How the Stem Cell Secretome Empowers Science-backed, Ultra-personalized Dermocosmetics

Secretome technology is advancing personalized, regenerative skin and hair treatments. Acorn Biolabs is at the forefront of such innovation, using cryopreserved cells to create patient-specific solutions. Acorn's CEO Drew Taylor, Ph.D., explains here.

Scientific proof of a product's efficacy is a must for today's beauty consumer. Stem cell technology, once confined to the medical sector, has emerged as a solution to meet this requirement. With the global stem cell market across industries projected to grow from US $18.65 billion in 2025 to $48.83 billion by 2034, the potential for advancements in regenerative medicine is immense. 

For hair health and skin care, Acorn Biolabs is at the forefront of this space. The company's innovative stem cell secretome technology offers a personalized, regenerative approach to beauty. However, the secretome is not just a cosmetic formula; rather, a "physician-directed, cell-derived topical produced under controlled laboratory conditions."

Here, Drew Taylor, Ph.D., CEO at Acorn Biolabs, explains, delving into the science behind the platform, the unique benefits of the non-invasive methods used, and how the company's product, YOU, is setting a new standard for evidence-based beauty solutions.

The Secret to Secrotome Efficacy

"Acorn begins by collecting intact hair follicles from the back of the scalp, the occipital region. These follicles contain a rich mix of stem cells, keratinocytes and fibroblasts that are cryopreserved to halt further biological aging," Taylor explains.

Then, either immediately or once a patient is ready for treatment, the cells are cultured and the bioactive factors they release are collected. "This cell-derived material, called the secretome, ... contains growth factors, peptides, cytokines, exosomes and structural proteins from the patients' own stem cells."

Commercialized under the brand YOU, the resulting secretome is applied after and alongside procedures such as microneedling or laser treatments to support skin recovery and rejuvenation in a way that aligns with the patient’s own biology.

Hair Follicles Grant Non-invasive Access to Cellular Youth

Acorn’s platform is built around preserving each patient’s youngest cells and using them to create personalized, cell-derived treatments as needed. "We use hair follicles rather than surgical tissue, which keeps the process non-invasive and accessible," Elliott writes.Image by Davide Angelini at Adobe Stock

Acorn’s platform is built around preserving each patient’s youngest cells and using them to create personalized, cell-derived treatments as needed. "We use hair follicles rather than tissues or cells taken surgically, which keeps the process non-invasive and accessible," Taylor writes. 

To collect the follicles, a trained practitioner plucks approximately fifty using a specialized pair of tweezers. The experience is reportedly not painful, typically takes less than 15 min and requires no incisions, anesthesia or downtime, per Taylor. This accessibility allows patients to bank their cells early, making regenerative medicine accessible to far more people.

"Each batch of the secretome is created from the patient’s own cells, and we quantify its active components to ensure consistency and potency. This stands apart from donor-derived or off-the-shelf approaches."

The result, according to Taylor, is a regenerative model that is personalized, renewable and adaptable to future applications, with YOU representing the first commercial expression of that platform.

Not a Cosmetic — A Prescribed Solution

Dermocosmetics increasingly demand clinical rigor and measurable biology, per Taylor — and Acorn operates directly in this space. "The secretome is not a cosmetic formulation but a physician-directed, cell-derived topical produced under controlled laboratory conditions. It uses the patient’s own regenerative factors rather than synthetic or donor ingredients."

In addition, Taylor highlights YOU is positioned within medical practices as part of procedural workflows, which aligns with the shift toward evidence-based, biologically grounded beauty.

Building a Regenerative Youth 'Reserve'

"[A] 'regenerative reserve' refers to the bank of youthful cells captured and saved during a patient’s initial follicle collection," Taylor continues. "Those cryopreserved cells can be used to produce multiple batches of the secretome over time."

According to Taylor, this gives patients long-term flexibility as new treatment applications emerge without requiring repeated harvesting later in life when cells have aged further. 

"By creating the reserve early, patients secure a renewable source of their best biology for future regenerative needs, including future batches of YOU."

Ultra-personalized Hair and Skin Treatment

YOU gives practitioners a fully autologous tool that elevates personalization beyond traditional topicals.Image courtesy of Acorn Biolabs

Personalization is foundational to Acorn's approach. "Every batch of the secretome originates from the patient’s own cells, so the biological profile is inherently matched. Physicians then determine how it is used," Taylor writes.

Treatment plans differ depending on the focus; e.g., hair density support, texture improvement, scar remodelling or post-procedure recovery.

"Clinicians adjust timing, frequency, and procedural pairing to match goals and response patterns. YOU gives practitioners a fully autologous tool that elevates personalization beyond traditional topicals," Taylor emphasizes.

Safety, Efficacy and Regulatory Measures

To ensure the safety and efficacy of the secretome, each sample passes through strict viability and sterility testing, with standardized protocols for processing, cell culture and secretome collection. 

"The treatments are fully autologous, which minimizes the risk of immune reactions seen with donor-based products," Taylor notes. "We quantify key bioactive components to maintain potency and support clinical studies evaluating real-world use."

In addition, he adds the YOU secretome is used under physician supervision as an adjunct to aesthetic procedures.

Long-term Aesthetic Planning

Looking forward, Taylor believes that stem cell banking is likely to become a core element of long-term aesthetic planning. "As use continues to grow, cell-derived treatments including the YOU secretome will be the standard of care to support procedural recovery, improve texture and elasticity, and help maintain hair density."

He adds, "personalization will deepen through proteomic and cellular insights, enabling clinicians to design individualized treatment strategies." Furthermore, regulatory expectations will rise, favoring autologous and well-characterized platforms, per Taylor. 

"In that landscape, technologies like Acorn’s and products such as YOU will play a central role in helping people use their own biology to maintain and restore tissue quality."