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
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:
Would it be possible to obtain before and after pictures from the person who sent you the email? (EV-Pure from Vitti Labs).
He sent me some photos of his father’s hair, but they were not that good. He had no other better ones. But I trust his testimonial.
Dear admin,
do you reply to emails?
Thank you!
I provided the pictures. My dad got 20-30% increase in hair after his 2nd IV treatment by IV.
I got a lot of hair too probably (20% in total).
The pictures were shown to the actual Doctor, he confirmed and was very impressed.
Hard to take proper angles, but the pictures I provided showed his side temples EMPTY. You could tell with the before and after they had filled up.
Thanks
Hey Anonymous, thanks again for the great feedback and giving me the impetus to write this post.
As far as your father’s 3 photos go, the first one shows clear balding on his front RIGHT temple area (decent hair in the center, left side not visible).
The second and third photos show his front LEFT temple area with very decent hair coverage for his age. But I do not see his front right side clearly in either photo. Just a small part of the right scalp region close to the center (with decent hair) is visible in photo 3, but the actual frontal right temple region is not in the photo.
So I could not really compare with photo 1.
Anonymous, what country are you in, how much did this cost, doctor’s/clinic’s name would be helpful?
Yoda, him and his father got it all done in the US at the same clinic (see second paragraph in the intravenous exosomes section of the post). I want to avoid naming the doctor and clinic for now, especially considering the new FDA warnings/regulations. I called this doctor’s clinic thrice, but kept getting the runaround for a scheduled phone conversation (in spite of a very friendly receptionist). Will further elaborate if the clinic responds.
Thanks Admin, bonus points for using the word “thrice”! :-) Can we learn what this treatment cost? The aforementioned Dr. Greco was north of $5k for exosomes. That was a few years ago, hopefully prices have come down, a lot to pay for a “maybe”.
Hopefully he comes back and posts the price. I do not see it in his e-mails. He just said “expensive”.
I have no issues with the clinic surprised you are getting run around. I have the personal email of them.
It’s 5K for 10cc injected via IV. I rather everything remain private and done via email and not the Internet.
it’s more expensive if you get it via the head due to numbing. but me and my dad both got a hair response via IV. So no point in the original route anyway.
Keep in mind I’ve done it 8 times so around $40k since 2001 :-) For both me and my dad.
Thanks!
When I say runaround, I meant that the secretary was trying to arrange a time for the phone interview… but then both times I called back at the requested time, the doctor was unavailable.
Do note that a lot of doctors are avoiding advertising this treatment, and I told them I run this blog. I am also not certain that I will add the clinic info for now, even if an interview does happen.
Admin, thank you for the work you do by the way!!
https://elevailabs.com/elevai-labs-inc-subsidiary-elevai-skincare-announces-the-elevai-s-series-hair-and-scalp-care-product-line/
Also posted by John Doe in here FYI:
https://www.hairlosscure2020.com/yuva-biosciences-y100-mitochondria/
My main point of interest when reading this article is about how a – forgive me the expression – random substance that didn’t go through any experimentation or trial, can just be injected into the scalp. What’s the difference between this and other treatments? Why do some drugs have to go through excruciatingly long processes to be approved, while other substances just become viable over night? I’m obviously daydreaming and coping with this, but what if a cure comes out like this ?
Shia, I used to have similar concerns until the Covid mRNA vaccines got approved so fast. Now we know that people in power decide.
I am just glad that different countries allow different levels of “cheating” so that those who want to take risks, can get what they want via traveling.
In many cases, autologous treatments and the use of existing drugs for other purposes really should not be going through 5-10 year clinical trials.
People in power decide, I agree.
But the vaccines were far more important (at least back then…from today’s viewpoint it’s a different story) as they would save lifes (which happened, I suppose…).
There was sheer endless money and resources available – and what happened? It took under a year (!!!) to go through discovery, 3 trials and approval.
So I think it’s less about power, and more about money. Which is the same eventually lol
Say AbbVie decides to spend a billion USD to develop a definite cure for AGA – I am very sure it would be solved in 3 years time, more or less.
Yet I wonder why they never did it even with such gigantic amounts – because the turnover would easily be 10 times the invested money, per year.
I cannot wrap my head around that.
1. I’ve gone to Greco’s clinic for years. No IVs, just scalp injections. From my direct experience, the exosomes / stem cell treatments haven’t moved the needle. They may have halted and slowed the progression but no visible addition. Seems to me that the best results came from straight PRP in that the PRP gave me a “hair lift” or a volumizer-enhancement that lasts for several months.
I will look deeper into the IVs.
2. Interesting that the South Korean company uses rose petal stem cells. FWIW, I periodically use a topical derived from apple stem cells. The results are not dramatic, though they are gratifying. It improves the condition of the hair, yielding a nice cosmetic bounce.
Great feedback Kevin! If you see Dr. Greco or his son in future, please show them my exosome suppliers post in case they have any improvement suggestions.
It is really hard to keep track since so many different companies are using human (various cell types), animal or plant stem cells/exosomes… and are spread across the world.
I have emailed back and forth with Dr. Greco in the past, but it would be good to get one of his patients to show him that exosomes for hair growth suppliers post.
The one thing that is not said in my example is I had 0 response in hair growth for the first two that were injected into the scalp. I had other benefits though that is why I kept going.
My dad had no response to hair growth during the first injection. Only on the 2nd. We are on his 3rd but results haven’t come in yet. They take about 14 weeks based on experience. We are on week 12.
Also, I am pretty sure, if you don’t see results it’s not slowing anything down. Nor does it prevent graying. What I mean is if it works you will know, it’s not going to silently “slow it down”.
One theory is your hair may not accept it the first few treatments…or it’s just bad stem cells.
Good report.
I doubt Greco uses poor quality material. Then again, he may inadvertently get a bad batch(es).
As you mentioned, the injections did not restore any gray hair to my original color.
Admin: I’ll do as you requested in showing the Grecos (father & son) your list. Be patient… if I don’t visit them this winter (Nov / Dec), I will in early Spring (Feb / Mar).
Take care.
Thanks Kevin.
I am currently scheduled to get exosomes at Cole next month. Apparently the exosome counts have increased dramatically. That said, they are injected into the scalp and not intravenously. I’m REALLY INTERESTED in the IV pathway. I hate the scalp numbing all for a few needles. And even more so since anonymous received results intravenously.
You should talk with them as an initial injection approach might be preferred. To me, IV sounds riskier in terms of potential systemic side effects, but I am no doctor or expert.
It is fair to note that it seems exosomes can promote tumor growth and metastasis. I would imagine locally in the scrap would be somewhat safer than IV throughout the body.
Here is an example of what you could expect using exosomes:
https://orange-snake-286176.hostingersite.com/index-en.html
Wow that is quite the effort Arthur! I will need a couple of hours to go through the exosomes section. Really appreciate this level of detail.
Arthur, how did you pick Creative Labs (US) exosomes? Did your hair doctor recommend that product?
hi admin, I used creative labs because they are the only source I found for oredering human umbilical exosomes…
I just started using it (take 3 vials / 10 for the moment).
I hate to be Dougie Downer, but I don’t see any difference in those photos, just a different styling of the hair.
Admin, can you comment or look into the salmon testis derived exosome product E50? Here in the UK it is not legal to have human derived exosome products (risk for prion diseases I think?!). They have a clinic version of this E50 which can be micro needled into the scalp (injection also not permitted I think). I can’t see much in the way of data however. But I’m informed it’s about 5 billion particles per vial. Not sure it’s worth the money however. As others have said, perhaps it may halt loss, but I’m not sure how much regrowth one will get currently. And the cost seems prohibitive sadly.
I have not heard about E50 exosomes, but they have a detailed April 2024 webinar video in case you have not see it yet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iSuTfF7mGQ
Hey, hairloss community… remember when pyrilutamide, Stemson and Scube3 were going to save us all? And none of it is, or will, amount to anything. I’m so tired of all these “latest and greatest” solutions that are popping up so prominently recently. All bogus.
dude, I understand your frustration. Multiple failures cause disappointment. The reality is that we are many years away from finding a real cure for baldness, but it is important to always keep our expectations low so that in case of failure, we don’t get disappointed. There are delusional people who think that baldness will be cured by 2030 or there are delusional people who think that sugar molecules will cause hair growth. These are nonsense. For example, I read an article about pelage last week where independent researchers tried the same substance that this company is testing and interestingly, instead of having a positive effect, it had a negative effect and increased lactate stopped hair growth. Well, those who were hoping for this company to be the real cure, will get nothing but discouragement. As I said, we should keep our expectations low.
I don’t know anything about the intravenous injection of exosomes, but I know about their local injection. In order for exosomes to have the best results, they must be combined with stem cells. So, what is currently the strongest source of stem cells that do not form tumors? umbilical cord lining. They are even better than Wharton’s Jelly. Mature bone marrow and fat are the weakest sources of stem cells, so don’t even think about it. Therefore, the combination of stem cells of the umbilical cord lining and exosomes derived from the umbilical cord lining can be the most powerful method.
In medicine, a cure means the disease has been removed, no further treatment required. No treatments being discussed cure hair loss (except transplants or wigs), they only treat it which requires ongoing application.
Not sure if the below is applicable to IV delivery of exosomes, but still good to know:
“In contrast to stem cells, exosomes cannot self-replicate, eliminating concerns about potential tumour formation after stem cell transplantation.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10092910/