Hair Loss Cure 2020

A number of people asked me to write about microRNA (miRNA) and hair growth last year. The publication of four new miRNA and hair growth related studies in 2021 now makes it imperative to cover this subject.

MicroRNA and Hair Growth

In July 2020 I briefly mentioned a new study from scientists at North Carolina State University pertaining to dermal exosomes and microRNA (miRNA).

Per the findings, microRNA shows promise for hair regrowth. In particular, the scientists also studied microRNAs (miRNAs) in dermal exosomes from both the 2D and 3D dermal papilla cells.

The research team identified a particular miRNA called miR-218-5p as a key promoter of hair growth. Per team lead Dr. Ke Cheng, cell therapy with 3D cells based on this work could be an effective treatment for baldness. However, you have to grow, expand, preserve and inject such cells into the balding areas.

“MiRNAs, on the other hand, can be utilized in small molecule-based drugs. So potentially you could create a cream or lotion that has a similar effect with many fewer problems.”

In the latest January 2021 issue of Experimental and Molecular Pathology, a new study from China found yet another type of miRNA that impacts hair loss. In particular, the abnormal expression of miR-133b may inactivate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This ultimately impacts hair growth patterns. Moreover, the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can regulate miR-133b expression.
Also see my post from 2015 in relation to microRNA-22 (miR-22) and hair loss. Update: November 2021 — A new study from China concluded that overexpression of miR-22 promotes apoptosis of dermal papilla cells.
Update: June 2021 — A study from China found that conditional miR-24 ablation promotes hair regeneration.
Update: August 2021 — A new study shows that increased microRNA-31 expression is associated with hair follicle aging.
Update: June 2023 — MicroRNA-205 (miR-205) promotes hair regeneration by softening stiff hair follicle stem cells.

mRNA versus miRNA

Note that although closely related, messenger RNA (mRNA) is different from microRNA (miRNA). Messenger RNA is a single-stranded molecule of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that corresponds to the genetic sequence of a gene. MicroRNA is a small non-coding RNA molecule that functions in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.

A company named Turn Biotechnologies is working on an mRNA based skin and hair regeneration treatment. Still in its early days. Update: January 2023 — They are covered at the bottom of this article.

Make sure to read about the differences between RNA and DNA in case you do not know.

Faster mRNA based Hair Loss Research

During the past year, two mRNA based Covid-19 vaccines (from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) have been developed in record time.

Moreover, both groundbreaking vaccines have already been used in millions of humans worldwide as of January 2021. This is the first time in history that mRNA based vaccines have been used in human beings.

A lot of hair loss sufferers (including myself) are excited about the impact of this large-scale experiment. mRNA based clinical trials and research have witnessed a decade of progress in just one year due to these events and rapid emergency government approvals.

Perhaps all of this will boost mRNA (and miRNA) based clinical trials for hair loss related products and vaccines in the future.

Dr. Dan McGrath from McGrath Medical is perhaps the most experienced person in the world when it comes to using exosomes for hair growth. Closely followed by Dr. Jerry Cooley. In my first post on exosomes and hair growth from 2019, I linked to several of his videos. In this post, I will show some of his more recent best case before and after results. Also check out my exosomes for hair loss update post that I originally wrote last week.

5cc Exosomes for Hair Growth from McGrath Medical. Full Scalp. 3 Months. — 5cc exosomes on full scalp. 3 month results showing significant new hair growth and thickening. Source: McGrath Medical.

In spite of great results such as the above, I think that the original excitement in regards to using exosomes for hair loss was a little overblown. However, there continue to be new published studies and conference presentations pertaining to exosomes and hair loss.

Who knows how much of this is marketing versus actual results. But the subject matter interest from both readers and scientists remains significant. Moreover, far more doctors will jump on board the exosome bandwagon if the FDA sorts out pressing legal issues in 2021.

Below Dr. McGrath patient at 8 weeks post 7cc injection of exosomes:

7cc Exosomes. Full Scalp. 8 Weeks Hair Growth. — 7cc Exosomes. Full Scalp. 8 Weeks. Source: McGrath Medical.

Anecdotal Data Point

One of this blog’s most reputable long-time readers underwent an exosome procedure on his scalp in January 2020. He does not want me to divulge his name. He had 5cc’s of exosomes injected into his scalp in addition to microneedling.

At 5 weeks post injections, he was very impressed. His words to describe the procedure were “game changer” and “my confidence has quadrupled”. His shedding declined and his existing hair became thicker. Unfortunately, 3-6 months post treatment, he felt like the results were not as great anymore.

Later on, he told me that he thinks there was only some minor benefit. Exosomes were modestly more effective than PRP at thickening his hair per his experiences with both. Make sure to also read my post on whether PRP works to treat hair loss.

McGrath Medical: Exosome Before and After Photos

Last week. Steve Cook from McGrath Medical sent me around 10 before and after photos of exosome patients treated at their clinic. Note that Dr. McGrath is not a sponsor of this blog and I am not being compensated for displaying any of the pictures in this post.

According to Steve:

- The price for the first 5cc at their clinic is $5,000. Discounts are sometimes available for larger sessions.
- Dr. McGrath uses Direct Biologics’ ExoFlo™ product. It is also called XoFlo™. The exosomes in this product are obtained from bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.
- Dr McGrath encourages all patients to try the oral combination of finasteride + minoxidil + biotin first for at least 6 months before investing in ExoFlo. Women who can still have children will not get finasteride. If a patient does not want to take the oral medication for any reason, they suggest the topical version. After the 6 months, if they are not seeing expected results, they are encouraged to remain on the medication, but consider adding ExoFlo.
- The procedure is largely for people who still have at least some remaining existing hair. My note: I would not go for this treatment if I was a Norwood 5 or higher on the male pattern baldness scale. For women with more generalized thinning hair patterns, this treatment may be more frequently viable.
- Some patients do get regrowth of new hair (see below two images from McGrath Medical). However, this is not promised to anyone. My note: I doubt that these types of exceptional results are common. The first patient below is the same as in this video (I think).

2cc Exosomes from Dr. Dan McGrath. Frontal Scalp Only. 3-Month Hair Growth. — 2cc exosomes injected into frontal scalp only. 3-month results.

Dr. McGrath has to date treated over 400 hair loss patients with exosomes. In many of them, he combines exosome treatment with hair transplants.
The 5cc vial contains approximately 100 billion exosomes and covers one-half of the scalp. The 10cc vial covers the entire scalp from front to back.

5cc Exosomes. Frontal Scalp. 3 Months. — 5cc exosomes treatment for hair loss. Frontal scalp only. Before and after 3 months.

Darker Hair with Exosomes

Darker Hair after Exosomes. — Darker hair regrowth after 10cc exosomes treatment.

In some instances, exosomes can also darken new hair growth. This is seen in the before and after photos of the patient on the right. He received a significant 10cc of injections.

I have covered this patient’s eyes for the purposes of this blog. However, you can find full images on Dr. McGrath’s site. Including another one of a person getting darker hair after exosome therapy.

MicroRNA (miRNA) and Hair Growth