Cause for male baldness found

Research has revealed that male pattern baldness is due to stem cell failures and that treatment may be possible.

The findings, reported by The Journal of Clinical Investigation, contradicted previous beliefs that the hair ceased to grow altogether and the cell became non-functional.

Evidence shows that the same numbers of cells are still present on the scalp, producing microscopic hairs giving the appearance of bald patches. Scientists believe that they may be able to create a treatment for the condition by restoring the original functions of the cells.

Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, is only one of many hair loss conditions. It is hoped that the treatment developed will be able to treat them all.

Currently, medication for male pattern baldness is available – finasteride and minoxidil - although it does not work for everyone and must be taken continuously for the rest of the patient's life.

Alopecia Awareness and BeBold ambassador Michelle Chapman said to The Journal: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a guy or a girl; it still affects people's self esteem and what they feel about themselves. We all deserve to feel good about ourselves when we look in the mirror.

"It doesn’t matter who you are and what’s going on with your life we all deserve to be happy.”

Professor Ian Wilmut at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) in Edinburgh predicted in a statement to The Journal that a treatment might be developed within “the next 20 to 30 years depending on the circumstances”.

Stem cell research has seen several developments in recent years following a breakthrough in 2006 by Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka, who formulated a technique to make a normal skin cell behave like an embryonic cell.

Dr Cotsarelis, Hair and Scalp Specialist, said: “These findings have implications not just for baldness . . . these principles of stem cell inactivation and inability for stem cells to go onto the next step are probably applicable to other tissues and process like skin ageing.”

Embryonic cells are the only kind found in the body that are unspecified and as a result can be regenerated or changed into another type of cell with different functions.