Stem Cells and Hair Growth

What Are Stem Cells | Two Types Of Stem Cells | Hair Scalp | Hair Loss And Stem Cells | Role Of Plant Stem Cells

What Are Stem Cells

Stem cells have the “self-duplication capability,” a function to divide and make copies of themselves, and the “differentiation capability,” which is a function to make various types of cells.

It is the work of the stem cells which helps to maintain our bodies healthy and heal wounds. Stem cells renew and aid the regeneration of all other cells in the body – including those of the skin, nails and hair. These regenerated cells are called adult stem cells. They reside in some adult tissues only.

Recently in the medical field, research has been active on “regenerative medicine,” which utilizes the stem cells to repair illness- and injury-damaged organs and tissues.

In 2009, a research team at the University of Toronto discovered a therapeutic application for restoring hair growth in those suffering from hair loss (alopecia)—and in those combatting the underlying causes that lead to the telltale signs of a damaged scalp. Their research was in the area of adult stem cells.

Two Types Of Stem Cells In The Scalp Tissue

There are two types of stem cells – “dermal stem cells” and “epidermal stem cells.” Each type has its own role.

	Dermal Stem Cells	Epidermal Stem Cells
Location	In dermis (deep seated under the epidermis), localized at the base of the hair follicle (dermal papilla)	In epidermis (on the scalp surface), the hair bulge forms a reservoir of epidermal stem cells.
Function	Generate fibroblast, has the property to grow in colonies in the form of spheres. Support dermal rejuvenation and generate hair follicle formation and stimulate hair follicle formation and hair growth. Dermal stem cells that serve to induce hair morphogenesis and maintain the dermis.	Continue regeneration of the hair follicle during cycling. Has an important role in hair cycle turnover process, from anagen, catagen to telogen.

Hair Loss And Stem Cells

Hair Loss Issues: Dermal Stem Cells and Epidermal Cells

When suffering from hair loss, the telogen phase is prolonged, and the transition to the anagen phase becomes more difficult. Hair become thinner and the percentage of hair transitioning to the telogen phase continues to increase.

The problem comes from the fact that the hair follicle stem cells (also called ORSc) located in the bulge along the hair, are less productive, and less adapted to improve the quality of the matrix (made of keratinocytes) supporting the hair follicle growth. Furthermore, the fibroblasts located in the dermal papilla (also called HFDPc) are less efficient in communicating with the stem cells, meaning that the matrix will not be renewed as it used to.

Initiating the anagen phase becomes more sluggish, and hair loss becomes a part of daily life.

When the telogen phase is prolonged and the transition to the anagen phase becomes more difficult, extended hair loss occurs.

Hair becomes thinner. The percentage of hair transitioning to the telogen phase increases.

This happens when hair follicle stem cells, also called ORSc, become less productive, less adaptive to improving the quality of the matrix that supports follicle growth. This matrix is made of keratinocytes. Furthermore, the fibroblasts located in the dermal papilla, called HFDPc, are less efficient in communicating with the stem cells, resulting in the matrix no longer renewing as it used to.

Thus initiating the anagen phase becomes more sluggish, and hair loss becomes an eventual part of daily life.

Hair loss is caused by a number of factors, including

Men

Physical and emotional stress
Endocrinopathy
Oral medication (blood thinning agents, antihypertensive agents, etc.)
Local impairment of circulation due to tension in the scalp
Reduction in physiological functions of the scalp
Reduction in hair follicle function due to male hormones
Reduction in metabolic functions of hair follicles and hair bulbs

Women

Aging
Medication (e.g. contraceptive pills, steroid, etc)
Postpartum period
Hormonal imbalance e.g. thyroid
Menopause
Under pressure and stressful lifestyle
Chemical hair product, over perms or dye

Hair Loss: By The Numbers

	Men	Women
110,000 Hair	Average no. of hairs on a global surface of 600cm² in the human scalp	Average no. of hairs on a global surface of 600cm² in the human scalp
50-100 Hair	Scalp hair lost each day	Scalp hair lost each day
25%	-	Percentage of women has thinned hair
40%	Percentage of men with noticeable hair loss by age 35 (this reaches 65% by age 60!)	During menopause, 4 out of 10 women suffer from thinning hair
95%	-	Percentage of female hair loss results from hormonal changes, as in pregnancy or menopause

Men

Hairs

Average no. of hairs on a global surface of 600cm² in the human scalp

50-100

Hairs

Scalp hair lost each day

%

Percentage of men with noticeable hair loss by age 35
(this reaches 65% by age 60!)

Women

Hairs

Average no. of hairs on a global surface of 600cm² in the human scalp

50-100

Hairs

Scalp hair lost each day

%

Percentage of women has thinned hair

%

Percentage of female hair loss results from hormonal changes, as in pregnancy or menopause

%

During menopause, 4 out of 10 women suffer from thinning hair