Plant-based exosomes for nonscarring alopecia: a case series
Two patients, two different kinds of hair loss — a man with androgenetic alopecia and a woman with early traction alopecia. Each received three monthly scalp microneedling sessions with Collagen P.I.N., paired with a topical plant-derived exosome applied in-office and once daily at home.
Includes before-and-after clinical photography and references
Case 1 · Androgenetic alopecia
29-year-old man, seven years of diffuse thinning
Frontal and parietal thinning with mild bilateral temporal recession, despite ongoing oral finasteride, oral minoxidil, and topical finasteride/minoxidil.
At follow-up: less shedding, new vellus hairs at the frontal scalp, and physician-assessed gains in density and coverage across frontal, parietal, and frontotemporal regions.
Case 2 · Traction alopecia
29-year-old woman, five years of early traction loss
Moderate bitemporal thinning, worse on the right, plus thinning along the distal part line. Previously used topical minoxidil; not using it at enrollment.
At follow-up: reduced shedding along the part line, increased bitemporal vellus hairs, and continued improvement reported by the patient after the final session.
- Device
- Collagen P.I.N.® at 0.5 mm over the frontal hairline and frontal, parietal, and occipital scalp
- Topical
- PRX⁸ TRU Plant-Exosome, applied during and immediately after needling — 10 mL (AGA), 5 mL (TA)
- Schedule
- Three sessions one month apart; final evaluation about one month after session three
- Between visits
- The same exosome formulation applied once daily at home to the treated scalp
Androgenetic and traction alopecia have different causes — one hormonal and genetic, one mechanical — but both are nonscarring in their early stages, which leaves the follicle intact and potentially responsive. Established therapies are limited, often lifelong, and inconsistent from patient to patient.
The rationale tested here is complementary: microneedling triggers wound-healing and growth-factor release while opening transient channels in the scalp, and those channels may let topically applied exosomes reach the follicle. Seeing a response in both a hormonal and a mechanical form of hair loss is what makes the pairing worth studying further.
Two patients and no control group. Response was judged by standardized photography, patient report, and physician assessment — there were no hair counts or trichoscopic measurements. The patient in Case 1 stayed on finasteride and minoxidil throughout, so the added effect of treatment can’t be isolated. The authors also note that exosome products are not standardized pharmaceuticals, and composition may vary.
Their conclusion is measured: the combination was well tolerated and associated with visible improvement, and well-designed clinical trials are needed before efficacy and safety can be established.
Babadjouni A, Battley T III, Bommareddy K, Aguilera SB. Plant-Based Exosomes for Nonscarring Alopecia: A Case-Series.
Funding sources: none. Conflicts of interest: none declared. The authors attest to having obtained patient consent for publication.
Collagen P.I.N.® is FDA cleared as a treatment intended to improve the appearance of facial acne scars in adults with Fitzpatrick Skin Types I–III, aged 22 years and older. Scalp treatment for alopecia as described in this case series is outside that clearance. Sold to licensed aesthetic providers only.
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