If you are considering stem cell hair regrowth, you know what a nightmare hair loss can be. In the latest estimate, male pattern baldness was said to effect 25 percent of men by age 30 and 65 percent by age 60. Moreover, there is a 4/7 chance of receiving a baldness gene. Any type of hair loss or hair thinning can cause psychological distress to those affected. A full head of hair is associated with youth and vitality. Even though pattern baldness and other hair loss is often caused by factors other than age, the sufferers of these conditions often become insecure with their identity. Fortunately, there are effective methods for treating hair loss. Hair regrowth using stem cells is one of the newest and most promising of these.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are an interesting and unique type of cell that has the ability to divide and differentiate into a variety of cell-types. In stem cell hair regrowth treatments, stem cells are inserted in replacement of deficient cells, and multiple to restore healthy functioning of an area. They are particularly useful in cancer treatments. There are a variety of types of stem cells. These include, but are not limited to:
- Embryonic
- Adult
- Amniotic
- Fetal
- Induced Pluripotent
The Ethical Question of Stem Cell Use
There is significant controversy surrounding the research and use of stem cell hair regrowth in the field of medicine. While it is obviously important to determine your own opinion about the moral status of stem cells, there is an important fact that is often overlooked. Not all stem cells are embryonic. The reason many people are against the use of these cells is that they are harvested from human embryos in a process that destroys the embryo. Many people are against this practice for similar reasons that they oppose abortion.
However, there are a large number of stem cell treatments that use cells harvested from adults. Stem cell hair regrowth procedures are non-invasive, quick and easy. The cells used for hair regrowth are of this latter type that do not harm the person who they are being harvested from.
Using Stem Cells for Hair Regrowth
Stem cell hair regrowth has shown tremendous potential to combat pattern baldness and other hair loss. Scientists have located stem cells in hair follicles. In a simple procedure, stem cells are harvested from hair follicles in your back and neck. They are then made to multiply, or cloned, and inserted into hair follicles in the scalp. These cells essentially reset old hair follicles to make them grow hair. In an early clinical trial, over 2/3rd of males regrew hair.
Unfortunately, stem cell technology for hair regrowth is in its burgeoning stages. Scientists in Berlin claim that the technology will be ready for mainstream market by 2015, however, it is currently unavailable to the general public. Nevertheless, if you suffer from hair loss, rest assured that stem cells have a massive potential to reverse hair loss in your lifetime. It may even be possible to participate in clinical trials in the meantime. Anyone who is distressed by their lack of hair should keep stem cell hair regrowth in mind as an option for the future.