Category Archives: Exosomes

Elevai Labs, Exosomes

Topical Exosomes for Hair Growth

9 Comments

In 2019 when I first discussed exosomes for hair growth, most doctors were injecting them into the scalp. Recently, I also discussed the rarer intravenous (IV) delivery of exosomes to tackle hair loss. Now I look at the topical application of exosome serums into the scalp, due to three such new products being in recent news.

Note that some injectable products from exosome suppliers to the hair loss market can also be applied topically. The method of delivery will depend on your doctor’s or clinic’s preference.

Calecim (PTT-6) Advanced Hair System with Topical Exosomes

Calecim PTT- 6 Topical Exosomes
Calecim (PTT- 6) Advanced Hair System: Topical Exosomes and Growth Factors for Hair Growth.

Last month, HairClone (UK) announced a partnership in which the company will work with an interesting new exosome containing topical product called Calecim Advanced Hair System (that comes with a Derma Stamp). Edit: The manufacturer has now given blog readers a 15% off discount code “HLC2020”.

This Calecim product includes PTT-6®, which contains over 3,000 proteins, including growth factors, cytokines and exosomes that signal cells to regenerate.

PTT-6 is derived from the secretion of cord lining stem cells isolated from the umbilical cord tissues of New Zealand red deer at birth. No deer is harmed during the extraction and harvest process of this rich source of stem cells.

Calecim Dermastamp
Calecim Dermastamp Included.

The full list of ingredients is PTT-6® and cord lining conditioned media (from stem cell derived fibronectins, glycoproteins, albumin, collagens and hyaluronic acid).

This Calecim topical serum is to be used with an included Derma Stamp for better absorption. A lot people underetrake at-home microneedling for similar reasons. This includes via dermarollers or dermapens or dermastamps.

Elevai Exosomes Combined with Yuva Biosciences Mitochondrial Technology

Elevai Topical Exosomes
Elevai Topical Exosomes for Hair Growth.

Yesterday, reader “John Doe” posted a link to a positive update from Elevai Labs (US) regarding the company’s topical Elevai “age zero” Exosomes™ product range for hair loss. In a year-long study that the company conducted, patients who used Elevai empower™ exosomes in combination with in-office microneedling saw favorable results. The company also makes Elevai enfinity™ for at-home use in repairing your skin.

The 12-month results were assessed using imaging analysis and showed a cessation in crown inflammation, a reversal of miniaturized hairs, and a recovery of hairs from the dormant resting phase. the still on-going research study is being conducted in partnership with Carly Klein, president of the National Hair Loss Medical Aesthetics (NHLMA).

Note that I previously also discussed Elevai in my post on Yuva Biosciences and BosleyMDs new hair loss product related to mitochondrial upregulation. Yuva is partnering with Elevai to release a hair loss product that will combine Elevai’s proprietary PREx™ exosome technology with Yuva’s Y100™ mitochondrial technology. The two companies jointly filed for a combination patent in August 2024.

Ultimately, Elevai is developing a new hair and scalp care product line, called “Elevai S-Series Root Renewal System” that will be powered by exosomes and mitochondrial technology. According to company CEO Dr. Jordan R. Plews, they are in the process of conducting a follow-on study. This will further analyze the combination of Elevai exosomes and Yuva’s Y100 mitochondrial technology to address hair loss and thinning concerns.

ExoCelBio Evovex Serum

Another company that makes a line of topical exosomes is ExoCelBio (US) via its Evovex serum. The company website says that these exosomes are derived from the chorion of placental mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs). Their Exovex™ serum Refine brand was launched in 2023 and has a concentration level of 75 billion exosomes per vial. Refine employs a high concentration of non-lyophilized, purified exosomes that results in fuller and stronger hair.

In May 2024, the US FDA sent a violation warning letter to ExoCelBio in relation to the company’s marketing and lack of a biologics license. This is not surprising, considering the new stricter FDA guidelines governing exosome products. In the US, exosomes are regulated as both a drug and a biologic. In Europe, you are not even allowed to use human-derived exosomes to treat hair loss.

Exosomes

Intravenous Delivery of Exosomes for Hair Loss

37 Comments

I first covered exosomes and hair growth in 2019 when this new treatment first made waves in the hair loss world. In 2020, I wrote an update on this subject in which I listed new studies supporting the benefits of exosomes in regrowing scalp hair.

Also in 2020, I wrote a post about Dr. Dan McGrath’s patient experiences after he sent me some before and after photos. This included one that showed a person getting significant hair darkening after exosome scalp injections.

Thereafter, I stopped covering exosomes for several years due to the fact that the US FDA made some significant changes in its exosome and stem cell related regulations. A lot of hair transplant surgeons even removed their exosome related website pages in order to avoid breaking any government regulations. Several that I talked to still offer this treatment, but do not want to overtly publicize the fact.

In 2023, I wrote a comprehensive post that listed the most well known companies that are supplying exosomes to the hair loss market. The main reason was because an increasing number of companies based outside the US are now supplying various types of exosomes to the hair loss market.

There are some new developments in the world of exosomes and hair growth that have forced me to write yet another lengthy post on the subject. Exosomes contain growth factors, cytokines, and microRNAs that can modulate signalling pathways and impact long distance cell-to-cell communication. Stem cell-derived exosomes possess remarkable regenerative properties.

Intravenous (IV) Delivery of Exosomes for Hair Loss

To date, almost all the discussion about exosomes for hair loss has entailed the cells being injected into one’s scalp. Sometimes in tandem with microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

However, recently a person sent me the below e-mail about his and his dad’s great hair growth results from getting exosome treatment via intravenous (IV) infusion. Both of them got treated in the US at the same clinic. Doctors names have been anonymized by me. Do note that I am not certain about the long-term safety of this type of intravenous exosome delivery.

E-mail:

“I went to Dr. X and he provided ExoFlo from Direct Biologics. He went directly into my scalp in 2020. I did not see hair results. I feel like I got other body results.

I then went to Dr. Y in 2022, using XoGlo and he also went into my head. I did not see any results to my hair, but I got other results. Also pretty sure my hair continued to fall. It did not stop anything.

In 2023 I went back to Dr. Y and got EV-Pure from Vitti Labs injected into my blood stream via IV (Intravenous). Around 5-10% of my hair grew back.

Six months later I went again, and got massive hair gains via IV. Same brand from Vitti Labs. I feel like my hair has not been this full since I was 26. I’m 40 right now.

My dad also got massive hair gains he is at 69. I took him with me to do both Vitii Lab IV injections.

I do this every 6 months now. I’ve done my 5th, but it was a few months ago. It takes like 14 weeks for results to show up.

Also 0 gray hair reversal, and my grays continue. Trying to work on this right now.

So basically there is a cure, but it is just expensive.“

Recent Studies on Exosomes and Hair Growth

Exosomes Before After Crown Hair Growth
Exosomes before and after crown hair growth. Source: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

A 30-person clinical trial in Turkey titled “Exosome Treatment in Androgenetic Alopecia” ended in May 2024. Foreskin-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were utilized, and the study participants’ balding levels ranged from Norwood 3-6. The exosomes were sourced from the Extracellular Vesicle and Exosome Research Laboratory (EVER Lab) at Yeditepe University.

Upon further exploration when writing this post, I noticed that the results were just published on August 22, 2024. One of the before and after hair growth images is shown on the right. The study made the following conclusion:

“Foreskin-derived mesenchymal stromal cells derived exosome injection increased hair density, with sustained patient satisfaction throughout the study. The exosome application resulted in no side effects.”

  • An August 2024 study from South Korea finds that adipose stem cell-derived exosomes positively impacted hair follicle dermal papilla cells; increased proliferation and upregulation of hair growth-related genes; activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway; promoted hair shaft elongation; and led to an overall increase in hair density. One of the authors is affiliated with renowned local exosome supplier ExoCoBio.
  • A new August 2024 study from Poland is titled “The emerging role of exosomes in the treatment of hair loss.”
  • A July 2024 paper from China presents a thorough review of the most recent progress in the use of exosomes for hair growth.
  • Also from July 2024, Thai scientists deliver rose stem cell-derived exosomes via noninvasive electroporation to treat androgenetic alopecia.

Calecim (PTT-6): Growth Factors and Exosomes

Earlier this month, HairClone (UK) received a grant to research how hair growth stimulants are able to elicit their positive effects. The company will partner with Singapore-based Cell Research Therapeutics (CRT) and investigate signaling molecules released by cells and their biological effects on hair follicles.

I was not planning to cover this news, but upon further research, I noticed that the two companies will work with CRT’s interesting Calecim Advanced Hair System serum product. It seems like this cosmeceutical line is made by a (possibly) CRT-affiliated company called CellResearch Corporation (Singapore).

This Calecim product includes PTT-6®, which according to the company contains: “over 3,000 proteins, including growth factors, cytokines and exosomes that signal cells to regenerate”.

“PTT-6 is derived from the secretion of cord lining stem cells isolated from ethically sourced umbilical cord tissues of red deer (at birth) which are farmed for their velvets in New Zealand. No deer is harmed in the extraction and harvest of this rich source of stem cells.”

PTT-6 was studied in 10 male and female patients in Austria in 2023, and the hair growth impact was favorable. More here. Similar results were seen in an 8-males study from Singapore in which the serum was injected. However, in this case, these 8 males were also prescribed finasteride and oral minoxidil.

Also of interest:

“HairClone is able to grow dermal papilla (DP) cells within the laboratory. The DP cells, found at the base of each hair follicle, are responsible for controlling hair growth and release numerous growth signals, including exosomes and cytokines. These signals are released into the cell culture medium during growth and can be collected and applied to the scalp in order to stimulate hair growth.”

Finally, a new video from Dr. John Cole in which he covers exosomes briefly: