Is HMI-115 Taken Orally, Applied on the Scalp, or Injected?

When exploring new treatments for hair loss, one of the first questions we ask ourselves is how the drug actually enters the body. Is it something we swallow, rub into the scalp, or receive through a needle? With HMI-115, the answer is not obvious at first glance because it does not behave like minoxidil or finasteride, which most of us are familiar with. Based on available research, HMI-115 is not a pill and not a topical scalp solution. Instead, it is administered as an injection. This matters because the way a treatment is given directly shapes its effectiveness, cost, and long-term usability.

Why Injections Instead of Pills or Scalp Solutions?

We know that most mainstream treatments are either oral or topical. Minoxidil is rubbed into the scalp, and finasteride is swallowed as a tablet. But these methods depend on how the drug interacts with the body.

Minoxidil works only on the surface of the scalp by influencing follicle activity locally, and finasteride works systemically by lowering levels of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Both have limitations, either in results or side effects. HMI-115 takes a very different approach. It is a monoclonal antibody—a type of protein therapy designed in the laboratory to target specific molecules in the body. In this case, the target is the prolactin receptor. Prolactin is a hormone mostly known for its role in breastfeeding, but it also plays a role in the hair growth cycle. Antibodies like HMI-115 are very large molecules that cannot be absorbed through the skin or survive digestion in the stomach. This technical fact explains why neither a cream nor a pill would work. The only way to deliver this kind of drug intact is through injection directly under the skin, what we call a subcutaneous injection.

What Studies Tell Us About HMI-115 Injections

The most cited research on HMI-115 began in non-human primates. In 2021, Muench and colleagues tested the drug in female cynomolgus macaques, a common animal model for human hair growth studies. The animals received injections of HMI-115, and the researchers monitored visible regrowth over several months. The findings showed that blocking prolactin receptors triggered new hair growth. However, the limitations are clear. The sample size was small, the duration was short, and animal physiology does not always predict human responses.

Following this, early human trials began around 2022. These were phase I and phase II studies, where small groups of patients with androgenetic alopecia received subcutaneous injections of HMI-115 over several months. The primary aim was safety evaluation, with hair growth tracked through imaging techniques such as phototrichograms, which measure follicle density and thickness under controlled lighting and magnification. Preliminary reports suggested some positive regrowth. Still, data remain limited, not yet fully peer-reviewed, and the long-term outcomes are unknown.

The injectable route makes sense scientifically. Unlike small molecules like finasteride, antibodies must circulate in the bloodstream to find their target receptors. But this approach also raises concerns. Injections are less convenient, potentially painful, and almost always more expensive than pills or topical foams. Monoclonal antibodies require advanced manufacturing and strict storage conditions, which limits accessibility. For those of us asking whether we would choose this treatment ourselves, we must weigh the novelty of the mechanism against the practical barriers of receiving regular injections.

Critical Reflections on the Evidence

Looking at the available evidence, we see promising results, but we must remain cautious. The monkey study shows proof of concept, but nothing more. The human trials, while encouraging, are too early to confirm long-term safety or effectiveness. Another critical point is cost: monoclonal antibodies are some of the most expensive drugs in modern medicine. This raises the question of whether HMI-115 could ever be widely available or affordable for the average person with hair loss. We also have to recognize that there are no large-scale, multi-year trials yet, so what we know is based on short-term data with limited participants.

Answering the Question Directly

So if we ask ourselves whether HMI-115 is taken orally, applied on the scalp, or injected, the answer is clear: it is given as a subcutaneous injection. It cannot be swallowed or applied topically because its structure as a monoclonal antibody would break down before reaching the target. For now, injections are the only possible route. This makes HMI-115 very different from anything else we might have tried before, and while the science is intriguing, we must wait for more evidence to know if this treatment is truly practical for us.

User Experiences with HMI-115

HMI-115 is a monoclonal antibody drug that has sparked significant attention in the hair loss community. Unlike finasteride or minoxidil, it does not target androgen pathways directly but instead blocks prolactin receptors, which are thought to influence the hair growth cycle. Community discussions on Tressless show that people are both intrigued and cautious about its potential. Some users highlight that HMI-115 is delivered through subcutaneous injections, not orally or topically. Reports from early trials in China describe participants receiving injections over several months, with visible improvements in hair density and thickness within just two months. Shared photographs and updates generated excitement, with many considering it one of the most promising drugs in development.

However, skepticism runs deep. Previous experimental treatments such as pyrilutamide, Breezula, and CosmeRNA raised high expectations but delivered mixed or disappointing results. Because of this, some commenters warn others not to expect miracles from HMI-115, despite its unique mechanism of action. Another recurring theme is the durability of results. Some posts note that HMI-115 appears to promote regrowth that persists even after injections stop, which would distinguish it from current treatments requiring lifelong use. Still, members stress that these observations come from early-phase trials and leaks, not peer-reviewed long-term studies.

The community also discusses accessibility. HMI-115 is in phase 2 trials, and several users express frustration about the long wait for approval. Others mention the practical challenge of cost—because it is a biologic antibody drug, large-scale production will be expensive, making it harder to access compared to generic oral finasteride or minoxidil. In summary, user experiences reveal cautious optimism. While photographs and trial leaks suggest strong regrowth potential via injections, the Tressless community stresses that it remains experimental, expensive, and years away from widespread availability. The consensus is that for now, HMI-115 should be watched closely but not relied upon as an immediate solution.

References

Muench, C., Baur, B., Koehler, K., Desrayaud, S., Pallecchi, M., & Niewoehner, J. (2021). Prolactin receptor blockade by the monoclonal antibody HMI-115 restores hair growth in non-human primates. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 725117. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.725117/full

National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2023). ClinicalTrials.gov entry on HMI-115. Retrieved from https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05239036

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