Systematic Review of Exosome Treatment in Hair Restoration: Preliminary Evidence, Safety, and Future Directions

June 2023 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Aditya K. Gupta, Tong Wang, Jeffrey A. Rapaport

TLDR Exosome treatment for hair growth is promising but not FDA-approved and needs more research on safety and how it works.

This systematic review evaluated 16 studies (15 preclinical and 1 clinical) on the use of exosomes, small extracellular vesicles, for hair restoration. The studies showed promising results, with exosomes derived from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and dermal papilla cells (DPCs) modulating the hair growth cycle. A clinical trial involving 39 androgenetic alopecia patients showed significant increases in hair density and thickness after topical ADSC-Exo treatment, with no significant adverse reactions reported. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved exosomes for treating hair disorders, and there are concerns about the potential risk of tumor development. Further studies are needed to define the mechanism of action, optimize delivery and efficacy, and address safety concerns.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

28 / 28 results

research Engineered Nanovesicles from Fibroblasts Modulate Dermal Papillae Cells In Vitro and Promote Human Hair Follicle Growth Ex Vivo

4 citations , December 2022 in “Cells”

Engineered nanovesicles from fibroblasts may help treat hair loss by promoting hair growth.

research Regenerative Medicine Strategies for Hair Growth and Regeneration: A Narrative Review of Literature

8 citations , October 2022 in “Regenerative Therapy”

New regenerative treatments for hair loss show promise but need more research for confirmation.

Ashwagandha Seed Plant Exosome-Like Nanovesicles Promote In Vitro Cellular Regeneration of Human Dermal Hair Follicle, Endothelial and Fibroblast Cells

research Ashwagandha Seed Plant Exosome-Like Nanovesicles Promote In Vitro Cellular Regeneration of Human Dermal Hair Follicle, Endothelial and Fibroblast Cells

1 citations , July 2022 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Ashwagandha seed nanovesicles may help regenerate hair and skin cells.

research A Drug-Free, Hair Follicle Cycling Regulatable, Separable, Antibacterial Microneedle Patch for Hair Regeneration Therapy

31 citations , July 2022 in “Advanced healthcare materials/Advanced Healthcare Materials”

A drug-free microneedle patch significantly promotes hair growth and prevents infections.

research Potential of Colostrum-Derived Exosomes for Promoting Hair Regeneration Through the Transition from Telogen to Anagen Phase

5 citations , March 2022 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology”

Colostrum-derived exosomes can promote hair growth and may be a promising treatment for hair loss.

research Exosomal miRNA-181a-5p from Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells Promotes Hair Follicle Growth and Development via the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

25 citations , March 2022 in “International journal of biological macromolecules”

miR-181a-5p helps hair growth by activating a specific signaling pathway.

research Effects of Exosomes from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Hair Loss: A Retrospective Analysis of 39 Patients

10 citations , February 2022 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Exosomes from fat-derived stem cells may help regrow hair.

research Exosomes Secreted from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Are a Potential Treatment Agent for Immune-Mediated Alopecia

6 citations , February 2022 in “Journal of immunology research”

Exosomes from fat-derived stem cells can potentially improve hair growth and could be a new treatment for immune-related hair loss.

research Clinical Use of Extracellular Vesicles in the Management of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Preliminary Retrospective Institutional Review Board Safety and Efficacy Study

January 2022 in “Aesthetic surgery journal”

Extracellular vesicles may effectively treat hair loss with minimal side effects.

research Exosomes Derived From Dermal Papilla Cells Mediate Hair Follicle Stem Cell Proliferation Through The Wnt3a/Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway

2 citations , January 2022 in “Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity”

Exosomes from dermal papilla cells help hair follicle stem cells grow and survive.

research Photobiomodulation Promotes Hair Regeneration in Injured Skin by Enhancing Migration and Exosome Secretion of Dermal Papilla Cells

13 citations , December 2021 in “Wound repair and regeneration”

Photobiomodulation helps hair regrow in injured skin by aiding cell movement and secretion.

research Effects of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma Exosomes on the Inductivity of Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

5 citations , October 2021 in “PubMed”

Exosomes from human fat stem cells can potentially enhance hair growth and survival, providing a new possible treatment for hair loss.

research Extracellular Vesicles: Emerging Therapeutics in Cutaneous Lesions

10 citations , September 2021 in “International Journal of Nanomedicine”

Tiny particles called extracellular vesicles show promise for treating skin conditions and promoting hair growth.

research Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosomes Promoted Hair Regeneration

19 citations , June 2021 in “Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine”

Fat stem cell particles help regrow hair.

research Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes as a Novel Cell-Free Therapy for Cutaneous Regeneration

74 citations , June 2021 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology”

Human amniotic fluid stem cell-derived exosomes improve wound healing and reduce scarring.

research Exosomes Derived from Fisetin-Treated Keratinocytes Mediate Hair Growth Promotion

9 citations , June 2021 in “Nutrients”

Fisetin in fruits and vegetables helps hair growth in mice.

research Exosomes And Stem Cells

2 citations , January 2021

research Dermal Exosomes Containing miR-218-5p Promote Hair Regeneration by Regulating β-Catenin Signaling

65 citations , July 2020 in “Science Advances”

Dermal exosomes with miR-218-5p boost hair growth by controlling β-catenin signaling.

research Human Hair Outer Root Sheath Cells and Platelet-Lysis Exosomes Promote Hair Inductivity of Dermal Papilla Cells

9 citations , June 2020 in “Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine”

HHORSC exosomes and PL improve hair growth treatment outcomes.

research Stromal Vascular Fraction-Enriched Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Reverses the Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia

20 citations , September 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

SVF-PRP therapy effectively reverses hair loss effects.

research A Therapeutic Microneedle Patch Made from Hair-Derived Keratin for Promoting Hair Regrowth

192 citations , April 2019 in “ACS nano”

A new microneedle patch made from hair proteins helps regrow hair faster and better than current treatments.

Exosomes Derived from Human Dermal Papilla Cells Promote Hair Growth in Cultured Human Hair Follicles and Augment the Hair-Inductive Capacity of Cultured Dermal Papilla Spheres

research Exosomes Derived from Human Dermal Papilla Cells Promote Hair Growth in Cultured Human Hair Follicles and Augment the Hair-Inductive Capacity of Cultured Dermal Papilla Spheres

58 citations , March 2019 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Exosomes from human skin cells can stimulate hair growth and could potentially be used for treating hair loss.

research Exosomal MicroRNAs Derived from Dermal Papilla Cells Mediate Hair Follicle Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

71 citations , January 2019 in “International journal of biological sciences”

Exosomes from dermal papilla cells help hair growth by making hair follicle stem cells multiply and change.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata: An Australian Expert Consensus Statement

95 citations , November 2018 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

Alopecia areata treatment varies, with no optimal method established yet.

research Immunoregulatory Effects of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Exosomes in Mouse Model of Autoimmune Alopecia Areata

45 citations , June 2018 in “Frontiers in immunology”

MDSC-Exo can treat autoimmune alopecia areata and promote hair regrowth in mice.

research Regulation of Hair Follicle Development by Exosomes Derived from Dermal Papilla Cells

87 citations , April 2018 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

Exosomes from dermal papilla cells can help grow hair and might treat hair loss.

research Clinical Use of Conditioned Media of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Case Series Study

83 citations , March 2015 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

ADSC-CM treatment improved hair density and thickness in women with hair loss, safely and effectively.

research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents

151 citations , August 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Guidelines for diagnosing common hair loss include detailed history, clinical examination, and various diagnostic techniques.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Exosomes and Hair Restoration

March 2023 in “Advances in Cosmetic Surgery”

Exosomes, tiny cell-released particles, may help hair growth, but their exact role is unclear, they're not FDA-approved, and their unregulated use can cause side effects.