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​Cancer Researchers May Have Accidentally Found Genetic Cure For Baldness

​Cancer Researchers May Have Accidentally Found Genetic Cure For Baldness

Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre had been looking into how certain cancer tumours form

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

No one likes to spot the tell-tale signs of ageing - a rogue grey hair, an extra wrinkle to that furrowed brow or a brand new smile line, a patch of thinning hair where you once had a strong set of locks...

While we can sort those pesky greys with a packet of dye or halt the wrinkling process by showing absolutely no emotion whatsoever (no scowling, no smiling and definitely no laughing, remember), there might also be hope for the balding population of the world.

Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre were busy looking into how certain cancer tumours form, when they accidentally stumbled upon a potential genetic cure for baldness.

For the research, which was published in a journal called Genes and Development, the team found that, when the cells were removed in mice, they became bald. As well as that, deleting a gene in the cells turns the mice's hair white.

Prince William and Prince Harry.
PA

Associate Professor of Dermatology Dr. Lu Le at UT Southwestern Medical Centre said: "Although this project was started in an effort to understand how certain kinds of tumours form, we ended up learning why hair turns grey and discovering the identity of the cell that directly gives rise to hair."

"With this knowledge, we hope in the future to create a topical compound or to safely deliver the necessary gene to hair follicles to correct these cosmetic problems."

Another recent study also thinks it might hold the key for keeping baldness at bay.

via GIPHY

Scientists at the University of Manchester found a chemical designed to mimic the smell of sandalwood also has the power to stimulate hair growth in humans.

The research was only undertaken using scalp tissue in a laboratory, but the scientists behind it say they could be right on the brink of a breakthrough.

Professor Ralf Paus who led the research, told the Independent: "This is actually a rather amazing finding.

"This is the first time ever that it has been shown that the remodelling of a normal human mini-organ [a hair] can be regulated by a simple, cosmetically widely-used odorant."

This all sounds great and all, but then you could just suck it up at embrace the inevitable balding - which may seem difficult at first, but could prove far less futile in the future, as LADbible journalist Jake Massey found.

Sure, you'll probably get through a lot more suncream in your time, but along with that there's the bonus of no more paying for baldness, while remembering your ID also becomes a thing of the past.

While you're at it, you could just welcome those wrinkles with open arms, as well. After all, none of us are ready to stop frowning at the world, let's face it.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Science, News