aHFS outperforms PRP in hair restoration studies

BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 23, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Bauman Medical, a physician-led hair restoration practice founded by Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS, FISHRS, today announced that an abstract authored by Dr. Bauman has been accepted for an oral presentation at the 34th World Congress of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), to be held October 15-17, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The study, which used mass spectrometry, multiplex ELISA, and nanoparticle tracking analysis, profiled 37 regenerative molecules and compared them directly to autologous PRP prepared by standard double-spin centrifugation from the same donors. Key findings include matrix molecules critical to follicle anchorage and cycling, such as aggrecan, collagens, and keratins, reaching up to 22× higher concentrations than PRP; growth factors GDNF, bFGF/FGF2, and KGF/FGF7 reaching up to 11× higher; and cytokines MCP-1 and SDF-1 reaching 4× higher. For skin and scalp rejuvenation, matrix molecules like fibronectin, emilin, and collagen reached up to 34× higher; growth factors like VEGF, GDNF, PEDF, and bFGF up to 23× higher; and HAPLN1 protein 12× higher; and supportive cytokines up to 9× higher.

aHFS, produced from a patient's own hair follicle stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, obtained through non-invasive hair follicle plucking or routine follicular unit extraction, and processed through a patented expansion method developed by Acorn Biolabs, is a paracrine, cell-free formulation enriched in growth factors, exosomes, extracellular matrix proteins, and cytokines that signal directly to the hair follicle and skin. Unlike PRP, aHFS maintained robust IGF-1/IGFBP3 levels independent of donor age and showed significantly lower pro-inflammatory markers (MMP-1, MMP-2).

In a preliminary post-ablative laser recovery study (n=11), aHFS produced 32-58% reductions in recovery symptoms (pain, itching, crusting, swelling, redness) versus best-in-class comparators, a 39% improvement in cosmetic appearance, a 63% improvement in skin "feel," and a 12× higher likelihood of being rated the "best overall patient experience" compared with standard of care. Longer-term efficacy data are being gathered in an ongoing multicenter observational trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06477172).

Dr. Bauman, the chief executive, said she was pleased with the result.

Founded in 1997 by Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS, FISHRS, Bauman Medical is a physician-led hair transplant and hair loss treatment center headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, with a satellite location in New York. Dr. Bauman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, and has treated more than 36,000 patients and performed more than 14,000 hair transplant procedures. Bauman Medical is recognized internationally for pioneering minimally invasive FUE, PRP, low-level laser therapy, and advanced regenerative technologies for hair restoration.