COSMETIC SERVICES
Cell Therapy for Hair
Regenerative hair growth offers patients a safe, effective, non-surgical method of hair restoration.
Interview With Dr. Amy Killen
This simple, “lunchtime” procedure can dramatically improve hair density and health in both men and women. While it will not grow new hair where there is no growth at all, it can strengthen waning follicles to turn thinning hair shafts into thick ones.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
PRP is essentially blood that has been centrifuged and has had the red and white blood cells removed.
Produced in just a few minutes from a normal venous blood draw, PRP contains a powerful mix of growth factors that can enhance tissue regeneration, healing and hair follicle growth. PRP has been studied widely and has established itself to be effective and safe as a medical treatment in the fields of oral surgery, orthopedics, cosmetic surgery and wound healing. Its use in hair restoration is relatively new but several studies have shown it to be an exciting non-chemical, non-pharmaceutical alternative to surgery.
How are cells from your fat and growth factors beneficial in hair restoration?
Docere Clinics is one of the early regenerative medicine clinics to offer you the option of using cells derived from your own fat tissue.
After performing a lipoaspiration procedure (vastly different from liposuction), the cell-rich, Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is extracted from the whole adipose and these cells can be used in addition to PRP to further boost the regenerative process on a cellular level. Research has shown that adipose-derived cells have proteins that exert diverse skin rejuvenating effects, such as the stimulation of collagen synthesis, triggering the growth of new blood vessels, as well as hair growth stimulating effects. Growth Factors used topically are also getting a lot of buzz in the hair restoration space. Although relatively new, these biologics have become an important additional tool in the toolbox for restoring hair.
Blood is drawn in the office and spun in a special centrifuge. The PRP is separated from the blood.
A lipoaspiration is performed, usually on the flanks (love-handles), and the fat is processed over the course of 45 minutes to isolate the SVF.
The scalp is cleaned then local anesthesia is administered to numb the treatment area. The highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected (alone or in combination with your own cells).
The patient may drive home. Usually, no sedation or medication is required. The procedure takes about 1 hour for PRP alone and 2 hours for PRP with SVF.
When can I expect to see results?
Improvements in hair growth typically become most evident between 4-8 months in conjunction with the typical hair growth cycle, although results may vary based upon patient age, medical history and other factors, including the possibility of no improvement. Any results shared on this website and the videos found on it do not reflect the results or experiences of every patient. We are in the process of phasing out the use of adipose-derived cells and plan to totally discontinue the use of fat by December 2021.
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VSEL
Very Small Embryonic-Like Regenerative Cells (VSELs)
Very Small Embryonic-Like regenerative cells (VSELs) are rare, early-development cells found in adult tissues. They are not as primitive and unstable as the controversial (and illegal) embryonic cells, yet are also believed to be able to differentiate into other cells. Additionally, VSELs release higher levels of telomerase, the enzyme that helps to keep the telomeres longer over time.
Is Regenerative Cell Therapy Right For You?
A consultation by our clinical staff is required before scheduling a procedure to determine if you are a candidate. Click below to see if we are right for you.