Stem cell therapy is currently being utilized in support of many health conditions in medicine, and hair restoration is one particular area that is beginning to grow (no pun intended). Stem cells are un-specialized cells that, in essence, have not yet decided what type of cell to become. This is what makes stem cells so unique, they have potential to develop into many different types of cells, which means they can support regeneration and repair of many different types of tissues.
When hair is thinning, the hair follicle itself becomes more sedentary – the growth cycles get shorter, and the resting phases get longer. This means there are fewer hairs than normal. When injected into the scalp, it is believed that the stem cells and growth factors induce a local signaling effect that causes the hair follicles to become more active – thus, stimulating the hair to grow again. This improves not only the number of hairs that begin to grow, but the quality is also addressed – hairs become thicker, which helps to provide improved hair coverage.
Additionally, stem cells also work to battle the root causes of hair loss – inflammation and lack of blood supply. Stem cells house a great capacity to lower inflammation, which can be quite damaging to the tiny and delicate organ systems we call hair follicles. They also support angiogenesis – a fancy word for regrowth of new blood vessels, which supply more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.
If you would like to speak with one of our doctors about Stem Cell Therapy for hair restoration or for other applications of Stem Cell Therapy, we can be reached at 916.351.9355.