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But what if the patient doesn’t have enough donor hair? This is the main question driving scientists to explore hair cloning technology. In this article, we’ll explain what hair follicle cloning is, its current limitations, when it might become available, and how it compares with traditional hair replacements.
Bald individuals usually have healthy follicles in potential donor areas of the body, especially the back of the scalp and the beard. Expert hair doctors implant these grafts into bald areas using techniques such as DHI hair transplant or FUE hair transplant.
As an alternative, scientists are working on using these follicles as seed cells for a tissue culture. In this way, they try to scientifically clone identical cells.
This scientific process is called tissue culture or hair cloning. Hair transplant cloning is an advanced cell-based treatment method that aims to provide a permanent solution for hair loss. This technique is based on multiplying the special cells that form the hair follicle in a laboratory environment and re-implanting them into the scalp. The process consists of several basic steps:
The dermal papilla stem cells located at the base of the hair follicle are critical structures that regulate hair growth. Scientists begin the process by taking a small sample of these cells from a healthy follicle. Experts use micro-biopsy or fine drilling techniques for this minimally invasive procedure.
The collected cells are stimulated with nutrients and growth factors in a controlled laboratory environment so that they multiply. The main challenge here is to ensure that the cells remain functional even after multiple divisions.
Researchers believe that dermal papilla stem cells injected into inactive hair follicles could trigger them to start growing actively. However, the methodology required to achieve successful results after injection is still under research.
As you can understand from these three stages, although still in the clinical trial phase, hair cloning may revolutionize the field of hair plantation in the future by offering unlimited donor hair resources.
In 2025, hair cloning transplant studies are rapidly advancing to the clinical phase. One of the leading companies in this space, Stemson Therapeutics, is producing new hair follicles in humanized mice using follicular units generated in the lab. This is significant because it brings them closer to testing them in a human subject.
Meanwhile, the Aderans Research Institute is working on a cellular therapy designed to stimulate shrinking hair follicles. Phase 2 clinical trials suggest this is safe and promotes sustained hair growth.
Also, researchers at Yokohama National University have shown that fully developed mouse hair follicles can be cloned in the lab, another exciting breakthrough toward the regeneration of human hair follicles.
These advancements suggest that in 2025 and beyond, hair cloning may potentially move from theoretical to treatment options within clinical studies.
Although cloning hair promises to provide an unlimited source of hair in the future, there are still many scientific and technical obstacles. Here are the main challenges of this method:
When will hair cloning be available? According to evaluations of the studies carried out so far, some experts say that it may take 10 years before cloning hair follicles treatment can be used. The current limitations we mentioned above, along with regulatory approvals, are the biggest obstacles.
In the table below, you can examine the differences between hair restoration and cloning hair grafts, which is in the experimental phase.
| Criteria | Hair Cloning | Traditional Hair Transplant |
| Source of Hair | Dermal papilla cells are extracted, cultured, and multiplied in the lab | Hair follicles harvested from the donor area |
| Procedure | Lab-grown cells are injected into balding areas to stimulate new follicle formation | Follicular units are implanted into bald or thinning areas |
| Donor Area Limitation | Not limited by donor supply, potentially unlimited hair | Limited by the number of available donor follicles |
| Technology Stage | Still in experimental and clinical trial phase | Clinically established and widely practiced |
| Expected Outcome | Permanent regeneration of new hair follicles | Redistribution of existing hair, not new follicle creation |
| Availability | Not yet available as a routine treatment | Commercially available and commonly performed |
When will hair cloning be available commercially? At present, this treatment will take time to become available for the reasons mentioned above. In the meantime, the current permanent treatment for alopecia is hair implants in Turkey. You can find our comprehensive hair transplant cost package in Turkey by requesting a complimentary online consultation at our Istanbul-based clinic.
No cost has been defined yet, as it depends on future research and development.
No. In fact, current studies are still experimental and not FDA-approved.
As this procedure is not currently available, the side effects are all theoretical. Possible side effects could include infection from the procedure, scarring, nerve damage, and potentially uneven hair growth.
No, it’s still in research. For now, hair plant surgery remains the most effective option for achieving a natural-looking hair.
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