Hair follicles have been grown from progenitor cells, which are similar to stem cells, according to researchers form the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. The cells transform into skin cells that sustain hair follicles, they said. After creating the new follicles, the scientists placed them onto mice. They found the mice were able to produce hair afterwards.

GETTY Images Hair loss could be treated with a new therapy

In the future, this work can inspire a strategy for stimulating hair growth in patients with conditions ranging from alopecia to baldness Cheung-Ming Chuong

In humans a patient suffering from hair loss would give scientists their own progenitor cells, and the hair follicles would be grown in a lab. Once fully grown, they could be transplanted directly onto the patient. Cheng-Ming Chuong, senior author of the research, said: “Normally, many aging individuals do not grow hair well, because adult cells gradually lose their regenerative ability. “With our new findings, we are able to make adult mouse cells produce hair again. In the future, this work can inspire a strategy for stimulating hair growth in patients with conditions ranging from alopecia to baldness.”

GETTY Images Hair loss is medically known as alopecia

The general term for hair loss is alopecia. There are many types of hair loss, including male- and female-pattern baldness, scarring alopecia and alopecia areata. Pattern baldness affects about half of all men by 50 years old. It starts with a receding hairline, and then progresses to a thinning on the crown and temples. Scarring alopecia is normally caused by other conditions. The condition involves the hair follicles becoming completely destroyed. Coin-sized patches of baldness is usually a sign of alopecia aerate. It’s caused by problems with the immune system.

GETTY Images Hair loss could be treated with a hair transplant

7 Myths about hair loss Fri, March 17, 2017 Hair loss myths: 7 common misconceptions about hair loss and balding. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 15 7 Myths about hair loss