Exosomes vs. PDRN for Hair Loss in Yeoksam-dong: Key Differences, Treatment Effects, and Clinical Evidence

Hello, I'm Dr. Kim Da-jeong, director of Cordia Clinic, a hair loss treatment clinic in Yeoksam-dong.

When you start researching hair loss treatments, you will likely come across two ingredients: exosomes and PDRN.

Both are known as regenerative ingredients that help restore the skin and scalp, but do they actually help hair grow?

Interestingly, recent studies have reported improvements in hair density and thickness after treatment with exosomes and PDRN.

Today, we will look at the differences between these two ingredients and the actual research on their use in hair loss treatment.

1. Exosomes: Substances Involved in Hair Follicle Growth Signals

Exosomes are a type of small extracellular vesicle secreted by cells.

They contain proteins, lipids, RNA, and other molecules, and they play a role in transmitting information between cells.

In terms of hair growth, research is examining whether they can affect dermal papilla cell activity and the hair follicle growth cycle.

In particular, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important pathway involved in maintaining the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles.

Some experiments have shown that exosomes may be involved in this signaling and help regulate the inflammatory environment around hair follicles.

These effects are why exosomes are being studied as a potential new candidate for hair loss treatment.

2. Studies Showing Increased Hair Density After Exosome Treatment

A domestic study published in 2022 combined microneedling with topical exosome application in 39 patients with male or female pattern hair loss.

After 12 weeks, average hair density changed as follows:

Before treatment: 121.7 hairs/cm²

After treatment: 146.6 hairs/cm²

Average hair shaft thickness also increased, from 52.6 μm to 61.4 μm.

Additionally, a 2025 prospective study of 16 men with male pattern hair loss found that average hair density increased by 35 hairs/cm² at 12 months after microneedling combined with topical exosome application.

These results suggest that exosome-based treatment may improve measurable hair growth indicators in people.

However, neither study had an appropriate control group, so it is difficult to separate the effect of exosomes from that of microneedling.

A 2026 randomized controlled trial of 48 participants found no significant added benefit from using exosomes, so further verification is needed.

3. PDRN: An Ingredient Involved in the Recovery Environment Around Hair Follicles

PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a substance derived from DNA, typically produced by purifying DNA from salmonid fish.

While exosomes are involved in signaling between cells, PDRN is being studied for its potential to act through physiological pathways related to tissue repair.

A representative mechanism involves signaling related to the adenosine A2A receptor.

Through this pathway, PDRN may be involved in angiogenesis, inflammation regulation, and tissue repair, and it has been suggested that it may also have a positive effect on the growth environment around hair follicles.

Based on these actions, PDRN is being studied not only for wound healing but also in the field of hair loss.

4. Clinical Studies Showing Increased Hair Count and Thickness with PDRN

A 2015 study published in Wound Repair and Regeneration compared combined PDRN and PRP therapy in 40 women with female pattern hair loss.

Among these participants, the results after 12 weeks for the 20 patients who received PDRN alone were as follows:

Hair count: 17.9% average increase

Hair thickness: 13.5% average increase

In the group that received PRP and PDRN together, hair count increased by an average of 23.2%, and hair thickness increased by 16.8%.

These clinical results suggest that PDRN may also contribute to improvements in hair count and thickness in patients with hair loss.

However, the study was small and had no placebo group, so it is difficult to confirm the effect. In addition, because PDRN was administered around the hair follicles in this study, the same results cannot be expected from general scalp topical products.

5. What's the Difference Between Exosomes and PDRN?

Both ingredients are being studied for their potential to create an environment favorable to hair growth, but their mechanisms of action differ.

Exosomes are studied mainly for their potential to influence cell-to-cell signaling, dermal papilla cell activity, and regulation of the hair follicle growth cycle.

PDRN is studied mainly for its effects related to tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation control.

There is not yet enough clinical data directly comparing which ingredient is more effective for hair loss treatment.

In addition, actual results may vary depending on each product's composition, concentration, and delivery method.

6. The Role of Regenerative Ingredients in Hair Loss Treatment

Exosomes and PDRN go beyond simply caring for the scalp; their potential involvement in hair growth has also been observed in human studies.

It is especially notable that changes in hair count and thickness have been reported as objective measurement indicators.

However, long-term effects and optimal treatment methods have not yet been established, so there is not enough evidence to consider these ingredients a replacement for standard treatments for male or female pattern hair loss.

Therefore, it is best to first identify the cause of hair loss and, if needed, consult about the possibilities and limitations of regenerative treatments in addition to existing medication-based treatments.

Exosomes and PDRN work in different ways, but studies exist showing that both may improve hair growth indicators.

We look forward to more clinical research that will clarify which patients benefit and how long the effects last.

References

Lee SH, et al. (2015). Therapeutic efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma and polydeoxyribonucleotide on female pattern hair loss. Wound Repair and Regeneration.

Park et al. (2022). Clinical study of hair loss using adipose-derived stem cell exosomes and microneedling.

Wan J, et al. (2025). A Prospective Study of Exosome Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Al Ameer et al. (2025). Exosomes and Hair Regeneration: A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence Across Alopecia Types and Exosome Sources.

Bakshi N, et al. (2026). Polydeoxyribonucleotide in Female Pattern Hair Loss: Current Evidence and Knowledge Gaps. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

※ This article is intended to provide general medical information. The ingredients and treatment methods used in the studies do not apply identically to all commercially available products. Please check each product's approved indications and directions for use.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between exosomes and PDRN?

The two ingredients work through different pathways. Exosomes are studied mainly for their potential to influence cell-to-cell signaling, dermal papilla cell activity, and hair growth cycle regulation, while PDRN is studied mainly for its actions related to tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation control.

How much did hair density change after exosome treatment?

In a 2022 domestic study, average hair density increased from 121.7 hairs/cm² to 146.6 hairs/cm² after 12 weeks. The study included 39 patients with male or female pattern hair loss who received microneedling combined with topical exosome application. Because there was no control group, the effect of exosomes alone cannot be separated out.

How much did hair count and thickness increase after PDRN monotherapy?

In a 2015 study, the 20 patients who received PDRN alone had an average 17.9% increase in hair count and a 13.5% increase in hair thickness after 12 weeks. The study compared PDRN combined with PRP in 40 women with female pattern hair loss. Because the study was small and had no placebo group, the effect cannot be confirmed.

Can I expect the same results from scalp topical products?

It is difficult to expect the same results. The PDRN study involved administering PDRN around the hair follicles, so the same results cannot be expected from general scalp topical products. Actual effects may vary depending on each product's composition, concentration, and delivery method, so check each product's approved indications and directions for use.

Which is more effective, exosomes or PDRN?

There is not yet enough direct comparative clinical data to determine which is superior. Actual effects may also vary depending on each product's composition, concentration, and delivery method. However, studies exist for both showing potential improvements in hair growth indicators.

Can exosomes or PDRN replace standard hair loss treatments?

Based on current evidence, they are unlikely to replace standard hair loss treatments. Long-term effects and optimal treatment methods have not yet been established for either ingredient, so it is best to first identify the cause of hair loss and, if needed, consult about the possibilities and limitations of regenerative treatments in addition to existing medication-based treatments.