Exosomes are tiny, membrane-bound particles that cells release to communicate with others. Think of them as messengers, carrying information (biological material, including proteins and RNA) from one cell to another.
Researchers are curious about whether these messengers could help with hair restoration, especially around how they might influence hair follicle activity and the hair growth cycle. If you are exploring options for hair loss, exosome treatments probably sound pretty appealing, but there is a lot we still don’t know. For instance, how well do they work? Are they safe? And why do the treatments on offer vary so much from one clinic to the next?
In this article, we will cover what the research says so far about exosome treatments, how they compare with other hair loss treatments and what is worth thinking about before you book that appointment.
How Are Exosome Treatments Different From PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma treatment (commonly known as PRP treatment) is probably the most popular hair loss restoration approach on the market right now. It uses the patient’s own blood. A small sample of it is taken and processed to separate out the platelets, which contain growth factors that may support tissue repair and follicle activity.
Exosome treatments, however, take a different approach. Instead of concentrated platelets, they use preparations full of tiny particles (called extracellular vesicles) which carry signals from one cell to another.
Both treatments aim to help hair follicles work better. But PRP has a lot more clinical research behind it. Exosomes look promising, but still need more studies to truly understand how well they work and whether they are safe in the long term.
You can read this complete guide to hair exosomes from Clinique M Rockland in Mount Royal, Montreal, where you can get hair treatments under the medical supervision of Dr. Nyan Narine.
What’s the Difference Between Plant-Derived and Human-Derived Exosomes?
Plant-Derived Exosomes
To be completely scientifically accurate, plants don’t actually make true exosomes. True exosomes are a specific type of messaging that is unique to animals and humans. Plants, instead, create something called exosome-like nanovesicles (ELNs).
However, the messaging functions are somewhat similar. So, you would be forgiven for using the term ‘exosomes’ – especially since you aren’t in a biology class.
What Can Plants Bring to the Table?
These plant-derived exosomes are often added to professional serums (such as aloe-based hair products) or applied during micro-needling treatments. Regardless of how you use them, they may offer several potential benefits for scalp and hair health, including:
- Waking up sleepy follicles
- Improving scalp circulation
- Calming down scalp inflammation
Human-Derived Exosomes
These are extracellular vesicles obtained from human cells. If plant-based options are nature’s nutrient-packed envelopes, human-derived ones are like a military-grade version sending encrypted files across the cellular world. They are microscopic, membrane-bound particles that can be harvested directly from human stem cells (typically from bone marrow, fat tissue or umbilical cords).
Unlike plant alternatives, these are true exosomes. That means they share structural and functional characteristics with the exosomes your body naturally produces.
What Do They Bring to the Table?
Because human-derived exosomes speak the exact native language of your scalp, they don’t just nourish – they may help support follicle activity and processes involved in hair growth. When applied to the scalp during professional treatment (like microneedling), they function as a supplementary source or a reset button to alleviate hair thinning and loss. In summary, the potential benefits include:
- Potential influence on cellular communication
- Reviving follicles that are slowing down
- Enhancing tissue repair
Conclusion: Which Type is Better for Hair Growth?
There isn’t enough strong, direct comparative evidence to declare either plant-derived or human-derived exosomes the winner for hair growth. You could argue that human-derived preparations provide better odds because of the like-for-like cell signalling. However, the source is only one part of the picture – there are other determining factors like the contents of the preparation, its quality and how it’s delivered.
A recent literature review on exosomes in trichology found some encouraging results from early research. But it also points out that the clinical evidence so far is limited, which makes it hard to say for sure how well exosomes actually work.
So, before making any decisions, it is essential to check what the preparation actually contains. In addition, check what human studies the company has done to support the effectiveness of their product, plus all the safety testing.
FAQs
What is the difference between plant-derived and human-derived exosomes?
The main difference between plant-derived and human-derived exosomes is that the first comes from plant cells while the latter comes from human cells.
Can exosomes help with hair growth?
Researchers are still studying exosomes for their potential role in hair growth, but strong clinical evidence is still limited.
Are exosome treatments for hair safe?
The safety of exosomes depends on the product’s quality and application method. However, more research is needed to confirm their safety.
