Apple Stem Cell Extract for Hair: What the Research Shows

"Apple stem cell extract" and "apple extract for hair" are not the same thing. The ingredient with hair trials behind it is apple procyanidin B2, a polyphenol found in apples. Apple stem cell extract is a plant-cell-culture ingredient used in cosmetics, and we found no hair trial on it directly.

Here's what each is, what the human studies show, and what's known about side effects.

I LOVE MY HAIR NOW

FullyVital hair serum and hair vitamins made tremendous improvements in my hair. I truly love my hair now.

Dorit S.,

Shop Hair Products 

Key Takeaways

• Apple stem cell extract comes from culturing apple plant cells. It's used in skin care, and we found no hair trial on it.
• A 6-month, double-blind trial of a 1% procyanidin B-2 tonic from apples in 29 men found a significantly greater increase in total and terminal hairs than placebo.
• A randomized trial of an Annurca apple polyphenol supplement reported more hair growth, density and keratin content after 2 months.
• No adverse side effects were observed in the topical procyanidin trial.

What Is Apple Stem Cell Extract?

Plant stem cell extracts are made by growing plant cells in a sterile culture and using the extract in products. The term is used in skin care, and it should not be confused with human stem cell treatments or with apple fruit extracts.

Apple Stem Cell Extract vs Apple Polyphenols

Most of the hair research on apples is about polyphenols from the fruit, especially procyanidin B2, not about stem cell cultures. If you see a product marketed with apple stem cells for hair growth, ask what study supports that specific ingredient.

Our Best Sellers

Hair Growth Serum

$44.25

Shop Serum

Anti-Gray Serum

$44.25

Shop Serum

What To Know Before Using Apple Products On Your Hair

• Match the claim to the ingredient. Procyanidin B2 and Annurca apple polyphenols have hair studies. Plant stem cell extract does not, as far as we found.
• Be patient. The trials ran for 2 to 6 months.
• Patch test any new scalp product and stop if your skin is irritated.

Our Best Sellers

Hair Vitamins

$44.25

Shop Vitamins

Anti-Gray Vitamins

$44.25

Shop Vitamins

What The Research Shows

Plant Stem Cell Extracts In Cosmetics

A review describes plant stem cell extracts, made by culturing plant cells, as used in common and professional cosmetics. It focused on an extract from one apple tree variety (Uttwiler Spätlauber) and its effects on human skin, not on hair (Moruś et al., 2014).

Apple Procyanidin B-2 On The Scalp

In a double-blind trial of 29 men, 19 used a 1% procyanidin B-2 tonic and 10 used a placebo for 6 months. Total hairs in the measured area rose by 6.68 per 0.25 cm² in the procyanidin group versus 0.08 in the placebo group, and terminal hairs (thicker than 60 μm) rose by 1.99 versus a drop of 0.82. No adverse side effects were observed in either group (Kamimura et al., 2000).

An Annurca Apple Supplement

Annurca apples, native to southern Italy, are rich in oligomeric procyanidins, especially procyanidin B2. In a randomized clinical trial, a supplement made from their polyphenol extract increased hair growth, density and keratin content in healthy subjects after 2 months (Tenore et al., 2018).

See also: L-Glutamine for Hair: What the Research Shows · Adenosine for Hair Loss: What the Research Shows

Frequently Asked Questions

Does apple stem cell extract help hair growth?

We found no trial of apple stem cell extract for hair. The hair trials are on apple procyanidin B2 and an Annurca apple polyphenol supplement.

What are the side effects of apple stem cell extract?

We found no safety study for apple stem cell extract in hair products. In the trial of topical procyanidin B-2, no adverse side effects were observed in either group. Patch test any new product.

Is apple procyanidin B2 the same as apple stem cell extract?

No. Procyanidin B2 is a polyphenol from the fruit. Stem cell extract comes from cultured plant cells.

References

1. Moruś M, Baran M, Rost-Roszkowska M, et al. Plant stem cells as innovation in cosmetics. Acta Pol Pharm. 2014. PubMed
2. Kamimura A, Takahashi T, Watanabe Y. Investigation of topical application of procyanidin B-2 from apple to identify its potential use as a hair growing agent. Phytomedicine. 2000. PubMed
3. Tenore GC, Caruso D, Buonomo G, et al. Annurca Apple Nutraceutical Formulation Enhances Keratin Expression in a Human Model of Skin and Promotes Hair Growth and Tropism in a Randomized Clinical Trial. J Med Food. 2018. PubMed