Exosome Hair
What Is It?
Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles secreted by cells. They contain molecules such as proteins, lipids and RNA and take part in communication between cells. When we apply them to the scalp, our aim is to carry signals to the tissue around the follicle and support the hair’s own growth cycle.
On the hair side, too, there are two questions that shouldn’t be mixed up. The first is the source, that is, plant or animal. This is a choice about the product’s raw material; it has nothing to do with the area treated. The second is the dose, which also varies markedly by product and by person. We discuss these two separately at examination and build the protocol accordingly.
How Is It Done?
We start by finding the cause of the hair loss. Male or female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, and shedding caused by iron or thyroid problems each call for a different path; if needed, we request blood tests. Exosome treatment is, of course, no way of making a diagnosis. We don’t build a protocol without understanding the cause.
After assessing the scalp, we decide on the source (plant or animal) and the dose. We deliver the product into the scalp with very fine needles through evenly spaced points; we can use numbing cream beforehand. A session takes 30-45 minutes on average. The number of sessions and the interval depend on the product, and we usually plan 1-3 sessions. In patients where we find it suitable, we can build the protocol together with hair mesotherapy or PRP.
Who Is It For?
We consider it for patients who notice thinning and shedding, feel their hair has become finer, or are looking for support before or after a transplant. In someone who has had a hair transplant, it also comes up to support the healing of the recipient area. We consider it as well for a patient whose existing hair starts to thin years after a transplant.
If there is a systemic cause behind the shedding, such as thyroid disease, iron deficiency or medication, we look at that first; exosomes do not take the place of dealing with that cause. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection or an open wound on the scalp, a bleeding disorder, uncontrolled autoimmune disease and a known allergy to the product’s contents change the plan. I ask about these one by one at examination.
Process & Recovery
Assessment
We look into the cause of the shedding and request blood tests if needed. We decide on the source and dose based on this assessment. We take photographs.
Session day
We clean the scalp and apply numbing cream if needed. We deliver the product through evenly spaced points; the session takes 30-45 minutes.
First 24 hours
Redness and tenderness appear at the injection points, and most of it settles the same day. We ask you to keep to the waiting time we give before washing your hair and to stay away from pools and sauna.
Between sessions
The interval depends on the product chosen. During this period we follow the change in the amount of shedding; we don’t expect a difference in hair thickness yet.
Months 3-6
Because the hair cycle is measured in months, we make the assessment in this window. We compare photographs, because the impression in the mirror can be misleading.
Results & Duration
In hair, results don’t come quickly. You may notice a change in the amount of shedding in the first months. To see a change in strand quality and density, though, the hair cycle has to turn, and that takes 3-6 months.
The response varies from person to person and with the product chosen; the same protocol does not give the same result in two people. Reported durations of effect also differ by product, and maintenance is needed. If a cause behind the shedding is still active, the support we provide doesn’t last long unless that cause is managed.
What Is Not Promised
Exosomes do not replace a hair transplant. They don’t bring back a lost follicle or fill an open area. Don’t think of this as a treatment that stops shedding; it doesn’t take the place of treating a systemic cause either.
I can’t promise a particular increase in density, number of sessions or duration. Since dose and source vary from person to person, comparing yourself with someone else’s result would be misleading. If your expectation doesn’t match your type of hair loss, we talk about it openly at examination.
Key Benefits
- Hair growth cycle
- Hair strand quality
- Follicle area support
“I’ve had exosomes on my own hair too. I had a transplant five or six years ago and there was a large open area at the crown; I knew from the start that one session wouldn’t be enough, so we did a second one as well. I gave it five or six months to show a result.”
— Dr. Sinan Akyürek
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it replace a hair transplant?
No. It doesn’t bring back lost follicles or fill an open area; it is aimed at supporting the follicles you have. We also use it as support ahead of a transplant and in the period after it.
Will a plant or animal sourced product be used?
We decide that at examination, looking at the type of hair loss. It is a separate choice about the product’s raw material and is independent of the area treated.
How many sessions are needed?
We usually plan 1-3 sessions; the number and interval depend on the product chosen. We also set the dose for each person.
When will I see the result?
A change in shedding may be noticed in the first months. For hair quality and density we wait 3-6 months, because the hair cycle is measured in months.
Is it painful?
You feel a slight stinging. We use very fine needles and, if needed, apply numbing cream to the scalp beforehand.
How does it differ from hair mesotherapy?
They do different jobs. I compare hair mesotherapy to putting fertiliser at the base of a flower you have planted: we give the scalp what it needs, such as vitamins, minerals and peptides. With exosomes, we carry a signal meant to influence the way the follicle itself works. In patients where we find it suitable, we can combine the two in one protocol.
Will my shedding stop?
I can’t promise that. Exosome treatment doesn’t count as a treatment that stops shedding. If the cause is a systemic problem such as thyroid disease, iron deficiency or medication, we look at that first.
Which situations need separate assessment?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection or an open wound on the scalp, a bleeding disorder, uncontrolled autoimmune disease and allergy to the product’s contents change the plan. We discuss these at examination.