Stem cells have shown promise in so many different medical fields, that it’s hard to keep up with all the research and findings proving their benefits. One area where the use of stem cells has been particularly successful is hair growth for men and women experiencing unwanted hair loss. While the use of stem cells for hair growth is not yet FDA-approved, many medical professionals have successfully used them for this purpose, both as a standalone treatment and along with other treatments. In this post, we’ll explore what stem cells are, how they help with hair growth, and how to try this revolutionary treatment right here in Tampa Bay.
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are kind of like the blank slate of cells. They are able to change into or differentiate into, pretty much any type of cell within the human body, depending on what the body needs. They are also able to replicate themselves, making more of these essential building blocks for use by the body. Stem cells are usually categorized into one of several categories, depending on where they are found and their purpose:
Embryonic Stem Cells – found within the blastocyst during the development of a fetus, the most versatile of all the stem cell types
Hematopoietic Stem Cells – found within the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical blood and can differentiate into any type of blood cell
Mesenchymal Stem Cells – found in many places within the body, including the connective tissue, blood, bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical blood, and menstrual blood, this adult stem cells can differentiate into many different types of cells
Neural Stem Cells – found within the brain and responsible for the creation of the entire nervous system in developing fetuses along with repair and maintenance tasks in adults
Epithelial Stem Cells – found in essentially all epithelial tissue all over the body, these stem cells are responsible for the constant cycle of replacement of various tissue cells throughout the body
Skin Stem Cells – found in all layers of the skin, these stem cells are responsible for maintaining and repairing the skin after injury
Most research and experimentation with stem cells for hair growth involves mesenchymal stem cells, as these are the easiest to harvest and most versatile of the adult stem cell types.
How Do Stem Cells Help Hair Growth?
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into many different types of cells for various purposes all over the body, including hair follicles. When MSCs are injected into the scalp, they transform into new hair follicle cells which then work to grow more hair in the treatment area. MSCs also release growth factors in the area of injection which interact with dormant hair follicle cells, reawakening them so that they begin producing hair again as well.
Stem Cells + Platelet-Rich Plasma
Both MSCs and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have shown great promise in the fight against unwanted hair loss. Stem cells were credited with a 29% increase in hair density when injected into the scalp of participants in a study from 2017 and PRP demonstrated benefits for hair count, thickness, and density in a 2022 review of studies. Since both of these innovative treatments work well for clients who want to grow hair, why not use them together? Combining MSCs and PRP amplifies the hair growth results, with most clients noticing a significant improvement in their hair count and quality within 6-12 months after their series of treatments. The best part is that since both the stem cells and PRP are harvested from the client’s own tissues, the risk of rejection or adverse effects is almost zero. We highly suggest clients who are looking for the best hair growth results possible consider combining these two regenerative treatments into a single powerhouse solution.
Stem Cells for Hair Growth in Tampa Bay
Are you dealing with unwanted hair loss that is affecting your self-esteem and confidence? If you’ve tried the current FDA-approved hair regrowth treatments without any success and aren’t ready for the commitment required for a hair transplant, then stem cells + PRP might be the best option for you. In Tampa or Clearwater, Ultimate Image offers these and other revolutionary treatments designed for optimal results with minimal downtime or adverse effects. For more information on our hair growth or other cosmetic services, contact us or call us at 727-799-7000 to schedule a consultation.