Stem Cells And Hair Regeneration To Prevent Hair Loss

Hair loss is attributed to a wide variety of factors from hormonal changes, genetics, health conditions and environmental factors. Apart from these reasons, deficiency in Vitamin D and other metabolic problems can also result to hair loss. For 35 million men in the United States suffering from male pattern baldness, the condition is linked to genetics. There are about 20 to 30 million women in the US suffering from alopecia. This is a condition that can affect the esteem of any person.

Three Phases of the Hair Growth Cycle

Alopecia is a hair condition where you lose hair and there is new hair growth. For individuals suffering from this condition, it helps if they know the different phases of hair growth cycle.

Phase 1- Anagen

The first phase is the Anagen phase where all hair strands are growing. The Anagen phase is three to four years. However, as we grow old, we have shortened anagen. In this case, individuals might experience having thinner hair.

Phase 2- Catagen

The next phase is the hair loss phase which would last about 3 to 4 weeks. The normal amount of hair that most individuals would lose ranges about 75 to 100 hairs. These scalp hairs are lost as there is new hair growth. Hair loss is attributed to shampooing or brushing the hair.

Phase 3- Telogen

The third phase is known to be the Telogen where hair is sleeping. In this phase, your hair is not growing and there is also no falling out. This only means that hair growth is not active.

Hair Restoration Techniques

If you are seriously suffering from hair loss, there are now various hair restoration techniques for African Americans, Caucasion and other hair types and procedures that you can use. You can even use medications if you do not want to try any procedure. The best two medications that are approved and evaluated by the FDA are Rogaine and Propecia. However, Propecia cannot restore healthy follicles and may have side effects.

The focus of research now shifts to the use of Vitamin D to stimulate follicle growth. With continuous research, there are other techniques developed in order to address a long term solution to hair loss. One of which is the use of stem cell. Stem cell technology is one of the most promising hair loss treatments. Many studies are now conducted to further examine the production of hair follicles using the stem cell technique.