SAN FRANCISCO -- Scientists say research showing that bald mice can grow hair after being implanted with a type of stem cell could lead to a treatment for baldness.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine isolated stem cells responsible for hair follicle growth. The findings, published in the April issue of Nature Biotechnology, may serve as the foundation for new hair-loss and skin-grafting treatments.

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The study marks the first time that what are known as "blank slate" stem cells were able to induce hair growth.

It confirms that hair follicles contain the "blank slate" stem cells that give most humans a full head of hair for life -- something scientists have long suspected.

The findings have implications not only for hair growth, but also for burn treatments.

"The cells that we have isolated not only make hair follicles, but also can make other skin cells," lead researcher Dr. George Cotsarelis said. "These stem cells are there for your lifetime and have a huge capacity to proliferate and regenerate."

Although they're called stem cells, they differ from embryonic stem cells, which are created in the first days after conception and produce the human body and its more than 200 different types of cells.

While calling the findings an important breakthrough, Cotsarelis said using the stem cell transplant as a treatment for hair loss is at least 10 years away.

Study Abstract