researchers, Gary Hitzig, M.D. and Jerry Cooley, M.D.., have become
the first medical doctors to successfully clone hair using an FDA-
cleared wound healing powder called MatriStem®MicroMatrix™. Using
this powder, Dr. Hitzig and Dr. Cooley have been able to create a
technique that multiplies the number of hair follicles in an area that
had previously stopped growing hair – a breakthrough that many hair
restoration researchers have been trying to accomplish.
MatriStem MicroMatrix, a product of regenerative medicine innovator,
ACell, Inc., is a wound healing powder that promotes healing and
tissue growth and has now proven to help regenerate hair in the donor
and recipient regions of hair transplant patients. While intended for
diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds,
second degree burns, surgical wounds (donor sites/grafts) and trauma
wounds, Hitzig and Cooley have found that its properties offer a
broader scope of treatment, including hair cloning.
MatriStem fundamentally changes wound healing by triggering new blood
vessel formation at the wound site, as well as providing a favorable
substrate for host cell attachment, proliferation and
differentiation. Hitzig and Cooley have also found that MatriStem
causes the body to regenerate the original tissue complete with hair
follicles.
"We've made amazing breakthroughs using MatriStem as a hair cloning
tool," said Dr. Hitzig. "We've been able to multiply the number of
hair follicles growing in the recipient area, and as an added benefit
are seeing faster hair growth. This new hair cloning technique also
makes hair transplantation surgery less invasive.
"We are excited about the results of our preliminary studies," said
Dr. Cooley. "By combining the MatriStem with existing follicle
components, it appears that we are able to achieve true hair
regeneration. Further research will help us to refine this process to
make it a consistent, reproducible technique. It may be especially
well suited for those who have run out of traditional hair for
transplantation."
The original intent of the study was to see if the wound healing
powder could correct scars from previous hair transplants and re-grow
hair in the donor area. Successful results in treating scars led to
this hair cloning breakthrough.
Dr. Gary Hitzig is a board certified hair restoration surgeon in New
York City. He is also the author of Help and Hope for Hair Loss and
developed and patented the Hitzig Linear Punch, a collection of
extremely sharp disposable surgical punches that make narrow
elliptical slots, which are sold to surgeons around the world. Dr.
Hitzig has published numerous peer review articles on hair transplant
techniques and is a regular presenter at medical hair restoration
symposiums around the world. Dr. Hitzig is a member of the American
Society of Dermatological Surgery, International Society of Hair
Restoration Surgery and the American Hair Loss Council. He can be
reached at (516) 536-0385 or visit www.nyhairloss.com.
Dr. Jerry Cooley is a board certified dermatologist in Charlotte,
North Carolina and diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration
Surgery (ABHRS). He currently serves as Vice President of the
International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). A frequent
lecturer at hair transplantation conferences, Dr. Cooley has authored
numerous articles and textbook chapters, and is past co-editor of the
Hair Transplant Forum International, the most widely read journal
dedicated to hair transplantation. Dr. Cooley can be reached at (704)
542-1601 or visit www.haircenter.com.
