Will Injectable, Cell-Based Treatments Cure My Baldness?
Within the last several months, injectable, cell-based hair loss treatments seem to be the most discussed topic in medical hair restoration. Whether it’s a hair stimulating complex, stem cell based therapy, or even clandestine, miracle “compounds,” injectable hair loss therapies are being hailed as baldness cures by patients, rushed to clinical trials by biomedical corporations, and cautiously analyzed by practitioners and dedicated researchers.
Although excellent, detailed analysis has been written on the subject, hair loss sufferers still yearn for two crucial details: 1. Will these products work, and 2. When will they be available for use?
Unfortunately, we simple do not know (yet).
The efficacy of these products is something every individual involved with the field of hair restoration eagerly awaits. Although it’s difficult to generalize, many of these therapies have fallen prey to common research fallacies, such as initial promising data that does not continue during later phases, funding issues, a lack of adherence to scientific research techniques, and conducting insufficient rounds of clinical trials. However, several products have continued demonstrating noticeable results and are conducting advanced research trials as we speak. This type of progress will demonstrate the true initial efficacy (maintenance over a long period of time could become another issue) of these therapies, but unfortunately is not available yet. Additionally, until these products are proven safe and effective, they probably will not be available for commercial usage.
However, knowing that these therapies “could” work and “could” be available within a manageable period does not change the fact that there are certain tools and therapies hair loss patients can utilize today. Preventive medications such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) are proven, effective, and readily available. Furthermore, these medications would (conceivable) have no effect on the usage of hypothetical, future treatments, meaning they should be investigated now! Also, hair transplant surgery is also an option for appropriate candidates and will not interfere with future techniques. Ideally, one should utilize these proven treatments now and remain cautiously optimistic to future techniques, therapies, and potential cures.
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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, hair restoration, injectable hair loss therapies, baldness, hair restoration, hair loss patients, Rogaine, minoxidil, Propecia, finasteride, hair transplant surgery
