Exosomes for Hair Growth: How It Works, According to Hair Loss Doctors

Noticing your hair starting to thin or patches of hair loss scattered throughout your scalp can be such a defeating, dreadful feeling. Our hair is a huge part of our identity and source of self esteem, so when we experience hair loss—whether due to menopause, aging, medical conditions or a plethora of other causes—it can make you feel helpless trying to figure out what to do about it. Thankfully, many advancements have been made today when it comes to hair loss remedies, so you can breathe a sigh of relief that there most likely is a treatment out there that will work for you. One of the more recent hair loss treatments that is starting to gain steam? Exosomes for hair growth. Here, we tapped a top hair transplant surgeon and a top dermatologist to get all the insights on this trending hair loss treatment and if it’s worth it.

What are exosomes for hair growth?

Before we dive into all the benefits of exosomes for hair growth, let’s first go over exactly what exosomes are. “Exosomes are tiny vesicles that carry important proteins, growth factors and other molecules between cells, helping with cell communication and regeneration,” explains Ross Kopelman, DO, hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration. “In hair care, they've become popular over the last few years as more research has shown their potential in stimulating hair growth and repairing damaged follicles.”

Pooja Rambhia, MD, board certified dermatologist based in New York City elaborates, saying, “These vesicles are rich in growth factors, proteins and genetic material, which may help promote cell repair and tissue regeneration. In hair care, exosomes are believed to stimulate hair follicles, potentially improving hair density and reducing hair loss by encouraging healthier hair growth cycles.”

When did exosomes become popular for hair growth?

Exosomes have been used in hair and skin treatments for over a decade now, but they didn’t really start gaining traction until the past few years. Part of their increasing attention is due to social media, as well as more and more doctors starting to incorporate them into their practices.

“I first started noticing interest in exosomes around the mid-2010s, and it’s only grown since then, especially as more of my colleagues and I have been using them for hair restoration,” says Dr. Kopelman. Even more of a reason why exosomes for hair growth have been booming is because of an increased interest in regenerative medicine.

“The popularity of exosomes surged as research in regenerative medicine expanded, particularly with the rise of treatments like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) for hair restoration,” explains Dr. Rambhia. “Dermatologists have begun exploring exosomes as a complementary or alternative approach due to their ability to deliver concentrated growth factors to the scalp without the need for blood draws or injections. The interest in exosomes reflects a broader trend toward minimally invasive, biologically active treatments in cosmetic dermatology aimed at enhancing natural hair restoration processes.”

Benefits of exosomes for hair growth

Both experts we talked to claimed those who suffer from hair loss can see amazing results with exosome treatment therapy. “Exosomes can definitely help with hair loss and hair growth!” exclaims Dr. Kopelman. “They work by delivering these growth signals directly to the hair follicles, encouraging cellular activity and promoting healthier hair growth.”

Keep reading to see exactly how you can benefit from trying exosomes for hair growth.

Exosome therapy is ‘stronger’ than OTC hair loss remedies

There are a plethora of hair loss treatments out there today, but what makes exosome therapy stand out is how powerful it is for how minimally invasive it is. “In my experience, exosome therapy is particularly promising because it provides the regenerative benefits we see with treatments like PRP, but with potentially even stronger results. I’ve seen patients benefit from their ability to create a more optimal environment for hair follicles to grow,” says Dr. Kopelman.

While there are over the counter hair loss remedies available like minoxidil, exosome therapy is much stronger and can typically deliver more promising results.

“In studies, exosomes were able to trigger hair regrowth faster than traditional treatments like minoxidil by pushing hair follicles from the telogen (resting phase) into the anagen (growth phase) and keeping them there longer,” affirms Dr. Rambhia. “More research, including in human models, is still needed to better understand how exosome therapy can be applied to hair loss safely and efficaciously. Nonetheless, exosomes remain an exciting new option for hair loss treatments in the future.”

Exosome therapy is minimally invasive

As mentioned above, another huge plus of exosomes for hair growth is that the treatment is minimally invasive, aka you won’t need to worry about putting your body or hair through a major procedure or major stress.

“When I perform these treatments, I inject exosomes directly into the scalp in the areas where thinning or hair loss is most evident. The process is minimally invasive and similar to a PRP session,” explains Dr. Kopelman.

Can exosome therapy for hair growth be done at home?

Both doctors we spoke to highly emphasized the importance of receiving exosome treatment therapy from a qualified medical professional in-office. Exosome therapy for hair growth cannot be done at home, as explained above it involves injections into the scalp.

“Exosome hair treatments are currently only available in-office under the supervision of a trained medical professional. These treatments involve the precise injection of exosomes into the scalp, targeting areas of thinning hair,” says Dr. Rambhia. “At-home applications are not available or recommended, as exosome therapy involves a medical procedure where they are injected into one’s scalp.”

How long to expect to see results from exosome therapy

If you’ve tried any hair loss treatment or product, you probably know that patience is key. Giving the treatment time to work through the hair growth phase is crucial, and it won’t happen overnight. The same is true for exosome therapy. Dr. Kopelman says you can expect to see results in three to six months.

Dr. Rambhia’s biggest advice when it comes to addressing any type of hair loss treatment is to act fast. “If you are concerned about hair loss, I always recommend getting evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist. I always tell my patients, time is hair! The longer your hair loss condition goes on, the tougher it may be to bring that hair back,” she emphasizes. “A thorough evaluation is crucial to determining the type of hair loss you have, and treatment options.”

What to know before trying exosome therapy for hair growth

While exosome therapy for hair growth has so far seemed to deliver promising results, there are a few key things to keep in mind before trying it.

For starters, the treatment isn’t FDA-approved, warns Dr. Rambhia. “It is important to recognize that currently there are no FDA-approved exosomes in the United States. This regulatory uncertainty raises concerns about standardization and quality control, especially given that exosomes are derived from stem cells, and their manufacturing process is complex.”

Next, exosome therapy can be pricey and cost you a pretty penny. You may want to try OTC hair loss remedies first before splurging on exosome therapy, but talking with a doctor first is key to determine what your hair needs. “The costs associated with exosome treatments can also be quite high. As such, not all dermatologists, myself included, perform this procedure,” says Dr. Rambhia. Exosome therapy can cost $2,000 on the lower end, and go up to even $10,000.

Lastly, exosomes for hair growth need more research and clinical trials due to it being a relatively new treatment. “While early animal-based research shows promising results, there is still a lack of large-scale, long-term human clinical studies to fully validate their safety and effectiveness in treating hair loss. The mechanisms through which exosomes work, such as stimulating hair follicle growth, are still being studied,” advises Dr. Rambhia.

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