Stem cell therapy alleviates hair loss caused by COVID-19 vaccination

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J Exerc Rehabil Vol. 22, No. 2, 66-70, April, 2026

Publication date (electronic) : 2026 April 22

doi : https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.2652242.121

Suyeon Kim

Gangnam Seran Clinic, Seoul, Korea

^*Corresponding author: Suyeon Kim, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9954-6473, Gangnam Seran Clinic, 134 Myeongdal-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06656, Korea, Email: auftrag@hanmail.net

Received 2026 February 8; Revised 2026 March 7; Accepted 2026 March 13.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Hair loss has many causes, but diagnosing and treating drug-related alopecia can be challenging for both patients and physicians. While numerous studies on this topic exist, information on the reliability and scale of these studies is lacking. Mounessa et al. (2023) examined the most commonly prescribed medications with high-quality evidence supporting an association with alopecia. A total of 192 unique medications were examined, of which 110 yielded positive results. Of these, 13 medications (adalimumab, infliximab, budesonide, interferon beta-1α, tacrolimus, enoxaparin, shingles vaccine, lamotrigine, docetaxel, capecitabine, erlotinib, imatinib, and bortezomib) have been associated with hair loss in high-quality studies (Mounessa et al., 2023).

While there may be a link between hair loss and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, such worsening cases are rare. However, COVID-19 vaccination carries a significant risk of exacerbating autoimmune diseases in vulnerable individuals. Babadjouni et al. (2022) reported 49 cases of alopecia areata worsening after COVID-19 vaccination. They noted that it was difficult to assess a clear link between the COVID-19 vaccine and worsening hair loss, and they could not completely rule out the possibility that the occurrence of these conditions was coincidental (Babadjouni et al., 2022). The incidence of hair loss has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reviewed the existing literature on the incidence and characteristics of various types of hair loss associated with COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination, including telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, friction alopecia, and anagen alopecia. In most cases, hair loss tended to be more severe and last longer with more severe infection (Aryanian et al., 2022). The incidence of hair loss after COVID-19 vaccination in an Egyptian population was assessed using dermatoscopy (Ammar et al., 2024). This cross-sectional study included 2,000 participants. Of the study subjects, 478 (23.9%) reported hair loss after vaccination. Most participants noticed hair loss within the first 2 months after vaccination, with 215 noticing it after the first month and 158 after the second month (Ammar et al., 2024). This study reported a high prevalence of hair loss after vaccination, affecting approximately one-quarter of COVID-19 vaccine recipients. Other factors, such as stress and infection, could not be ruled out (Ammar et al., 2024).

To develop effective treatments, the causes and mechanisms of hair loss must be further elucidated. Hair loss is a common condition in both men and women. It can cause significant psychological distress, including low self-esteem, depression, and a diminished quality of life. Currently, only two hair loss treatments have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: minoxidil and finasteride. However, their effects are often unsatisfactory, temporary, and associated with various side effects. Recently, stem cell-based therapies have emerged as potential novel treatments that activate hair follicle stem cells to promote hair follicle growth, regeneration, and development. Stem cell-based therapies include stem cell transplantation, stem cell-derived media, and stem cell-derived exosomes (Egger et al., 2020). Preclinical research utilizing this approach has been active over the past decade, and while clinical trials are limited, they have generally shown very promising results. Stem cells have been reported to promote hair regrowth in several therapeutic strategies, including reversing the pathological mechanisms that cause hair loss, regenerating hair follicles, and generating hair using tissue engineering approaches. Many researchers have focused on adipose-derived stromal vascular cells, which can differentiate into various cell lineages; platelet-rich plasma, which promotes cell proliferation and angiogenesis; and human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells (Gentile and Garcovich, 2019).

However, stem cell-based therapies for hair loss are still in their infancy, and more systematic clinical studies are needed to more accurately assess their mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, benefits, and limitations. This study examined the efficacy of stem cell therapy in a patient who experienced sudden hair loss after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. The stem cells used in this patient’s treatment were autologous CD34+ enriched hematopoietic progenitor cell fraction (CD34+ HPCF) and umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

After stem cell treatment, hair density and thickness increased, and new hair grew from empty follicles. Exposed scalp areas were reduced, and hair shine, strength, and volume improved, resulting in a significant recovery from complete alopecia. This patient demonstrated the effectiveness of stem cell treatment (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Patient with hair loss. (A) Before therapy. (B) After 4 times treatment. (C) After 8 times treatment. (D) After 12 times treatment.

DISCUSSION

Hair loss is a common and painful condition, and the development of new treatments to prevent hair loss is crucial. The most important aspect of hair loss associated with COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination is to reassure patients that this complication is not serious, and psychological support is crucial for early recovery (Aryanian et al., 2022). The next step is to try stem cell therapy. Gentile and Garcovich (2019) reviewed important advances in stem cell approaches and discussed the potential regenerative capacity and functions of various cell populations in hair regrowth. Activation of Wnt signaling in dermal papilla cells is considered a key factor in promoting hair growth. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived signaling and platelet-derived growth factors influence hair growth by stimulating cell proliferation, extending the anagen phase, inducing cell growth, promoting hair follicle development, and inhibiting apoptotic signaling (Gentile and Garcovich, 2019). Stem cells are progenitor cells found in various tissues and possess the ability to differentiate into various cell types. This intriguing differentiation potential holds therapeutic significance, and research in this field has been actively pursued for decades. As a result, stem cell therapy is currently used to treat various diseases and has undoubtedly brought us one step closer to curing diseases previously considered incurable (Khandpur et al., 2021). However, several challenges remain, including optimal patient selection, treatment timing, appropriate pretreatment regimens, posttreatment management, and cost-effectiveness.

According to a series of studies, there are reports that administering autologous platelet-rich plasma containing autologous CD34+ HPCF to the scalp is effective. de Oliveira et al. (2023) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma treatment for female pattern alopecia. The meta-analysis found that autologous platelet-rich plasma-based treatment increased hair density compared to the control group, but no significant increase in hair thickness was observed (de Oliveira et al., 2023). Neither patients nor investigators reported any serious adverse effects during or after treatment (de Oliveira et al., 2023). Androgenetic alopecia is a common hair loss disorder affecting both men and women, causing significant psychological distress. Eleven randomized controlled trials concluded that platelet-rich plasma injections significantly increased hair follicle count, hair thickness, and density compared to placebo (Papakonstantinou et al., 2023). Furthermore, patients reported high overall satisfaction with PRP treatment, with only minor and temporary side effects, such as local pain, bleeding, and itching, observed (Papakonstantinou et al., 2023).

Addition of somatostatin to CD34+ HPCF is known to be related to hair growth through insulin-like growth factor-1 expression and to have an apoptosis-inhibiting effect (Ayuk and Sheppard, 2006; Lanes and Hurtado, 1982). Human growth hormone, also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone synthesized and secreted by growth hormone-secreting cells in the anterior pituitary gland (Reh and Geffner, 2010). Human growth hormone plays a crucial role in both children and adults, regulating childhood growth and other basal metabolic functions, muscle and fat mass, blood sugar control, and lipid regulation. Human growth hormone therapy has been approved for various growth hormone deficiency disorders, growth failure, or short stature, including Turner syndrome, chronic renal failure prior to kidney transplantation, and Prader-Willi syndrome (Mehta et al., 2018). Human growth hormone has two mechanisms of action: direct and indirect. The direct effects of human growth hormone occur by binding to target cells and stimulating their responses. The indirect effects occur primarily through insulin-like growth factor-1, which is released by hepatocytes when human growth hormone binds to hepatocyte surface receptors. Human growth hormone stimulates the growth of virtually every tissue and organ in the body. Human growth hormone has a particularly pronounced growth-promoting effect on cartilage and bone, particularly during adolescence. It also inhibits apoptosis, extending the lifespan of existing cells. Human growth hormone inhibits insulin’s ability to stimulate glucose uptake in peripheral tissues and increases hepatic gluconeogenesis, leading to a general hyperglycemic state (Ayuk and Sheppard, 2006; Lanes and Hurtado, 1982).

Addition of polydeoxyribonucleotide to CD34+ HPCF helps hair regeneration during hair loss (Lee et al., 2015). Adenosine A₂ receptor plays a crucial role in protecting human health from various diseases by activating various protective effects against cell damage and pain. Among them, intra-articular injections of polydeoxyribonucleotide and pulsed electromagnetic fields have been observed to stimulate adenosine signals, resulting in significant regenerative and healing effects (Moretti et al., 2023). Polydeoxyribonucleotide has been shown to have the ability to promote tissue repair through effects such as stimulating cell migration and growth, promoting angiogenesis, and reducing inflammation via adenosine A_2A receptor activation and repair pathways (Galeano et al., 2021). The efficacy of perifollicular injections of autologous platelet-rich plasma and polydeoxyribonucleotide in the treatment of female pattern hair loss was evaluated. A comparative analysis between the two groups showed that combined platelet-rich plasma and polydeoxyribonucleotide treatment was more effective in improving hair thickness than polydeoxyribonucleotide alone, but there was no significant difference in hair count. Intraperifollicular injections of autologous platelet-rich plasma and/or polydeoxyribonucleotide are effective in improving hair thickness and density in patients with female pattern baldness (Lee et al., 2015).

There are reports that UC-MSCs are effective in treating hair loss. The effects of UC-MSCs on hair loss in vivo and on restoring the anagen transition in vitro were investigated. The results suggest that UC-MSCs have the potential to prevent hair loss by protecting hair follicle dermal papilla cells and keratinocytes. Furthermore, the protective effect of UC-MSCs may contribute to resistance to autophagy dysregulation that occurs under harmful stress conditions (Bak et al., 2020). Conditioned medium secreted from UC-MSCs improved hair growth efficacy, and in a clinical trial, 5% primed conditioned medium was shown to improve androgenetic alopecia by increasing hair density, thickness, and growth rate (Oh et al., 2020).

It has been reported that UC-MSCs exhibit superior regenerative properties compared to adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs). Compared to AD-MSCs, UC-MSCs grow faster and have a shorter culture time, enabling rapid in vitro proliferation. They suppress T-cell proliferation, demonstrating a more potent immunosuppressive effect than AD-MSCs. Their enhanced differentiation potential enhances functional capabilities, making them more suitable for various therapeutic areas of regenerative medicine (Kim et al., 2018). UC-MSCs exhibit excellent plasticity and adaptability to damage, allowing them to integrate and function more effectively in damaged tissues (Chu et al., 2023). UC-MSCs are less sensitive to aging-related factors, produce higher levels of specific chemokines, and have enhanced immunosuppressive effects, making them more suitable for the treatment of immune-related diseases (Hori et al., 2024). The hair follicle regeneration process is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Diagram of hair follicle regeneration. MSCs, mesenchymal stem cells; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-1; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.

A female patient who experienced sudden hair loss after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine received 10 scalp injections of autologous CD34+ HPCF, and 2 intravenous and 2 scalp injections of UC-MSCs. This treatment regimen significantly improved her hair loss and she experienced no significant side effects.

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