Hair is often seen by many people in society as a symbol of health and beauty, so any drastic form of hair loss that afflicts someone can be rather distressing and affect how they are perceived, for example, as aging early. While shedding a few strands is normal, pronounced hair thinning can adversely impact an individual’s self-esteem and quality of life, which can apply to millions of people worldwide. Current research and developments in the field of regenerative medicine may offer hope to those suffering from different forms of hair loss, with exosome-induced remedies and applications leading the way as a promising avenue for hair regrowth.
Understanding the hair growth cycle and how it influences hair loss at distinct stages is important when knowing how to address common growth issues and boost follicle development. While hair follicles are responsible for promoting hair growth, helping with skin repair, and forming new blood vessels, every strand on our heads is at a certain stage in its lifecycle, which consists of the anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen phases. The growth is cyclical and begins with the active growth state, which is the anagen phase, where the follicle works to produce hair fiber and delivers the blood supply and nutrients needed for it to grow. This is followed by the catagen phase, where the follicles are in a regression state and the blood supply is halted before they transition to an inactive resting state for the telogen phase, and no growth happens for a variable amount of time. The final exogen phase can be seen as an extension of the telogen phase, where shedding occurs before new hair grows in to replace it.
Factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, nutrition, lifestyle, and even external stressors like illness or childbirth can interrupt this cycle and either quicken or extend the stages to the point where it causes hair to fall out excessively. Underlying conditions like chronic inflammation can trigger follicle shrinkage, leading to thinning hair, while chronic stress can push hair from the growth phase into the resting phase too rapidly, resulting in a condition known as Telogen Effluvium. When the daily loss exceeds 100-150 strands, it is typically considered abnormal, so it is advisable to get the issue checked out by a certified dermatologist and try to mitigate the cause behind it, to determine an effective female or male hair loss treatment.
Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of exosomes in treating hair loss because these extracellular vesicles are particularly adept at modulating the immune system, which is a critical factor given that many hair loss conditions stem from autoimmune responses or chronic inflammation. Exosomes are the nano-sized structures that originate from cell activity and act as cellular messengers and mediators to instruct on the physiological aspects of different cell types. When derived from stem cells, they are especially skilled in stimulating the renewal and revitalization processes within the epidermis and dermal layers. In a nutshell, they contain a powerful and abundant blend of proteins, growth factors, and genetic material that facilitates intercellular communication and healing, which makes them ideal candidates for tackling the issue of hair loss.
Exosome therapy usually involves the application of exosome-rich solutions onto the affected scalp area with the optimal number of exosomes suggested to be over 200 billion, to be absorbed into the dermis with the purpose to revive and boost its self-repair mechanisms to revive and boost the self-repair mechanisms within the dermis. In fact, a study conducted by Sage Medical Clinic applied a conditioned media known as PTT-6®, developed by the cosmeceutical brand CALECIM® Professional, applied directly onto the scalp after microneedling, of patients suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia. The hair treatment serum was loaded with exosomes, proteins and growth factors and was designed to stimulate, nourish, and condition the weakened hair follicles of the patients. The outcome was undeniable, with all participants experiencing decreased hair shedding and an increase in hair strength and texture within three weeks, improving progressively over a 12-week period.
Because of the communicative nature of exosomes, in vitro tests have previously confirmed the permeability of these types of exosomes into the skin layers. Aesthetic practitioners Kelly Morrell and Dana Plum are among the professionals who have observed the transformative effects of the unique potency of this exosome-packed serum, having noted visible reductions in the inflammation on their clients’ complexions and a marked decrease in the volume of hair loss upon application.
The wound-healing capacity of select components of exosomes and growth factors when combined into a powerful ingredient—specifically that of CALECIM®’s PTT-6® media—has highly beneficial implications. Dr. Sejal Shah has remarked on their ability to boost collagen synthesis and revitalize the skin cells within, thus strengthening the skin barrier and its health as a whole. Another successful case involved a male patient recovering from COVID-19-related chronic Telogen Effluvium, who benefited immensely from massaging the stem cell-derived serum into his scalp. After multiple treatments, his hair follicles had grown out new hair, with improved thickness in the strands, enhanced strength and robustness, and reduced fragility.
Ongoing research continues to unravel the complexities of cellular self-repair and renewal that exosomes bring to the body, and with the forms of treatment available to help address hair loss, there is a growing understanding that nurturing the scalp’s health through cellular mechanisms carries the most effective outcomes. The exosomes that are derived from the same principles commanding the body’s healing response may very well be the major player that merges stem cell technology with natural reparative processes as a viable treatment for hair loss.
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