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:01 PM)

there is not one day that goes by, that i don't think about my hair problem. i am very thin on top and probably would give up a limb for a full head of hair again. i believe that this is more difficult for a woman though, because we have seen bald men for many years, and yes you are hot. but it's more normal to see a man that way.(not that i don't feel for you guys). i see more and more women these days than ever, it's like what the heck is going on...PLEASE HELP US !!!!!!!

KMF, LIVERPOOL, NEW YORK (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:11 PM)

I also want to know if it will help alopecia..I am 39 and have been dealing with this disease for 4 years..

Lisa Daniels, Sterling,Virginia (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:24 PM)

I am also very interested in signing up for the study. How do we find out more about the study?

Mark Brown, Ontario, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:37 PM)

I've been losing my hair for some time.  Could this be the break through that all of us follicly challenged people have been dreaming about??  I would love to be involved in the study.  Where and how do I sign up?

Andy, Bel Air, MD (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:43 PM)

I noticed during the segment AZT (azidothymidine) aka the Aids treatment was flashed on the screen but there was no mention of it.  Am I to assume that this break throught baldness treatment is similar to that of an Aids treatment?

Dominic De Laney (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:56 PM)

I would like to be a part of the study also

Jim Cef - buffalo, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:05 PM)

I want to know too.

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

Margie, hdg, MD (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:07 PM)

I'm in too!! As I'm the only one in my family that has hair loss and trust me I'm the blunt of every joke.

Joey, Rocklin, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:19 PM)

I 've suffered extreme thining since age 22. I am a 56 year old female very interested in learning more. Please consider me for your trials and/or keep me posted on the results of this break through.

sandy catinella, boca raton, florida (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:33 PM)

SIGN ME UP!! I have been under alot of stress lately and have noticed my hair is getting very very thin on top. I would willing be a study subject, and i'm a nurse to boot.

Louise Alexander, Thayer,MO (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:36 PM)

I am very interested in becoming a participant in this study. How do I sign up?

Andrew DePalma, Meriden, CT (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:40 PM)

I can handle wrinkles, cellulite, even a few vericose veins, but thining hair.  No way.  Please give me more.  Where can I sign up?  Thanks.

Julie Coronado (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:43 PM)

How can I get into the trial?

Terry, Ocala, Florida (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:49 PM)

If you would like to be on the list to be contacted for the clinical trials, please contact Follica: www.follicabio.com or www.puretechventures.com. We have licensed Dr. Cotsarelis' technology and are moving it forward. We will be happy to keep you posted. Thanks for all your comments.

Follica (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:53 PM)

Hugh, i think you lost your sensitivity chip back there when you said you want to "pull your hair out" for research like this.  I would think, as a Christian, you would have more tact and compassion, and less judgment.  Dont you think that people on this blog WISH they had hair to pullout, including myself???

A Odom, Coumbia, SC (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 11:36 PM)

I have tried every product available with no results. I would love to be considered for the trial. My hair gets thinner with each passing day and is extremely depressing for a woman.

Wilma Kelly, Ravenna, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 11:42 PM)

Would like to know if the treatment is applicable to  lichen planopilaris.

tillie vacek (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 11:56 PM)

Finally some promising information about hair loss for women as well as men!!!
I would jump at the chance to be part of a trial study.

M.ichele, Edgewater, NJ (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 12:03 AM)

Amen brothers and sisters!..   Please sign me up for the human trials!!  Tired of looking 10-20 years older than I really am.  Seriously!!

RChavez, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 12:48 AM)

I want to sign up for the study on hair loss.  Please!
I am 60ish.  Please tell me how to do this.  I am from Alaska.

Martha Weeks (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 2:21 AM)

i have been without hair for 2 years..I would love to be involved in a study. I have tried to except my situation but when you are a female it is very hard. I am a freak..yes i have tried to be strong but guys cannot except the fact that i wear a wig .. i am not feeling sorry for myself ..i am pretty strong ...but men cannot except the fact that i am bald ..and if you let people know that you have no hair the first thing they think is that it is cancer and you will have hair in the future ...that is because alopecia is rare and cancer is more rapid. like i said i am not feeling sorry for me ...just trying to let people know   ..so next time you see someone without hair it might not be cancer ..and believe me that is the first thing i thought of before i had this disease and your first guess -cancer- is probably right ..but alopecia is next inline ..I am thankful that i am healthy and i do not have cancer ..i do feel for everyone that has cancer and looses hair due to treatments ...i can only imagine ...i would not wish that on anyone. i do hope for a cure in the future because i do know what it is like to be shunned for being bald.  there i said it ..the average american likes hair ...so be it  ...I can wear lots of wigs but when i tell my story ...the men run ...and i feel like i am not telling the truth at first ..i try to be honest as soon as possible ...but i know in my heart what will happen...they cannot except my situation

Michele

michele,spokane,WA (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 4:15 AM)

I would certainly like to know more about this and if there is a clinical study/trial would really like to be in it. I have tried Rogaine, Finestride, Avodart, and several of the products advertised on tv but still my hair keeps thinning.

R.C.E. OKC., OK. (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 5:11 AM)

How does one apply to participate in this study?

Fran Egbers, Manchester, NH (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 6:27 AM)

I am 50 years old, female and can see my scalp through my hair! I am in the Phila area and would love to participate in the study. I am seeing an endocrinologist and dermatologist, have had scalp injections, a scalp biopsy, and am currently using Rogaine. I hope this treatment makes it to the market quickly! Hurry!

Joann Martilik, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 6:55 AM)

I  would   love to  sign up for the  trial.

darren bozan (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 8:38 AM)

After reading the message from Dot Hurley in Atlanta,GA, I am VERY interested to know the outcome of your appt in CA.  I have a 10 yo who has had Alopecia for the past 2 years.  We are about 1 1/2 outside of Atlanta.

Amy, GA (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 8:38 AM)

This is great news for the bald community, and for those who know that hair loss is coming. There is nothing worse than finding out that your forehead is not getting bigger, but your hair is disappearing. I am just 21 years old and am significantly balding which is unfortunate, but to know that science is close to curing the problem and introducing the solution to the market in just a few years is encouraging. For those of you who say "embrace your baldness, who cares about it," shut up. We're all anticipating this possible remedy.

Mike (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 8:51 AM)

Praise the lord!

John Ross, Atlanta Georgia (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:03 AM)

Where do I sign up?

I'm a 70 yr. old, young, woman....I look young, I feel young... but....I'm LOOSING MY HAIR!

Call me I'M, READY WILLING ... AND ABLE!

MYRNA KLEIN ; MONROE TWP N.J. 08831 (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:16 AM)

Call me... 71 yrs. young~!

Losing my hair..... Call me!  Soon!

ELAINE WEISS MONROE TWP N.J. (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:18 AM)

Absolutely I would love to be in the trials.  Would walk accross the country if necessary to get there!  So many have been waiting so long, including me.....  

Judy Moyer VA (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:24 AM)

I would love to sign up for the study.  How can I do that?

Nicholas Mangano, Yaphank, NY (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:37 AM)

I would like to be in a study.

Mildred Johnson Hiawassee Georgia (Sent Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:38 AM)



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