Stem Cell Hair Transplant or Traditional Hair Transplant?

Stem Cell Hair Transplant or Traditional Hair Transplant? Is Stem Cell Hair Transplant Is Better?

Hair transplants are fast becoming popular for those suffering from hair loss. How to choose from available methods: Although traditional hair transplant techniques, including Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), have been the way to go for many, in recent years, many techniques have thrived amongst clinics all over the world. One of the most popular techniques offered to people seeking hair transplantation is stem cell hair transplant; it is promised to be a newer and more creative approach to remove the hardships on patients and technicians that generates more natural results.

However, the question remains whether stem cell hair transplant is better than other conventional methods?

Traditional Hair Transplant Techniques

1. Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT): A segment of skin with hair follicles is taken away from the rear part of your head and extracted from the donor region. The rest of the hair in your head is used to cover these extracted follicles. Before that strip is placed back for transplantation, the other hair on your head is then used to hide these removed follicles. FUT is traditionally more invasive compared to FUE; a strip of the scalp will be removed and then sutured after extraction, leading to a linear scar.

Pros of FUT:

A high number of grafts can be transplanted in one sitting.

• It causes less handling of each hair follicle, which leads to higher hair survival.
• Works well in patients with extensive hair fall.

Cons of FUT:

Linear scar on the donor area

• More invasive with a longer recovery time

Post-operative pain and increased infection.

2. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUE)

It involves the removal of intact individual hair follicles from the donor area and then inserting them into another recipient site. This technique is less invasive than FUT and does not lead to a linear scar however, the IC method can be more time-consuming as each follicle must be extracted individually.

Pros of FUE:

• More of a minimally invasive process than it is the FUT technic with quicker healing times
• A scar is not visible in the form of a linear, so it is an advantage for those who wish to keep trimmed hair.

Reduced post-operative pain

Cons of FUE:

Time-consuming and may require multiple sessions for large areas of hair loss.

Slightly less per cent graft survival than FUT because of further handling of the follicles. It is impractical for patients with too much bald area as it needs more grafts.

Stem Cell Hair Transplant

Medium Stem cell hair transplant—Stem cell therapy involves harvesting cells from one’s own body, which are then reintroduced to the areas with hair loss. This technique simply works on the scalp following a biopsy from a hair source. The hair follicles have stem cells because they can regenerate and form new hair. The biopsy is harvested to obtain cells that are then centrifuged and re-injected into the areas of hair loss.

Rather than moving whole hair follicles (as most traditional methods did), stem cell therapy stimulates the dormant hair follicles already present on your scalp and jumpstarts them to begin new growth.

Advantages/Pros of Stem Cell Hair Transplant:

• Minimalistic procedure: This only needs a small hair follicle biopsy and no significant cuts with stitching.

Non-evasive process = no scars: Not stripping your skin strips, not by any stretch of the imagination focusing out

• Less Radiation: It delivers 80%-95% less radiation than a traditional hip or knee replacement.
• Hair multiplication: Stem cell therapy is developed to induce hair follicles for the natural regrowth of hair so that there remains an option for unlimited growth using fewer donor hairs.

Drawbacks of Stem Cell Hair Transplant:

Currently in the experimental field: As a relatively new technology, stem cell hair transplantation is still being studied and tested in clinical trials. Long-term and individual effectiveness may vary.

Cost: It can cost far more than the traditional methods as it requires technology and expertise.

• Availability: Stem cell treatments are not as prevalent as one might assume, and there are definitely only a handful of experienced practitioners.

Effectiveness is limited: This works well at the initial stages of hair loss, but those who have gone completely bald might not be able to see any hair growth after this kind of treatment.

Difference Between Stem Cell Hair Transplant and Traditional Hair Transplant

Results: Stem Cell Hair Transplant can work for most types of hair loss. Results are still being studied, but they look promising in the long term. If you are open to trying an experimental procedure and will understand a bit that the long-term results are not entirely known, then you can try stem cell hair transplants.

Cost: Traditional techniques are much cheaper.

Availability: Traditional techniques are more common in clinics. Since stem cell hair transplants still need to be studied, most reputable clinics hesitate to offer them before they see scientific data.

Today, stem cell hair transplantation is presented as an exciting breakthrough in transplantation with the ability to deliver a possibly regenerative and high-end treatment for patients experiencing hair loss. But it is still early in development, and even though it is a very promising solution, there is no strong evidence of its long-term effectiveness.

There is still the option of traditional hair transplants such as FUT and FUE, which are still irrevocably the most reliable means for those needing hair restoration, especially for patients suffering from more advanced stages of hair loss. These techniques have been perfected over many years and consistently provide long-lasting outcomes.

So, if you are planning on getting a hair transplant, you must talk with an experienced surgeon regarding your particular situation.