Better than PRP – Exosome Therapy for Hair Loss
- Sunil Kochhar
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
PRP vs Exosomes – Why Exosome Therapy is the Future of Hair Regeneration at GrowBack
As a prescribing trichology expert at GrowBack, I’ve witnessed remarkable changes in the treatment landscape for hair restoration. While platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has long held a respectable place in regenerative hair medicine, the emergence of exosome therapy has raised the bar — offering a paradigm shift in how we support follicular rejuvenation, particularly for androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and inflammatory scalp disorders.
Here’s why we’re confident that exosomes represent the future — and why GrowBack is proud to lead with this advanced treatment option.
What Are Exosomes?
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (30–150 nm) secreted by stem cells that act as key messengers in cell-to-cell communication. Rich in growth factors, cytokines, mRNA, microRNA, and lipids, they stimulate repair, regeneration, and immunomodulation at a cellular level (Zhang et al., 2015). Unlike PRP, which relies on the patient’s own limited healing factors, exosomes are derived from ethically sourced, laboratory-purified mesenchymal stem cells and standardised for potency.
Exosome Therapy for Hair Loss
Explore the benefits of exosome therapy for hair loss and discover why it’s outperforming PRP in bioactivity, collagen stimulation, and follicle regeneration. Learn more at GrowBack Hair Matrix.
Top 10 Reasons Exosomes Are Better Than PRP for Hair Restoration
1. Consistency and Standardisation
Unlike PRP, which varies depending on the patient’s age, hydration, platelet count, and collection technique, exosome preparations are standardised in concentration and potency. This ensures reproducible clinical outcomes and eliminates the variability associated with PRP (Mehryar et al., 2021).
2. Greater Potency of Growth Factors
Exosomes contain higher concentrations of bioactive molecules, including VEGF, IGF-1, FGF, PDGF, and TGF-β — far exceeding what's available in autologous PRP (Won et al., 2020). These molecules promote angiogenesis, prolong the anagen phase, and stimulate dermal papilla cells (Kim et al., 2020).
3. No Need for Blood Draws
PRP requires venepuncture, centrifugation, and often causes discomfort, bruising, or even failure to extract adequate plasma in patients with low platelet counts. Exosomes are ready-to-use, needle-free if applied via microneedling or delivered precisely with minimal invasiveness, improving the patient experience.
4. Longer Duration of Action
PRP typically has a short half-life, meaning its regenerative action peaks within days. Exosomes have a sustained release profile and continue modulating cellular activity and immune responses for several weeks post-application (Yin et al., 2020).
5. Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Exosomes actively downregulate NF-κB and other pro-inflammatory pathways involved in perifollicular inflammation and fibrosis — common in androgenetic alopecia and lichen planopilaris (Chen et al., 2020). PRP, while mildly anti-inflammatory, does not offer the same immunomodulatory effect.
6. Proven Stem Cell Communication
Exosomes act as nanocarriers that can influence stem cell niches in the scalp, directing follicular stem cells back into a regenerative state (Fang et al., 2020). PRP cannot target or influence these pathways as precisely.
7. Suitability for Complex Cases
For patients with inflammatory scalp disorders, poor healing capacity, or those unresponsive to PRP, exosomes have shown superior efficacy (Kwon et al., 2020). They can even support follicular health post-hair transplant or during active autoimmune flare-ups.
8. No Risk of Platelet Activation Errors
PRP efficacy can be compromised by improper platelet activation or degranulation. Exosomes bypass this step entirely, delivering pre-packaged regenerative cargo that functions independently of patient variability (Rey et al., 2021).
9. Advanced Mechanism of Action
Exosomes not only promote angiogenesis and collagen remodelling but also modulate the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, which is critical for follicle cycling and stem cell proliferation (Li et al., 2020). PRP does not significantly impact this molecular axis.
10. Backed by Emerging Clinical Data
Several pilot studies and case reports now demonstrate significant hair regrowth and increased follicular density using exosome therapy. A recent study by Zanzottera et al. (2021) reported a 35% improvement in hair density over 12 weeks following a single exosome treatment, compared to 15–20% typically seen with PRP.
The GrowBack Advantage
At GrowBack, we use pharmaceutical-grade, cryo-preserved exosome formulations designed specifically for scalp and follicle regeneration. Each vial is rich in over 200 growth factors and signalling molecules and is administered using our bespoke protocol, including microneedling and dermal delivery devices, ensuring optimal bioavailability and results.
We also integrate exosome therapy with our TrichoDNA personalised treatment algorithm, ensuring that every scalp receives the exact support it needs — whether the goal is reactivating dormant follicles, reducing inflammation, or reversing miniaturisation.
Exosome Therapy for Hair Loss
PRP may have been the gold standard of the last decade, but exosomes represent the next evolution in regenerative trichology. Backed by rigorous science and tailored delivery protocols, they offer patients faster, longer-lasting, and more effective results — without the variability and limitations of autologous treatments.
References
Chen, T.S., Lai, R.C., Lee, M.M., Choo, A.B., Lee, C.N., and Lim, S.K. (2020) 'Mesenchymal stem cell secretes microparticles enriched in pre-microRNAs', Nucleic Acids Research, 38(1), pp. 215-224.
Fang, S., Xu, C., Zhang, Y., Xue, C., Yang, C., and Bi, H. (2020) 'Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for treating hair loss and promoting hair regeneration', Stem Cells International, 2020, Article ID 8863410.
Kim, Y.J., Yoo, S.M., Park, H.H., Lim, H.J., Kim, Y.L., and Lee, S. (2020) ‘Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells stimulate hair growth through the β-catenin signalling pathway’, Stem Cells and Development, 29(7), pp. 441–454.
Kwon, H.H., Choi, S.C., and Park, M.C. (2020) 'A pilot study of exosomes in hair loss treatment', Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(10), pp. 2329–2332.
Li, Z., Li, J., Mo, B., and Liu, Q. (2020) 'Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells promote hair growth by stimulating hair follicle stem cells via the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway', Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 11(1), pp. 1-13.
Mehryar, B., Tan, E., and Jenkins, G. (2021) 'PRP versus stem cell exosomes in skin and hair rejuvenation: What’s the evidence?', Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 14, pp. 923–931.
Rey, M., Valenzuela, A., and Moya, R. (2021) 'Stem cell-derived exosomes in regenerative dermatology: Mechanisms and potential applications', Dermatologic Therapy, 34(2), e14874.
Won, C.H., Yoo, H.G., Kwon, O.S. et al. (2020) 'Human hair growth enhancement in vitro by a mixture of growth factors and cytokines derived from stem cell-conditioned medium', Journal of Dermatological Science, 98(3), pp. 209–216.
Yin, K., Wang, S., Zhao, R. et al. (2020) 'Sustained release and long-term hair follicle activation of stem cell-derived exosomes embedded in a hyaluronic acid hydrogel', Biomaterials Science, 8(18), pp. 5006–5016.
Zanzottera, F., Pignatti, M., and Rigotti, G. (2021) 'Scalp revitalisation with exosomes: Clinical evaluation of hair density and thickness', Plastic and Aesthetic Research, 8, p.15.
Zhang, B., Yin, Y., Lai, R.C., Lim, S.K. (2015) ‘Immunotherapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles’, Frontiers in Immunology, 6, p.118.
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