STEM CELL & EXOSOME THERAPIES
STEM CELL THERAPIES Overview: Informational Purposes Only
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy for hair loss is a relatively new method of treatment. Research is still being conducted, but many patients have realized positive results using this technique. Using your own stem cells harvested via liposuction, we can treat your scalp and help you regain a full, beautiful head of hair. During a consultation, we can take note of your health, medical history, and goals to determine if biologic therapies, hair transplantation, or a combination of these treatments is the best way to help you achieve your goals.
MORE ABOUT STEM CELL THERAPIES Overview: Informational Purposes Only
How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work?
Stem cells have the ability to become other types of cells, essentially making them the building blocks of our bodies. In recent years, scientists and researchers have discovered the many possibilities that these cells represent. Although this new field of therapy is promising, very few actual stem cell therapies have been approved for use in humans so far. This being said, consumers need to be wary as the internet is full of stem cell therapies, the majority of which are fictional.
With fat stem cells the procedure involves removing some of the patient's fat cells with liposuction from a donor area, typically around the patient's midsection. Once the fat cells have been removed, the tissue is emulsified and stem cells are isolated and prepared for treatment. When they are ready, the stem cells are injected directly into the patient's scalp in order to achieve new hair growth. Results in clinical trials are mixed. No large studies have demonstrated effect.
Rigeneral is a system that isolates hair follicle stem cells from the donor area of the scalp for injection into areas of hair loss. Again clinical application is giving mixed results – promising, but not yet of proven value.
WHAT ARE EXOSOMES? Overview - For Informational Purposes Only
Stem cells harvested from fat or bone marrow can be multiplied in the laboratory. During multiplication the cells produce exosomes as a byproduct. These are tiny packets that transmit growth and development stimulation to targeted cells. The exosome solution does not contain any cellular tissue and therefore has no risk of reaction. Exosomes must be produced by FDA safety certified laboratories. It is important to understand that this does not mean there is any current FDA approved exosomes for hair loss. There are increasing examples in which exosome injections have stimulated hair growth in balding human scalps. It is likely that the most effective exosome treatments will come from dermal papilla stem cells (which are most directly connected to hair follicles). This is still investigational and not yet in clinical use. Perhaps the major issues currently with exosomes is they are very expensive, they are FDA “off label,” and their effect lasts only months requiring repeated injections at high cost.
