A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial published inDermatology and Therapysuggests that niostem’s electrotrichogenic (ETG) wearable device may offer a novel non pharmacologic option for men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In the 24-week study, 81 male patients with Norwood-Hamilton II-VI AGA used either the active device or a sham comparator for 30 minutes daily, with efficacy assessed in participants achieving at least 70% adherence.Dermatology Timesspoke to niostem’s co-founder and chief technology officer, Carlos Chacón, PhD, about the recently published research.

Discover the results of niostem’s highly anticipated, 6-month randomized controlled trial (RCT) recently published in the prestigious medical journal Dermatology and Therapy. This article breaks down the data from our double-blind, sham-controlled study—the gold standard in clinical research—showing how our drug-free wearable significantly improved hair density and thickness by unlocking the body’s natural regenerative potential. Explore the journey from our 2025 pilot study to this major scientific milestone, and see why low-level electrical stimulation (LLES) is becoming the trusted authority for those seeking a safe, effective, and non-invasive approach to hair health

We are proud to announce that our co-founder, Dr. Carlos Chacón-Martínez, has been invited to present niostem’s latest clinical breakthroughs at the prestigious World Congress for Hair Research 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Chacón-Martínez will share the definitive results of our double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by Dermatest. The data reveals a groundbreaking 25.4% increase in terminal hair density over six months, marking a new era in non-invasive, stem cell-driven hair regeneration.

Even during my microbiology studies, I was driven by a deep sense of purpose and benefit. Back then, I wanted to use biotechnology to transform scientific findings into real solutions for health problems – for example, vaccines or medications.

Later, as a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute, I researched hair stem cells and saw how I could put this drive into practice: helping people with hair loss using scientific methods. This led to the creation of niostem.

New peer-reviewed scientific publication in the renown and highly reputed  Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Wiley). niostem publishes full dataset on the effectiveness and safety of the niostem device from its Pilot Study. The niostem device resulted in significant increases in hair count, with a 12% increase in total hair density at 3 months and a 19.3% increase at 6 months. Hair thickness also increased by 8.8% in 6 months. Terminal hair density improved significantly over time, with visible hair growth observed in the participants. No adverse events were reported.

niostem, a pioneer in the field of hair regeneration, is excited to announce the final results from a double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial, conducted by the renowned German Research Institute Dermatest, of its innovative wearable device designed to combat pattern baldness.

The EHRS is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the research of hair biology and hair disease in Europe. Becoming a selected member of the European Hair Research Society (EHRS) signifies a distinguished level of contribution and expertise within the field of hair science. This selective membership typically involves a rigorous evaluation process, recognizing individuals who have made significant advancements through their research, publications, and active involvement in the society’s activities. It represents a mark of high standing among leading European hair researchers, fostering collaboration and driving innovation in understanding and treating hair disorders.

The prestigious Journal of Investigative Dermatology publishes a summary of the results of niostem’s pilot study showing effectiveness and safety of the niostem headset in men with androgenetic alopecia.

Dr. Chacón-Martinez was invited to present a talk at theSecond Barcelona Hair Meetingat the city of Barcelona, Spain on 13th September 2024, with the clinical evidence behind the niostem headset. This renown meeting puts together a meticulously curated scientific program designed to engage and inspire academics, practitioners, and other professionals who share a fervent interest in the field of hair. Insights in terms of new research, new treatments and clinical studies were discussed.

niostem’s results from its first pilot study with the niostem headset were presented to a scientific audience of dermatologists and hair experts at the world renownAnnual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology - SID 2024 Annual Meetingin May 2024, Dallas - Texas - USA. This meeting brings together leading dermatologists and doctors to share innovations in the fields of dermatology.

Dr. Chacón-Martínez was invited to give a talk about the niostem technology at the prestigious AMWC 2024 in Monaco (March 29th). The scientific results from the first pilot study with the niostem headset were presented to a scientific audience of hair and skin experts. The AMWC 2024 congress brings together leading researchers and doctors to share innovations in the fields of anti-aging and aesthetic medicine.

Dr Carlos Chacón’s research continues to be picked up by the scientific world. Carlos co-authored this article on the identification of a key regulator of sebaceous gland homeostasis.

Journal of Cell science publishes co-authored article of Dr Carlos Chacón’s research into stem cell fate

An international team of researchers from the Universities of Cologne and Helsinki and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing have discovered that the ability of stem cells to proliferate and renew organs is regulated by the stiffness of the surrounding tissue. This finding may have implications for improving the regeneration of aged tissue.

New findings identify how changes in hair stem cells' micro-environment control the age-related decline in their regenerative abilities. - Nature Cell Biology publishes papers of the highest quality from all areas of cell biology

ScienceDaily features breaking news about the latest discoveries in science

Scientists discover factors that control hair follicle stem cell fate reversibility and long-term maintenance of the hair follicle.

A team of researchers discover a mechanism that prevents hair loss: hair follicle stem cells are the key.

Here, a wearable, universal motion-activated electric stimulation tool was created that can efficiently encourage hair regeneration by arbitrary body motions. A notable improvement in hair regeneration was observed in Sprague-Dawley rats and naked mice. When the device was used in place of traditional pharmaceutical treatments, Sprague-Dawley rats showed greater hair shaft length and higher hair follicle density.

Dr Carlos Chacón authors a literature review on the study of the signalling that calls stem cells into action to regenerate damaged tissue - Signalling in the stem cell niche: regulating cell fate, function and plasticity

Dr Carlos Chacón & colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, file a patent on a Hair Follicle Stem Cell (HFSC) culture system that furthers the field of regenerative science.

The exciting invention by Dr Carlos Chacón of a method that allows for studies on hair follicle stem cell fate leads to a deepening understanding of stem cells and their regenerative abilities.

“Growing hair follicle stem cells with our method is likely to have important implications in regenerative medicine. Modern medicine is already able to grow and transplant skin, but this is hairless. Maybe we could help bald men to regrow hair", says Chacón.

This study shows encouraging results in an area where no other appropriate treatment is available Reducing alopecia, secondary to chemotherapy has the potential to increase CMF treatment compliance, enhance patient self-esteem, and improve overall quality of life during this stressful period.

These data represent a subset of data from the original 36-week study conducted by Maddin et al., which was in itself a preliminary study of a pulsed electrical stimulation device in male subjects alone. The extension phase of this study, which is summarized here, was undertaken to gather data on longer-term efficacy and safety and to study clinical effects in control subjects who were then switched to active treatment. Thirteen subjects had active treatment for 70 weeks, and 14 subjects were included in the crossover group, which had sham treatment for 36 weeks followed by active treatment for 30 additional weeks. On average, terminal hair counts increased from 82 to 276 in the active treatment group. Among those in the crossover group, a mild increase, from 124 to 160, was observed during the sham treatment period and a more notable increase, from 160 to 249, occurred during the subsequent active treatment period. The results presented here provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of this device during extended use; however, the generalizability of these findings is limited by the small subset of subjects for whom complete data are available.

This comparative, controlled study demonstrates the positive biologic effect on hair regrowth of a pulsed electrical field administered according to a regularized treatment schedule over 36 weeks. Mean hair count comparisons within the groups significantly favor the treatment group, which exhibited a 66.1% hair count increase over baseline. The control group increase over baseline was 25.6%. It is notable also that 29 of the 30 treatment subjects (96.7%) exhibited regrowth or no further hair loss. The process is without side effects and untoward reactions. The rationale of this phenomenon is unclear but is considered to be due to an electrophysiologic effect on the quiescent hair follicle, similar to that documented with respect to bone fracture and soft tissue repair enhancement. The electrical pulse may cause increased cell mitosis through calcium influx, involving both the hair follicle sheath and dermal papilla cells.