Hair loss has always been a major topic on men's....ahem, minds, and promoting hair growth for thinning or lost hair is a goal as persistent and elusive as finding Bigfoot. But researchers at the University of Pennsylvania may be working towards a solution at a faster rate than you think.

According to a new study, researchers have found that skin wounds can be stimulated to produce normal, smoother skin which includes hair follicles and oil glands, instead of thick scar tissue which usually occurs while healing.

By introducing wnt proteins, new skin with hair follicles can be produced, and in this way, hair growth can be encouraged. While this is still in the primary levels of testing, there's hope that a procedure can be created that will not only help promote hair regrowth, but also benefit acne and scalp conditions.

And not a moment too soon. According to the UK newspaper The Independent's figures:

• Approximately 30% of men face balding before old age
• At least 10,000 of 100,000 strands of hair on the average head are in the process of dying
• Hair follicles take up to 6 months to produce a new hair