Stem Cell Applications in Human Hair Growth: A Literature Review

April 2023 in “ Cureus ”

Arjavon T Talebzadeh, Nojan Talebzadeh

stem cells hair follicle growth dormant follicles alopecia pattern baldness scalp injection FDA-approved treatments baldness hair loss

TLDR Stem cells could be a better treatment for hair loss by reactivating dormant hair follicles.

Stem cells are being explored as a promising treatment for male and female pattern baldness, with potential applications including direct injection into the scalp to promote new hair follicle growth and stimulation of existing inactive follicles. Current studies suggest that stem cells could enhance regulatory mechanisms to reactivate dormant follicles, offering a potentially superior alternative to existing FDA-approved treatments for alopecia.

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Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

research Aging of Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Their Niches

2 citations , November 2022 in “Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Aging changes hair stem cells and their environment, leading to gray hair and hair thinning, but understanding these changes could help develop treatments for hair regeneration.

research Corticosterone Inhibits GAS6 to Govern Hair Follicle Stem-Cell Quiescence

77 citations , March 2021 in “Nature”

Stress hormone corticosterone blocks a growth factor to slow down hair stem cell activity and hair growth.

research Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles

102 citations , July 2020 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

Hormones like testosterone and estrogen significantly affect hair growth and structure.

research Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature

40 citations , May 2020 in “Cureus”

The conclusion is that treatments for Telogen Effluvium exist, but standard treatment guidelines are needed.

research Spironolactone for Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

15 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Spironolactone effectively treats female pattern hair loss with few side effects.

Hair Transplantation by Follicular Unit Extraction for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Retrospective Observational Study from Two Centers

research Hair Transplantation by Follicular Unit Extraction for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Retrospective Observational Study from Two Centers

2 citations , March 2020 in “Medical journal, Armed Forces India”

Hair transplantation with FUE is safe, effective, and better than FUT for male hair loss.

research Autologous Cellular Method Using Micrografts of Human Adipose Tissue Derived Follicle Stem Cells in Androgenic Alopecia

88 citations , July 2019 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Using human fat tissue derived stem cells in micrografts can safely and effectively increase hair density in people with hair loss.

research The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review

134 citations , December 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

Some vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and iron can help with certain types of hair loss, but more research is needed for others.

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92 citations , August 2017 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

Newborn mouse skin cells can grow hair and this process can be recreated in adult cells to potentially help with hair loss.

Stem Cells from Human Hair Follicles: First Mechanical Isolation for Immediate Autologous Clinical Use in Androgenetic Alopecia and Hair Loss

research Stem Cells from Human Hair Follicles: First Mechanical Isolation for Immediate Autologous Clinical Use in Androgenetic Alopecia and Hair Loss

86 citations , June 2017 in “Stem cell investigation”

Stem cells from hair follicles can safely treat hair loss.

research The Hair Shedding Visual Scale: A Quick Tool to Assess Hair Loss in Women

16 citations , February 2017 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

The new visual scale is a quick and effective way to measure hair loss in women.

research The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

214 citations , September 2015 in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”

Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.

research Hair Regrowth in Alopecia Areata Patients Following Stem Cell Educator Therapy

55 citations , April 2015 in “BMC medicine”

Stem Cell Educator therapy helps regrow hair and improve life quality in alopecia areata patients.

research Paracrine Crosstalk Between Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells and Microvascular Endothelial Cells

35 citations , February 2015 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Cells from the base of hair follicles help blood vessel cells survive and grow, which is important for healthy hair.

research Topical Minoxidil Fortified with Finasteride: Maintenance of Hair Density After Replacing Oral Finasteride

32 citations , January 2015 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

Minoxidil and finasteride combo maintains hair density effectively.

research Beyond Goosebumps: Does the Arrector Pili Muscle Have a Role in Hair Loss?

31 citations , January 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology”

The arrector pili muscle might play a role in hair loss and needs more research to understand its impact.

research Cause of Androgenic Alopecia

17 citations , October 2013 in “Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open”

Male pattern baldness may be caused by scalp pressure on hair follicles, which increases with age and leads to a cycle of hair loss. This process is not directly determined by genes.

research International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery

July 1998 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Various techniques and tools for hair restoration were presented in 1998, including a mathematical model for donor area, use of lasers in surgery, methods for controlling grafted hair direction, and ways to increase graft yield. Satisfaction rates were around 39%, and studies showed trauma and dehydration can damage hair follicles.

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Hair follicles create different cell layers and proteins, controlled by various molecules.

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research Androgenetic Alopecia: May Growth Factor Mimetic Oligopeptides Supplement Minoxidil and Finasteride Therapy?

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Certain peptides, caffeine, taurine, and an iron complex may improve hair regrowth when used with minoxidil and finasteride for hair loss.

research Hair Loss (Alopecia or Baldness)

June 2018

Baldness is often hereditary and linked to male hormones, becoming noticeable when half the hair is lost.

research Daily Finasteride Boosts Hair Growth in Men

February 2012 in “Dermatology Times E-News”

Finasteride helps men grow more hair and lose less.

research Towards a Molecular Understanding of Hair Loss and Its Treatment

236 citations , July 2001 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

Future hair loss treatments should aim to extend hair growth, reactivate resting follicles, reverse shrinkage, and possibly create new follicles, with gene therapy showing promise.

research Clinical Updates in Hair

19 citations , January 1997 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Most treatments for hair loss in 1997 were not effective for most people, and maintaining hair growth was difficult.

research Biology of Scalp Hair Growth

48 citations , April 1982 in “Clinics in Plastic Surgery”