How Stem Cells Treat Hair Loss

Goldenberg Dermatology is among the first hair restoration facilities in New York and on the east coast to offer stem cell therapy to treat hair loss. In order to understand how this procedure works, it is necessary to know a little bit about stem cells and their role in the body.

In this article New York dermatologist Dr. Goldenberg explains how stem cells can be used to effectively treat hair loss.

Understanding Stem Cells

A stem cell is a type of “undifferentiated” or “unspecified” cell in the body – which means it is basically a “blank canvas” that can become other cell types that form the human body. In other words, a stem cell has no function of its own, other than replicating other types of body cells – and turning itself into the type of cell that is needed to perform a certain function.

When a person faces an injury or disease, the stem cells then “activate” and become the type of specialized cell the body needs for healing and replenishing itself.

Stems cells have been used in “regenerative medicine” for a number of years, to treat chronic medical conditions, to restore joints, and to heal orthopedic and athletic injuries. Only very recently has stem cell technology been applied to the medical science of treating hair loss.

Stem cell therapy encourages healthy cell growth in areas of the body that have become damaged or diseased. Additionally, stem cells support healing mechanisms within the body, such those that reduce inflammation and scarring.

When utilized in hair loss treatments, stem cells are used to activate hair follicles that have become dormant and have stopped producing hair.

More technically, the stem cells induce changes in developing and mature hair follicles by a process called “paracrine signaling”. Each hair follicle is itself a type of mini-organ that can become damaged over time – and stop producing hair – due to environmental factors, hormone production or even hereditary factors.

When stem cells are injected into the scalp, they are believed to exert a “paracrine effect” that repairs the damage to the follicle and surrounding tissue, and induces the hair cells to become more active.

Where Stem Cells Used in Hair Loss Treatment Come From

In regenerative medicine stem cells can be harvested from a variety of sources. But during hair loss treatment stems cells are simply extracted from the patient’s own fat – usually the hip or the “belly”.

At our New York dermatology office, Dr. Goldenberg will extract fat from the patient’s body using a liposuction type technique. Then the extracted fat is spun to isolate the stem cells, using a special machine. The isolated stem cells are then reintroduced by injection into the areas of the scalp to be treated for hair loss.

Stem Cell Hair Loss Treatment – New York

Each individual’s hair loss is different. So stem cell treatments may work better for some patients, while other hair loss therapies we offer may work better for other patients. Or a combination of both may be most effective.

At our New York, NY dermatology practice, our experienced hair loss treatment doctors offer Stem Cell, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and a variety of other state-of-the-art hair loss treatments.

We are one the only medical practices in New York, New Jersey or on the East Coast offering these innovative and highly effective new hair loss treatments. Call us today and schedule an appointment to see if Stem Cell hair loss treatments are right for you.

How Stem Cells Treat Hair Loss

Understanding Stem Cells