In the Japanese study, follicles were created by stem cell engineering and transplanted in the skin of mice that were born bald. These transplanted follicles were seen to grow normally and were seen to have the same growth cycles as normal hair.

Researchers are hopeful that using a combination of emergent as well as established hair loss technologies, it may become possible to regenerate hair growth based on using people’s own cells.

Stem cells are usually used to regenerate body organs and other tissues and these stem cells are extracted from embryos. However according to professor Takashi Tsuji from Tokyo University of Science and his fellow researchers, even adult stem cells can be used to grow hair follicles.

This study holds out hope that adult stem cells may be possible to use even for growing other body organs it is thought.

Celebrities such as English actress Thandie Newton seem to be pioneering a back to nature look for women of African ancestry. Though the nature of black hair is very different from Caucasian hair, there has always been a pressure for other ethnicities to emulate the Caucasian ideal of hair and beauty. Newton has decided to celebrate her natural curls so that her own daughters will have a similar appreciation of their own natural beauty.

More and more women of African extraction are now dumping the chemical relaxers in favor of letting their own natural hair to shine through.

In Chicago, hairstylist Emon Fowler recently launched her Harriet Experiment calling upon black women to give up the weaves and wigs and chemical relaxers; all starting with a clean shaven pate! She encourages women to let go of their “hair bondage” and to go for the Big Chop; shave off their processed hair completely and to start anew with their brand new, natural hair.

It can be liberating and therapeutic she says when women accept themselves for what they are and stop depending upon superficial extras to feel beautiful!

Dr. Sanusi Umar explained in the February issue of the journal Archives of Dermatology that the softer, finer hair found on men’s legs could be just the thing to help combat that receding hairline by transplantation.

Until now, it was hair taken from the back of the head that was used to for transplantation to restore a receding hair line, but this new technique takes hair transplants to the next level. The hair follicles taken from the leg are impervious to the hormones that cause hair loss, and so there is less chance of that hair falling out as well.

This is the first time that we have documented cases of leg hair being used in this way and if this is seen to be a workable solution, it could be potentially beneficial to millions of men worldwide who suffer from male pattern baldness. 

For most of us, bald in not tantamount to beautiful and hair loss is something to be ‘corrected’ or ‘cured’ or at any rate concealed as best possible. Hair is so much a part of one’s identify that hair loss issues could cause severe self esteem problems as well.

For this reason, cancer patients who have had hair loss due to chemotherapy often face problems. There is perhaps a need to sensitize people to baldness and to help them be better accepting of the hairless state.

Recently there have been reports of a hairless or bald Barbie being suggested to manufacturers. It is suggested that such a doll, perhaps with headscarves, hats and perhaps some wigs would help get across the idea that baldness is acceptable and can mainstream the idea.

As to whether we will ever see a bald Barbie who can help sell the idea of Bald is Beautiful is moot for the present moment.

Another celebrity to fall prey to the damage caused by hair extensions is Colleen Rooney (wife of soccer star Wayne Rooney). In photos, there is a very visible bald patch of hair that seems to be caused by years of relying on hair extensions.

Hair extensions can in fact place a lot of pressure on the hair roots because they tug and pull and put a lot of extra weight on the natural hair. Some people have even called for the banning of hair extensions; particularly the type that are glued-in, sewn-in or attached with a metal ring.

The Trichological Society in the UK claims that salons often have inexperienced or untrained people putting in the extensions offering the service cheap, which can lead to bald patches, alopecia and so on. When extensions are used over many years, the damage to hair can be permanent.

1. Get regular haircuts. This is something you should do even if you are looking to grow your hair longer or if you’re trying for a new hair style. You can get a hair trim if not a cut but keep hair in shape to keep it looking good and also to avoid split ends.
2. Massage and/or Hot oil. Dry massage or even better massage with hot oil is a traditional recipe for great looking and abundant hair. The fact that it is even better in the dry winters when it feels truly wonderful is just a plus.
3. Use Good quality hair ties and bands. Use the kind that don’t pull, pinch and tangle up the hair.
4. Optimal brushing. Don’t brush when hair is wet. Brushing can help detangle hair and spread oil evenly to the hair strands but too much brushing leads to breakage.
5. Not following fashion slavishly.  Is it really worth the trouble and cost to the hair to get poker straight hair just to follow fashion? Remember your natural hair is something that probably suits you best.

1. Allowing product build up. When it comes to hair products, more is not better. Using to many styling products creates product build up which weighs hair down and makes it limp and dull.
2. Too many chemical treatments. If you have colored hair, try not to subject them to perming or rebonding. This is subjecting your hair to just too much chemical exposure. When buying hair products don’t buy ones that have a long list of chemicals listed as ingredients.
3. Washing hair too often. Consider only rinsing hair or washing it every other day. Every day may not be a good idea.
4. Too much heat. This can come from the sun or from curling or straightening procedures. Either way, excessive heat means drying and hair breakage.
5. Tight braids, elastics etc. Tight braids and cornrows put a lot of pressure on hair roots and can cause hair to fall out in some cases. Even something as innocuous as the elastic or rubber band can cause hair breakage.

Here are some ideas for holiday hair:

Change the color – According to experts, autumn colors such as golds, coppers, reds and warm brown colors are hot this season so consider transforming your whole look by picking a color that complements your skin tone. This season the ‘Ombre’ look is in, with lighter roots and darker highlights which is something else you may want to consider.

Consider extensions – Think volume; think thick. Consider extensions this season, and experts recommend tape-in extensions as a new twist this season.

‘Do’ for the party – Depending upon the type and length of your hair as well as the sort of outfit you plan to wear, consider an updo, a soigné chignon, unfettered curls, or even braids.

Hair accessories – Go festive with a colorful bow or decorative clip or even ribbons for the hair. Think beads and flowers as décor for the hair or consider pinning a festive looking broach to your tresses.

Don’t get stressed about hair fall – Remember the old saw about losing 100 hairs a day? Well that is normal and our hair undergoes growth and rest phases which may cause us to lose even more or at times overestimate the amount of hair we lose.

Hot oil massage – This can feel marvelously soothing and relaxing and is great for the hair as well. The oil coats and conditions the tresses whereas the massaging action stimulates hair follicles to produce even more hair. The added advantage is that the heat can feel great on the scalp in winter.

Use warm not hot water to shampoo hair – It may be tempting to use hot water but resist the temptation because hot water will strip moisture from the hair. Use only warm water for shampooing.

Use home remedies – Egg, yoghurt, mashed bananas can all make excellent natural conditioners so use them rather than chemical based cosmetics.

PPD is what fixes the hair color into the hair, preventing it from being washed out; however the reactions to this ingredient can be a matter of grave concern:

• 29 year old Mariade Kelly ended up in a hospital high dependency unit after reacting to hair dye with blisters, itching and a dangerously accelerated heart beat. Her eyelids were swollen shut and she was terrified.
• Chloe Robbins is just 14 and she suffered a reaction that had her face swelling up to the extent that her eyes were swollen shut and she herself looked like the elephant man
• 17 year old Tabatha McCourt suffered a violent fit just 20 minutes after using hair color. She was vomiting and screaming before collapsing and finally dying as a result of her reaction which is being attributed to PPD.

So be careful about using hair color – reactions could also occur after many applications of the hair color quite unexpectedly.