Stem cell hair transplants are a new generation of treatments for those with androgenetic alopecia. Unlike FUE and FUT hair transplants, stem cell hair transplants involve extracting, expanding, and reintroducing stem cells to stimulate hair growth in your balding or thinning areas.
Early research shows promising results for stem cell hair transplants [1-3]. But even though they haven’t yet been approved for treating hair loss, they’re increasingly offered by surgeons in the UK, Turkey, and around the world.
So should you get a stem cell hair transplant? How do they compare with more conventional hair transplant techniques like FUE and FUT? In this article, we’ll explore:
Stem cells have the potential to develop into several other types of cell with a specific function in the body. This makes them uniquely suited for hair transplantation, as they can replace faulty follicle cells and start producing new hair.
Stem cells for hair transplants are found in the hair follicle bulge:
Stem cell therapy can be used for hair restoration in a few different ways:
Early research shows that stem cell hair transplants can be effective. The images below compare hair density prior to treatment (A) and seven months after treatment (B) [2]:
According to one study, there are more than a dozen different stem cell factors and small molecules that can influence hair growth [1]. So it makes sense that this innovative type of hair transplant shows promise.
The before and after hair transplant photos below show the possible hair growth after a stem cell hair transplant:
These photos suggest the progress of a stem cell transplant may be slower than traditional hair transplant techniques. At the ten-month mark, there’s still a significant bald spot on the crown.
However, this may not be the case for all patients. This female hair transplant patient shows strong results just seven months after her stem cell hair transplant:
More research is needed to establish exactly how effective stem cell hair transplants are. However, these early studies indicate it could provide a new way for hair restoration surgeons to improve outcomes for male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss patients.
Stem cell hair transplants are starting to be marketed as an alternative to FUE and FUT. So let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of getting a stem cell hair transplant.
Pros:
Cons:
The main potential advantage of stem cell hair transplants over FUE and FUT is that they can preserve your donor area. That means there’s a lower risk of overharvesting your follicles, and a hair transplant may be possible even if you have a smaller donor area or fewer harvestable follicles.
However, there are still lots of unknowns about stem cell hair transplants. While FUT and FUE have decades of research to back up their safety and effectiveness, the jury’s still out on stem cell hair transplants.
In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration has warned against unauthorised stem cell treatments, citing concerns about infection and even death resulting from these therapies [7]:
So while research continues into the use of stem cells for hair restoration, most patients opt for tried and tested methods like FUT and FUE.
Some UK clinics are already offering stem cell hair transplants, as well as those in Turkey and other countries around the world. But that doesn’t mean they’re safe.
Especially in countries where safety standards are less well-observed, there are lots of risks to getting a stem cell hair transplant.
The risks of stem cell hair transplants include:
If you do decide to get a stem cell hair transplant, it’s essential that you find a responsible, reputable clinic and surgeon with a proven track record of results. See the best UK hair transplant surgeons and how to find a hair transplant surgeon to perform your procedure.
At the moment, researchers remain unsure of how long stem cell hair transplants will last. While stem cells can stimulate dormant hair follicles to produce hair, this effect may not last forever.
You may be more likely to get permanent hair transplant results from FUE or FUT.
In the UK, stem cell hair transplants can cost anywhere from £3,000 to £9,000.
Stem cell hair transplants tend to cost more than FUE and FUT, as the treatment technology is still in its infancy. That means there are fewer qualified specialists who can perform the procedure, leading to higher costs.
PRP therapy, or platelet-rich plasma therapy, is another type of hair loss treatment. It involves extracting platelets from your blood, and then reinjecting them into your balding areas to stimulate hair growth via hair growth factors.
Stem cell therapy not only introduces hair growth factors into the scalp but also adds newly differentiated stem cells, which can promote new hair growth as well as repair existing follicles. So there are possibly more mechanisms in play here compared with PRP.
However, while stem cell therapy is still in its early stages, lots of research has already established PRP therapy as a successful hair restoration procedure [8-10].
Like conventional hair transplants, stem cell hair transplants can cause mild discomfort. But this is minimised with a local anaesthetic, which is injected into the scalp to numb the area before the procedure starts.
You’re likely to need less hair transplant downtime following a stem cell hair transplant compared with recovery after FUT and FUE. Stem cell injection is a less invasive procedure, so you may not need to take as much time off from your usual activities.
However, it’s still recommended that you get plenty of rest for a few days while your transplant heals. You should consider:
There’s no consensus yet as to how long it takes for stem cells to regenerate your hair. Because this is still an experimental treatment, it’s really important to follow your surgeon’s aftercare advice to give yourself the best chances of successful regrowth.
While stem cell hair transplants are still in the research phase, FUE and FUT are more reliable, established techniques for restoring your hair.
The Wimpole Clinic’s surgical team comprises the most accomplished and successful hair transplant specialists in the world. With a hair transplant success rate of more than 97%, you’re sure to get the results you’re looking for at the Wimpole Clinic.
Take a look at our hair transplant reviews and book a free consultation to discuss your hair transplant treatment options.
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