STEM CELLS FOUND IN HAIR FOLLICLES MAYBE THE SOLUTION TO HAIR LOSS

Hair loss is a common problem for men and women. This is the reason hair loss treatment companies are spending millions to looking for a cure for this unwanted natural occurrence. Though there are several hair loss treatments presently available, other products have severe side effects especially for men.

Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania revealed stem cells in the hair follicles. It was believed that the number one cause of Androgenetic hair loss is due to the hormone dihydrotestosterone. Hair loss occurs because this hormone somehow shrinks the blood supply of hair.

Researchers found that the bald areas of the scalp still have hair follicles and hair, but hair found are very fine and transparent. The presence of stem cells in the hair follicles is an excellent discovery. The presence of stem cells in the hair follicles can regenerate weakened follicles to produce healthy hair. In fact, the number of stem cells present in a person who has a healthy, hair-filled scalp has the same number in a person with hair loss.

The big problem is, why aren’t the stem cells doing their job? Stem cells are responsible for cell and organ restoration, they have the capability of renewing themselves. There are actually two types of stem cells: the embryonic stem cells and the adult stem cells.

The embryonic stem cell, as the name implies, comes from an embryo and has the capacity to develop into any kind of cell in the body. Different organs can be made from embryonic stem cells.

Adult stem cells are cells found in different organs and are responsible for organ regeneration and repair. The adult stem cells maintain a certain organ to which it is assigned to and these are the type of stem cells found in the hair follicles.

Unfortunately, according to the researchers, the stem cells found on the follicles are not mature enough. They are at a dormant or “sleeping” state. Researchers still don’t know why the stem cells are at this condition and are now looking for ways to revive or “wake them up”, so to speak.