We reviewed a recent paper published in an international academic journal.
In a recently published clinical study, areas injected with hair follicle stem cells extracted from the patient's own hair follicles showed significant improvement in hair thickness and growth ratio compared with areas injected with saline. The effect appeared from about 1 month, increased the most at 3 months, and gradually decreased thereafter (still better than the control group at 9 months). The duration of the effect varies from person to person
Hello.
This is Modi Hair Plant Clinic.
Among people interested in hair follicle stem cell therapy, the most common question is just one.
“Does it really work?”
In this article, rather than relying on advertising or personal experience,
we will look at the actual effects based on the results of a clinical study recently published in an international academic journal.
Source: Gan Y, Du L, Wang H, et al.
“A Clinical Trial of Treating Androgenic Alopecia with Mesenchymal Stem Cell
Suspension Derived from Autologous Hair Follicle.”
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2023;154(3):444–450.
DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010841
Links: doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000010841 · Free full text (PMC) · PubMed
How was this study conducted?
This study was conducted on a total of 50 male and female patients with hair loss.
To increase the reliability of the study, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was applied.
The method was relatively simple.
Each person's hair loss area was divided into left and right sides, and
- one side was injected with hair follicle stem cells harvested from the patient's own occipital (back of the head) area
- the other side with saline
respectively.
In addition, the study was conducted in a double-blind manner, meaning that neither the patients nor the evaluators knew which side had been injected with stem cells.
Afterward,
- 1 month
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
changes were observed using a dermoscope over these periods.
The study was conducted with all other hair loss treatments discontinued.
This is an important aspect of the study.
Participants did not use
- oral hair loss medications
- topical hair loss medications
- functional shampoos
- other hair loss treatments
during the study.
In other words,
the study was designed to examine the effect of hair follicle stem cells alone.
Result ① When did the hair begin to improve?
According to the study results,
in the areas injected with hair follicle stem cells,
improvement began from 1 month.
Afterward,
- the greatest improvement appeared at 3 months, and
- although it gradually decreased over time,
- the condition remained better than the control group up to 9 months.
In contrast,
in the areas injected with saline, hair loss continued to progress over time.
In other words,
hair follicle stem cell therapy was found not only to maintain existing hair but also to slow the progression of hair loss.
Result ② The proportion of thick hair increased.
Hair loss is not simply a condition in which the number of hairs decreases.
Its most prominent characteristic is that thick hair gradually becomes thinner.
In this study,
the proportion of thick hair (terminal hair) increased significantly in the stem cell treatment group.
This result suggests the possibility that hair may recover to a healthier state.
Result ③ The thinner the hair, the greater the effect.
The study also analyzed the effect by hair thickness.
In particular,
- less than 60㎛
- a tendency toward greater effect in thinner hair
The improvement was even greater in hair that had already become thin.
In other words,
this means that treatment effects are more likely to be expected before hair loss becomes severe and the hair follicles are completely lost.
Result ④ Men and women showed similar effects.
When men and women were analyzed separately,
there was no major difference in treatment effect.
In other words,
similar improvement was observed not only in male pattern hair loss but also in female pattern hair loss.
How long does the effect last?
In this study, with just a single injection, the proportion of thick hair began to increase from 1 month after injection, was greatest at 3 months, and gradually decreased thereafter.
However, even at 9 months, the condition was better than the saline control group (in which hair loss continued to progress).
The duration of the effect varies from person to person.
Hair Follicle Stem Cell Therapy at Modi Hair Plant
Modi Hair Plant operates an in-clinic hair follicle stem cell research facility (https://modihairplant.com/knowhow/stem-cell-lab),
and performs treatment by isolating stem cells from the patient's own hair follicles.
In addition,
- autologous treatment using the patient's own hair follicles
- direct injection into the deep layer where the hair roots are located
- treatment performed while directly checking the condition of the stem cells
Through these processes, we provide more precise treatment.
Patient Cases
Modi Hair Plant hair follicle stem cell therapy cases
Conclusion
Hair follicle stem cell therapy is a field that still requires more long-term research.
However, a recently published clinical study
✔ Increased hair thickness
✔ Increased proportion of thick hair
✔ Suppressed progression of hair loss
✔ Similar effects in both men and women
confirmed meaningful results such as these.
The earlier hair loss is managed before the hair follicles are completely lost, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment.
We recommend consulting thoroughly with a specialist to determine whether treatment suited to your current hair loss condition is possible.
This content was published after review by the Modi Hair Plant medical team to provide accurate medical information.
