# 158. Step Aside Rogaine, 3D Printed Hair Is Here

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2024-01-23
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-23-158-step-aside-rogaine-3d-printed-hair-is-here
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/158-step-aside-rogaine-3d-printed-hair-is-here-_Txx_Cis

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a breakthrough by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) who have successfully 3D-printed living human skin containing functional hair follicles and blood vessels. They explain how the team uses bioink—a gel of skin, vascular, and hair follicle cells mixed with animal collagen—to create complex tissue structures that mimic real anatomy. The hosts highlight the technology's potential to replace animal testing for topical drug development and provide better skin grafts for burn victims, while noting current limitations like the short lifespan of the printed tissue.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-23-158-step-aside-rogaine-3d-printed-hair-is-here#t=0) Introduction: 3D Printed Skin with Hair
- [1:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-23-158-step-aside-rogaine-3d-printed-hair-is-here#t=76) RPI's Breakthrough in Functional Tissue
- [4:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-23-158-step-aside-rogaine-3d-printed-hair-is-here#t=254) The Bioink Process and Cell Culture
- [7:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-23-158-step-aside-rogaine-3d-printed-hair-is-here#t=450) Replacing Animal Testing with Lab-Grown Skin
- [11:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-23-158-step-aside-rogaine-3d-printed-hair-is-here#t=697) Future Applications: Drug Testing and Burn Grafts

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- RPI (company)
- Rogaine (product)
- Wevolver (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [3D Printed Fish And Meat, An In-depth Look Into The Future Of Food Tech | Hard Tech #2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-05-19-3d-printed-fish-and-meat-an-in-depth-look-into-the-future-of-food-tech-hard-tech) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [Ep 320: A Lot of Cool 3D Printing, DIY Penicillin, and an Optical Twofer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-05-09-ep-320-a-lot-of-cool-3d-printing-diy-penicillin-and-an-optical-twofer) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep055: Most Cyberpunk Synthesizer, Data in Your Cells, Bubbly in Your Printer, & Dystopian Peepshow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-02-21-ep055-most-cyberpunk-synthesizer-data-in-your-cells-bubbly-in-your-printer-dysto) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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