Aesthetic and regenerative medicine has made great strides in recent years, offering new, effective treatments for hair loss problems. One of the most promising directions is stem cell therapy. This cutting-edge technology, which not long ago seemed like a futuristic vision, is now gaining popularity. Let’s take a look at what stem cells are, how stem cells work for hair and what the effects of using them for hair loss can be. It is an alternative to a procedure such as a hair transplant.
What are stem cells?
This special cells are unique cells that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into different types of cells in the body. Depending on their origin, they can be divided into several types:
Embryonic type – found in embryos and have the greatest potential for differentiation.
Somatic (adult) type – are found in various tissues of the adult body, such as skin, bone marrow and adipose tissue.
Induced pluripotent type (iPSCs) – derived from somatic cells that have been “reprogrammed” to regain the properties of embryonic cells.
In the context of hair growth therapy, stem cells derived from adipose tissue or bone marrow are most commonly used because they are readily available and safe to use.
How stem cells work for hair
This cells are unique cells in the body that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into other cell types.
Have the ability to divide and create identical cells, which allows them to replenish the pool of cells in the body for a long time. Under the influence of appropriate signals, stem cells can transform into specialized cells, such as skin, muscle, bone or hair cells.
It is this ability that makes them so valuable in the context of regenerative therapies. There is a growing body of research and stem cell-based therapies designed to help regenerate hair follicles and stimulate new hair growth.
Stem cells can be injected into the scalp area to help regenerate hair follicles, but new follicles will not be created. Regeneration involves hair follicles that are still alive. Where a follicle has died, no new follicle will form.
Stem cells secrete a variety of growth factors that stimulate the hair follicle to resume the hair growth cycle, especially in people with problems of androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness.
How do stem cells work on hair growth?
The mechanism of action of stem cells in hair loss therapy is based on their ability to regenerate and repair damaged hair follicles. The process can be divided into several steps:
1. collection of biological material – usually doctors take a small amount of fat tissue from the patient’s abdomen or thighs in the process of liposuction. Alternatively, the cells can come from the bone marrow.
2. Isolation of stem cells – the peeled tissue is processed in the laboratory to separate the stem cells from other cells.
3. Cell administration – stem cells are administered into the scalp through microinjections or mesotherapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is also often used to aid in the regeneration process.
4. hair follicle regeneration – stem cells release growth factors that stimulate dormant hair follicles to enter the active growth phase (anagen).
Methods of using stem cells for hair growth
Currently, there are several methods of using stem cells in the context of hair growth.
The first is autologous therapy, in which the patient’s stem cells, usually from adipose tissue, are harvested and then injected into the scalp.
The second is therapy using platelet-rich plasma called PRP. Although not directly stem cells, PRP uses a similar concept of stimulating hair follicle growth using growth factors from the patient’s own blood.
The results of stem cell therapy can vary depending on the patient, the severity of the baldness and the quality of the therapies used.
Some patients may experience clear hair growth, while others may not see significant improvement.
It is important to remember that stem cell therapies are still in the research phase and their effectiveness is subject to further study.
Effects of therapy
The effects of the therapy can be truly spectacular, although they depend on a number of factors, such as the severity of the baldness, the patient’s age and overall health. Typical results include:
Inhibition of hair loss – after just a few weeks, you may notice that your hair is falling out in much smaller amounts.
Thickening and thickening of hair – by 3-6 months, the therapy usually leads to new hair growth and thickening of existing hair.
Improved hair quality – hair becomes stronger, shinier and less brittle.
Long-lasting results – the effects of stem cell therapy can last for many years, although in some cases maintenance treatments are recommended.
Advantages of therapy
Compared to other hair loss treatments, such as hair transplantation or drug treatment, stem cell therapy has many advantages:
Minimal invasiveness – the procedure is not very painful and the recovery period is very short.
Naturalness – the stem cells are derived from the patient’s own body, which minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and rejection.
Efficacy – high effectiveness, especially for androgenetic and telogenetic alopecia.
Safety – low risk of complications, especially if the procedure is performed by an experienced specialist.
Is therapy for everyone?
Although stem cell therapy is a promising method, it is not suitable for everyone. People with early or moderate stages of alopecia get the best results. In patients with complete hair loss, the therapy may not be effective enough, as there are no active hair follicles to regenerate.
Summary
The use of stem cells in the treatment of alopecia is an exciting direction for regenerative medicine, opening up new possibilities for those struggling with hair loss. With its ability to regenerate hair follicles and stimulate the growth of new hair, this therapy is gaining recognition among doctors and patients alike. Although it is not yet widely available, the rapid development of this technology suggests that in the near future it could become the standard in the fight against baldness.
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