Hair Therapy & Transplantation
Open Access

Advantages of Hair Multiplication, Regenerative Medicine and Biotechnology

Bared Maleki^{* *}Correspondence: Bared Maleki, Department of Dermatology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Email:

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Description

Hair loss, medically known as alopecia, affects millions of people globally, causing emotional and psychological distress. Traditional treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and hair transplantation have varying degrees of success. However, a potential and revolutionary approach called hair multiplication, or hair cloning, is emerging in the field of hair restoration. This technique, grounded in regenerative medicine and biotechnology, aims to provide a more permanent and effective solution to hair loss.

Understanding hair multiplication

Hair multiplication involves the replication of hair follicle cells to produce new hair follicles that can be implanted into the scalp. Unlike traditional hair transplantation, which relocates hair follicles from one part of the scalp to another, hair multiplication seeks to create an unlimited supply of hair follicles. This method holds the potential to restore hair density more effectively and address extensive hair loss cases that traditional methods cannot adequately treat.

The science behind hair multiplication

Hair multiplication is based on the principles of tissue engineering and stem cell biology. Here’s how the process generally works:

Cell isolation: Hair follicle cells, specifically Dermal Papilla (DP) cells and keratinocytes, are harvested from a small biopsy of the patient’s scalp. DP cells play an important role in hair follicle formation and hair growth.

Cell culture: The isolated cells are cultured in a laboratory to multiply. Under controlled conditions, these cells proliferate, creating a substantial number of new cells.

Follicle formation: The cultured DP cells are combined with keratinocytes to form hair follicle-like structures. This step involves creating a microenvironment that mimics the natural hair follicle environment.

Implantation: The newly formed hair follicles or follicle-inducing cells are implanted into the patient’s scalp in areas experiencing hair loss. These cells are expected to integrate with the existing tissue and initiate new hair growth.

Techniques and approaches

Several techniques and approaches are being search and refined in the field of hair multiplication. These include:

Autologous cell-based therapy: This approach uses the patient’s own cells to create new hair follicles. By minimizing the risk of immune rejection, autologous cell therapy enhances the chances of successful hair regrowth.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs): IPSCs are derived from adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state. These cells have the potential to differentiate into any cell type, including hair follicle cells. iPSC technology offers a potential method for generating hair follicles for transplantation.

3d spheroid culture: Researchers use 3D spheroid cultures to mimic the natural structure of hair follicles. By creating a 3D microenvironment, this technique enhances cell-cell interactions, promoting the formation of functional hair follicles.

Microfollicle implants: In this method, microfollicles, tiny clusters of hair follicle cells, are implanted into the scalp. These microfollicles are designed to develop into fully functional hair follicles over time.

Gene therapy: Gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, are being search to enhance the regenerative potential of hair follicle cells. By modifying specific genes involved in hair growth, researchers aim to improve the efficiency and success of hair multiplication.

Advantages

Hair multiplication offers several significant advantages over traditional hair restoration methods:

Unlimited hair supply: Unlike hair transplantation, which is limited by the availability of donor hair, hair multiplication can potentially provide an unlimited supply of hair follicles.

Minimal invasiveness: The biopsy required for cell isolation is minimally invasive compared to the extensive surgery involved in hair transplantation.

Natural hair growth: The new hair follicles generated through hair multiplication are expected to grow naturally, mimicking the patient’s original hair in texture, color, and growth pattern.

Scalability: Hair multiplication can be scaled to treat extensive hair loss cases, offering a solution for individuals with severe alopecia.

Long-term results: As the newly formed hair follicles are implanted into the scalp, they integrate with the existing tissue, providing potentially long-lasting and sustainable hair growth.

Hair multiplication represents a innovative advancement in the field of hair restoration. By leveraging the principles of regenerative medicine and biotechnology, this technique holds the potential to provide a permanent and effective solution to hair loss. While challenges and limitations remain, ongoing research, clinical trials, and technological innovations are steadily bringing hair multiplication closer to reality. As this revolutionary approach continues to evolve, it offers hope to millions of individuals seeking to regain their hair and confidence.