After decades of slow progress, the field of hair loss research is starting to evolve rapidly. At this very moment researchers are exploring everything from topical molecules like PP405 to sugar derivatives. One of the most exciting recent developments in this space is the potential use of stem cells for hair loss. This approach taps into regenerative medicine and seeks to reawaken dormant hair follicles or even create new ones altogether. So obviously there’s a lot of buzz but how close is it to reality? In this article, we explore the science behind stem cells as a hair growth treatment. We also review how far they are to clinical translation.
What are Stem Cells?
Think of stem cells as the body’s master cells. They have a unique ability to divide and become different types of cells in the body. In humans, stem cells can broadly be classified into embryonic and adult (or somatic) stem cells. You mainly find embryonic stem cells in early-stage embryos. They are pluripotent which means they can develop into any cell type in the body. In contrast, somatic stem cells are abundant throughout the body in children and adults. They are multipotent which means they can only develop into a limited range of tissues. For example, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow can become bone, cartilage or fat cells. Similarly, hair follicle stem cells help regenerate hair and skin.
Hair follicles themselves are complex “mini-organs” that cycle through growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and rest (telogen). This hair cycle is partially under the control of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) which live in a part of the follicle called the “bulge.” These cells are responsible for regenerating the lower portion of the follicle each cycle and initiating hair growth. When there is disruption to this regenerative activity (e.g. due to age, genetics, hormones or inflammation), hair loss can occur. This is where the interest in stem cells for treating hair loss comes in. Scientists are investigating whether introducing or activating these stem cells can help restart hair growth in conditions like androgenetic alopecia.
How Stem Cells Promote Hair Regrowth
Although still in the early stages, a growing body of research is beginning to map out how stem cells hair growth therapies could work. Broadly, there studies are focusing on three main stem cell approaches:
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): These multipotent cells can come from bone marrow, fat (adipose tissue) or umbilical cord blood. MSCs secrete a range of growth factors and cytokines that may reduce inflammation, improve blood supply and stimulate follicle activity. In animal studies, they can enhance the transition of hair follicles from the resting to the growing phase.
- Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs): Fat is a rich source of stem cells and is relatively easy to obtain. Researchers have a particular interest in the growth factors ADSCs release. These include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) which may nourish hair follicles and extend the anagen phase of the hair cycle. Preliminary human trials have shown improvements in hair density in patients with androgenetic alopecia following topical application of ADSC extracts.
- Hair Follicle Stem Cells (HFSCs): Stimulating the actual stem cells within human hair follicles is another exciting avenue. These studies are currently in the very early stages but there are promising results that it’s possible to regenerate HFSCs.
Are Stem Cell Treatments for Hair Loss Currently Available?
As of now, stem cells hair loss treatments are largely experimental and very much still in the early stages of research. In the UK, no stem cell-based hair regrowth therapies have yet received MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) approval. This is only given once a treatment has undergone rigorous safety and efficacy testing on humans. There are some products marketed as “stem cell treatments” but they normally do not contain actual stem cells at all. They often involve plant-derived extracts or peptides “inspired” by stem cell science.
Its not all bad news though! Research in the field of stem cells for hair loss is gaining momentum. Scientists are making big strides in understanding follicle biology, cellular signalling pathways and regenerative mechanisms. If they’re successful, in the coming years we may see stem cell research translate into hair growth treatments in the form of:
- Stem Cell Transplants: These techniques could involve either injecting a patient’s own stem cells back into their scalp or tissue engineering them first into hair follicles then transplanting these back. Bioengineered hair follicles involve growing new follicle structures in the lab using a patient’s own stem cells which could then be transplanted into balding areas to restore natural hair growth. Similarly, injecting patient-derived stem cells directly into the scalp would seek to reactivate dormant follicles and promote regeneration.
- Topical Cell-Free Products: These are therapies derived from stem cell secretions rather than the cells themselves. They include growth factors and exosomes which can stimulate the hair follicles and surrounding cells. Such treatments would seek to harness the regenerative signals of stem cells without the complexities of live cell handling. As such, they may offer a potentially safer and more accessible off-the-shelf option for stimulating hair growth in the future.
All these therapies will need to undergo rigorous clinical trials to prove safety, consistency and long-term benefit before receiving approval and becoming widely available.
Possible Risks & Limitations of Stem Cell Hair Growth Treatments
Although they might be available in some countries, its important to note that these therapies are experimental and have not received approval from any main regulator. It is hard to know what risks they pose without extensive clinical trials. Without these won’t know about potential issue like allergy, infection, inflammation and possible cancer formation. There may also be a whole collection of side effects that we can’t predict until trials are done. For now, the key limitations of stem cell treatments include:
Alternative Hair Loss Treatments
While we wait for further research on stem cells as a hair growth treatment, there are several effective and evidence-based options currently available. These may be used alone or in combination with the key treatments including:
- Minoxidil: This medication is available in oral and topical form. It stimulates blood flow and prolongs the anagen phase of the hair cycle. You can get topical minoxidil over the counter in up to 5% strength or by prescription for oral and compounded forms.
- Finasteride & Dutasteride: These prescription only medicines block DHT which is a hormone linked to follicle shrinkage in androgenetic alopecia. Both Finasteride and Dutasteride are available in both oral and topical forms though associated with a number of serious side effects.
- Plate Rich Plasma (PRP): This is a non-surgical treatment that uses a concentrated dose of your own platelets to stimulate hair follicles. It uses similar principles as stem cell therapy in that it seeks to stimulate regeneration using growth factors in the PRP.
- Microneedling: By creating tiny punctures in the scalp, microneedling seeks to trigger wound-healing pathways which may help regenerate dormant hair follicles.
- Hair Transplant Surgery: This can offer permanent hair restoration in suitable candidates. However, hair transplants can be expensive, results may be variable ad carry some risks.
Rightfully so, there’s a lot of excitement around the potential of using stem cells for hair loss. This is due to their ability to regenerate hair follicles and improve the environment for healthy hair growth. That said, the journey from laboratory to clinic still has a long way to go. Large scale robust trials are necessary to show the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of using stem cells to grow hair in humans. For now, it’s best to stick to existing treatments whilst keeping am eye on developments in this field!
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