Formation of new hair follicles may be possible

London, August 5 : University of Pennsylvania researchers claim that they can stimulate the formation of new hair follicles.

George Cotsarelis, a university expert, says that this outcome can be achieved by using an abrasive wheel to rub away skin from the scalp, which causes a new layer of young cells to grow as replacements.

He and his colleagues say that treating such young cells with drugs that inhibit epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) on their surface causes some of the nascent cells to form into hair follicles.

The team has successfully tested the idea in mice and on human skin grafted onto mice, reports New Scientist magazine.

Cotsarelis and his colleagues have even set up a company called Follica to commercialise the idea.

ANI