Will hair cloning really be the ticket?

[HairLossFight.com]

An interesting answer from Dr. Bauman in the Experts Q&A section:

http://www.morphollica.com/hairloss_exp ... wer731.php

Question Asked By

jay
2005-12-05




Question Topic

hair cloning...



Question

I was wondering how far along experimentation with hair cloning has become. And when/if it will be available. Any information, url's, etc, would be great. thanks.



Answer

From the information we recieve at the conferences, unfortunately the progress with hair multiplication (commonly called "hair cloning") has been very very slow. The people 'in charge' are optimistic--as are the physicians (like me) who treat hair loss. Remember that the only picture of 'cloned' hairs is a very unsightly "tuft" of hair on the edge of a rat's ear from years and years ago--not very encouraging. The good news is that if you were on a treatment like Propecia early enough, you would not likely need a hair multiplication procedure. In my opinion, in the future, hair multiplication procedures will only be used for people who have limited donor areas (either from extensive hair loss or previous, old-style transplants). With today's technology that is currently available (Propecia plus properly performed follicular unit hair transplantation), most people should be able to easily reach their hair restoration goals. Let me know what other questions you have. Also, you might want to visit http://www.clonemyhair.com Sincerely, Dr. B. doctorb@baumanmedical.com

I think he's right... Even when hair cloning or hair multiplication becomes available, I think the results from regular hair transplants are still going to be better, aesthetically, than a 100% hair cloning implantation. I think it will still be many many years before it can completely replace hair transplants, if ever. Not that scientists can't figure it out, but it just might not be economically the way to go.... I hope I'm wrong.

Sam

[Tricia]

I'm optimistic that it will work soon enough. I also think it will turn out to be much less expensive than traditional hair transplants. Maybe it won't be cheap when it first hits the market, but the price will come down. Obviously, this is just my opinion, but I see it turning out to be something like a spa treatment where people go back every now and then to get more hair added as they need it or feel like it.

[James]

If and when this does see the light of day, it is most likely going to be combined with regular hair transplantation. Regular follicular transplantation will be used for the hairline with this treatment used to fill in areas behind it. I really don't see this coming out for as a highly successful procedure for at least 10 years. I don't know maybe I am just pessimistic about it.