Medically known as alopecia, baldness refers to having no hair or little hair on the head scalp. There are many types of baldness, but the most common type is the male pattern baldness which is usually the result of progressive hair loss over time.

A recent study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Cotsarelis found baldness may be the result of a stem cell defect—a finding that may lead to breakthroughs in hair-loss treatments. According to the researchers, cellular malfunction short-circuits the process by which hair follicle stem cells turn into hair-producing progenitor cells rather than any loss of stem cells themselves. This new discovery promises hope for hair regrowth on an already bald scalp.