Could Stem Cells Exactly Replace Follicles in Areas of Hair Loss?'

Name: John

Question: In the recent discovery of stem cell usage to replace hair, can this new stem cell process actually replace the original loss of hair of the actual root of each hair I was born with be replaced in the exact same location where each individual loss of hair occurred.

Answer: Hi, John. We are assuming for the purposes of answering your query that the type of hair loss you are referring to is male pattern baldness.

The most advanced types of stem cell hair replication, whereby entire hair follicles capable of normal hair growth are artificially reproduced in vitro and transferred to the scalp, do absolutely make this a technical possibility. However, until the process is fully developed, medically approved and rolled out properly - as opposed to being tested solely in clinical trials - its capabilities cannot be confirmed for certain.

Grafting individual hair follicles into the scalp is something which is already done in a type of hair transplant procedure known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). It is a painstaking, long and costly affair, especially when there are expansive areas to be filled - for example, if a man is losing vertex hair, the hair along the top of his head from hairline to crown, which is the area affected by Male Pattern Hair Loss, as opposed to a smaller area such as a receding hairline. As the follicles are inserted into incisions by a human surgeon - as opposed to a robot such as the ARTAS machine which can be used to harvest donor hairs in some cases - matching up the precise location for each follicle you have ever had may be somewhat unrealistic.

If you are concerned about male pattern baldness and want to explore options for regrowing hair from existing follicles, this is something clinically-proven hair loss treatments can be used for.  As long as the follicles are still functioning - meaning there is still hair growing from them, no matter if it is thinning, and the scalp has not taken on a smooth, shiny bald appearance - this should be a viable and often effective option for many men.

Men's hair loss treatment courses typically include either or both the two MHRA licensed and FDA approved male hairloss treatments: finasteride 1mg and minoxidil. The oral DHT-blocking tablet, finasteride 1mg, is designed to be taken once a day to stabilise shedding and allow normal hair growth to resume unhindered by the effects of DHT; applications of appropriate, topical formulations of high strength minoxidil are used to promote hair growth locally.

Additional hair growth supporting products can be used to supplement the pharmaceutical approach, including Belgravia's premium Hair Vitalics for Men. This exclusive food supplement contains a wealth of highly-targeted, key nutritional elements included for their effects on hair health, from biotin, selenium and zinc for the maintenance of normal healthy hair growth to the botanical extract saw palmetto.

Whilst it may be a few years yet until stem cell hair loss treatments become a readily available option, these can be offered right now to those deemed medically suitable following a consultation. So, if you are worried about thinning hair or any receding now, we would recommend investigating options that are open to you sooner rather than later given Male Pattern Baldness is a permanent and progressive condition.