In recent years, aesthetic and regenerative medicine have made great strides by offering new, effective treatments for hair loss problems. One of the most promising directions is stem cell therapy. This modern technology, which until recently seemed to be a futuristic vision, is now gaining more and more popularity. Let’s take a look at what stem cells are, how stem cells work on hair and what the effects of their use on hair loss can be. It is an alternative to hair transplantation.
What are stem cells?
This 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 s.cells – they occur in embryos and have the greatest potential for differentiation.
Somatic (adult) s.cells – are found in various tissues of the adult body, e.g. in the skin, bone marrow or adipose tissue.
Induced pluripotent s.cells (iPSCs) – obtained 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 often used, as they are easily available and safe to use.
How stem cells work on hair
This special cells are unique cells in the body that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into other types of cells.
Cells have the ability to divide and form identical cells, which allows them to replenish the cell pool in the body over a long period of 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 that aim to promote hair follicle regeneration and stimulate new hair growth.
Stem cells can be injected into the scalp area to help regenerate the hair follicles, but no new follicles will form. Regeneration applies to hair follicles that are still alive. In places where the bellows has died, no new one will be created.
Stem cells secrete a variety of growth factors that stimulate the hair follicle to resume the Hair Growth Cycle, especially in people with androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness.
How do stem cells affect hair growth?
The mechanism of action of stem cells in the treatment of alopecia is based on their ability to regenerate and repair damaged hair follicles. This process can be divided into several stages:
1. Collection of biological material – usually doctors take a small amount of fat from the patient’s abdomen or thighs in the liposuction process. Alternatively, the cells can come from the bone marrow.
2. Stem cell isolation – the peeled tissue is processed in the laboratory to separate the stem cells from other cells.
3. Cell administration – stem cells are injected into the scalp through microinjections or mesotherapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is also often used, which supports the regeneration process.
4. Hair follicle regeneration – stem cells release growth factors that stimulate dormant hair follicles to transition into 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, during which the patient’s stem cells, usually from adipose tissue, are taken and then injected into the scalp.
The second is therapy with 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 may vary depending on the patient, the severity of the alopecia and the quality of the therapies used.
Some patients may experience marked 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 the subject of further research.
Effects of stem cell therapy
The effects of therapy can be really spectacular, although they depend on many factors, such as the severity of alopecia, the patient’s age or general health. Typical results include:
Inhibition of hair loss – after just a few weeks you can notice that hair falls out in a much smaller amount.
Thickening and thickening of hair – by 3-6 months, the therapy usually leads to the growth of new hair and thickening of the existing ones.
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 stem cell 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 painful, and the recovery period is very short.
Natural – stem cells come from the patient’s own body, which minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and rejection.
Effectiveness – high effectiveness, especially in the case of androgenetic and telogen effluvium.
Safety – low risk of complications, especially if the procedure is performed by an experienced specialist.
Is stem cell therapy for everyone?
Although stem cell therapy is a promising method, it is not suitable for everyone. The best results are achieved by people with an early or moderate stage of baldness. In patients with complete hair loss, the therapy may not be effective enough because there are no active hair follicles to regenerate.
Summary
The use of stem cells in the treatment of alopecia is a fascinating direction in regenerative medicine, which opens up new possibilities for people struggling with hair loss. With its ability to regenerate hair follicles and stimulate new hair growth, this therapy is gaining more and more recognition among doctors and patients alike. Although it is not yet widely available, the rapid development of this technology suggests that it may become the standard in the fight against baldness in the near future.
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