STEM CELLS FOR
Hair
Regenerative hair growth offers patients a safe, effective, non-surgical method of hair restoration. At Docere Medical, we employ Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), stem cells derived from your own fat, Exosomes, and other growth factors to stimulate hair to move from …
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This simple, “lunchtime” procedure can dramatically improve hair density and
health in both men and women. While it will not grow new hair where there is
no growth at all, it can strengthen waning follicles to turn thinning hair shafts
into thick ones.
WHAT IS PLATELET
RICH PLASMA (PRP)?
PRP is essentially blood that has been centrifuged and has had the red and white blood cells removed. Produced in just a few minutes from a normal venous blood draw, PRP contains a powerful mix of growth factors that can enhance tissue regeneration, healing and hair follicle growth. PRP has been studied widely and has established itself to be effective and safe as a medical treatment in the fields of oral surgery, orthopedics, cosmetic surgery and wound healing. Its use in hair restoration is relatively new but several studies have shown it to be an exciting non-chemical, non-pharmaceutical alternative to surgery.
HOW ARE STEM CELLS FROM YOUR FAT, EXOSOMES AND GROWTH FACTORS BENEFICIAL IN HAIR RESTORATION?
Docere Medical is one of the early regenerative medicine clinics to offer you the option of using stem cells derived from your own fat tissue. After performing a lipoaspiration procedure (miniature liposuction), the stem cell-rich, Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is extracted from the whole adipose and these stem cells can be added to PRP to further boost the regenerative process on a cellular level. Research has shown that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC’s) have proteins that exert diverse skin rejuvenating effects, such as the stimulation of collagen synthesis, triggering the growth of new blood vessels, as well as hair growth stimulating effects. Exosomes and Growth Factors are also getting a lot of buzz in the hair restoration space. Although relatively new, these biologics have become an important additional tool in the toolbox for restoring hair.
Blood is drawn in the office and spun in a special centrifuge. The PRP is separated from the blood.
A lipoaspiration is performed, usually on the flanks (love-handles), and the fat is processed over the course of 45 minutes to isolate the SVF.
The scalp is cleaned then local anesthesia is administered to numb the treatment area. The highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected (alone or in combination with your own stem cells).
The patient may drive home. Usually, no sedation or medication is required. The procedure takes about 1 hour for PRP alone and 2 hours for PRP with SVF.
WHEN CAN I EXPECT
TO SEE RESULTS?
Improvements in hair growth typically become most evident between 4-8 months in conjunction with the typical hair growth cycle.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Six months of stem cell
REFERENCES
Fukuoka, H. Suga, H. Narita, K. et al. The latest advance in hair restoration therapy using proteins secreted by adipose-derived stem cells. Amer J of Cosmetic Surg. 2012; Vol 29, No 4: 273-82.
Miao, Y., et al. Promotional effect of PRP on hair follicle reconstitution in vivo. Derm Surg. 2013; 39:1869-1876.
Greco, J., and R. Brandt. Preliminary experience and extended applications for the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma in hair transplantation surgery. Hair Transplant Forum Int’l. 2007; 17:131-132.
Cervelli, S. Garcovich, A. Bielli, G. Cervelli, et al. “The effect of autologous activated platelet-rich plasma (AA-PRP) injection on pattern hair loss: clinical and histomorphometric evaluation,” BioMed Research International. Volume 2014.
Greco, J., and R. Brandt. The effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma and various growth factors on non-transplanted miniaturized hair. Hair Transplant Forum Int’l. 2009; 19:49-50.
Zheng, J. Choi H. Choi D., et al. “Autologous platelet-rich plasma: a potential therapeutic tool for promoting hair growth”. Derm Surg.2012: 38:1040-1046.
The following are the most commonly asked questions at Docere Medical. If, after reading, you have any additional questions that we did not cover here, please feel to contact us at any time!
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions
