Platelets and Exosomes in Hair Restoration

Regenerative medicine is transforming hair restoration by tapping into the body’s natural healing processes to stimulate new hair growth. Unlike traditional treatments that mainly slow hair loss, regenerative approaches focus on repairing and regenerating hair follicles, resulting in thicker and healthier hair.

There are various reasons that stop hair from growing or receding over time. Medical conditions, or simply age, means that blood vessels feeding the scalp are less likely to form, cell proliferation then slows down due to this and sometimes for its own reasons (excessive testosterone, for example). So, for the same reason that seeds won't grow in bad soil, hair follicles cannot thrive on a scalp lacking in the nutrients and cell environment that allows hair to thrive.

The good news is, that when activated, platelets naturally release a variety of growth factors and cytokines from their alpha granules, including platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Together, these elements play a crucial role in stimulating hair growth by promoting cell proliferation, differentiation, and the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).

PRP & PRF

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) are widely recognized for their effectiveness in combating hair loss. Moreover, extensive research and empirical evidence have shown that these treatments can significantly reverse the signs of hair thinning. 

PRP and PRF may be effective in treating several hair loss conditions:

  • Androgenetic Alopecia: Also known as male or female pattern hair loss, this type of hair loss follows a well-defined pattern, often beginning at the temples. Notably, meta-analyses of PRP for this condition have shown a significant increase in both hair count and hair thickness.
  • Alopecia Areata: This common autoimmune disorder causes nonscarring hair loss in both males and females at any age. Since PRP has anti-inflammatory properties, it has been suggested as a potential treatment for alopecia areata. In fact, in a study involving 45 patients with AA, PRP treatments led to significantly increased hair growth and higher levels of Ki-67 (a marker of cell proliferation) compared to placebo injections.
  • Hair Transplantation: Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of using PRP in conjunction with hair transplants. In three studies, patients who received PRP showed a greater follicular unit density compared to those who received saline or no injection, indicating that PRP is highly effective in supporting hair regrowth after transplantation.

Two patients after T-Lab PRF treatment. Left photos are before, right are after.

Another patient's hair regrowth using T-Lab PRF, above before, below after.

Exosomes and Exomine in Hair Restoration

While PRP and PRF have demonstrated significant effectiveness in hair regrowth, ongoing advancements in regenerative medicine continue to explore new frontiers. Among these emerging therapies, exosomes are gaining attention for their potential to further enhance hair restoration.

The reason for this is that exosomes play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication, transporting key cellular components such as microRNAs, mRNAs, DNA, lipids, metabolites, and cell-surface proteins (Caliskan et al.) that enable the body to communicate with itself and generate self-restoration.

Although scientific research is still in its infancy, exosomes exhibit significant potential in the field of hair regrowth. For instance, studies conducted using animal models and at the cellular level have demonstrated that exosomes effectively promote hair growth. Consequently, researchers suggest that exosome therapy is emerging as a promising option for the treatment of alopecia.

References

Paichitrojjana A, Paichitrojjana A. Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2022 Mar 10;16:635-645. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S356858. PMID: 35300222; PMCID: PMC8922312

Cheng M, Ma C, Chen HD, Wu Y, Xu XG. The Roles of Exosomes in Regulating Hair Follicle Growth. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024 Jul 5;17:1603-1612. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S465963. PMID: 38984321; PMCID: PMC11232880.

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