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

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.

To end the year 2025, I leave you with some good news. At least for those who have some hair left in various parts of their scalp.

In 2011, a famous study from the US found that balding people still have intact hair follicle stem cells. However, they have a defect in the conversion of these stem cells into active progenitor cells (which were markedly depleted in bald scalps per the study findings). Among the authors of this report were the world renowned hair loss researchers Dr. Luis Garza and Dr. George Cotsarelis.

But now a new study from India has found that partially bald areas of the scalp retain most of their progenitor cells. Perhaps this bodes well for upcoming new hair growth treatments (such as Breezula and PP405) kick-starting the hair growth cycle all over the scalp in those who are not severely bald.

Note that in rare instances, even those who are at Norwood 5-7 levels of baldness have regained long-lost hair. Hair loss and hair loss reversal are still not close to being fully understood.

Partially Bald Regions of the Scalp Retain Progenitor Cells

The above new November 2025 Indian study found that partially bald areas of the scalps of men suffering from androgenic alopecia (AGA) retain bulge hair follicle progenitor cells. The ten patients in the study were all male Indians.

The authors mention that previous studies (see next section) have mostly focused on fully bald areas. But the hair follicles in partially bald areas of AGA sufferers were not characterized till now when it comes to the status of stem cell and progenitor cell populations.

Key quote:

“Quantification of CD34+ and Sox9+ cells revealed that the number of progenitor cells is not significantly reduced in the partially bald area compared to the hair follicles of the occipital unaffected area.”

In the below first image from the study, you can see the green and blue streaks showing how progenitor cells (CD34 and Sox9) still exist in partially bald regions in the front of scalps. Almost to the same extent as in the occipital non-balding areas of the volunteers’ scalps.

Progenitor Cells in a Partially Bald Scalp. — Progenitor cells are still intact in partially bald regions of the scalp.

In contrast, fully bald regions of the volunteers’ scalps show no remaining CD34 or Sox9 progenitor cells. Note the absence of any green or blue lines in the top left section of the below image.

Progenitor Cells in Fully Bald Scalps. — Progenitor cells are entirely destroyed in fully bald regions of the scalp.

Bald Scalps Retain Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lose Progenitor Cells

The news is very significant, and we need to go back in time to learn why. As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, In 2011, a team of US researchers from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that:

“Bald scalp in men with androgenetic alopecia retains hair follicle stem cells, but lacks CD200-rich and CD34-positive hair follicle progenitor cells.”

So AGA is not characterized by the loss of follicular stem cells as was thought by many scientists. Rather, it is a defect in the conversion of these stem cells into active progenitor cells, which in turn leads to hair follicle miniaturization. This news was huge at the time and I have mentioned these findings a number of times in the past.

Another study from Egypt in 2015 confirmed these findings by concluding that follicular stem cells are still present in both men and women suffering from pattern hair loss.

On a related note, a Chinese study from 2020 found that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can protect CD200-rich and CD34-positive hair follicle stem cells from androgen induced apoptosis.

For those who are interested, the below image from this 2020 study from Poland is instructive. It depicts the location of hair follicle bulge stem cells in relation to the dermal papilla (DP), sebaceous gland, sweat gland, epidermis, dermis and adipose layer of the skin.

Hair Follicle Bulge Stem Cells — Hair follicle bulge stem cells.

Other Changes in the Scalps of Hair Loss Sufferers

Over the years, I have covered numerous studies that analyze various changes that happen to the scalps of people who are suffering from hair loss.

Perhaps the three biggest findings that I can recall are that:

Balding scalps have fewer fat cells and become thinner and tighter as fibrosis sets in. Not surprisingly, the transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells into balding heads has seen significant interest over the past decade.
The arrector pili muscles get slowly destroyed in balding scalps. Albeit a fraction of these muscles may continue to exist even in entirely bald regions of the scalp.
The balding scalp shows increased Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) levels and decreased Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels.

And now we can add progenitor cell population changes to this list.