Hair Cloning (2024)
Scientists have not been able to find a “cure” for hair loss yet. A few experimental studies, however, have deemed hair cloning — as unrealistic as it may sound — possible. The guide below details the latest research surrounding hair cloning and discusses whether it can be a realistic treatment for patients in 2024.
Most Important Findings
| How does it work? | in vitro |
| Is it available? | No |
| Alternatives | dutasteride, finasteride... |
How does Hair Cloning Work?
The term “hair cloning” may instigate some sort of futuristic thought in your mind. Perhaps of a 3D printer printing out extra hair follicles that can then be transplanted into the balding region of your scalp. Well, put those thoughts aside for now because there’s nothing that advanced about the hair cloning being practiced today.
About 80% of all men are slated to start losing hair due to male pattern baldness by the age of 70. To combat that, researchers came up with a method to create hair follicles from cultures, which can then be transplanted into the balding areas of the scalp. Different organizations have taken different approaches to creating these hair follicles. 
HairClone, for example, is a prominent organization that lets its patients bank 100 or so youthful follicles or follicles from areas of the head that still have hair. These follicles are placed in storage areas where the temperature is around -150C. When extraction time comes around, these hair follicles are thawed and cloned to produce millions of identical hair follicles.
Alternatively, we also found a study where researchers actually managed to create hair follicles from scratch without utilizing any duplication practices. According to the study, the scientists utilized organoid cultures to create new hair follicles using a process called morphogenesis, where the cells of an organism come together to form a body’s organs and tissues.
Differences aside, all of these studies and organizations make one thing very clear: Growing hair follicles in a lab in vitro is very much possible.
- Free
- Fast
- Non-binding
Is Hair Cloning Already Available?
As of 2024, there are no mainstream hair cloning treatments available. A few organizations have popped up that are offering patients the ability to sign themselves up for receiving cloned hair follicles in the future. HairClone is a great example.
However, none of these organizations have been vetted by the majority of the scientific community, nor have they been approved by any leading health association in the world. Plenty of research has been conducted on hair cloning in the past few years. But, the potential hair loss treatment still requires a few more conclusive and well-researched human studies to solidify its credibility.
Recently, some people have also started confusing hair cloning with hair restoration surgery, also known as a hair transplant.
Hair transplants are a hair regeneration technique that involves transplanting follicles from parts of the scalp that are full of hair to parts of the scalp that are balding. Cloning, on the other hand, involves creating follicles either from scratch or by duplicating existing hair follicles.
Hair cloning also involves creating these follicles in vitro in a lab. All in all, hair cloning is not a proven treatment option as of yet. But it does seem to be getting there.
What are Alternatives to Hair Cloning?
Until hair cloning becomes a certified treatment for hair loss, patients must stick to the existing hair loss treatments that do have proven effects. Patients who prefer medications can take their pick from dutasteride, finasteride, and minoxidil.
As all three drugs have been known to stop hair loss when it is in its early stages and bring back a fuller head of hair. Of course, dutasteride is yet to be an FDA-approved drug for hair loss specifically, so take it at your own risk. And only if a doctor recommends it.
That said, if you are looking for a more permanent solution, we would suggest opting for a hair transplant. Since that is the only proven method to restore the hair you have lost and promote new hair growth.
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