HairStemcell Transplantation (HST)
I would like to know your opinion on this procedure: Hair Science Institute
The procedure is called “HairStemcell Transplantation” and promises near complete regrowth of the donor site. It seems way too good to be true but I want to have an expert opinion on it before I jump to any conclusions.
It seems what they are doing is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), but they try to differentiate from FUE with what they call a Hair Stem Cell Transplantation. It is especially confusing when they show both side by side, yet they look the same. From the photograph they provide, they are using a standard dental drill head piece.
In short, stem cells are not readily identifiable even under a microscope. So to claim stem cell transplantation is likely a misnomer or sensationalism at its best to exploit the buzz word of “stem cellâ€.
Finally there are no doctors mentioned on this website that is associated with “researchâ€. I find that highly suspect.
Dr. Gho, founder of Hair Science Institute, has thoroughly detailed HairStemCell Transplantation in a recently published peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Gho previously showed in a study published in British Journal of Dermatology that stem cells exist in two places of the stromal follicle tissue. By removing just enough of the FU to allow for growth in the recipient site, stromal tissue containing stem cells is left in the donor site, which regenerates a new FU. Thus, you get two follicles for every follicle that is extracted. Read the study for more details. This is the biggest breakthrough in hair restoration in the last 50 years.
Donor hair follicle preservation by partial follicular unit extraction.
A method to optimize hair transplantation
COEN G. GHO1 & H. A. MARTINO NEUMANN2
1Hair Science Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and 2Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Erasmus
University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Here is the abstract, but I implore you to read the full text of the article. It is extremely well written with tables, hair counts, photos, and illustrations.
Donor hair follicle preservation by partial follicular unit extraction.
A method to optimize hair transplantation
COEN G. GHO1 & H. A. MARTINO NEUMANN2
1Hair Science Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and 2Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Erasmus
University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Abstract
Background: There are different stem cell pools located in the hair follicle. Objective: To try to determine whether follicular units can survive a partial extraction and whether this partial extracted follicular unit can regenerate new hairs.
Methods: From five individuals, between 100 and 150 grafts were harvested from the occipital area of the scalp. Suitable grafts were implanted into the recipient area. Hair growth and characteristics in the donor area and the recipient area were observed at different intervals.
Results: After 3 months, between 92.1% and 104.1% (mean 97.7%) of the partial follicular units in the donor sites survived and produced hairs with the same characteristics. After 1 year, 91.1–101.7% (mean 95.9%) of the implanted partial follicular units regenerated hair growth with the same characteristics as the hairs in the donor area.
Conclusions: We revealed that extracted partial longitudinal follicular units transplanted to the recipient area can be used as complete follicular units to regenerate
completely differentiated hair growth with the same characteristics as in the donor area. We also revealed that the partial follicular units in the donor area can survive and produce the same number of hairs with the same characteristics. This technique enables us to generate two hair follicles from one follicle with consistent results and preserve the donor area.