Northwest Hair Restoration

Hair Transplant in Seattle, Tacoma, Washington (WA)

Tag Archives: Matristem

Hair Restoration More Popular Thanks to More Non-Invasive Techniques

Posted on November 5, 2011 by admin

Here at Northwest Hair Restoration, we have seen an increase in the popularity of hair restoration procedures over the last couple of years. Local increases in hair restoration seem to mirror a national increase that shows surgical hair restoration procedures jumping 11 percent in 2010 compared to results from an International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS) practice census in 2008. Dr. Robert Niedbalski, hair transplant surgeon and medical director of Northwest Hair Restoration, attributes the increase in hair restoration procedures at his practice to the medical breakthroughs in the field that allow for more impressive results in a shorter period of time.

Dr. Niedbalski is the only doctor in the Pacific Northwest to offer non-invasive ACell – platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to regenerate hair in men and women in the early to moderate stages of hair loss. This hair regeneration technique was discovered by Dr. Gary Hitzig, who Dr. Niedbalski collaborated with to offer to his patients in the Seattle – Tacoma, WA area.

Using the FDA-approved ACell wound healing powder MatriStem® MicroMatrix™ and a blood serum combination, Dr. Niedbalski is able to activate stem cells present in scalp tissue and significantly increase the rate of hair re-growth. The breakthrough hair restoration technique has in some cases dramatically multiplied the number of hair follicles in an area that has previously stopped growing hair. Dr. Niedbalski expects similar results when used to restore eyebrows.

“In some cases, surgery may not be needed to regenerate hair, which was something unheard of just a couple of year’s ago.” said Dr. Niedbalski. “Within six months after undergoing a hair transplant or ACell-PRP injections, many of our patients tell us that they look years younger and have more confidence,” said Dr. Niedbalski.

According to the 2011 ISHRS practice census, males are still the predominate patients of hair restoration surgery (86 percent), although female patients have increased 24 percent since 2004 to 14 percent. The majority of patients fall between the ages of 30-49 years old.

 

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ACell Matristem Update

Posted on September 1, 2011 by admin

Since I began offering ACell Hair Cloning Therapy at Northwest Hair Restoration in 2010, I have been tweaking the “recipe” in an effort to continually improve the results.  This is an update on these changes, and how I expect them to impact your hair restoration treatment.

ACell MatriStem (ACell for short) is an advanced treatment for genetic hair loss. When injected into the scalp, ACell activates stem cells present in the scalp tissues, which in turn, direct the duplication of hair follicles and other scalp tissues while decreasing scar formation.  Acell can be used in conjunction with Follicular Unit Hair Transplant surgery or as a stand-alone procedure.  http://hairreplacementsurgeon.com/procedures/acell-matristem-with-prp-platelet-rich-plasma-for-hair-multiplication/

ACell is combined with PRP

The most significant change I have made in how ACell is applied to treat my hair loss patients is that I am now mixing the ACell powder in PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), instead of saline. PRP is derived from a small sample of the patient’s blood by a special processing method. PRP is rich in growth factors, stem cells and other “goodies” that greatly potentiate the tissue regenerative properties that make ACell such a powerful tool in the treatment of hair loss.

Smaller particle size

ACell powder is now available in a smaller particle size, which means it can now be more thoroughly dissolved before injecting.  Until now, one of the challenges in preparing ACell powder for injection was utilizing all of the product in the vial. The larger particle size of the product didn’t dissolve well and tended to cling to the sides of the vial and the stopper. I have found the smaller sized ACell particles dissolve much more easily and completely, making the preparation faster and maximizing all of the product.

Fewer Complications

Although ACell injections into the scalp have not been prone to any serious complications such as allergic reaction or infection, some swelling and scalp soreness is common for a few days after the procedure – even if you have not had a hair transplant at the same time. With the introduction of a smaller particle size of ACell powder, the injections can now be done with a significantly smaller needle.  Patients now have had much less swelling and little to no post injection discomfort.

Recent results

 The following photos are representative of the results we have seen in patients who have been treated with ACell/PRP:

  • Female Pattern Hair Loss: One month post injection ACell/PRP, without hair transplantation and no medication, topical products or laser therapy.  These photos are 50X magnification of her hairline in the temple area. Notice the increase in the number and color intensity of hairs in the 1 month post treatment photo on the right (red arrows).

  • Donor Scar:  4 months post ACell/PRP injection with follicular unit hair transplant using strip harvesting method:

New Applications

 I have had some success in treating non-hereditary types of hair loss such as Alopecia Areata and Scarring Alopecia with ACell/PRP injection therapy.

Eyebrow Study

I am conducting a case study on the use of ACell as a non-surgical treatment for eyebrow hair loss.  Patients who participate in the study will receive a free ACell/PRP injection for their eyebrows. To see if you qualify for this study please contact Northwest Hair Restoration @ 253-572-2949.

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