Can Exosomes Really Regrow Your Hair?

Hair loss is a common concern affecting both men and women. It is complex with factors like genetics, hormones, stress, and medical conditions playing a role. Whilst a number of hair loss treatments exist, there isn’t a single therapy that works equally well for every one. Recently, exosomes therapy has burst onto the scene promising to regrow thinning hair using the body’s own regenerative capabilities. Fans of exosomes treatment claim that it offers a more advanced way to treat hair loss and promote regrowth. In this article, we explore the scientific evidence behind the benefits of exosomes for hair loss and how they work. We’ll also review their safety, long term results and alternative treatments.

What are Exosomes?

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that act as messengers between cells. They contain essential molecules like growth factors, proteins, lipids and RNA which can influence the behaviour of other cells. As such, these vesicles play a critical role in cell communication, tissue repair and regeneration. There is currently a lot of interest in exosomes as a potentially promising tool in skincare and hair restoration. In theory, they can “signal” dormant hair follicles to grow. These signals stimulate hair follicle stem cells, encourage blood vessel formation and reduce inflammation.

Most exosome therapies for hair loss are sourced from stem cells or hair follicle. They contain regenerative growth factors that support hair growth and repair including:

• VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): Enhances blood circulation to the scalp.
• FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor): Stimulates hair follicle proliferation.
• IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1): Plays a crucial role in regulating hair follicle growth cycles.
• PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor): Supports cell regeneration.
• EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor): Encourages keratinocyte production to strengthen the hair shaft.
• HGF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor): Extends the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.

Together, these bioactive molecules work to enhance follicle function and create an optimal environment for healthier hair growth. As such exosomes offer a minimally invent for hair loss in men and women.

Benefits of Exosomes Hair Treatment

Although this is still a novel therapy, exosomes have the potential to help with hair restoration by harnessing your cell’s own regenerative capabilities. The main potential benefits of exosomes for hair and scalp health include:

• Reactivates Dormant Hair Follicles: Exosomes are rich in growth factors and signalling molecules. These can stimulate inactive hair follicles, potentially reversing miniaturisation caused by androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness).
• Reduces Scalp Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a key factor in hair loss conditions like alopecia areata and scalp dermatitis. Exosome therapy has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the scalp and create a healthier environment for hair growth.
• Enhances Scalp Circulation: Poor blood flow can weaken hair follicles and slow growth. The growth factors in exosomes may help improve scalp vascularisation. This ensures follicles receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive.
• Minimally Invasive with No Downtime: Unlike more invasive options like hair transplants, exosome therapy requires little to no recovery time.
• Targets Various Types of Hair Loss: Exosome therapy shows promise in addressing different types of hair loss. This includes androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness), telogen effluvium (hair shedding triggered by stress or illness) and alopecia areata (autoimmune-related hair loss)

What Does the Science Say?

Exosome therapy for hair loss is an exciting area of regenerative medicine. Preclinical research suggests that exosomes can stimulate hair growth by activating dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and hair follicle stem cells. This encourages follicles to stay in the growth phase longer. They work by delivering bioactive molecules like microRNAs and proteins. These activate key hair growth pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) and TGF-β. The effects of this include increased hair follicle size, protection against DHT (the hormone linked to hair loss) and improved blood circulation around follicles.

Whilst there promising results in lab studies, the real question is whether they translate into effective treatment for hair loss in humans. Although we do have some promising clinical data, clinical research on exosomes for hair loss is still in its early stages. At the moment, there are no large-scale, placebo-controlled trials proving their efficacy. A 2024 systematic review found only nine clinical studies with around 125 patients. Even then these were mostly small, uncontrolled trials. Some studies suggest increased hair density, thickness, and regrowth, such as a 2022 study in South Korea, where 39 patients saw improvements after 12 weeks of ADSC-derived exosome therapy. Another U.S. case series reported noticeable hair growth in 50% of women and 80% of men after six months of exosome injections.

Although most of the research is related to injections, a few smaller studies have also shown potential benefits of topical exosomes serums including regrowth in chemotherapy-induced alopecia. So whilst early findings are promising, we need more research to determine whether exosomes can be a lasting solution for hair loss.

What Does Exosomes Hair Treatment Involve?

Exosome therapy aims to deliver regenerative signals directly to the scalp in order to stimulate follicles thereby stopping hair loss and promoting growth. It is available in two main forms; injectable and topical exosome treatments.

Injectable exosome therapy is similar to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. The procedure typically involves:

• Scalp Assessment: A consultation determinea the extent of hair loss and whether exosome therapy is suitable
• Preparation: Your practitioner may apply a local anaesthetic to numb the scalp and minimise discomfort
• Injection of Exosomes: A fine needle is used to inject the exosome solution into targeted areas of the scalp
• Post-Treatment Care: Usual advice includes avoiding excessive heat, strenuous activity and harsh hair products for a few days

Some clinics may combine exosome injections with microneedling or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to further stimulate the scalp and improve absorption. Results vary and in the best case scenario patients may see the following rate of progress:

• 1-2 months: Improved scalp health and reduced shedding
• 3-6 months: Noticeable thickening and new hair growth
• 6-12 months: Maximum results, including increased hair density and strength

Furthermore, you may need multiple sessions to achieve results and often a maintenance treatment every 6-12 months.

Topical exosome serums are becoming increasingly popular as a less invasive option. Most common way to use these is to apply them topically after microneedling which helps the exosomes penetrate deeper into the scalp. They are however less potent although even those opting for injectable exosomes may find topical forms useful as a maintenance treatment.

Safety & Considerations

So far, early studies suggest that exosome therapy is generally safe, with most patients reporting only mild scalp irritation or redness after treatment. However, exosome treatments do not yet have approval for hair loss and the industry remains largely unregulated. Some clinics offering exosome therapy may use unverified products with unknown purity, which could pose risks. There have been isolated reports of complications in unregulated exosome use, including severe inflammatory reactions, though these are rare. So despite its immense potential, exosomes hair loss treatment has some key limitations that need addressing before widespread use:

• Limited Clinical Research: High quality clinical trials to establish its effectiveness and safety long term.
• Cost: Exosomes hair treatment can be expensive, easily costing over £1000 per session depending on clinic and location.
• Not FDA or MHRA Approved for Hair Loss: Whilst exosomes therapy is widely available as an aesthetic treatment, it is still an experimental approach for hair restoration.
• Variability in Quality: Not all exosomes are equal. Poorly sourced or unregulated exosome products can cause infections and inflammation.
• May Not Work for Severe Hair Loss: Individuals with extensive baldness or completely atrophied follicles may see limited results with exosomes hair treatment.

Alternative Hair Loss Treatments

As exosome therapy is a hot new therapy it gets a lot of attention but it is worth being aware that there are several well-established treatments for hair loss. Below are the main competitors:

• Minoxidil: This topical treatment increases blood flow to the scalp and extends the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles. Minoxidil is available over the counter in up to 5% strength or by prescription for higher doses and compounded formulas.
• Finasteride: This is a prescription medication that targets dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to slow hair loss and encourage regrowth in androgenetic hair loss. Finasteride tablets are licensed for treating male patten hair loss but there are safety concerns. Alternatives like dutasteride (a stronger DHT blocker) or topical finasteride are also available unlicensed and may have fewer systemic side effects.
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy: PRP therapy involves extracting platelet-rich plasma from your own blood and injecting it into the scalp to deliver growth factors that stimulate hair follicles. It works similarly to exosome therapy but relies on your body’s natural healing and repair mechanisms. PRP can be effective for thinning hair, early-stage hair loss and post-transplant healing but you often need multiple sessions.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): LLLT, also known as red light therapy, uses low-intensity lasers or LED devices to stimulate cellular activity in hair follicles. It is believed to increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation and promote hair growth. LLLT is available in various forms, including laser caps, helmets and in-clinic treatments. It is often used alongside treatments like minoxidil or PRP for better results.
• Hair Transplant Surgery: For those with advanced hair loss, hair transplant surgery offers the possibility of a permanent and noticeable solution. The procedure involves moving healthy hair follicles from one part of the scalp (usually the back) to thinning or balding areas. Whilst hair transplants can restore a natural hairline and increase, they require sufficient donor hair, results are variable and involve a recovery period.

Exosome therapy is a promising but experimental approach to hair restoration, with early studies suggesting it can stimulate follicles, reduce inflammation and improve scalp circulation. However, more large-scale trials are needed to fully establish its value and longterm safety. Given the high cost, variable results and lack of regulation, it’s essential to consult a reputable hair specialist to help you determine the best and safest treatment for you.

We believe that hair loss is an intensely personal journey. This is why we created personalised hair loss and regrowth treatments through our online skin clinic. Our doctors create custom topical hair loss treatments using actives such as Minoxidil, Spironolactone, Finasteride and Tretinoin where appropriate for each and every patient. We also treat skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and signs of skin ageing with bespoke skincare treatments. Start your virtual consultation and begin your journey to great hair today.