Can your own hair follicles smooth your wrinkles?
NCT ID NCT07227883
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase trial tests whether a liquid made from stem cells found in your own hair follicles (called secretome) can safely improve signs of facial aging like wrinkles, roughness, and redness. Twenty-four adults with moderate to severe facial aging will receive injections of either the secretome or a saline placebo. The study focuses on safety and measures skin changes using specialized photography.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- autologous hair follicle-derived secretome (aHFS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a natural, non-surgical way to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture using your own hair follicle cells.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early (Phase 1) trial with only 24 people, so it is mainly checking safety. The secretome may not improve skin noticeably, and results may not apply to all skin types.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 24 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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30 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria 1. Male or Female 2. Age: ≥30 and ≤ 75 at the time of consent. 3. Fitzpatrick skin types I-V 4. Moderate to very severe facial aging according to the SASSQ for the categories of elasticity, wrinkles, and skin roughness. 5. Willing to refrain from cosmetic procedures throughout the study period (i.e. laser treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, dermal filler injections, neuromodulator injections below the mid-eye level \[forehead and region between the brows is allowed\]). 6. Willing to use study support products as directed and will not introduce any new skin care or makeup products throughout the study period. Subjects will be provided with a Skincare Kit: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 20 oz, Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion 3 oz, Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Liquid Face Sunscreen SPF 50. Two of each will be provided with application instructions. 7. Male subjects with facial hair must be willing to shave the morning of their treatments/follow-up visits. 8. Willing to minimize sun/ultraviolet light exposure for the duration of the study, including all of the following: applying sunscreen daily, at least 15 minutes before going outside; wearing sun-protective clothing (e.g., a hat, sunglasses) when outdoors; reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours during outdoor activities; avoiding tanning bed/tanning product use. 9. Competent and willing to provide written, informed consent to participate in all study activities 10. Willing and able to tolerate multiple injections and attend all study visits 11. Negative urine pregnancy test result at the time of screening (if applicable) 12. For female subjects of childbearing potential, must be willing to use an acceptable form of birth control control (oral contraceptives, hormonal implants, intrauterine device \[IUD\], hormonal injectables specifically for birth control, contraceptive patch or ring, tubal ligation \[tubes tied\], or total sexual abstinence) during the entire course of the study. All systemic birth control measures (oral, hormonal implants, injectables) must be in consistent use for at least 30 days prior to study enrollment. A female is considered of childbearing potential unless she is postmenopausal, without a uterus and/or both ovaries, or has had a bilateral tubal ligation. Exclusion Criteria 1. Use of topical tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, hydroquinone, imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, ingenol mebutate, concentrated hydrogen peroxide, diclofenac, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, or photodynamic therapy (PDT) to the face within 4 weeks prior to baseline photography and throughout the study period 2. Dermatologic diseases or conditions (e.g. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, wounds, infections, irritation, sunburn, windburn, etc.) in the treatment area that could interfere with the study, in the opinion of the Investigator 3. Starting to use or stopping the use of GLP-1 agonists, or planned weight loss or gain during the study period. Subjects using GLP-1 agonists must be taking the drug for maintenance AND body weight must have been stable for at least 3 months prior to initial study treatment. 4. History of keloid formation, hypertrophic scarring, or abnormal/delayed wound healing 5. Previous medical aesthetic rejuvenation treatments on the face, such as chemical peel, dermabrasion, non-ablative or ablative resurfacing procedure, or face-lift with laser or other devices, up to 3 months prior to baseline photography 6. Treatment with neuromodulators in crow's feet or below mid-eye level within 4 months prior to baseline photography 7. Treatment with dermal fillers, collagen stimulators, fat injections or permanent fillers within the past 6 months prior to baseline photography. 8. Patients using other anti-aging treatments/procedures/systemic medications or injections administered/prescribed by a medical professional before starting the study, if the investigator believes they will confound the results. Consulting with Sponsor is encouraged. 9. Heavy smoker (\>1 pack of cigarettes a day) 10. Energy-based device (i.e., radiofrequency device treatments, microfocused-ultrasound device or other ultrasound-based device treatments, laser and light-based device treatments, microneedling) treatment in the treatment area within 6 months prior to baseline photography 11. Currently be taking isotretinoin (Accutane). 12. Subjects on an immunosuppressant or have an autoimmune condition (except stable, controlled Hashimoto's thyroiditis) 13. Surgery (i.e., face lift, eyebrow lift, neck lift or lower rhytidectomy, liposuction, etc.) during the 12-month period prior to baseline photography 14. Current participation or participation within 30 days prior to the start of this study in a drug or other investigational research study 15. Severe active infection (e.g. HIV, HepB or C, UTI, etc.) 16. Current or recent (within last 5 years) malignancy (except basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers as long as basal cell was not on the face) 17. History of systemic chemotherapy or radiation within the last 5 years 18. Continuous/daily use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or Vitamin E, unless discontinued within 7 days before 1st treatment and only used as needed through the trial period. 19. Anticipated pregnancy or trying to become pregnant in the next year 20. Current anticoagulant therapy (heparins; factor Xa inhibitors; direct agents such dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, endoxaban and betrixaban; warfarin/coumarins). Low dose aspirin and omega-3 supplements allowed. 21. Any other criterion based on the clinical judgment of the investigator may place the subject at risk or confound study results 22. Unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements (i.e. removal of jewelry, makeup, facial hair) of the study protocol in the opinion of the Investigator. 23. Subject has any disorder that may prevent compliance, such as a history of chronic alcohol or drug abuse, significant mental or nervous disorder or other illness that would, in the evaluator's opinion, interfere with the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
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Steve Yoelin, MD
RECRUITINGNewport Beach, California, 92663, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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