Cure for baldness is on the way as scientists successfully grow 'unlimited' hair using stem cells

A potential cure for baldness was presented at a conference Los Angeles. Photo / Getty Images

Baldness could be a thing of the past after scientists created hair that grows through the skin using human stem cells.

The latest findings were unveiled at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) conference in Los Angeles.

The study involved the human stem cells being combined with mice cells before they were attached to a 3D biodegradable scaffold made from the same material as dissolvable stitches, the Mirror reported.

The technology was carried out on mice and will likely have human trials. Photo / Sanford Burnham Prebys

The scaffold helped control the direction of hair growth and helped the stem cells integrate into the skin.

Growing the hair from stem cells means scientists can create an unlimited supply for transplantation.

The team had previously had success in 2015, but the hair was haphazard and unnatural looking. Now they have created tufts of hair that look and feel real. It marks an important step towards the development of an injection that could treat hair loss.

"Our new protocol overcomes key technological challenges that kept our discovery from real-world use," said Dr Alexey Terskikh, an associate professor in Sanford Burnham Prebys' development, ageing and regeneration programme.

"Now we have a robust, highly controlled method for generating natural-looking hair that grows through the skin using an unlimited source of human stem cell-derived dermal papilla cells. This is a critical breakthrough."

His colleague, Dr Richard Chaffoo, added: "It could improve the lives of millions.

"Hair loss profoundly affects many people's lives. A significant part of my practice involves both men and women who are seeking solutions to their hair loss."

The findings received a merit award at the conference and the technology has been licensed.