The vampire ‘cure’ for baldness: Scientists inject patient’s own blood into head to stimulate hair growth

Balding men would do almost anything to have  a full head of hair, but the latest ‘cure’ might be a painful step too far even  for them.

Scientists have been able to regrow hair on  bald patches by injecting the heads of follicular-challenged volunteers with a  solution from their own blood.

The ‘vampire ‘ treatment stimulates new stem  cells below the skin which can assist regrowth, believe researchers.

Getting the needle: Volunteer patients were injected in the head with a solution of their own blood to stimulate hair regrowthGetting the needle: Volunteer patients were injected in  the head with a solution of their own blood to stimulate hair regrowth

Injections of ‘platelet-rich plasma’ (PRP)  which have been extracted from the blood, are already used to combat ageing on  the face and hands, reported the Sunday Telegraph.

In the latest research by scientists  at the International Hair Research  Foundation, the University of Brescia in Italy and the Hebrew University  Medical Centre in Israel, used 45  sufferers with alopecia areata, affecting  two per cent of the  population.

Bald spot: Scientists believe the new research shows that the injections could be the 'best treatment' available, apart from surgeryBald spot: Scientists believe the new research shows  that the injections could be the ‘best treatment’ available, apart from  surgery

The patients had injections on one half of  their head. Some were given the PRP, some  traditional steroid cream,  while others received a placebo.

Three treatments were given every month. Hair  growth was checked by measuring the area  where new hairs grew on the bald  scalp.

Results showed the plasma injections led to  significant hair regrowth in the bald patches, compared  with the placebo and  the steroid treatment.

Following the publication of the study  in the British Journal of Dermatology,  the scientists are hoping to develop a  cream, so needles won’t need to be used.

Dr Fabio Rinaldi told the Telegraph the new  treatment could also help those suffering more common hair problems like  male-pattern baldness.

He  said: ‘We think it can help to  regrow hair on people with androgenic alopecia. We believe it is the best  treatment available, apart from surgery.’

Nina Goad, of the British Association of  Dermatologists, said: ‘Alopecia is known to lead to overwhelming effects on the  patient’s quality of life and self-esteem. This could offer hope to  thousands.’

Read more: DailyMail

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