Should I Treat my Hair Loss With “Stem Cell” Injections?
This frequently asked question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums:
Online, I saw a clinic offering stem cell injections for hair loss. The clinic can either: extract fatty tissue from my stomach, remove the stem cells from the fat, and inject them into my scalp; or remove some donor tissue from my scalp and “multiply” the follicle stem cells and inject them back into the scalp. Are these methods valid? Should I treat my hair loss with stem cell injections?
One day, stem cells will likely revolutionize the way we treat a variety of ailments – hair loss included! Unfortunately, we have not yet reached this day.
As of now, any hair loss treatment involving stem cell injections is purely experimental. What’s more, these treatments are experimental for a reason; stem cells are powerful, rapidly changing cells, and possess serious adverse effects. Some of the unintended consequences of stem cells include abnormal cell growth, immune system issues, and even cancer. This is one of the many reasons why stem cells must be researched and carefully studied before used as a medical treatment.
This is also why stem cells injections are currently not a recommended hair loss treatment. Opposed to trusted treatments, like minoxidil (Rogaine), finasteride (Propecia), and hair transplant surgery, stem cell injections have not been evaluated and proven safe and effective. Altogether, this leads to one very important conclusion: stem cells injections are not recommended for the treatment of hair loss at this point in time. We may soon see a day where stem cell therapies are safe and even commonplace; however, we have not yet reached this day.
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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning
Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Technorati Tags: hair loss, stem cell, follicle stem cells, stem cell injections, minoxidil, Rogaine, finasteride, Propecia, hair transplant
October 6, 2021 @ 7:53 pm
No
August 22, 2021 @ 4:47 am
Can stem cell treatment help hair to go on ring worm scar which is about 6months old at the moment
August 26, 2016 @ 7:32 pm
in my country i know a place stem cell therapie for baldness and result is fantastic.
cancer is not true story…i heard
October 21, 2014 @ 4:50 am
Josh,
While we should never say “never”, at this stage, it’s impossible to estimate if or when stem cell treatments will become effective in the treatment of hair loss.
In the meantime, the best course of action for anyone suffering from genetic balding is to consider today’s clinically proven and FDA approved medical treatments. For males with pattern hair loss, Propecia (finasteride) combined with Rogaine (minoxidil) offers the best opportunity to maintain and regrow hair. For females, only Rogaine is safe and effective.
David
October 18, 2014 @ 10:41 am
Fat stem cells therapy for baldness, can it will be available ever?