Hair Loss Cure 2020 | Hair loss blog with the latest news.

This post covers all the studies that Dr. Junji Fukuda and his team at Fukuda Lab have published in relation to oxytocin and hair growth. It is in reverse chronological order.

Update: June 11, 2026

And now a fifth study from Fukuda Lab researchers in relation to “love hormone” oxytocin and hair growth. They found that oxytocin affects both hair growth promotion and stem cell proliferation within hair follicles. They also demonstrated that outer root sheath cells produce oxytocin, which in turn increases the “hair growth-promoting potential of dermal papilla cells”. And they verified the the autocrine and paracrine effects of oxytocin.

Update: June 6, 2026

Hypericin and Berberine for Oxytocin Signaling Activation

A fourth study from the Fukuda team in relation to oxytocin and hair growth. They identified two compounds that promote hair elongation via oxytocin signaling activation. The first, hypericin, enhances oxytocin receptor expression. The second, berberine, is an oxytocin receptor agonist. Quote:

“The additive effects of hypericin and berberine on hair growth promotion were further demonstrated using hair follicle organoid-based assays.”

Update: October 14, 2024

Oxytocin Receptor Agonists

A third study in relation to oxytocin and hair growth has been published by the same Japanese team of Fukuda, Kageyama, Seo and Lan. This one is titled:

“Effects of oxytocin receptor agonists on hair growth promotion.”

The researchers findings from October 2023 (see next section) showed the hair growth promoting effects of oxytocin (in hair follicle organoids). However, the clinical use of oxytocin is difficult due to its rapid degradation in vivo and poor permeability due to a large molecular weight.

Looking for alternatives, in February 2024 (see bottom of this post), the Japanese team reported that cinnamic acid promoted hair growth via the activation of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expression.

And now in October 2024, the researchers have found that oxytocin receptor agonists WAY267464 and LIT001 increased the expression of hair growth-related genes in dermal papilla cells. And they significantly promoted hair “follicle sprouting”. According to “Ben”, both WAY267464 and LIT001 are endogenous, already synthesized and purchasable.

April 16, 2024

Oxytocin and Hair Growth

In October 2023, Japanese researchers (led by Junji Fukuda and Tatsuto Kageyama) published an interesting paper that concluded that oxytocin has a positive effect on hair growth via upregulation of dermal papilla cell signature markers. These findings were later covered by a NHK News video report from Japan.

Oxytocin (OXT) is better known as the “love hormone”. It is produced and released by women during childbirth and lactation. It is also produced during skin stimulation, such as when hugging or getting a massage. OXT is also called the anti-stress hormone.

In this study, OXT treatment resulted in the upregulation of genes that were associated with hair growth promoting factors. These included VEGFA (a protein encoded by the VEGF gene), PDGFB, FGF7 and BMP2. This ultimately results in peg-like hair sprouting via the improved hair growth ability of dermal papilla cells.

Oxytocin Hair Growth — Oxytocin and Hair Growth. Source: Nature, 20 October, 2023. Fukuda et al.

Cinnamic Acid, Oxytocin Receptor Activation and Hair Growth

In February 2024, the same researchers from Japan published yet another study that found cinnamic acid to promote hair growth via the activation of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expression. Cinnamon is officially known as Cinnamomum cassia, and cinnamic acid is a component of Cinnamomum cassia.

“Treatment with cinnamic acid led to upregulation of OXTR and trichogenic gene expression in human dermal papilla (DP) cells.”

Three people e-mailed me the story about these findings that was published on phy.org several weeks ago. And a few others also posted blog comments about this news. No-one seemed to connect both these Japanese studies if I recall correctly.

Cinnamic Acid Oxytocin Hair Growth — Cinnamic Acid, Oxytocin Receptor Activation and Hair Growth. Source: Nature, 27 February, 2024. Fukuda et al.

Note that cinnamic acid can also be derived naturally from a number of plants. The most famous being cinnamon, shown in the image above. Yet one more ingredient to add in the list of natural treatments for hair loss.

A 2012 study from Japan found that cinnamon extract promotes Type I collagen biosynthesis via the activation of IGF-I signaling in human dermal fibroblasts. Also from 2012, a study from Taiwan concluded that cinnamic aldehyde (a constituent of Cinnamomum cassia) has excellent anti-inflammatory properties.

A 2018 study from Taiwan found that Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira (COK) leaves caused dermal papilla cell proliferation and increased hair growth in mice.

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.

Recently, 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“ for purchases of the Advanced Hair System kit.

Per their website, Calecim 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.

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 for Hair Growth.

Elevai Labs (US) recently gave a positive update 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.

In January 2025, Elevai’s skin and hair care business was acquired by Carmell (US). In March 2025, Carmell announced a rebranding and name change to Longevity Health Holdings. The company plans to launch a hair growth serum in the second quarter of 2025. Most likely, it will be the exosome and mitochondrial upregulation product that I discusses above.

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.

Zishel Xomage

A June 2025 study that was co-authored by scientists from South Korea, France and Germany found the use of topical Zishel Xomage exosomes to significantly benefit hair growth. The product was applied to the scalp after microneedling. Note that Zishel makes both plant-based exosomes; as well as human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell based exosomes.