# Acorn Biolabs - Regenerative Medicine > Acorn is a personalized regenerative medicine company, helping people preserve their own cells to prepare for the future of cell-based treatments. The first non-invasive solution to preserving your younger follicle cells for use in future cell treatments. Full text content of every page on the Acorn website. ## Acorn Biolabs | Personalized Regenerative Medicine URL: https://acorn.me/ Acorn is a personalized regenerative medicine company, helping people preserve their own cells to prepare for the future of cell-based treatments. The first non-invasive solution to preserving your younger follicle cells for use in future cell treatments. Rejuvenated Skin, Powered by ${YOU_LOGO} Unlock healthier, youthful-looking skin with a personalized secretome serum made from your own stem cells. Support Natural Hair Growth with ${YOU_LOGO} Unlock healthier, thicker hair with a personalized secretome serum made from your own stem cells. A Record of Who You Are, at Your Best Save your best stem cells today to secure a younger, more powerful source of regenerative signals for the future. Fast Company’s Most Innovative 2026 Acorn Biolabs has been named to Fast Company's list of the Most Innovative Companies of 2026! Featured In Support Your Body's Regeneration with the Power of ${YOU_LOGO} Acorn is transforming regenerative medicine with cell-derived treatments for hair, skin, and beyond. Skin Reduce the signs of aging and restore skin's natural youthful look. Hair Support fuller, thicker hair at a cellular level. Future Pipeline Be ready for tomorrow’s breakthroughs in anti-aging, joint repair, and regenerative medicine. Not sure where to start? Discover how Secretome can support your skin & hair goals. The World’s First Hair Follicle Stem Cell Platform Acorn’s technology recreates the body’s natural regenerative process within a controlled lab environment. By collecting and enhancing performance of your stem cells, Acorn creates a personalized “regenerative reserve” of essential molecules — at concentrations beyond what the body naturally produces — for advanced treatments today and tomorrow. Impactful results, regardless of age Non-invasive, quick collection process Applications available now and in the future Your Journey to Regeneration Starts Now Join Acorn today and discover how your cells hold the key to a better, healthier future. In the News --- ## About Us | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/about Learn about Acorn Biolabs, a regenerative medicine company helping people preserve their youngest cells for personalized skin, hair, and future therapies. Stem Cell Science for Human Health & Longevity Acorn Biolabs is a regenerative medicine company pioneering the use of patients’ own stem cells for personalized skin and hair treatments today and advanced medical therapies in the future. Featured In: Our Story Acorn was founded in 2017 by Dr. Drew Taylor, who recognized the incredible potential of hair follicle stem cells during his PhD research at the University of Toronto. Today, our scientific team is advancing regenerative medicine through cutting-edge research on Natural Killer cell activity against cancer cells, cartilage repair, organoid formation, and high-quality iPSC generation. Driven by Science, Committed to You Acorn is led by a world-class team of scientists, doctors, and innovators who believe in pushing the boundaries of regenerative medicine Our World Class Leadership Our Advisors --- ## The Science | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/the-science How Acorn works: the science behind collecting hair follicle stem cells and turning them into personalized secretome, developed with research institutions. The Science The Future of Longevity Science Starts With ${YOU_LOGO} Acorn developed the world’s first stem cell platform designed to collect, preserve, and enhance the potential of hair follicle stem cells for regenerative treatments today and tomorrow. We're at the Beginning of an Anti-Aging Revolution A hundred years ago, medicine focused on treating symptoms. Today, we’re shifting toward regenerative solutions that restore and heal at the cellular level. Acorn is at the forefront of this movement—helping people preserve their youngest, most potent cells for use in groundbreaking treatments. 1930-1950 Early studies on stem cells & tissue regeneration 1998 The discovery of human pluripotent stem cells 2010 Exosome therapy and regenerative aesthetics gain traction Today First-to-market personalized secretome product Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Cells Today Topical Ongoing ACN-101 observational study evaluating topical YOU™ Secretome with aesthetic procedures for skin and hair. Soon Injectable Three IRB-approved controlled trials evaluating injectable Secretome for skin quality and hair density. Long Term Advanced Medical Treatments Research collaborations exploring cartilage repair, iPSC generation, and future cell-based therapies. Backed by a Team of Scientists Acorn was founded in 2017 by Dr. Drew Taylor, who unlocked the incredible potential of hair follicle stem cells during his PhD research at the University of Toronto. Acorn team brings together leading scientists, physicians, and lab experts dedicated to advancing regenerative medicine through next-generation cell-based therapies. Inside Acorn Biolabs --- ## Research Collaborations | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/research-collaborations Acorn's research collaborations: autologous, hair-follicle-derived cell research spanning oncology, orthopedics, stem cell biology, and pancreatic organoid models. Research Collaborations Acorn's research program explores how hair follicle-derived cells and Secretome can support future applications in regenerative medicine, oncology, diabetes, cartilage repair, and neurodegenerative disease through collaborations with leading academic institutions. In Partnership with Leading Research Institutions iPSCs · Diabetes Hair follicle-derived cells as a high-quality source for iPSCs Research conducted by Acorn Biolabs in collaboration with the University of Toronto (Rogers Lab) demonstrates that cells derived from human hair follicles can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSCs retain the capacity to differentiate into virtually any cell type in the human body, including pancreatic precursor cells—the functional cell populations lost in Type 1 diabetes. Current phase: Manuscript published. Research Collaborator Dr. Ian Rogers, PhD NK Cells · Oncology Hair follicle-derived iPSCs generate functional NK cells Research by Acorn Biolabs, in collaboration with the National Research Council (NRC), has shown that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from plucked hair follicles can be differentiated into natural killer (NK) cells capable of targeting specific cancer cell lines. Current phase: Manuscript in draft; Transition to animal modeling. Research collaborator: Dr. Anna Jezierski, PhD, MSc MSCs · Cartilage Repair Hair follicle-derived MSCs as a source for cartilage repair therapies The study, in partnership with University of Calgary, demonstrates that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from plucked human hair follicles can be successfully cultured and expanded using serum-free, clinically applicable systems. These cells retain multipotent capacity and can be differentiated into osteocytes (bone), chondrocytes (cartilage), and adipocytes (fat).  In preclinical models, both the cells and their secreted factors (secretome) promoted significant cartilage regeneration in mice. Collectively, this work establishes hair-follicle-derived MSCs as a promising and accessible cell source for regenerative therapies targeting cartilage injury. Current phase: Manuscript in review.  Research collaborator: Dr. Roman Krawitz Neurons · Parkinson’s Disease Hair follicle-derived MSCs as a source for patient-specific neurons Ongoing work by Acorn Biolabs, in partnership with the University of Guelph (Alpaugh Lab), is demonstrating that hair follicle–derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be differentiated into functional dopaminergic neurons using established neuronal differentiation protocols. This work highlights the potential of hair follicle–derived cells as a minimally invasive and scalable source of patient-specific neurons for future regenerative approaches targeting neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Current phase: In-vitro work on going.  Research collaborator: Dr. Melanie Alpaugh, PhD Research Articles 2026, Peer-Reviewed Publication Serum-Free Expanded Hair Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Cartilage Repair in a Murine Full-Thickness Defect Model 2026, Peer-Reviewed Publication The Autologous Hair Follicle and Its Secretome: a Multipotent Source for Cell-Based and Cell-Free Regenerative Therapies 2024, Peer-Reviewed Publication Efficient Generation of Pancreatic Progenitor Cells from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from a Non-Invasive and Accessible Tissue Source — The Plucked Hair Follicle 2022, Review Article Young Cell Cryopreservation as a Strategy for the Advancement of Future Human Health --- ## Contact Us | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/contact-us Get in touch with the Acorn Biolabs team — questions about cell banking, Secretome treatments, clinic partnerships, media requests, and client support. Contact Us Be one of the first to bring revolutionary cell preservation & treatments to your clients. For media & partnership inquiries please contact dave.elliott@acorn.me. --- ## How to Interpret Your Biobanking Report URL: https://acorn.me/how-to-interpret-your-biobanking-report At Acorn, we carefully sort through all plucked follicles and select only your anagen follicles to be cryopreserved. This ensures that we store the follicles with the most abundant and diverse cell populations. How to Interpret Your Biobanking Report What’s in the Image You Receive The image attached to your report is a magnified picture of your unique anagen hair follicle! Anagen hair follicles are in the growth phase of the hair growth cycle where cells continuously divide. Visually, a follicle in the anagen phase has a bulb, an intact outer and inner root sheath, as well as a glossy bulge area, as shown in the diagram above. This bulge area hosts a reserve of stem cells which hold immense regenerative and therapeutic potential. The stem cells from this region have already been used to create bone, fat, cartilage and neuronal cells in the lab! At Acorn, we carefully sort through all plucked follicles and select only your anagen follicles to be cryopreserved. This ensures that we store the follicles with the most abundant and diverse cell populations. The most common cell population isolated from the hair follicle are keratinocytes, which are highly specialized cells of the epidermis. Cultured keratinocytes have been used for more than 20 years to treat burns and other skin conditions. These same keratinocytes can also be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, which can differentiate into any cell type in the human body! What Are Our Requirements? Number of Follicles The number of your anagen follicles with intact outer root sheaths that have been cryopreserved. Above are examples of good and bad follicles. The good follicle has a solid, intact root sheath. The bad follicle has a broken, inconsistent root sheath. We recommend having between 25 and 55 collected intact follicles. Up to 5 of these follicles are used for analysis, leaving you with 20-50 banked follicles for future use. Number of Live Cells Each hair follicle has between 2,000-5,000 cells. Your follicle also has a percentage of living and dead cells. The number of live cells in your report is an estimate of the total number of living cells that you have banked. This estimate is based on the average total living cell count of the cells we analyzed. Our strict protocols ensure that we don’t store any follicles with less living cells than our experimentally determined cut-off point. We base this point on the number of living cells needed for successful outgrowth. Our outgrowth techniques allow us to outgrow each follicle’s live cells into millions of other cells for use in treatments. Number of Redundant Storage Tanks Your cells stored in multiple vials in at least 2 different cryogenic storage tanks. This provides extra protection in the rare event of a cryogenic tank malfunction. Our cryopreservation tanks are located in secure facilities in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) and Los Angeles (California, USA). Both facilities are on separate power grids with multiple backup generators to ensure that loss of power is an improbable event. Loss of power to the cryogenic freezers where your cells are stored is very unlikely. Finally, because your cells are held in tanks containing liquid nitrogen, the temperature would remain constant for long enough for your cells to be transferred to a working tank upon power loss. Cryogenic Storage Temperature Samples are cryogenically [-180℃ to -196℃] stored in what’s known as vapour-phase liquid nitrogen (LN²). This temperature stops the biological clock of your sample, so they remain the age at which you froze them. Samples are frozen at a slow rate of 1℃ per minute. The slow rate and added cryoprotectants, special substances added to the freezing solution, minimize damage to the cells during the freezing. Once cells have acclimated to low temperatures, they are transferred to our storage tanks that allow samples to maintain a constant cryogenic temperature of down to -196℃. --- ## Stem Cell Banking | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/cell-banking Bank your own stem cells at any age with personalized stem cell banking. Cryopreserved for hair, skin, and future regenerative treatments Regenerative Health Made Simple for ${YOU_LOGO} From collection to storage, here’s how Acorn empowers you to preserve your health on your terms. Get Started Acorn Stem Cell Banking Preserve your best cells and save with long-term storage for you, and your family. Reach out to an Acorn provider to start the process. What You Get Payment plans available through Affirm 01 Collection appointment at a top partner clinic 02 Cell processing, analysis and cryogenic freezing 03 Your first 5 or 10 years of cryostorage Frequently Asked Questions Is there an optimal age to bank your cells? Advancements in cell-processing technology make it possible to bank and use cells across a wide range of ages. Acorn’s proprietary laboratory process supports your cells in producing sufficient levels of regenerative molecules, including exosomes and growth factors, to meet our quality thresholds for secretome production. We have successfully produced secretome for clients ranging in age from 14 to 87. How can I use my stem cells? Your stored cells can already be used to support regenerative treatments for skin and hair today. When your cells are processed in the lab, they produce powerful regenerative signals (often called the secretome) that help support skin renewal and hair follicle health. See our treatments page for more information. Looking ahead, researchers are rapidly advancing regenerative medicine, studying how a person’s own cells may help repair or regenerate damaged tissues — including joints, muscles and ligaments, skin wounds, heart tissue, nerves, bones, and organs affected by aging. See our research pipeline for more. How much does it cost? Collection appointments are available at our clinic partners where the initial collection and processing fees can vary by clinic. After the collection, processing, analysis and careful freezing, your cells then remain in cryogenic storage for a yearly fee and would be accessible in the future for applicable regenerative treatments. Storage Fees Individuals ◦ $190 + tax yearly ◦ $850 + tax for 5 years ◦ $1,650 for 10 years Family* ◦ $350 + tax yearly ◦ $1,550 + tax for 5 years ◦ $3,050 for 10 years *Family plans consist of 2 adults + up to 4 additional family members residing at the same address. Acorn requires proof of residency at the home address and confirm eligibility of the banked individuals. --- ## Get Started With Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/start-your-journey Ready to get started with Acorn? See if Secretome is right for you, or book a consultation to talk through treatment and cell banking options. Get Started Regenerative Medicine. Personalized for ${YOU_LOGO} Choose the path that fits your goals — whether you’re ready to speak with a specialist or begin preserving your healthiest cells today. The World’s First Hair Follicle Stem Cell Platform Acorn’s technology recreates the body’s natural regenerative process within a controlled lab environment. By collecting and enhancing performance of your stem cells, Acorn creates a personalized “regenerative reserve” of essential molecules — at concentrations beyond what the body naturally produces — for advanced treatments today and tomorrow. Impactful results, regardless of age Non-invasive, quick collection process Applications available now and in the future Are you a provider interested in offering Acorn? Learn How Acorn Can Bring Value to Your Clinic --- ## Comment interpréter le rapport de viabilité cellulaire URL: https://acorn.me/comment-interpreter-le-rapport-de-viabilite-cellulaire L’image jointe à votre rapport de viabilité est une photo agrandie de votre follicule pileux anagène unique ! Comment interpréter le rapport de viabilité cellulaire Que contient l’image que vous recevez ? L’image jointe à votre rapport de viabilité est une photo agrandie de votre follicule pileux anagène unique ! Les follicules pileux anagènes se trouvent dans la phase de croissance du cycle de croissance du cheveu, où les cellules se divisent continuellement. Visuellement, un follicule en phase anagène présente un bulbe, une gaine racinaire externe et interne intacte, ainsi qu’une zone de renflement brillante, comme le montre le diagramme ci-dessus. Cette zone de renflement abrite une réserve de cellules souches qui recèlent un immense potentiel régénératif et thérapeutique. Les cellules souches de cette région ont déjà été utilisées pour créer des cellules osseuses, graisseuses, cartilagineuses et neuronales en laboratoire ! Chez Acorn, nous trions soigneusement tous les follicules arrachés et ne sélectionnons que les follicules anagènes à cryoconserver. Cela garantit que nous stockons les follicules contenant les populations cellulaires les plus abondantes et les plus diversifiées. La population cellulaire la plus courante isolée du follicule pileux est celle des kératinocytes, qui sont des cellules hautement spécialisées de l’épiderme. Les kératinocytes cultivés sont utilisés depuis plus de 20 ans pour traiter les brûlures et d’autres affections cutanées. Ces mêmes kératinocytes peuvent également être reprogrammés en cellules souches pluripotentes induites, qui peuvent se différencier en n’importe quel type de cellule du corps humain ! Quelles sont nos exigences en matière de viabilité ? Nombre de follicules Le nombre de vos follicules anagènes avec des gaines racinaires externes intactes qui ont été cryopréservés. Voici des exemples de bons et de mauvais follicules. Le bon follicule a une gaine radiculaire solide et intacte. Le mauvais follicule a une gaine radiculaire cassée et incohérente. Nous recommandons de recueillir entre 25 et 55 follicules intacts. Jusqu’à 5 de ces follicules sont utilisés pour l’analyse, ce qui vous laisse 20 à 50 follicules en réserve pour une utilisation future. Nombre de cellules vivantes Chaque follicule pileux compte entre 2000 et 5000 cellules. Votre follicule a également un pourcentage de cellules vivantes et de cellules mortes. Le nombre de cellules vivantes indiqué dans votre rapport est une estimation du nombre total de cellules vivantes que vous avez mises en banque. Cette estimation est basée sur la moyenne du nombre total de cellules vivantes des cellules que nous avons analysées. Nos protocoles stricts garantissent que nous ne conservons pas de follicules contenant moins de cellules vivantes que notre seuil déterminé expérimentalement. Nous basons ce point sur le nombre de cellules vivantes nécessaires à une croissance réussie. Nos techniques d’excroissance nous permettent de transformer les cellules vivantes de chaque follicule en millions d’autres cellules qui seront utilisées dans les traitements. Nombre de réservoirs de stockage redondants Vos cellules sont stockées dans plusieurs flacons dans au moins deux réservoirs cryogéniques différents.Cela offre une protection supplémentaire dans le cas rare d’un dysfonctionnement d’un réservoir cryogénique. Nos réservoirs de cryoconservation sont situés dans des installations sécurisées à Toronto (Ontario, Canada) et à Los Angeles (Californie, États-Unis). Les deux installations sont reliées à des réseaux électriques distincts et disposent de plusieurs générateurs de secours afin de garantir que la perte de l’alimentation électrique est un événement improbable. Il est très peu probable que les congélateurs cryogéniques dans lesquels vos cellules sont stockées soient privés d’électricité. Enfin, comme vos cellules sont conservées dans des réservoirs contenant de l’azote liquide, la température restera constante suffisamment longtemps pour que vos cellules puissent être transférées dans un réservoir opérationnel en cas de panne de courant. Température de stockage cryogénique Les échantillons sont conservés par cryogénie [-180℃ à -196℃] dans de l’azote liquide en phase vapeur (LN²).Cette température arrête l’horloge biologique de votre échantillon, de sorte qu’il conserve l’âge auquel vous l’avez congelé. Les échantillons sont congelés à une vitesse lente de 1℃ par minute.La vitesse lente et les cryoprotecteurs ajoutés, des substances spéciales ajoutées à la solution de congélation, minimisent les dommages causés aux cellules pendant la congélation.Une fois que les cellules se sont acclimatées aux basses températures, elles sont transférées dans nos réservoirs de stockage qui permettent aux échantillons de maintenir une température cryogénique constante allant jusqu’à -196℃. --- ## Find A Provider | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/find-providers Find an Acorn provider near you. Browse partner clinics offering YOU™ personalized skin and hair treatments, and book with a trained professional. Get Started Your Closest Clinic is Just a Search Away Explore nearby clinics and book your treatment with a trained professional. Get in Touch Are You a Clinic Interested in Offering Acorn? Fill out the form below --- ## Become A Provider | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/become-a-provider Become an Acorn partner clinic: a new revenue stream, stronger client retention, and a regenerative offering that sets your practice apart. Get in touch. Get Started Become an Acorn Partner Clinic Be one of the first to bring revolutionary cell preservation & treatments to your clients. Cell Preservation for Top Clinics The perfect add-on to your services Elevate Value New revenue stream, increasing your client spend Future-ready Build client retention in anticipation for cell-based treatments Effortless Integration Simple procedure that can be performed by any staff Distinct Advantage Unique product offering that will differentiate from your competition Take the First Step Into Regenerative Medicine Medspa Executive Health Dermatology Plastic Surgery Longevity Clinics Hair Loss Why Leading Clinics Trust Acorn Hear directly from the clinicians and professionals who trust Acorn to empower their patients and transform the future of care. Elaine Chin, M.D., M.B.A. Precision Medicine Physician Chief Medical Officer, Executive Health Centre. Founder, Innovation Health Group. Stem cell derived live cells for medical treatments are fundamental science supporting the future of healthcare. Imagine a world soon when lab generated cells can replace pancreatic cells to ‘cure’ Type 1 diabetes, ‘regrow’ damaged or cancerous organs and provide us with an anti-aging opportunity to regrow hair and renew our skin to it’s younger years. The future is now, and Acorn is leading the way. Dr. Steve Yoelin MD at Steve Yoelin MD Medical Asscociates Adding Acorn Live Cell Preservation to your business prepares your clients and your practice for the amazing opportunity ahead with regenerative medicine. Dr. Jean Carruthers Carruthers Cosmetics I see it as being an enormous benefit to my patients. A way that people can prepare not only for aesthetics, but medical uses as well. It’s a beautiful way to insure your future. Learn How Acorn Can Bring Value to Your Clinic Discover what partnering with Acorn could look like for your practice. --- ## Stem Cell-Based Hair Treatment | Acorn YOU™ Secretome URL: https://acorn.me/hair Personalized stem cell secretome product for hair regrowth. 92% patient satisfaction. Visible results in 90 days. 34x more growth factors than PRP. Find a clinic. ${YOU_LOGO} Personalized Secretome Product for Hair YOU™ is the first secretome product made from your own stem cells for natural hair regeneration. It delivers a biologically precise mix of regenerative molecules uniquely compatible with you, supporting hair renewal at a cellular level. No additives or preservatives – only your biology, enhanced Vegan, cruelty-free, cell-free, animal product-free Clinically-proven results By Day 90:  – 83% of patients had visible improvement in hair loss, based on the physician’s visual assessment* By Day 180: – 75% of patients were satisfied with improvement in hair amount** – 75% of patients were satisfied with improvement in hair quality* *n=30 **n=19, based on patient’s self-assessment Key ingredients Hair follicle-derived conditioned media The Science of ${YOU_LOGO} Every cell communicates through a natural biological language — messages sent by exosomes, cytokines, and proteins. Unlike single-ingredient products, YOU™ secretome speaks that full language fluently, delivering the complete spectrum of signals your scalp recognizes to support stronger, thicker-looking hair.  Enhance Natural Hair Support Hair Growth Improve Hair Amount & Quality How It Works A step-by-step overview of the process Step 1 Book a Consultation Meet with a partner clinic to choose the right treatment plan for YOU™. Step 2 Bank Your Cells Your provider collects a small sample of your hair follicles —and sends them to our lab. Step 3 Get Your Personalized Product Our lab cultures your stem cells, transforming them into a potent, personalized product. Step 4 It's Treatment Day Return to your provider for a personalized treatment supercharged with your own secretome. The Secretome: What's Inside Frequently Asked Questions Clear answers on safety, suitability and getting started How do I start? Acorn Secretome is offered through a network of licensed providers. To begin, you can locate a clinic near you using our provider map and book a consultation. You can also connect with an Acorn Concierge to be matched with a clinic, or reach out directly to a provider of your choice. Your provider will guide you through the process and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your goals. Is Secretome right for me? Acorn Secretome is an advanced regenerative treatment designed to support healthier skin, enhanced recovery, and hair growth. It is a good fit for you if you’re looking to improve skin quality, boost post-procedure results, or address early hair thinning. Consult with a provider to create a treatment plan tailored to your goals. Are there side effects? Side effects are minimal, with rare cases of mild redness or irritation similar to standard skincare products. How long before I see results? Most patients see visible improvement within weeks of their first treatment. Have questions? Talk with an Acorn representative to get matched to a provider, based on your needs. We're here for you Questions about getting started, the science, or anything in between? Our team is happy to help. --- ## Stem-Cell Based Skin Treatment | Acorn YOU™ Secretome URL: https://acorn.me/skin The world's first personalized secretome made from your stem cells. Aesthetic improvement by Day 30. 34x more growth factors than PRP. Find a clinic near you. ${YOU_LOGO} Personalized Secretome Product for Skin YOU™ is the first secretome product made from your own stem cells for natural skin regeneration. It delivers a biologically precise mix of regenerative molecules uniquely compatible with you, supporting skin renewal at a cellular level. No additives or preservatives – only your biology, enhanced Vegan, cruelty-free, cell-free, animal product-free Clinically-proven results By Day 60: – 93% of patients reported smoother skin texture* – 70% of patients reported improvement in wrinkles* – 67% of patients reported more even skin tone* By Day 90: – 93% of patients saw visible improvement in their skin** – 100% of patients were satisfied with the results of the treatment*** * based on patient’s self-assessment, MN group,  n=15 ** based on GAIS patient’s self-assessment, MN group, n=9 *** based on patient’s self-assessment, MN group, n=8 Key ingredients Hair follicle-derived conditioned media The Science of ${YOU_LOGO} Every cell communicates through a natural biological language — messages sent by exosomes, cytokines, and proteins. Unlike single-ingredient products, YOU™ secretome speaks that full language fluently, delivering the complete spectrum of signals your skin recognizes to regenerate tissues and restore youthful glow. Support post-procedure recovery Reduce downtime after procedures like microneedling, ablative and non-ablative laser, Tixel®, and others. Build Skin Resililence Improve the appearance of wrinkles, skin texture, tone, and pores. Restore Youthful Glow Revive your skin’s youthful glow with powerful regenerative therapies. How It Works A step-by-step overview Step 1 Book a Consultation Meet with a partner clinic to choose the right treatment plan for YOU™. Step 2 Bank Your Cells Your provider collects a small sample of your hair follicles —and sends them to our lab. Step 3 Get Your Personalized Product Our lab cultures your stem cells, transforming them into a potent, personalized product. Step 4 It's Treatment Day Return to your provider for a personalized treatment supercharged with your own secretome. The Secretome: What's Inside Frequently Asked Questions Clear answers on safety, suitability and getting started How do I start? Acorn Secretome is offered through a network of licensed providers. To begin, you can locate a clinic near you using our provider map and book a consultation. You can also connect with an Acorn Concierge to be matched with a clinic, or reach out directly to a provider of your choice. Your provider will guide you through the process and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your goals. Is Secretome right for me? Acorn Secretome is an advanced regenerative treatment designed to support healthier skin, enhanced recovery, and hair growth. It is a good fit for you if you’re looking to improve skin quality, boost post-procedure results, or address early hair thinning. Consult with a provider to create a treatment plan tailored to your goals. Are there side effects? Side effects are minimal, with rare cases of mild redness or irritation similar to standard skincare products. How long before I see results? Most patients see visible improvement within weeks of their first treatment. Have questions? Talk with an Acorn representative to get matched to a provider, based on your needs. We're here for you Questions about getting started, the science, or anything in between? Our team is happy to help. --- ## Blog | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/blog Acorn is a personalized regenerative medicine company, helping people preserve their own cells to prepare for the future of cell-based treatments. The first non-invasive solution to preserving your younger follicle cells for use in future cell treatments. Acorn Biolabs Blog Stay updated with the latest news, insights, and expertise from Acorn Biolabs and our industry It All Starts With ${YOU_LOGO} Acorn developed the world’s first stem cell platform designed to collect, preserve, and enhance the potential of hair follicle stem cells for regenerative treatments today and tomorrow. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions | Acorn Biolabs URL: https://acorn.me/faqs Your questions about Acorn cell banking and Secretome treatments, answered in one place: how it works, who it's for, and what to expect. Frequently Asked Questions Curious about something? We might have already answered it below. --- ## Customer Portal URL: https://acorn.me/customer-portal For existing Acorn customers — manage billing, subscriptions, and payment methods in one place. Customer Portal Canada United States Featured In First Personalized Stem Cell Platform Acorn developed the world’s first stem cell platform built to collect, preserve, and enhance hair follicle stem cells — producing patient-specific secretome for regenerative treatments today and tomorrow. In the News --- ## Beyond Collagen: The Real Building Blocks of Firmer, Younger Skin URL: https://acorn.me/blog/beyond-collagen-the-building-blocks-of-firmer-skin Think collagen is the key to younger skin? It's only one piece. Explore the real building blocks behind firm, resilient skin. Key Takeaways: Collagen is often considered the main driver of youthful skin. In truth, it’s only one part of the equation. Skin firmness also depends on elastin, extracellular matrix proteins, cellular signaling, and healthy fibroblasts. Inflammation, cellular aging, and declining repair pathways all influence how well skin maintains its structure. Even if you have just a passing curiosity about skincare, you’ve probably heard the same message over and over: collagen is the key to youthful skin. Don’t get us wrong: It’s true that collagen plays a critical role in skin structure. This protein forms a dense network within the dermis, giving skin its strength and firmness. Beginning in our 20s and 30s, collagen production gradually slows while breakdown accelerates. But focusing on collagen alone tells only part of the story. After all, the architecture of our skin isn’t constructed by a single protein—it includes structural fibers, supportive molecules, and the cells responsible for maintaining them.  The Other Building Blocks of Skin Structure Collagen may get most of the attention, but it works alongside a network of other proteins and molecules that help maintain the skin’s strength, elasticity, and resilience. 1. Elastin If collagen gives skin its firmness, elastin gives it its bounce. Elastin fibers allow skin to stretch and return to its original shape. Over time, these fibers break down due to UV exposure, environmental stress, and natural aging, contributing to sagging and loss of elasticity.[1] Unlike collagen, elastin is difficult for the body to replace once it’s damaged—which is why protecting it early is so important. 2. Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that helps skin retain moisture and maintain volume. It acts like a sponge within the extracellular matrix, binding large amounts of water and helping keep skin hydrated and plump. (It’s why it’s typically the key ingredient in dermal fillers.)[2] As natural hyaluronic acid levels decline with age, skin can appear thinner and less resilient. 3. Fibronectin Fibronectin is essentially the scaffolding that holds skin tissue together—it’s a structural protein that helps organize the extracellular matrix. It also plays an important role in wound healing and cellular repair, helping guide cells to areas where regeneration is needed.[3] 4. Laminin Laminin helps anchor skin cells to the basement membrane, the layer that connects the epidermis and dermis. This helps maintain skin stability and supports the communication between different layers of skin tissue.[4] 5. Growth Factors Growth factors are signaling proteins that tell skin cells when to grow, repair damage, and produce structural proteins like collagen and elastin. They act as molecular messengers that help coordinate the skin’s natural regenerative processes.[5] 6. Extracellular Vesicles and Cellular Signals Longevity science is revealing more and more that it’s not just about structure, but communication. Skin cells communicate through molecular signals that help coordinate repair and regeneration. Some of the most important of these signals travel inside extracellular vesicles, which are tiny membrane-bound particles released by cells. One well-known type of extracellular vesicle is the exosome, which carries proteins, lipids, and genetic material that can influence how nearby cells behave.[6] These vesicles are part of a broader collection of molecules known as the secretome: the network of growth factors, cytokines, peptides, and vesicles that cells release to communicate with one another. Researchers studying regenerative medicine are increasingly interested in how these signaling systems influence collagen production, inflammation, and tissue repair. The Bigger Picture of Skin Health Collagen may be the molecule most often associated with young, resilient skin, but it doesn’t work alone. Skin firmness and resilience depend on a complex biological network: structural proteins like elastin and fibronectin, hydration molecules like hyaluronic acid, and signaling systems that help coordinate repair and regeneration. Even the cells responsible for maintaining skin structure—fibroblasts—rely on these signals to know when to produce collagen, regulate inflammation, or rebuild damaged tissue. In other words, collagen may be the scaffolding of youthful skin—but the real building blocks are the biological systems that keep that scaffolding strong. To see how our secretome science supports firmer, healthier skin, explore our skin page. FAQ Is collagen the only thing that keeps skin firm? No. While collagen plays a major role in skin structure, it’s only one part of a larger biological system. Elastin, hyaluronic acid, and cellular signaling molecules all contribute to how skin maintains its firmness and resilience. What other proteins support skin structure? Elastin helps skin stretch and return to its original shape, while proteins like fibronectin and laminin help organize the extracellular matrix—the scaffolding that holds skin tissue together. Together, these components help maintain the strength and elasticity of the skin. What role do fibroblasts play in skin aging? Fibroblasts are the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and many other components of the skin’s extracellular matrix. In younger skin, fibroblasts actively maintain and repair this structural network. As skin ages, fibroblast activity slows, which contributes to declining collagen production and slower tissue repair. What role do exosomes play in skincare? Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles released by cells that help coordinate communication between tissues. They carry proteins, lipids, and genetic material that can influence how nearby cells behave—including signals involved in repair, inflammation, and collagen production.  What is the secretome? The secretome refers to the broader collection of signaling molecules released by cells, including growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles. These signals help coordinate how tissues respond to stress, injury, and repair.  Can boosting collagen alone help skin look youthful? Increasing collagen production can support skin firmness, but healthy skin depends on more than collagen alone. Hydration molecules, structural proteins, cellular repair systems, and signaling pathways all influence how skin ages and maintains its resilience. Further Reading: Baumann, L., Bernstein, E. F., Weiss, A. S., Bates, D., Humphrey, S., Silberberg, M., & Daniels, R. (2021). Clinical Relevance of Elastin in the Structure and Function of Skin. Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum, 3(3), ojab019. https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab019  Walker K, Basehore BM, Goyal A, et al. Hyaluronic Acid. [Updated 2023 Jul 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482440/  Dalton, C. J., & Lemmon, C. A. (2021). Fibronectin: Molecular Structure, Fibrillar Structure and Mechanochemical Signaling. Cells, 10(9), 2443. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10092443  Iorio, V., Troughton, L. D., & Hamill, K. J. (2015). Laminins: Roles and Utility in Wound Repair. Advances in wound care, 4(4), 250–263. https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2014.0533  Shin, S. H., Koh, Y. G., Lee, W. G., Seok, J., & Park, K. Y. (2023). The use of epidermal growth factor in dermatological practice. International wound journal, 20(6), 2414–2423. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14075  Doyle, L. M., & Wang, M. Z. (2019). Overview of Extracellular Vesicles, Their Origin, Composition, Purpose, and Methods for Exosome Isolation and Analysis. Cells, 8(7), 727. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells8070727 --- ## The best anti-aging strategy most people are missing out on URL: https://acorn.me/blog/the-best-anti-aging-strategy-most-people-are-missing-out-on Acorn CEO, Dr Drew Taylor joined Amber Milt on her podcast ArtBeauty to discuss the potential for skin treatments found in our hair follicles, their potential uses in regenerative medicine and the benefits of cryogenically preserving the cells. Key Takeaways: Acorn specializes in banking Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) found in the hair follicle. Cell health peaks in your early 20s and begins to decline sharply after your mid-60s. The most immediate use for banked cells is the Aesthetic Medicine area, specifically through autologous topical serums - or secretome. Acorn CEO, Dr Drew Taylor, joined Amber Milt on her podcast ArtBeauty to discuss the potential for skin treatments found in our hair follicles, their potential uses in regenerative medicine, and the benefits of cryogenically preserving the cells. Dr. Drew Taylor dives into why cell preservation is the best anti-aging strategy that most people are missing out on. According to Drew, Acorn is preparing people to take advantage of and receive benefits from regenerative medicine by using their own younger cells to disrupt aging and disease. Here are some of the most important insights Dr. Drew gives to help prepare for the benefits of regenerative medicine: The earlier you preserve your cells, the better Drew believes it’s better late than never when it comes to preserving our younger cells. Our cells are at their healthiest in our early twenties and the effects of aging gradually build up until our mid-sixties, when the effects of aging start to increase rapidly. We will never be younger than we are today, so the opportunity to bank our cells - at all ages - and bypass additional years of aging can be beneficial. "What we're at risk of is that millions of people, around right now, are going to miss access to (regenerative medicine) because, unfortunately, at their time of need, their cells will have advanced in age and will not be a viable resource to use." Why Acorn freezes the hair follicle Acorn focuses on hair follicle cell banking, due to it’s high concentration of adult mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are primary targets for various stem cell therapies, as they are one of the most widely researched cell sources for use in regenerative medicine. "The hair follicle is a source from which you can extract mesenchymal stem cells and can be used to grow into cartilage, bone, and fat to show the diversity of these cells to help patients and obviously skin." The benefit of these cells is that they expand readily, create more on demand, cryogenically freeze very sufficiently, and can create a pool of your cells for future use. Skin and aesthetic medicine will be the first uses of banked cells Not only focused on cell preservation, Dr. Drew and Acorn are also working on applications and products for cells banked with Acorn. The first application the team is developing is a topical serum derived from stem cell extracts. This extract serum is rich in growth factors, collagens, extracellular matrix, and exosomes – all derived autologously from your own cells. These elements are key ingredients for skin and hair health and can be administered similarly to PRP treatments, but Dr Drew elaborates, these extracts provide more elements than what we find in PRP: “(Stem cell extracts) will also have building blocks of your skin and hair, things that will not be in PRP, like collagen, proteoglycans, link protein, and hyaluronic acid. We don't get those things in PRP, but we can get them from our cells". The cell banking procedure is simple and without any noticeable side effects Acorn is the first non-invasive cell banking solution in North America. A simple plucking procedure is fast and has minimal discomfort. As long as you have accessible hair on the sides and back of the head, you’ll be able to have valuable cells collected and preserved. Dr. Drew Taylor explains the method Acorn uses to collect the hair follicles and states, "there's no loss when plucking hair follicles, as you will not be able to see where the hair is plucked, targeting the back of the scalp from ear to ear." A specially designed kit is used to pluck the hair follicles, and patients can keep the kit at the end of the collection appointment. We're entering an exciting future Drew notes that future regenerative therapies are promising when being proactive and banking your cells. "There will be patients that will end up having access to these next-generation therapies because they chose to bank their cells. And others are going to fall outside of the candidacy because either an age passes or other elements that cause other complications." FAQ Why use hair follicles instead of other cell sources? Hair follicles are an abundant and easily accessible source of MSCs. They have a unique ability to differentiate into various tissue types, including skin and bone.  How is the Acorn secretome different from PRP? While Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) uses growth factors from your blood, the Acorn secretome is derived directly from your stem cells. This serum is full-spectrum, meaning it contains essential building blocks not found in PRP, such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, proteins, and exosomes. Is the cell collection process painful? No. The procedure is non-invasive and involves a simple plucking of roughly 50 hair follicles from the scalp. --- ## 13 Questions For Your Aesthetics Appointment URL: https://acorn.me/blog/13-questions-to-bring-to-your-next-aesthetics-appointment From choosing the correct treatment for you to aftercare and potential side effects, here's the ultimate Q&A to bring to your next aesthetics appointment. Key Takeaways: Regenerative treatments like PRP, exosomes, and secretome are redefining what “anti-aging” means. Arrive with clear goals, budget, and expectations to help your provider tailor recommendations. Understand your options: Botox and fillers address expression lines and volume; regenerative therapies activate your body’s own repair systems for longer-term change. Ask the right science and safety questions: where materials come from, how they’re regulated, who performs the treatment, and what recovery looks like. The aesthetics world is moving fast. Botox and fillers are no longer the whole story: Today, regenerative therapies like PRP and exosome facials promise to tap into your body’s own biology for longer-lasting results. It’s exciting, but it can also be confusing. What’s the research behind this? What does downtime look like? How are my stem cells harvested? Is this really better than Botox? These are smart questions—and they’re exactly what you should bring into your treatment room. After all, when it comes to your face and your wallet, going in with eyes wide open is a non-negotiable. And while the right practitioner will put your mind at ease and walk you through your options, it helps to understand what to ask. We’re here to help. Below, you’ll find a list of questions to ask your dermatologist or aesthetics provider, from initial consultation to aftercare—especially if you’re still wavering between Botox, PRP or next-generation treatments like Acorn YOU™ secretome. Before your initial consultation… You don’t need to decide on a treatment protocol before booking your consult—in fact, that initial appointment is the best time to walk through different options with your provider. But doing some homework beforehand can help you arrive with clarity about your goals, budget, and more. A few questions to get you started: “What are my specific goals?” Are you navigating a specific concern, like hair loss or hyperpigmentation? Are you looking for more generalized improvements, like firmer, younger skin? Ranking your top priorities will make it easier for your provider to tailor their recommendations. “What is my budget?” Keep maintenance in mind. Treatments like Botox might seem more cost-effective in the moment, but require continued investment to maintain results. Others, like regenerative therapies, might cost more upfront, but are designed to generate longer-lasting improvements. Deciding what you’re comfortable investing over time helps frame that conversation. “How much downtime can I realistically manage?” Recovery varies from treatment to treatment. Some have virtually no downtime, while others can leave you red, bruised, or in need of a quiet few days. If you’re planning around work or a big social event, this is something to keep in mind. “Based on my answers to these questions, what treatments might be on my shortlist?” When you arrive at your appointment, you might discuss the following treatment categories with your practitioner: Wrinkle relaxers (like Botox): Quick fixes for dynamic lines, but results are temporary and require frequent upkeep. Dermal fillers: Add volume or encourage collagen growth using molecules like hyaluronic acid. Fillers require some upkeep, and can subtly shift over time. Skin resurfacing and tightening (peels, lasers, microneedling, ultrasound treatments like Ultherapy): Improve tone and laxity, often with some downtime. Results vary by device and depth, and some downtime is common. Regenerative therapies (PRP, exosomes, secretome): The next generation of treatments, designed to activate your body’s own repair systems for healthier, more resilient skin (or hair growth) over time. These treatments are often paired with skin resurfacing treatments like microneedling or laser to amplify their effects, optimize penetration, and speed recovery time. Acorn YOU™ secretome is a great example of this innovative science: banking a product of your own stem cells to help your body do what it does best. Think of Botox, fillers, and devices as the “traditional toolkit.” Regenerative therapies are the next frontier, and worth extra attention in your consultation. During your first appointment Here, your homework becomes a conversation. Your provider will ask you about your specific skincare goals, areas of concern, and guide you through their own analysis of your needs—along with the treatment protocol they recommend. But this is also your opportunity to dive deeper into things like science and safety to ensure you’re comfortable moving forward (and know exactly what to expect). “How do these treatments work differently? What do you recommend specifically for my body, and why?” Our faces are incredibly unique, and treatments that might be a good fit for some might not be the best course of option for others—due to skin type, anatomy, and other factors.  It’s why regenerative treatments like Acorn YOU™ secretome are particularly compelling. Instead of leveraging a chemical or formula that’s one-size-fits-all, they rely on your body’s unique coding to regenerate your skin at the cellular level. “Where does the material come from?” If regenerative therapies are on the table, ask where they’re sourcing the materials from (and how they source it). PRP treatments involve extracting the patient’s blood, isolating the platelets into a concentrated serum, and injecting it into the targeted area. Many exosome facials or hair loss treatments often rely on donor or lab-grown stem cells. Acorn YOU™ is the first regenerative solution that actually uses the patient’s own stem cells, extracting them from hair follicles. It’s a secretome product, which means that it includes other beneficial molecules in addition to exosomes. “How is it regulated? What’s the research?” Not all available aesthetic products are regulated or approved in the same way. Established treatments like Botox and many fillers have a long history of FDA approval, while some treatments like PRP might be considered more cutting-edge for aesthetic applications. Ask your provider for the regulatory status and clinical studies behind the treatments you’re discussing together. “How safe is it?” Don’t be afraid to ask about both common side effects (like bruising, redness, or peeling) and rare complications. Your provider should also understand your health history before you engage in any kind of new treatment. And they should be transparent: For example, PRP often causes mild swelling, while secretome may allow for a gentler recovery. “Who will actually perform the treatment?” Skill and experience matter. Confirm the credentials of the injector or practitioner, how often they perform this treatment, and what protocols they follow for managing complications. “What is the appointment timeline?” Depending on the protocol you decide on in your consult, your practitioner may conduct the treatment during that same appointment. Others will require follow-ups or even multiple appointments. For example, if you opt for a secretome treatment, you’ll first schedule a time to bank your stem cells for your Acorn YOU™ treatment. Your hair follicles are collected and sent to a lab, where your cells are carefully preserved and an acellular product containing peptides, antioxidant enzymes, exosomes and cytokines is produced—which is then incorporated with hyaluronic acid. Once your product is ready, you’ll return to your practitioner’s office and pair it with a laser or microneedling treatment. During and after your treatment Knowing what to expect in the days and weeks after your appointment will help you protect your results… and avoid any surprises. “What should I expect immediately after? What’s the aftercare?” Your provider should give you the heads up on any potential redness, bruising, or peeling—and specific tips on how to manage those side effects. You might be told to avoid things like intense exercise, hot showers, makeup, or skincare with fragrance in the hours and days after your treatment. The beauty of regenerative treatments is that because they’re focused on harnessing your body’s natural healing protocol, they tend to speed up recovery—which is why many patients opt to pair them with treatments like lasers and microneedling. “How soon will I see results?” Timelines vary. Botox kicks in at about five to seven days. Filler provides immediate volume, but can also induce swelling. Regenerative treatments might take a bit longer, since they’re focused on stimulating your skin’s repair systems. Secretome treatments, for example, encourage fibroblasts to rebuild collagen and elastin, which unfolds over several weeks. That said, patients and practitioners who tried Acorn YOU™ secretome saw visible improvement as soon as seven days after treatment, and 84% showed clear aesthetic improvement by Day 30. “How long will they last? What is my maintenance protocol?” It’s important to ask your practitioner how to optimize the lifespan of your results—both through best practices and daily habits, and in your follow-up protocol. If results can improve further with repeated treatments, that’s important info to know. The bottom line: Even as aesthetics evolve at a breakneck pace, your strategy as a patient is steadfast: Do your research, choose a provider you feel comfortable with, and ask the right questions. FAQ How do I know which treatment is right for me? Start with your goals. (Wrinkle reduction, collagen building, or overall rejuvenation?) Your provider can map your priorities to the right option or combination. Is secretome therapy the same as PRP or exosomes? They’re related but not identical. PRP uses plasma from your blood; exosome facials isolate one set of regenerative messengers. Secretome therapy includes all those signals—growth factors, peptides, and exosomes—for a more complete regenerative effect. Is it really better than Botox or fillers? They work differently. Botox and fillers smooth or volumize from the outside in; regenerative therapies rebuild the skin’s underlying structure for natural, longer-lasting improvements. What’s involved in stem-cell harvesting for Acorn YOU™? It’s a quick, minimally invasive procedure that collects hair follicles from the scalp. These are processed to create a personalized product. (No blood draw or painful injections required.) How long before I see results from secretome therapy? Visible improvement can begin within one to two weeks, with most patients seeing significant results by Day 30.  How should I prepare for my consultation? Know your top priorities, budget, and tolerance for downtime. Bring those details to help your provider design a personalized plan. --- ## Acorn biolabs Featured in The Hollywood Reporter URL: https://acorn.me/blog/acorn-biolabs-featured-in-hollywood-reporter The Hollywood Reporter names Acorn Biolabs a leader in hair follicle banking and secretome treatments — the future of hair restoration. Read the summary. The Hollywood Reporter set out to explain why follicle banking has quietly become the hair restoration strategy of choice among celebrities and the experts who treat them, Acorn Biolabs was one of the names that came up. The piece, "Why Hollywood's Follicle-Challenged Stars Are Harvesting Their Hair," captures a real shift in how people are thinking about hair loss, and it's worth unpacking where Acorn fits in.  For decades, anyone facing hair loss had two real options: medication or a transplant, both with mixed results. That conversation is changing. With a new generation of hair growth drugs still years away from possible FDA approval, the smarter play, experts say, isn't to chase tomorrow's treatment today. It's preserving your own healthy follicle cells now, so they're ready when those regenerative therapies finally arrive. Dr. Alan J. Bauman, one of the country's leading hair restoration physicians, calls hair follicle multiplication the "holy grail of hair restoration," a technology that could one day produce unlimited, genetically matched follicles and finally break free of the donor limitations that have always capped what a transplant can do. Bauman has banked his own follicles and receives celebrity inquiries every week. Where Acorn Comes In Acorn Biolabs is listed among the leaders in this space, and the process is simple: Collection: About 50 healthy hair follicles are harvested during a 30-minute, non-invasive procedure without anesthesia. Preservation: The follicles are lab-tested and cryogenically preserved for future use. Personalized secretome: Beyond banking, Acorn can create a custom secretome from your own cells: a concentrated blend of growth factors, exosomes, cytokines, and peptides that deliver repair signals to the scalp via microneedling. The Field Is Moving Fast After nearly 30 years stuck with just two FDA-approved hair loss products, new drugs are moving through clinical trials, exosome therapies are gaining real traction, and follicle cloning could become reality within the decade. The through-line is hard to miss. Every one of those future breakthroughs will depend on healthy cells to work with. And here's the part worth sitting with: your cells will never be younger than they are right now. Read the full feature at The Hollywood Reporter, or take our secretome quiz to see where you'd start. --- ## Your Cells Are Your Best Longevity Asset: Dr. Drew Taylor featured on the Longevity Podcast URL: https://acorn.me/blog/your-cells-are-your-best-longevity-asset-dr.-drew- What if the smartest longevity investment isn't another supplement — it's preserving your younger cells before aging changes them? Acorn CEO Drew Taylor joined the Longevity Podcast to break down the science behind hair follicle stem cell banking, why your 30s and 40s are the optimal window to act, and how the cells you preserve today could unlock treatments that don't even exist yet. Dr. Drew Taylor joins the Longevity Podcast to discuss the future of biological preservation. What if the most powerful thing you can do for your future health is preserve what you already have, right now, before aging quietly erodes it? That's the question at the heart of what we're building at Acorn Biolabs. Our CEO and co-founder, Drew Taylor, sat down with Phil Newman and Dr. Nina Patrick on the Longevity Podcast to break down the science, the mission, and where he believes regenerative medicine is heading. Why We Started Here 00:00:03 – Longevity's Missing Strategy | 00:01:16 – Baseball Injury Lessons Drew's path to founding Acorn started on a baseball diamond. Watching athletes suffer career-ending injuries, and seeing how poorly the body repairs tissue after a certain age. He began asking a deeper question: what if you could bank your biology before decline sets in, the same way you bank cord blood at birth? That question led us to hair follicle stem cells. Not because they're exotic, but because they're remarkably accessible. While traditional stem cell collection requires invasive bone marrow extraction, our approach starts with something far simpler: plucking hair. Inside each follicle lives a population of stem cells. What Makes Hair Follicle Stem Cells So Powerful 00:04:09 – Why Hair Follicles? | 00:07:01 – The Secretome Explained Hair follicle cells aren't just convenient, they're scientifically compelling. When cultured, these cells become what's called Secretome: a rich cocktail of growth factors, cytokines, collagen, extracellular vesicles, and exosomes. We're already seeing this applied in skin and hair rejuvenation, acting as a biological signal that prompts the body's own repair mechanisms. One of the most important distinctions Drew makes in the episode is between stem cell quantity and stem cell quality as we age. Numbers decline faster than performance. This means the best time to bank your cells is now. (00:09:07 – Best Age to Bank) Your Cells, Not Someone Else's 00:10:50 – Autologous vs Donor Cells | 00:16:28 – Banking for the Future A core principle at Acorn is autologous medicine: using your own cells, not donor-derived ones. Donor cells carry immunological risk, but your own preserved cells sidestep rejection concerns entirely and can be deployed decades later, giving you a personalized biological insurance policy that's uniquely yours. As Drew puts it: "Cells will become the next currency in healthcare." As regenerative medicine matures, having a banked repository of your healthier cells could open doors to treatments that simply won't be possible otherwise. (00:14:47 – Treatment Timeline & Access) Why We Take Industry Standards Seriously 00:22:01 – Stem Cell Industry Risks Stem cell tourism is a real and growing risk, with patients traveling to unregulated clinics abroad for treatments that have no clinical validation. The outcomes can range from simply ineffective to genuinely dangerous. At Acorn, we believe ethical regenerative medicine has to be built on transparency, rigorous protocols, and honest patient communication. The field only earns mainstream trust if everyone operating in it holds the line on evidence. (00:19:21 – Acorn's Clinic Network) Where We're Headed 00:26:18 – Beyond Aesthetics | 00:30:48 – Future Medical Applications | 00:38:09 – Regenerative Medicine in 10 Years Our vision goes well beyond aesthetics. In lab studies, NK (natural killer) cells derived from hair follicle stem cells have shown the ability to suppress cancer cell growth. We're exploring applications in cartilage regeneration, Parkinson's disease, and fertility. On the longer horizon, we are exploring the possibility of growing replacement tissues and organs from your own preserved biology. (00:32:35 – Making Prevention Mainstream) The thread connecting all of it is optionality. You don't need to know today exactly what you'll use your cells for. You just need to preserve the option before time takes it away. (00:43:13 – Rapid Fire Predictions) Ready to preserve your biology? Learn more about how Acorn works and find a clinic near you: https://acorn.me/find-providers/ Watch the full episode on the Longevity Podcast on YouTube. --- ## Acorn Biolabs named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026 URL: https://acorn.me/blog/acorn-biolabs-named-one-of-fast-companys-most-innovative-companies-of-2026 Acorn Biolabs is honored to be named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026 for its groundbreaking work in personalized regenerative medicine. We are thrilled to announce that Acorn Biolabs has been named to Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2026. This year, Acorn was honored in the “Small but Mighty” category for companies with fewer than 50 employees. This recognition places us alongside innovators like NVIDIA and Waymo, as well as the most advanced leaders in regenerative medicine. Why Acorn? Fast Company’s editors evaluate thousands of companies based on innovation, impact, timeliness, and relevance. Acorn was recognized for innovation in the field of regenerative medicine by making cell preservation accessible, non-invasive, and actionable today. At Acorn, we believe your own cells are the most important ingredient for your future health. Our patented technology allows anyone to pause the clock on their cellular aging by preserving hair follicle stem cells for use in treatments both now and in the future. Small Team, Global Impact Being named to the Small and Mighty list (Fewer than 50 Employees) is a testament to what a dedicated team of scientists and innovators can achieve. The Science of YOU™: We’ve launched the world’s first regenerative secretome product made from a patient’s own stem cells. Accessible Innovation: By moving away from invasive bone marrow or fat tissue extractions, we’ve made cell banking as simple as plucking a few hair follicles. The Mission: Our focus remains on extending not just lifespan, but healthspan—ensuring that the quality of our lives matches our longevity. We want to thank our incredible team, our clinical partners, and—most importantly—our clients who have trusted us to help them bank on a healthier future. --- ## The Different Kinds of Hair Loss—and Understanding Your Options URL: https://acorn.me/blog/different-kinds-of-hair-loss-and-treatments New regenerative treatments have the potential to rejuvenate existing follicles and replenish areas of hair loss by leveraging your own cells. Key Takeaways: Age-related hair loss and alopecia are extremely common—and often begin years before visible thinning appears. In many cases, hair follicles remain structurally intact but become inactive due to cellular aging and disrupted signaling. Regenerative approaches aim to restore follicle function by supporting the biology of the scalp, not just replacing hair. Banking your cells earlier also preserves future options as regenerative hair treatments continue to advance. Aging brings plenty of surprises. While we often focus on larger health concerns, visible changes—like thinning hair or changes in our skin—are among the most common and emotionally impactful. Research suggests that 16% of men between 18–29 already experience some degree of balding, rising to over 50% by midlife. Women are not immune: nearly half will experience noticeable hair thinning or loss over their lifetime. Beyond appearance, androgenetic alopecia has also been associated with increased rates of anxiety and depression, highlighting that hair loss is not just cosmetic—it’s deeply personal.[1,2] And what’s often missing from the conversation is this: Hair loss is one of the earliest visible signs of cellular aging. First Things First: What Different Kinds of Hair Loss Are There? Not all hair loss is the same—and understanding which type you’re dealing with is essential when thinking about treatment, prevention, and long-term outcomes. While aging plays a role in many forms of hair loss, the underlying biology can differ significantly. Androgenetic Alopecia Also known as Pattern Hair Loss, this is the most common form of hair loss in both men and women. It’s driven by genetic sensitivity to androgens (hormones) and changes in follicle signaling over time. Importantly, in androgenetic alopecia, hair follicles are often still present—they simply spend more time in a dormant state and produce thinner, weaker hairs. This makes it a key focus of regenerative research aimed at restoring follicle activity rather than replacing follicles entirely.[3] Age-Related Diffuse Thinning As we age, overall hair density can decrease across the scalp without a clear pattern. This type of thinning is often linked to: Reduced cellular turnover Chronic low-grade inflammation Declining regenerative signals Hair grows more slowly, sheds more easily, and takes longer to recover—reflecting broader changes in cellular health.[4] Telogen Effluvium This form of hair loss is typically triggered by stressors such as illness, hormonal shifts, surgery, or significant life events. Hair follicles prematurely enter the resting phase, leading to noticeable shedding. While often temporary, recovery can be slower with age as follicles become less resilient and regenerative signaling weakens.[5] Alopecia Areata In autoimmune forms of hair loss, the immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles. This can lead to patchy or widespread loss and often requires medical management. Emerging regenerative research is exploring how modulating inflammation and improving cellular communication may support recovery alongside traditional treatments.[6] Each type of hair loss reflects a different imbalance—hormonal, inflammatory, immune, or regenerative. That’s why modern approaches are shifting away from one-size-fits-all solutions toward strategies that support follicle health, cellular signaling, and long-term scalp biology. Understanding your hair loss type is often the first step toward choosing the most effective path forward—today, and as regenerative options continue to evolve. How Regenerative Approaches Are Changing Hair Loss Treatment Traditional hair loss treatments tend to focus on slowing loss or redistributing existing hair. Regenerative approaches take a different path: they aim to restore the scalp environment that supports healthy hair growth. Some of them are also being leveraged to enhance existing treatment methods like transplants. Rather than asking how to replace lost hair, regenerative research asks: Why did follicles stop producing healthy hair in the first place… and how can we support their ability to function again? Early regenerative studies explored isolating and reintroducing hair follicle-associated cells into thinning areas, showing promising increases in hair density. More recent research has shifted toward understanding the cell signals that guide follicle behavior: growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles that influence inflammation, blood supply, and growth cycles.[7] This evolution reflects a broader trend in longevity medicine: moving from structural fixes to biological repair. Ready for the Next Era of Hair Regeneration? How Acorn Is Leading the Charge Hair biology research has accelerated significantly over the past decade. We now understand the architecture of hair follicles far better than we did even a few years ago. Today’s most promising advances focus on helping existing follicles function better by improving the scalp environment that supports growth. For the foreseeable future, many emerging approaches will prioritize: Improving follicle signaling Reducing chronic inflammation and senescent cellular behavior in the scalp Supporting longer, healthier growth phases (and faster recovery after shedding events) In other words, the future of hair restoration is shifting from “replace what’s lost” to “restore what’s still there.” That shift makes early intervention more important than ever. So how do you prepare for the next era of hair regeneration? You invest in your future self by banking your most regenerative cells via cryopreservation. These cells can be leveraged as a personalized secretome serum to couple with existing hair loss treatments, or as injections throughout your scalp to encourage healthier follicle behavior—but they can also be preserved for other hair loss advancements in the future. Acorn offers a non-invasive approach to stem cell therapies through hair follicle collection, making it possible to preserve your own biology today—and support your hair and broader health in the future. Explore if secretome is the right fit for you today by taking our quiz. FAQ Is age-related hair loss the same as alopecia? Not always. Alopecia is an umbrella term that includes several types of hair loss. Some are age-related and gradual, while others are driven by immune, hormonal, or stress-related factors. Are hair follicles permanently gone when hair thins? In many cases, no. Follicles often remain present but inactive, which is why regenerative approaches focus on restoring function rather than replacing hair entirely. How are regenerative hair treatments different than hair transplants? Hair transplants relocate follicles from one area to another. Regenerative approaches aim to improve scalp biology and follicle signaling so existing hair can grow more effectively. Does aging affect how well hair treatments work? Yes. As cells age, follicles may become less responsive to treatment. Earlier intervention generally offers more flexibility and better long-term outcomes. When should I start thinking about hair preservation? Ideally before significant thinning occurs. Hair loss often begins at the cellular level years before it becomes visibly noticeable. Further Reading: Rhodes, T., Girman, C. J., Savin, R. C., Kaufman, K. D., Guo, S., Lilly, F. R., Siervogel, R. M., & Chumlea, W. C. (1998). Prevalence of male pattern hair loss in 18-49 year old men. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 24(12), 1330–1332. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.1998.tb00009.x Famenini, S., Slaught, C., Duan, L., & Goh, C. (2015). Demographics of women with female pattern hair loss and the effectiveness of spironolactone therapy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 73(4), 705–706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.063 Ho CH, Sood T, Zito PM. Androgenetic Alopecia. [Updated 2024 Jan 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/ Villani, A., Ferrillo, M., Fabbrocini, G., Ocampo-Garza, S. S., Scalvenzi, M., & Ruggiero, A. (2022). Hair Aging and Hair Disorders in Elderly Patients. International journal of trichology, 14(6), 191–196. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_90_21 Hughes EC, Syed HA, Saleh D. Telogen Effluvium. [Updated 2024 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430848/ Lepe K, Syed HA, Zito PM. Alopecia Areata. [Updated 2024 Feb 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537000/ Legiawati, L., Sitohang, I. B. S., Yusharyahya, S. N., Sirait, S. P., Novianto, E., Liem, I. K., Kurniawati, T., Putri, I. S., Rahmadika, F. D., Hakiki, N. P., & Lauren, B. C. (2025). Hair regeneration in androgenetic alopecia using secretome of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) and minoxidil: a comparative study of three groups. Archives of dermatological research, 317(1), 486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-025-04006-3 C.A. Higgins, J.C. Chen, J.E. Cerise, C.A.B. Jahoda, & A.M. Christiano, Microenvironmental reprogramming by three-dimensional culture enables dermal papilla cells to induce de novo human hair-follicle growth, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 110 (49) 19679-19688, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1309970110 (2013). --- ## Why We Bank the Hair Follicle URL: https://acorn.me/blog/why-we-bank-the-hair-follicle The hair follicle is valuable source of cells which can be used in regenerative medicine like the creation of 3D tissue grafts for wound healing, rejuvenating aged skin, or creating neurons. The therapeutic potential is becoming incrementally clear to researchers. Learn more about why we bank the hair follicle here. The average person has roughly 100,000 hair follicles. They can be easily accessed painlessly and non-invasively, making them an ideal cell source for regenerative medicine. The hair follicle is also a source of replenishing cells, regrowing even after plucking. Scientists observed that even in people experiencing balding, areas with hair growth still contain intact, viable hair follicles, further underscoring hair follicles as a strong source for cell banking. The follicle contains a diverse population of cells capable of helping rejuvenate skin, regrow hair, repair tissues, and even be used in stem cell applications. What cells and growth factors are found in the hair follicle?  The hair follicle is a tiny organ that consists of hundreds of different interacting cell types, including versatile stem cells and primary skin cells such as keratinocytes, deep tissue fibroblasts, and follicle stem cells. Follicle stem cells (hFSCs/MSCs) are progenitor cells that still have the ability to be turned into a wide variety of cells in your body. Keratinocytes are the primary cells that produce the surface layer of your skin. They are responsible for providing structure to skin and play a key role in the immune system. They orchestrate wound repair by migrating to the wound site, proliferating, and differentiating to restore the epidermis to its original healthy state. (Source) Deep tissue fibroblasts are sub-dermal tissue layer cells, and they play a role in producing collagen and elastin. These cells are also responsible for producing growth factors to maintain the structural integrity of the skin. (Source) Studies using the hair follicle  Research has shown that the cell types stored with Acorn have the potential to help improve the appearance of the skin and promote hair regrowth through the use of regenerative cell treatments. Reintroducing younger cells also has the potential to not only replenish what we lose with age, like hair and collagen, but has been shown to influence the surrounding cells to behave younger. As for applications, clinical trials indicate that these regenerative therapies will be applied in similar ways to current aesthetic uses, with topical serums and injectables, as well as the potential for implants and grafts. For wrinkles Researchers developed an autologous cell therapy from a type of fibroblast cell found in the hair follicle called non-bulbar dermal sheath cells. They isolated these cells from the follicle, cultured them to provide a sufficient supply, and then reintroduced them into problem areas. Once reintroduced, there was an increase in the expression of genes that drive collagen synthesis leading to wrinkle reduction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31509849/ Hair follicle stem cells repair chronic spinal cord injury Chronic spinal cord injury is a debilitating disease with limited treatment options. However, researchers recently uncovered that hair follicle stem cells could functionally repair spinal cord injury. The researchers also found that hair follicle stem cells may be better for spinal cord regeneration in comparison to other stem cells. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0262755 Reversing liver cirrhosis with hair follicle stem cells Liver cirrhosis occurs in the late stage of liver scarring and is caused by diseases such as hepatitis or chronic alcoholism. Researchers recently developed a potential treatment using hair follicle derived mesenchymal stem cells. They found that they were able to improve liver function and resolve the scaring by injecting hair follicle stem cells in their animal model. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35186473/ Turning hair follicle stem cells into beating cardiomyocyte sheets Researchers from Japan took hair follicle associated pluripotent stem cells and differentiated them into mature beating cardiomyocytes sheets. These sheets have clinical potential for heart regeneration in the future.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35536435/ --- ## 6 Hair Loss Myths You’re Getting Wrong URL: https://acorn.me/blog/6-hair-loss-myths-youre-getting-wrong Debunks six common hair loss myths, showing that thinning stems from genetics, hormones, aging, and cellular changes. Key Takeaways: Hair loss isn’t caused by a single factor. It’s usually the result of genetics, hormones, aging, and cellular changes working together. Many common misconceptions come down to oversimplification of a complex issue. Understanding what doesn’t cause hair loss is just as important as knowing what does. Hair loss is personal—and when it’s happening to you, it can certainly feel urgent. But in the hustle of finding solutions, it’s easy to get wrapped up in myths and misinformation… however well-meaning. From old wives’ tales to TikTok “experts,” it’s easy to pick up half-truths and quick fixes that sound convincing but don’t reflect how hair growth actually works. So let’s clear things up. Below are some of the most common myths about hair loss—and what science really says. Myth #1: Hair loss is a male issue. Truth: Hair loss is common in women, too. In fact, nearly half of women experience noticeable hair thinning in their lifetime. Female pattern hair loss often shows up as diffuse thinning rather than bald patches, and it’s strongly influenced by hormonal shifts, aging, and cellular changes around the follicle.[1] Myth #2: Hair loss is always genetic. Truth: Genetics play a role, but they’re not the whole story. While hereditary pattern hair loss is common, shedding and thinning can also be driven by hormones, inflammation, stress, illness, nutritional deficiencies, or physical tension on the scalp. Many people experience hair loss due to a combination of factors rather than a single cause.[2] Myth #3: If hair loss is genetic, there’s nothing you can do. Truth: Genetics determine risk—but not necessarily the outcome. Genetic hair loss isn’t about follicles vanishing overnight—it’s about how follicles respond to aging and hormonal signals over time. That’s why supporting follicle health early may help slow progression and preserve density longer, even when genetics are involved.[3] Myth #4: Hair follicles die when you lose hair. Truth: In most cases, follicles are still there—they’re just inactive. With many forms of hair loss, follicles shrink and enter a prolonged resting phase rather than disappearing entirely. This is why emerging treatments like secretome therapy focus on restoring the signals that tell follicles to grow, rather than replacing them outright. Myth #5: Hair loss treatments work the same for everyone. Truth: Our individual hair landscape is unique—and as such, there’s no universal solution. Hair loss treatments vary widely in effectiveness depending on the cause, stage, and biology behind the thinning. What works for stress-related shedding may not work for age-related follicle changes, which is why personalized approaches are becoming increasingly important. Myth #6: Once hair loss begins, it’s too late to restore it. Truth: Earlier is better—but it’s rarely “too late.” Many follicles can still be supported before they become permanently inactive. The key is addressing hair loss at the biological level, rather than waiting until density is significantly reduced. That’s where stem cell therapies can be highly effective: By banking our cells as early as possible, we can leverage our most potent regenerative signals to target regrowth at the source. (Essentially, we’re encouraging our dormant follicles to behave younger.) The Bottom Line Hair loss isn’t a single problem with a single solution. It’s a dynamic process shaped by genetics, aging, hormones, and cellular health. As science shifts toward regenerative and preventative approaches, the conversation is moving away from quick fixes—and toward preserving hair health before loss becomes advanced.  Don't wait for advanced thinning to take action. Discover how Secretome can help you secure the future of your hair. Explore Acorn Hair FAQ What’s the most common cause of hair loss? Genetics and aging are the most common drivers, often influenced by hormones and cellular changes around the follicle. Many people experience hair loss due to multiple factors working together. If my hair loss is genetic, should I even bother treating it? Yes. While genetics influence risk, early intervention may help slow progression and support follicle health before loss becomes advanced. Do hair follicles ever come back once they’re gone? In many cases, follicles aren’t gone — they’re just dormant. Treatments that support follicle signaling aim to reactivate these inactive follicles. Why do some treatments work for others but not for me? A: Hair loss treatments depend on the underlying cause, stage of thinning, and individual biology. That’s why personalized approaches tend to be more effective. Further Reading: Famenini, S., Slaught, C., Duan, L., & Goh, C. (2015). Demographics of women with female pattern hair loss and the effectiveness of spironolactone therapy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 73(4), 705–706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.063 Gokce, N., Basgoz, N., Kenanoglu, S., Akalin, H., Ozkul, Y., Ergoren, M. C., Beccari, T., Bertelli, M., & Dundar, M. (2022). An overview of the genetic aspects of hair loss and its connection with nutrition. Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene, 63(2 Suppl 3), E228–E238. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2765 Liu, D., Xu, Q., Meng, X., Liu, X., & Liu, J. (2024). Status of research on the development and regeneration of hair follicles. International journal of medical sciences, 21(1), 80–94. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.88508 --- ## How Celebs Leverage Stem Cells to Stay Young URL: https://acorn.me/blog/how-celebs-leverage-stem-cells-to-stay-young You have likely seen the headlines with celebrities and pro athletes using stem cells and regenerative medicine to treat injuries or reverse the signs of aging. Read more about these therapies in this blog. How the Stars Stay Young (And How You Can Prepare) You've probably seen the headlines: celebrities and pro athletes turning to stem cells and regenerative medicine to heal injuries and turn back the clock on aging. But what are these treatments, and how do they actually work? Below, we break down the most popular celebrity stem cell therapies — and explain how you can prepare to access regenerative medicine's future. The Vampire Facial (Microneedling With PRP) One of the most well-known examples is the "vampire facial," popularized by Kim Kardashian. Also known as microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the procedure draws a small amount of the patient's blood, extracts the platelets, and applies them back onto the skin alongside microneedling to boost absorption. The platelets stimulate collagen and elastin production, leading to a smoother, more youthful complexion. PRP for Injury Recovery: The Pro Athlete's Secret PRP isn't just for skincare. Professional athletes like Steph Curry, Tiger Woods, and Rafael Nadal have used PRP to bounce back from injuries. The platelets are combined into an injectable solution and administered directly to the injured area to encourage rapid tissue repair. Because PRP is minimally invasive, these athletes can return to competition faster. Stem Cells From Alternative Sources Many celebrities have turned to stem cells from other sources. Harry Styles, Margot Robbie, and David Beckham have all reportedly used stem cells derived from sheep placenta for their anti-aging benefits. Similar to the vampire facial, this procedure applies stem cell fluid after microneedling to boost collagen and elastin production. SAVA: Anti-Aging With Your Own Stem Cells Caroline Stanbury recently tried the exclusive SAVA procedure, which uses her own stem cells to reverse the signs of aging. More invasive than the treatments above, SAVA involves a surgical step to harvest stem cells from fat tissue, which are then injected superficially into the face and other target areas. A key advantage: because it uses the patient's own cells, it carries lower risks than therapies relying on donor cells. How to Prepare: Bank Your Cells Early Regenerative medicine is now targeting one of the most common signs of aging: hair loss. A recent Hollywood Reporter feature spotlighted "hair banking" as the newest frontier in hair restoration — and celebrities are reportedly lining up. Treatments that use a patient's own stem cells (for skin, hair, and even scars) are available to everyone, not just the rich and famous. So how do you prepare for the future of regenerative medicine? By banking your cells as early as possible, while they're at their youngest and healthiest. Learn more here. --- ## Hair Loss in 2026? Here’s What To Do, According to Scientists URL: https://acorn.me/blog/hair-loss-in-2026 From minoxidil to Personalized Secretome, discover what the latest science says about hair loss and how Acorn's Personalized Secretome works. Key Takeaways: Hair loss isn’t just genetic, it’s biological. New science shows that inflammation, hormones, nutrient balance, and stem cell health all play critical roles. The root cause lies in stem cell exhaustion. Over time, the regenerative cells that fuel hair growth lose potency, slowing renewal and weakening follicles. Traditional treatments like minoxidil and finasteride still work, but regenerative therapies are now leading the field. Secretome therapy represents the next frontier, using a powerful blend of proteins, peptides, and exosomes to reactivate dormant follicles and restore scalp health. We know that hair loss can feel like a deeply personal issue. But in 2026, it’s also a scientific one—and that means that there are more and more opportunities to support and even reverse hair loss at the source. Once seen as an inevitable part of getting older, hair loss is now understood as a biological process that can be measured and treated. In 2026, hair loss treatments will have advanced far beyond quick fixes, driven by new science on regeneration, stem cells, and your own biology. The result? A new wave of innovation that’s moving far beyond camouflage, quick fixes, and costly surgeries. Today’s breakthroughs focus on regeneration: leveraging your own biology to help your body restore hair growth naturally, from the inside out. Hair Loss Treatments: Causes, Options, and the Science of Regeneration. Spoiler: It’s not just your DNA. For decades, hair loss has been seen as a question of losing a genetic lottery. But while genes do play a role, they’re only one piece of a much bigger picture. Today, scientists know that hair thinning is a multifaceted process: shaped by everything from your hormones to stress, nutrition, environment, and, most importantly, the health of your cells. Here’s what we now understand: Hormones. The hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) remains one of the leading culprits in androgenetic alopecia—the most common form of hair loss in both men and women. DHT binds to receptors in hair follicles, shortening the growth cycle and producing finer, weaker strands over time.[1] Inflammation and stress. If you tend to notice more hair in the shower drain during a particularly anxious time, you’re not alone. Chronic stress or systemic inflammation raises cortisol levels, which disrupts the normal rhythm of hair growth. Over time, this stress chemistry can push follicles into a prolonged “resting” phase.[2] Nutrient and environmental factors. Deficiencies in vitamins like iron, zinc, and key amino acids can compromise scalp health and reduce the energy available for follicle repair. The same is true for exposure to pollution, UV light, and other toxins.[3] Cellular aging. Perhaps the most groundbreaking discovery of recent years? Hair loss is closely tied to stem cell exhaustion. Hair follicles rely on specialized stem cells to regenerate each new strand. As these cells age, they lose potency and communication with your hair follicles falters. Eventually, they stop producing visible hair altogether.[4] This understanding has shifted the field of hair restoration entirely: from treating surface-level symptoms to addressing the root of this kind of aging itself. What Hair Loss Treatments Are Available—And What Actually Works? If you’ve ever searched for hair loss treatments online or on TikTok, you’ve seen it: Serums that “reactivate” follicles, supplements promising instant thickness, and miracle oils that claim to stop shedding overnight. The truth? Only a handful of approaches have meaningful scientific backing. But here’s the good news: Those that do work are getting better and better, every year. Here’s where the science stands in 2026: Minoxidil (Rogaine). Still one of the most accessible and studied options, minoxidil helps increase blood flow and nutrient delivery to the scalp, keeping follicles active longer. It can help maintain existing hair and, in some cases, stimulate regrowth—but consistency is key.[5] Finasteride. A prescription oral medication that blocks DHT, the hormone responsible for shrinking follicles in androgenetic alopecia. It’s shown to be most effective for men, but can also be prescribed to some women under medical supervision.[6] PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma). One of the first regenerative therapies to go mainstream, PRP uses your own blood’s growth factors to stimulate follicle activity. Clinical data shows improvement in density and thickness for many patients, but results vary.[7] Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). These are devices that deliver red light to the scalp to enhance cellular energy and encourage follicles to stay in the growth phase longer. The results are gradual and mixed, but are supported by increasing evidence.[8] Secretome Therapy. This is where the future is heading. The secretome—a potent blend of proteins, peptides, and exosomes naturally released by stem cells—represents a new generation of regenerative medicine.[9] Secretome Therapy: The Next Frontier for Hair Loss Secretome is redefining what stem cell therapy for hair loss looks like because it goes to the source, using the regenerative signals your cells already know. While PRP contains some regenerative molecules, the secretome contains hundreds more. These include proteins, peptides, growth factors, and exosomes that communicate directly with your cells, telling them to heal, rebuild, and regenerate. Think of it as the next generation of PRP: smarter and more concentrated. When applied to the scalp, secretome therapy helps rejuvenate the environment around the follicle by: Encouraging dormant follicles to re-enter the growth phase Reducing inflammation that interferes with new growth Enhancing circulation and nutrient delivery to the root Supporting thicker, stronger strands over time And because it’s derived from your own biology, secretome therapy is both natural and deeply personalized. Your body already recognizes the signals it’s receiving. Acorn is taking this science one step further. With Acorn YOU™ Secretome, your treatment is created from your own preserved stem cells, extracted from your existing hair follicles. The result is a highly concentrated, individualized product designed to help your follicles behave as though they’re years younger. In 2025, we’re entering a new era of hair restoration: one grounded in regenerative medicine. Instead of simply slowing loss, we can now help the body rebuild what time and stress have diminished… all using its own biological language. Take our secretome quiz to find out if it is right for you. FAQs What’s the main cause of hair loss? Hair loss is multifactorial. While genetics play a role, inflammation, stress, hormones, and stem cell exhaustion all contribute to thinning hair. What’s the difference between PRP and Secretome therapy? PRP uses platelets from your blood to deliver growth factors. Secretome goes further: It contains a much wider range of regenerative molecules, including peptides and exosomes that communicate directly with hair follicle cells. Is Secretome therapy safe? Yes. Because it’s derived from your own biology (specifically, your stem cells), it’s biocompatible and personalized. How soon can I expect results from Secretome treatments? Most patients begin to see visible improvements in density and quality within 90 days, with ongoing strengthening and thickening over subsequent months. What makes Acorn YOU™ Secretome different? Acorn YOU™ uses your own preserved stem cells, banked directly from hair follicles, to create a personalized, concentrated product. It’s regenerative medicine built entirely from you. Further Reading: Ho CH, Sood T, Zito PM. Androgenetic Alopecia. [Updated 2024 Jan 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/ Malta, M., Jr, & Corso, G. (2025). Understanding the Association Between Mental Health and Hair Loss. Cureus, 17(5), e84777. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.84777 Trüeb R. M. (2015). Effect of ultraviolet radiation, smoking and nutrition on hair. Current problems in dermatology, 47, 107–120. https://doi.org/10.1159/000369411 Zhang, C., Wang, D., Wang, J., Wang, L., Qiu, W., Kume, T., Dowell, R., & Yi, R. (2021). Escape of hair follicle stem cells causes stem cell exhaustion during aging. Nature aging, 1(10), 889–903. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-021-00103-w Suchonwanit, P., Thammarucha, S., & Leerunyakul, K. (2019). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review. Drug design, development and therapy, 13, 2777–2786. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S214907 McClellan, K. J., & Markham, A. (1999). Finasteride: a review of its use in male pattern hair loss. Drugs, 57(1), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199957010-00014 Gentile, P., Garcovich, S., Bielli, A., Scioli, M. G., Orlandi, A., & Cervelli, V. (2015). The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Stem cells translational medicine, 4(11), 1317–1323. https://doi.org/10.5966/sctm.2015-0107 Pillai, J. K., & Mysore, V. (2021). Role of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) in Androgenetic Alopecia. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 14(4), 385–391. https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_218_20 Salhab, O., Khayat, L. & Alaaeddine, N. Stem cell secretome as a mechanism for restoring hair loss due to stress, particularly alopecia areata: narrative review. J Biomed Sci 29, 77 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-022-00863-6 --- ## Zombie Cells 101: What They Are, and How They Speed Up Aging URL: https://acorn.me/blog/zombie-cells Zombie cells are damaged, non-dividing senescent cells that linger in our tissues, releasing a toxic trail of inflammation that degrades collagen production and accelerates visible skin and hair aging. While advanced medicine develops experimental drugs to clear this cellular clutter, you can actively combat their damage through targeted daily habits—such as fasting and sleep—paired with regenerative treatments like Acorn YOU™ secretome to restore youthful cell-to-cell communication. Key Takeaways: Aging isn’t just about wrinkles, but cell behavior. Senescent or “zombie” cells are damaged cells that refuse to die and release toxic signals that harm their neighbors. Everyday lifestyle habits already help, from regular exercise and sleep to polyphenol-rich foods and intermittent fasting. Regenerative therapies like secretome may offer a new way to restore balance by targeting aging with signals from your body’s healthiest cells. For decades, the conversation around aging has focused on what we can see on the surface: fine lines, sagging skin, and thinning hair, to name a few. But more and more, the real culprits are being traced back to what’s happening deep inside our tissues. Among the most intriguing (and troubling) discoveries is a class of damaged cells that refuse to die… yet continue to wreak havoc. They’re called senescent cells—or, perhaps more fittingly, “zombie cells.” And they leave traces of their chaos everywhere: in slower healing, in visible signs of skin aging, and in chronic disease. The good news is that understanding these zombie cells is giving scientists a clearer picture of how and why we age. (And, most importantly, how we might intervene.) What Exactly Are Zombie Cells? Scientists use the term cellular senescence to describe cells that stop dividing after repeated stress or damage. And the thing is, they’re just trying to help: senescence prevents potentially cancerous cells from replicating. The problem is that instead of clearing out, many senescent cells linger. They don’t contribute to tissue repair, yet they don’t fully shut down. Researchers call them “zombie cells” because they remain metabolically active, releasing inflammatory molecules that damage their healthy neighbors. Over time, this slow leak of dysfunction accelerates the hallmarks of aging. Why They Matter for Longevity and Aesthetics Zombie cells accumulate in every major organ system, contributing to diseases of aging like cardiovascular decline, diabetes, arthritis, and even neurodegeneration. They’re also increasingly relevant in aesthetics: In the skin, zombie cells suppress collagen production and delay healing, leading to thinner skin and visible wrinkles.[1] In hair follicles, they weaken regenerative potential, accelerating thinning and graying.[2] At the systemic level, the inflammation they trigger—sometimes called “inflammaging”—shows up as both internal wear-and-tear and external signs of aging.[1] It’s all a reminder that beauty isn’t skin deep, but cell deep. That’s why aesthetics are starting to merge with longevity science, as treatments are less about smoothing the surface and more about addressing the root causes of visible aging. Clearing the Cellular Clutter So, how do we stop zombie cells in their tracks—or better yet, prevent them from rising altogether? A new class of experimental drugs called senolytics is designed to seek out and destroy senescent cells… while leaving healthy ones alone. In animal studies, senolytics extended healthspan, improved tissue function, and even restored physical performance. Human trials are underway, providing a hopeful window into a zombie-less future.[3] But while senolytic therapies develop, lifestyle factors can reduce the buildup of senescent cells and their harmful effects: Movement matters: Both strength training and aerobic exercise help the body recycle damaged cells and encourage new growth.[4] Nutrition as a tool: Diets high in polyphenols may have senomorphic effects, dampening the toxic signals zombie cells release. (Think: berries, dark chocolate, grapes, and greens.)[5] Repair time: Consistent, high-quality sleep supports DNA repair and cellular cleanup.[6] Metabolic resets: Early studies suggest intermittent fasting or calorie restriction may slow senescent cell accumulation.[7] And in the aesthetics space, regenerative procedures like Acorn YOU™ secretome are being explored as promising ways to counteract the damage zombie cells leave behind—by leveraging our healthiest cells to promote healing at the source. The Future of Anti-Zombie Science For decades, anti-aging meant disguising decline. But targeting senescent cells represents a new frontier that goes beyond just addressing aging at the surface. Imagine clinics shifting from reactive treatments to proactive, cellular care. That’s the direction Acorn sees unfolding: Aesthetics evolving into a longevity-driven, biology-first field. In the meantime, consider this your reminder that consistent daily habits like sleep, stress management, and eating well can help keep cellular clutter in check. FAQs What exactly are “zombie cells”? They’re senescent cells: damaged or stressed cells that have stopped dividing but refuse to die. Instead, they release inflammatory molecules that disrupt nearby healthy cells. How do zombie cells contribute to visible aging? In skin, they suppress collagen and slow healing, leading to thinning and wrinkles. In hair follicles, they weaken regeneration, causing thinning and graying. Can we get rid of them? Scientists are developing senolytic therapies: experimental drugs that selectively destroy senescent cells. While these are still in early human trials, early data from animals show promising results for tissue repair and longevity. Q: What’s next for anti-zombie science?A: The future of aesthetics is moving from masking aging to managing it at the cellular level. This combines senolytic breakthroughs, regenerative therapies, and longevity-driven skincare. References: Franco, A. C., Aveleira, C., & Cavadas, C. (2022). Skin senescence: mechanisms and impact on whole-body aging. Trends in molecular medicine, 28(2), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2021.12.003 Deng, Y., Wang, M., He, Y., Liu, F., Chen, L., & Xiong, X. (2023). Cellular Senescence: Ageing and Androgenetic Alopecia. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland), 239(4), 533–541. https://doi.org/10.1159/000530681 Rad, A. N., & Grillari, J. (2024). Current senolytics: Mode of action, efficacy and limitations, and their future. Mechanisms of ageing and development, 217, 111888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2023.111888 Zhang, X., Englund, D. A., Aversa, Z., Jachim, S. K., White, T. A., & LeBrasseur, N. K. (2022). Exercise Counters the Age-Related Accumulation of Senescent Cells. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 50(4), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000302 Centonze, M., Aloisio Caruso, E., De Nunzio, V., Cofano, M., Saponara, I., Pinto, G., & Notarnicola, M. (2025). The Antiaging Potential of Dietary Plant-Based Polyphenols: A Review on Their Role in Cellular Senescence Modulation. Nutrients, 17(10), 1716. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17101716 Centonze, M., Aloisio Caruso, E., De Nunzio, V., Cofano, M., Saponara, I., Pinto, G., & Notarnicola, M. (2025). The Antiaging Potential of Dietary Plant-Based Polyphenols: A Review on Their Role in Cellular Senescence Modulation. Nutrients, 17(10), 1716. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17101716 Martel, J., Ojcius, D. M., & Young, J. D. (2024). Lifestyle interventions to delay senescence. Biomedical journal, 47(2), 100676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2023.100676 --- ## Autologous vs Allogenic Cell Therapies URL: https://acorn.me/blog/autologous-vs-allogenic-cell-therapies Cell based therapies can leverage two types of cell sources: allogeneic, using donor cells and autologous, using a patient’s own cells. Learn more about each in this blog. What are cell-based therapies? Cell-based therapies are a form of regenerative medicine that involves using cells to repair, rejuvenate, or replace diseased or damaged tissues to improve the patient's health. This promising avenue of therapeutics has two types of cell sources: allogeneic, using donor cells, and autologous, using a patient’s own cells. There are very specific uses for each cell type, as well as some notable limitations and risks that we’ll cover in this article. Allogeneic cell therapies Allogeneic therapies use cells collected from a donor sample. There are significant risks of immune rejection when allogeneic cell therapies are used. For that reason, immunosuppressive therapies are given in combination with allogeneic treatments, which increases the risk of infections and other complications due to immunosuppression. Some of the complications could include graft-versus-host disease or rejection of the donor cells. However, there are some instances where your own cell population is compromised and donor cells and tissues are required. Allogeneic cells may also be leveraged with immune-privileged tissues. These tissues are able to tolerate the introduction of cells and tissues that are not an identical match to the recipient. One example of this is the eye, which limits local immune reaction to preserve vision. Autologous cell therapies Autologous therapies use the cells derived from the patient’s own body. While processes can vary, the patient's cells are first collected, then they are cultured and expanded outside of the body and reintroduced into the donor. Using a patient's own cell source means they have cells genetically matched to their bodies and won’t have to worry about the adverse immune reactions that could come with using donor cells. Additionally, there would be no need for immunosuppressive therapies as the cell source is identical to you and your genetics. And when it comes to aesthetic treatments like skin and hair, autologous treatments will match the unique colors and tones in appearance. Learn more about autologous cell therapies approved in Canada. Having a bank of your own cells to leverage in cell based therapies means that you won’t have to worry about adverse reactions from allogeneic cell sources. Learn more about getting banked here. --- ## Skin Care 101: A List of Tissues, Ingredients, Elements and Treatments for Your Skin URL: https://acorn.me/blog/skin-care-101-a-list-of-tissues-ingredients-elements-and-treatments-for-your-skin The largest organ of our body has a complex structure and many important elements and treatment strategies to help keep it healthy. Here's a comprehensive list of terms, treatments and ingredients found in Skin Care. Key Takeaways: The skin is our largest organ, composed of three vital layers—the Epidermis (protective barrier), the Dermis (structural support with collagen and elastin), and the Subcutaneous tissue (insulation and energy storage). Keratinocytes are 100 times more efficient at being reprogrammed into stem cells than other cell types, while Fibroblasts in the dermis are responsible for maintaining the collagen that prevents wrinkles. Beyond traditional topicals like retinoids and hyaluronic acid, the next generation of skincare leverages Regenerative Medicine to heal and rejuvenate the skin at a cellular level using your own biological material. The skin is the largest organ of the body. It helps regulate temperature, protects you from microbes and the elements, and enables tactile sensations. It is made up of water, protein, fats, and minerals. In this article, we break down the layers that make up our skin, the elements that are used to support healthy skin, and the strategies that can help us keep our skin looking healthy. Layers of The Skin The skin has three layers: The epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue Epidermis: The thinnest outermost layer of the skin that forms a protective barrier and consists mostly of keratinocytes. The epidermis also contains Langerhans cells which regulate the immune system, melanocytes for skin pigment, and Merkel cells which are part of sensory structures in the skin. Keratinocytes: Highly specialized cells of the epidermis. They are produced by the deepest layers of the epidermis and move up as they start differentiating. They produce keratin, cytokines, growth factors, interleukins and other growth factors. Keratin: A tough, fibrous protein found in skin, hair, and nails. It protects the skin and provides strength and elasticity. Did you know Autologous keratinocytes can be used as such to treat burns and other skin conditions, such as vitiligo and diabetic foot ulcers. Keratinocytes can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, which can then be differentiated into potentially any cell type. They are 100-fold more efficiently reprogrammed compared to other cells like fibroblasts. Dermis: Thickest middle layer of the skin. Fibrous layer consists of collagen, elastin, and a lot of other extracellular matrix components and provide structure and support for the skin. Fibroblasts are the primary cells within the dermis and help maintain structure and produce collagen, proteoglycans, and fibronectin. This is also where hair follicles, glands, nerve endings are found. Collagen: A protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bone, and cartilage. It’s a major component of extracellular matrix proteins. It gives strength and elasticity to the skin. As people get older, their collagen levels fall and collagen fibers become  thinner and weaker, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles. Elastin: A protein that helps keep the skin flexible and brings it back to its normal state after it has been stretched. With age elastin begins to fragment and disrupts the elastic fiber network which results in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Extracellular matrix: A network of proteins and other molecules that occupies the space between cells and maintains their integrity. As we age, these components become fragmented and coarsely distributed, leading to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Subcutaneous tissue: Deepest layer of the skin. Made up mostly of fat cells, connective tissue and a network of blood vessels and nerves. It provides a layer of insulation to the skin, in addition to thermoregulation, structural support and energy storage. Key Ingredients in Skin Care In addition to the layers of our skin, there are different strategies and elements that are leveraged to help keep our skin healthy and looking vibrant. These include elements that are important to healthy skin: Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps to retain moisture and keep the skin hydrated. It is a popular ingredient in skin care products and can help to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinoids: Retinoids are a form of vitamin A that can help to stimulate collagen production, promote cell turnover, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are often used in anti-aging products and can help to improve the overall texture and tone of the skin. Ceramides: Ceramides are a type of lipid that help to form the skin's protective barrier. They can help to keep the skin hydrated and protect it from environmental stressors such as pollution and UV rays. Ceramides are often used in moisturizers and other skin care products. Antioxidants: Antioxidants are substances that help to neutralize free radicals in the skin, which can damage cells and contribute to aging. Common antioxidants used in skin care products include vitamins C and E, green tea extract, and resveratrol. Exfoliants: Exfoliants are substances that help to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. They can help to promote cell turnover and improve the overall texture and tone of the skin. Common exfoliants include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). Advanced Skin Care Treatments There are many different types of skin care treatments available today, but even more exciting are the new rejuvenating skin treatments that are emerging thanks to regenerative medicine. Here’s a list of some of the more advanced Skin Care treatments: Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment that involves using a special device to exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells. This can help to improve skin texture and tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and unclog pores. Chemical peels: Chemical peels are a type of skin resurfacing treatment that involves applying a chemical solution to the skin to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. Chemical peels can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, and reduce the appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Laser resurfacing: Laser resurfacing involves using a high-intensity laser to remove the outer layer of the skin. This can help to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture and tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy: IPL therapy involves using high-intensity light energy to penetrate the skin and target pigmentation and other skin irregularities. IPL therapy can help to reduce the appearance of age spots, sun damage, and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Radiofrequency (RF) therapy: RF therapy involves using high-frequency electrical energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. RF therapy can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, and tighten sagging skin. Ultrasound therapy: Ultrasound therapy involves using high-frequency sound waves to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture and tone. Ultrasound therapy can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and tighten sagging skin. Regenerative Medicine Strategies for Skin Care Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): PRP therapy involves taking a small sample of a person's blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the concentrated platelets back into the skin. Platelets contain growth factors and other molecules that can help to stimulate cell growth and tissue repair, making PRP therapy a potential option for promoting skin rejuvenation and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Exosomes and Growth factors: In a more advanced approach, similar to PRP, we can extract valuable growth factors, exosomes and other molecules from our own cells, and reintroduce them back into the skin. Growth factors play a key role in cell growth and tissue repair, and exosomes (extracellular vesicles) are nano-packages that deliver key elements and messenger agents into our cells to help promote healing and rejuvenation. This approach can help to stimulate the production of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix, leading to improved skin texture and tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Getting the most of next generation regenerative skin treatments will require preparation and preservation of the most important ingredient, our own cells. Learn more about the science behind regenerative medicine by visiting the Acorn's Science page. FAQs Why does my skin start to wrinkle and sag as I age? Aging causes a natural decline in collagen and elastin within the Dermis. Collagen provides strength, while elastin allows the skin to "snap back." As these proteins become thinner, and less abundant, the skin loses its structural integrity, leading to fine lines, dryness, and sagging. How is Regenerative Medicine different from standard skincare? Standard skincare (like moisturizers or chemical peels) focuses on protecting the surface or removing dead cells. Regenerative Medicine works by reintroducing growth factors and signaling molecules into the skin to stimulate actual tissue repair and new collagen production. What makes Keratinocytes so special in medical science? Keratinocytes are the primary cells of your outermost skin layer. They are highly valuable in regenerative medicine because they can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) much more efficiently than other cells. They are also used directly to treat severe burns, vitiligo, and chronic ulcers. Can I use my own cells for these treatments? Of course! Acorn takes your stem cells from your own hair follicles which then get created into secretome. Secretome can be applied topically following professional treatments like microneedling or laser treatments. --- ## You’re Wearing Your Stress on Your Skin—How to Outsmart “Cortisol Face” URL: https://acorn.me/blog/youre-wearing-your-stress-on-your-skin-how-to-outsmart-cortisol-face Reverse the visible signs of stress. From lifestyle habits to Secretome, learn how to outsmart "cortisol face" and restore your skin’s vitality today. Key Takeaways: “Cortisol face” is a viral term describing puffiness, breakouts, and dullness linked to chronic stress. While cortisol alone doesn’t permanently change your face, long-term stress can impact inflammation, collagen, and skin repair. Supporting your nervous system and your skin’s regenerative capacity can help build resilience from the inside out. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok recently, you’ve likely seen the phrase cortisol face: a catch-all term used to describe facial puffiness, breakouts, or a “tired” appearance supposedly driven by stress hormones. The idea isn’t entirely fiction…but it also doesn’t necessarily paint the full picture of what’s happening beneath the surface. Let’s separate fact from your FYP. First Things First: What’s Cortisol? Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone. It plays a critical role in energy regulation, inflammation control, and survival.[1] In short bursts, cortisol is protective. But when stress becomes chronic, elevated cortisol can begin influencing how your body repairs and maintains tissue, including skin. And over time, yes—that might manifest in a noticeably tired appearance. But let’s go a little deeper. How Stress Actually Affects Your Skin Rest assured that chronic stress doesn’t reshape your face overnight. But over time, it can influence: Inflammation: Cortisol fluctuations can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to redness, breakouts, and reactive skin.[2] Collagen production: Prolonged stress is associated with increased collagen breakdown and slower repair, which may contribute to fine lines and loss of firmness. Fluid retention: Stress can alter sodium balance and circulation, contributing to temporary puffiness. Barrier function: Chronic stress weakens the skin barrier, making it more sensitive to environmental triggers. In other words, stress can impact the systems responsible for tone, clarity, and resilience. Stress and Your Cells Here’s where we go straight to the source. (As we like to say, beauty isn’t skin-deep—it’s cell-deep.)  In addition to your hormones, stress also influences cellular communication. Chronic cortisol elevation can interfere with how cells signal repair, regulate inflammation, and maintain collagen structure. Over time, this may contribute to slower recovery after procedures, more persistent redness, or skin that feels less responsive to your usual routine. All in all, it wears at your skin’s resilience.[3,4] That’s why addressing “cortisol face” is ultimately a two-pronged approach: Rethinking the habits that heighten those hormone levels, and countering the impact on our skin with regenerative repair. How To Outsmart Stress-Driven Skin Changes We’re not going to tell you to eliminate stress from your life. (If only.) Instead, it’s about building habits to help manage it as it flows in—so that cortisol levels don’t have a chance to move into a chronic state. Prioritize recovery. Sleep is when collagen repair and cellular cleanup happen. Aim for consistency over perfection.[5] Stabilize blood sugar. Sharp spikes and crashes amplify cortisol production. Keep meals balanced, consistent, and (mostly) nutritious. Move your body. Exercise—especially the low impact kind—is shown to smooth cortisol spikes. Go for a walk, hit up your favorite yoga class, or take a bike ride.[6] Support circulation. Movement improves oxygen delivery and helps reduce fluid retention. Strengthen your barrier. Keep your skin’s moisture barrier healthy with balanced nutrition, plenty of antioxidants, and topical skincare that locks in hydration. Lean on regenerative support. If skin is feeling less resilient than it used to, treatments that support collagen signaling and repair may help restore balance at a deeper level. This is where stem cell therapies can play a helpful role—and target repair at the source.[7] The bottom line? It may manifest as “cortisol face” but in reality, the cycle is more nuanced: Stress influences inflammation. Inflammation influences repair. And repair (or lack thereof) influences how your skin looks and feels. We can’t always keep life’s stresses at bay, but we can support the systems that help your skin stay resilient—even when things get challenging. Restore Your Radiance at the Source While lifestyle shifts help manage cortisol from the inside out, Secretome offers a powerful way to reset your skin’s resilience from the outside in. If you’re ready to move beyond surface-level fixes and address "cortisol face" at the source, explore how Secretome can help your skin. Discover the Power of Secretome. FAQ Is “cortisol face” real? In a sense. Chronic stress can influence inflammation, fluid retention, and collagen breakdown—which may affect your appearance over time. Can high cortisol permanently change your face? In most healthy individuals, everyday stress does not permanently alter facial structure. Long-term unmanaged stress can influence skin quality, but these changes are often reversible with lifestyle and regenerative support. How quickly does stress affect skin? Acute stress can trigger breakouts or flushing quickly. Deeper changes, like collagen decline, occur gradually over time. Can regenerative treatments help with stress-related skin changes? Treatments that support collagen production, inflammation balance, and cellular repair may help counter the visible effects of chronic stress. Further Reading: Kaur J, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. [Updated 2025 Dec 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/ Chen, Y., & Lyga, J. (2014). Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging. Inflammation & allergy drug targets, 13(3), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871528113666140522104422 Padalkar, P., Doshi, P. R., & Padwal, M. (2025). Investigating the Relationship Between Cortisol, a Stress Marker, and Immune Function Across Age and Gender. Cureus, 17(5), e85009. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.85009 Hotamisligil, G. S., & Davis, R. J. (2016). Cell Signaling and Stress Responses. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology, 8(10), a006072. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a006072 Williams, J. A., & Naidoo, N. (2020). Sleep and Cellular Stress. Current opinion in physiology, 15, 104–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2019.12.011 Li, X., Huang, J., & Zhu, F. (2025). The Optimal Exercise Modality and Dose for Cortisol Reduction in Psychological Distress: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 13(12), 415. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13120415 Hani R, Khayat L, Rahman AA, Alaaeddine N. Effect of stem cell secretome in skin rejuvenation: a narrative review. Mol Biol Rep. 2023 Sep;50(9):7745-7758. doi: 10.1007/s11033-023-08622-y. Epub 2023 Jul 15. PMID: 37452901. --- ## Approved Stem Cell Therapies in Canada: How They Work & What's Coming URL: https://acorn.me/blog/approved-stem-cell-therapies-canada As of 2021, Canada has approved a total of 3 cellular therapeutic products for use on patients. Read on to find out which therapies are approved in Canada. As of 2021, Canada has approved a total of 3 cellular therapeutic products for use on patients. These include the use of stem cells for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Adult B-cell Lymphoma, and Graft V Host disease. Most approved therapies use hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Bone marrow, blood, and the umbilical cord all contain HSCs. HSCs mature into cells that make up the blood and immune system. This makes them perfect for the treatment of conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, and blood disorders. We can now treat over 80 medical conditions with the HSCs collected from cord blood. To understand why there are only a few approved stem cell therapies on the market we must first ask the following questions: How Are Stem Cell Therapies Approved in Canada? In Canada, all cell therapies are considered drugs under the Food and Drugs Act. They must be authorized by Health Canada to ensure they are safe and effective before they are offered to Canadians. All other treatments are experimental or unproven. Canadians should refer to Health Canada’s Drug Product Database [1] and Clinical Trials Database [2]. How Do Approved Stem Cell Therapies Work? Stem cell therapies can work in one of two ways to reduce the severity of a disease or disorder. The first is a stem cell transplant, and the second one is to act as a target for a drug or other biologic. A stem cell transplant is when existing stem cells in your body, which have been damaged or destroyed by disease, are replaced. The stem cell transplant can either be allogeneic or autologous. An allogeneic transplant involves a person (donor) giving his/her stem cells to another person (recipient). An autologous transplant involves a person using his/her own cells, which are manipulated or processed and reintroduced to the same person. Stem cells can also act as a target for a drug or other biologic. In this type of treatment, the drug activates the desired response from the stem cells that already exist in the patient’s tissues or organs. The future of stem cell treatments is dependent on Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (IPSC) technology. This technology involves reprogramming skin or blood cells into an embryonic-like pluripotent state. Cells in a pluripotent state can generate any other type of cell in the human body. Stem Cell Therapies in Clinical Trials: What Conditions Are Being Studied? Unapproved therapies are those that have gone through the safety and efficacy process through clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies performed in people to find out if a new treatment is safe and effective. There are approximately 1300 trails underway that use HSCs to address conditions such as [3]: Cerebral Palsy Diabetes Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), found in cord tissue and placental tissue, can differentiate into many types of cells and tissues. These include cartilage, skin, bone, and fat cells. There are more than 300 major MSC clinical trials underway worldwide for conditions such as: Spinal Cord Injuries Lung Cancer Type 1 diabetes Stroke Finally, IPSC based clinical trials have been at the forefront of stem cell therapeutics. In 2019, heart surgeons used IPSC-derived cardiomyocytes to treat patients with heart disease. There is hope to treat patients with Parkinson’s Disease by 2022 [4]. With so many ongoing trials, those who choose to invest in cord blood, placental tissue banking or live cell tissue banking are not just investing in the medicine of today, but recognize the future of stem cell and regenerative medicine. Why Cell Banking Matters Now With so many clinical trials underway, those who choose to invest in live cell banking with Acorn are not just investing in the medicine of today — they are preserving options for tomorrow's regenerative therapies. As approved stem cell treatments expand, having your own cells banked means you may be eligible for autologous therapies that aren't yet possible today. --- ## Recent Advances in Regenerative Medicine URL: https://acorn.me/blog/recent-advances-in-regenerative-medicine Regenerative medicine has gained significant traction in the scientific community over the years. Here we will break down the most exciting advances in 2021. Regenerative medicine has gained significant traction in the scientific community over the years. The driving force behind this surge in popularity is the break-neck speed with which regenerative medicine and stem cell research is advancing. Here we will break down the most exciting recent advances in regenerative medicine as of June 2021, including regenerating bone, hair and a trial therapy for Parkinson’s Disease. Regenerating Your Bone With Stem Cells The study: Characterization of a pluripotent stem cell-derived matrix with powerful osteoregenerative capabilities Published in: Nature What it says: This study took human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and engineered them to produce large amounts of a molecule that induces bone growth. The engineered cells were injected into mice with a critical bone damage that could not heal without medical intervention. Researchers found that the molecules (known as extracellular matrix or ECM) produced by these engineered cells significantly helped with the recovery of the bone structure in the mice. Researchers also identified the molecules causing the repair of the bone as collagen VI and collagen XII produced by the engineered cells. Research evidence found by this study demonstrates that this method of cell therapies is an “attractive” alternative to the current fracture interventions. Why is this significant: Non-healing fractures cause human suffering world wide. 10% of all fractures, or roughly 600,000 fractures a year in the U.S alone, do not heal properly. These fractures mainly comes from major accidents, disasters and more extreme cases of athletic injuries. Existing treatments for non-healing fractures are either effective but lethally dangerous, like injecting pro-inflammatory proteins, or just outright ineffective. Stem cells have always been seen as a potential alternative, but the conventional approach with adult allogeneic stem cells (Mesenchymal stem cell or MSC) have been difficult to procure due to limitations with donor compatibility. Induced pluripotent stem cells can be a solution to this all. Although induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are difficult to engineer in a timely fashion, they can be generated from most adult cell sources.  And because they are highly malleable, scientists can make it even more effective than traditional adult stem cell treatment. The finding of this study essentially demonstrates that using induced pluripotent stem cells in bone regeneration therapy is viable, opening up a whole new path to fracture treatment. Although more follow up study is needed to verify this result, it's safe to say that, if this actually landed, it will revolutionize the way we approach improperly healing fractures and save countless human suffering. Let’s Grow Some Hair The study: Use of human intra-tissue stem/progenitor cells and induced pluripotent stem cells for hair follicle regeneration Published in: Springer Nature What it says: For a long time, the challenges with regenerating hair follicles came from how quickly hair follicle stem cells lose their hair generating potential and how hard they were to extract. This study looked at a solution to these challenges by using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Although induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are difficult to engineer in a timely fashion, they can be generated from most adult cell sources.  This inherently makes iPSCs the solution to inaccessibility of stem cells. This study found that by exposing the induced pluripotent stem cell to a set of certain chemicals, we are able to convert them to stable hair generating adult stem cells through the process called differentiation. These converted hair generating adult stem cells are shown to have a very high potential in generating the hair follicles. Why is it significant: If we are honest, no one really wants to experience balding. But more than 20% of us are experiencing balding at any given moment. In a world where appearances are valued, losing your hair can be very stressful. One of the primary issues causing balding is the deterioration of hair follicles, and traditionally it is very hard to fix. This new approach of engineered hair follicles through iPSCs are on track to fix this stressful issue for many. In this study, researchers overcame the two main difficulties associated with regenerating hair follicles, namely keeping the stem cell potent and making the stem cell interact with the skin cell. If the result of this research could be commercialized, hair regeneration would change forever. But hey Acorn - don’t you store cells plucked from these precious hair follicles? We do but we make an explicit effort to take hair lower on the head, where balding rarely occurs. Regenerative Therapy For Parkinson’s Disease The study: Pre-clinical study of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitor cells for Parkinson’s disease. Published in: Nature What it says: This study took human induced pluripotent stem cells and generated a type of therapeutic neuron (dopaminergic progenitors neuron or DAP neuron) useful for treating Parkinson's Disease. The research team converted iPSCs into the DAP neuron, and successfully treated mice with parkinson’s disease by transplanting this neuron into their brain. The barrier with using this therapy on humans is mainly the potential safety risk and meeting the clinical regulation for applicability. This study is one of the first to verify both the viability and safety of using induced pluripotent stem cells to generate DAP neurons on a clinical level. They also verified the safety and efficacy of this kind of treatment toward Parkinson's disease. Why is it significant: There is no existing cure for Parkinson's disease, a lethal disease affecting more than 10 million people world wide at any given time and costing humanity $30 Billion each year. Yet it is the current state of reality for treating most neurodegenerative diseases. Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies are opening up new possibilities for us to rethink this. In essence, Parkinson's disease is a progressive loss of neurons in the patient's brain. This causes the individual to progressively lose cognitive ability in the process. Until now, all treatment for Parkinson’s disease focused on masking or relieving the symptoms. Regenerative therapies, like the one proposed in this study, tackles the root cause of Parkinson’s disease and regenerates the neurons lost in the progression of the pathology. As the viabilities of similar approaches is verified further and further, we will likely see regenerative therapies of similar nature be used in treating other similar neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and dementia. This study is significant as the technology it outlines has the potential to change the landscape for treating one of humanity's significant barriers to having a healthy old age. The Bottom Line Regenerative medicine is a powerful contender to be the future of healthcare and medicine. It is nothing short of a miracle, a scientific miracle, to think how far we have come in the past decade with our understanding and ability to utilize and manipulate some of the more fundamental properties of the human body. We are now on the verge of treating some of the most deadly, destructive and far-reaching diseases afflicting humanity. One can only imagine, where we might be at the turn of the next decade. It is surely a future to prepare for. --- ## Acorn 101 URL: https://acorn.me/blog/acorn-101 Everything you need to know about Acorn Biolabs, from how it works, why we bank the hair follicle, and the best time to get banked. There's a revolution happening in medicine. Emerging regenerative cell treatments have the ability to leverage our own cells to heal our bodies. Studies show that cell treatments can rejuvenate nearly every tissue, from skin and hair, to muscle and bone, and even organs and neurons. And this isn't a far distant future, we're already seeing athletes use cell therapies for injury recovery, doctors using them for disease intervention and even red carpet celebrities leveraging cells in their skincare routines. However, as we get older, our cells age with us. They accumulate damage over time which means that regenerative treatments will only be as powerful as the cells being used. Acorn live cell preservation is the world's first non-invasive cell preservation solution allowing you to prepare for the future of regenerative treatments. With Acorn, you collect cells via plucked hair follicles and cryogenically freeze them. This stops the cells from aging, giving you a collection of your own younger cells to use in upcoming treatments. How It Works Here's a breakdown of how it works: Hair follicle collection: Your hair follicles are plucked and collected in a non-invasive procedure, available at any age. Laboratory processing: Upon arrival at the Acorn lab, we thoroughly examine the collection and send a report confirming the viability of your cells. Cryopreservation: Using cryopreservation, we freeze your cells to a temperature of -196°C. This ensures that they stay healthy and viable for your lifetime and are ready for you to access when you need them. Why Bank the Hair Follicle? The average person has roughly 100,000 hair follicles. They can be easily accessed non-invasively, making it an ideal cell source for regenerative medicine. The follicle contains cells that have the ability to help rejuvenate skin, regrow hair, repair tissues and even be leveraged in stem cell applications. Some of the cell types found in the hair follicle include: Follicle stem cells can be turned into a wide variety of cells in your body Keratinocytes are cells that produce the surface level of your skin Deep tissue fibroblasts play a role in producing collagen and elastin The hair follicle is also an abundant and replenishing cell source, ideal for cell banking. Scientists observed that even in patients with balding, the cells that make up the hair follicles are still practically intact making the hair follicle a viable source for cell banking. When Should You Get Banked? We're on the cusp of an anti-aging revolution, and it's drastically changing how we heal our bodies and treat illness. But there's a risk that today's generations will miss out because, when we need our cells the most, they may be too old and ineffective to receive the full benefit of these treatments. As we age, so do our cells, and over time they lose their regenerative potential. When it comes to regenerative treatments, younger cells can provide younger results. Preserving your own younger cells with Acorn as soon as you can is the first step you can take in preparing for the future of regenerative medicine. Find out if Acorn is available near you: https://www.acorn.me/ --- ## Can Stem Cells Help Treat Sports Injury URL: https://acorn.me/blog/can-stem-cells-help-treat-sports-injury While sports injuries cannot be entirely avoided, scientists are working on cell-based therapeutics that will forever change the way they are treated. The human body has an extraordinary capacity for healing. With enough time and proper care, it can recover from all kinds of injuries. However, this process does not always work as quickly and as effectively as we would like. This is especially true for elite athletes whose lives revolve around being able to train and perform at the highest level, and even recreational athletes who would like to get back to their training regimen as soon as possible after an injury. While injuries cannot be entirely avoided, scientists are currently working on cell-based therapeutics that will forever change the way they are treated. With the help of regenerative medicine, athletes will no longer be forced to slow down or leave the sport they love because of the repetitive stress caused by years of training. The best part is that these treatments do not require exogenous substances, they work with the patient’s own cells. How cell-based treatments work You may have heard of PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections. Elite athletes such as Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal have used them to aid in their recovery when injured. The idea is that injecting a patient’s own platelets (cell fragments located in the blood) at the site of an injury will promote healing. The next generation of sports injury treatments take a similar approach but go even further with the use of live cells, which hold even greater promise. Fibroblasts A group of scientists in Canada and the UK have successfully isolated a type of skin cell, which are collagen-producing, from hair follicles, replicated them, and injected them directly at the site of injury using ultrasound imaging. These cells can then generate new tissue precisely where it is needed.  This treatment has been tested in patients suffering from a number of tendon injuries with positive outcomes. When used to treat lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), scientists found decreases in tear number and tendon thickness as confirmed by ultrasound. Their findings were reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In another study, aimed at treating patellar tendinopathy (wearing down of the tendon that connects the kneecap and the shinbone), researchers reported significantly greater improvement in pain and function than with plasma alone. These are some of the most frequent tendon injuries caused by overuse, and they affect tens of thousands of athletes each year. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells In addition to fibroblasts, other types of cells, such as Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are currently being investigated by researchers around the world with promising results. What makes these cells in particular so special is their potential to become any cell type in the body. They can be programmed to behave like tendon cells, called tenocytes. That is precisely what a team of Japanese researchers have done. The scientists transplanted these cells into injured mice and found significant improvements in the regeneration of the damaged tendons. Their results were published in Scientific Reports. What this means is that soon, scientists will be able to take a sample of adult cells from a patient, like those collected from a few plucked hairs at Acorn, induce them to become pluripotent, and differentiate them into the exact cell type needed to treat an injury. Mesenchymal Stem Cells While these cells are more difficult to source than iPSCs (they are obtained from either bone marrow or umbilical cord tissue), they have shown great promise as well. In one study, published in Transplantation, Spanish scientists treated patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis with intra-articular injections of MSCs. They found an improvement in cartilage quality as well as algofunctional index scores, a parameter used to appraise the severity of symptoms. How regenerative medicine is transforming healthcare as we know it Considering that there are over 1,000 trials focused on regenerative medicine taking place at the moment, a number that will only increase in the coming months and years, it is clear that the future of healthcare will be cell-based. Doctors and scientists will not only be able to help athletes perform on the court, but also cure diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and even create organs on demand. All of this begins with a single step: cell-banking. It is a convenient, painless, and affordable process that guarantees you will have a sample of the youngest and healthiest possible cells at your disposal whenever you require them in the future. --- ## The Role of Regenerative Medicine in Fighting Alzheimer’s URL: https://acorn.me/blog/the-role-of-regenerative-medicine-in-fighting-alzheimers Scientists are leveraging the power of regenerative medicine to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s or, even better, preventing it from occurring at all. Key Takeaways: Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder affecting millions worldwide; while primarily seen in seniors, it can impact individuals as young as their 30s. Researchers are using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) and Neural Stem Cell transplantation to create healthy human brain cells, which have shown the potential to replace damaged neurons and restore memory function in clinical models. Proactive "Biological Insurance": Since the success of future regenerative therapies depends on the health of your cells, banking your cells with Acorn ensures they are preserved at their healthiest for future medical use. Most of us have seen the devastating effects that Alzheimer’s can have on those who develop it. It is a disease that not only impacts the people who suffer from it but it takes a toll on their loved ones as well. While it is most common among the elderly, it can manifest in people in their thirties or forties. Considering its prevalence, it would not be an exaggeration to consider it a public health crisis. Scientists are leveraging the power of regenerative medicine to help find a cure for this condition or, even better, preventing it from occurring at all. Find out how you can benefit from these advances by banking your cells today. Alzheimer’s disease significantly reduces the quality of life of millions of people around the world. An effective treatment is now on the horizon thanks to regenerative medicine. What is Alzheimer’s? First identified by German neurologist Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906, it is a disease that affects the regions of the brain that control language and memory. Alzheimer’s is the most frequent type of dementia. This condition is progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time. It begins with mild memory loss and can eventually interfere with a person’s ability to carry out simple tasks such as concentrating and communicating with others. It can also cause behavioral changes such as depression or anger and even hallucinations. How do you get Alzheimer’s? While the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is still unknown, there are several factors that impact the risk of developing the disease. Old age. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, however, it is most prevalent in people over 65 years old. From this point onwards, the risk of developing the disease doubles every 5 years. Family history. According to Harvard Medical School, having a close relative who has had Alzheimer’s increases the risk of developing the disease by 30%. Environmental factors. A review published in BMC Geriatrics points to moderate evidence implicating risk factors like air pollution, pesticides, and vitamin D deficiency in the development of Alzheimer’s. Traumatic injuries. The Alzheimer’s Association reveals that adults who have sustained moderate traumatic brain injury have a 2.3 times higher risk of developing the disease. For those who have experienced severe traumatic brain injury, the risk is 4.5 times greater. There are over 747,000 Canadians living with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia at the moment. Worldwide the number exceeds 40 million. Of those people, up to 5 percent have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. What are the stages of Alzheimer’s? This disease impacts people in different ways. However, the progression of the symptoms is usually divided into 3 general stages: early, middle, and late. Early stage The first symptom that people usually develop is memory loss. A person might have trouble learning new information such as names or words. Confusion is common, as well as difficulty placing objects. This stage frequently lasts from 2 to 4 years. Middle stage By this stage, people tend to forget not only recently acquired information but personal details as well. Disorientation and mood swings are common. This stage can last up to 10 years, depending on the person. Late stage People require assistance with simple daily tasks. They lose the ability to communicate with others and are unable to sit upright by themselves. At this point, they are vulnerable to infections, particularly pneumonia. As a result, this stage is often short. It lasts from 1 to 3 years. Could regenerative medicine cure Alzheimer’s? Throughout the last century, since the first diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, there have been multiple efforts to try and develop a treatment that can slow its progression and reverse its effects. Fortunately, thanks to the surge of clinical trials based on regenerative medicine in the last 10 years, we are closer than ever to accomplishing this goal. Thanks to the latest advancements in medical science, Alzheimer’s disease will soon be a thing of the past. Leveraging the power of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), scientists have been able to create neurons in the lab to model the disease. These are actual human-derived brain cells. The ability to do this, which allows scientists to better understand the way the disease develops and progresses, has in itself been a game-changer. However, it is just the beginning. The next step is neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation. In a review published in the Journal of Biomedical Science in early 2020, researchers from Japan reveal that NSC transplantation can improve cognitive behavior in animal models of Alzheimer’s. After the procedure, NSCs release trophic factors (molecules that allow neurons to develop) and replace damaged neurons. This has been shown to improve individual memory function in mice. What this means is that scientists have been able to create healthy brain cells and use them to repair the damage produced by Alzheimer’s. In this review, the authors also point to multiple studies that have shown similar improvement in cognitive behavior in animal models of Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. What we are looking at here is a procedure that could potentially revert the effects of Alzheimer’s and allow patients to regain their freedom. This would drastically improve the quality of life of millions of people around the world. All thanks to regenerative medicine. How you can take action today It is just a matter of time before these exciting advances give way to treatments that can be used safely and effectively in live subjects. When this happens, doctors will need a sample of a subject’s cells, which will then be reprogrammed to become the cell type required for treatment. The sooner you have your cells extracted and preserved, the younger and healthier they will be. This means that their therapeutic potential will be higher, not just for treating Alzheimer’s but countless other conditions like Parkinson’s, heart disease, and spinal cord injury. To put yourself in a position to take advantage of these advancements, look to banking your cells with Acorn. FAQs What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder that impacts the parts of the brain responsible for memory, language, and thought. It is the most frequent cause of dementia and is characterized by symptoms that worsen over time, eventually interfering with the most basic daily tasks. Can regenerative medicine actually "cure" Alzheimer’s? While a definitive cure is still in development, regenerative medicine offers the most promising path toward reversing the disease's effects. Unlike traditional drugs that only manage symptoms, stem cell therapies aim to replace damaged brain cells and repair the underlying neural pathways. What are iPSCs, and why are they important? Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are adult cells (like skin or blood cells) that have been reprogrammed back into an embryonic-like state. This allows scientists to turn them into any cell type—including neurons. They are vital because they allow researchers to study a patient’s specific disease in a lab "dish" and develop personalized treatments. Why should I bank my cells now if the treatment isn't ready yet? The effectiveness of stem cell therapy often depends on the quality of the starting material. As we age, our cells undergo "cellular aging". By banking your cells with Acorn today, you lock in your cells at their current age and health, ensuring you have the highest-quality biological resources available when these treatments become standard. --- ## From PRP to Exosomes: Which Cell-Based Skincare Treatments Actually Work? URL: https://acorn.me/blog/regenerative-skincare-treatments What's the difference between PRP and PDRN? From stem cells to salmon sperm (!), we're breaking down popular regenerative facial treatments—and how they work. Key Takeaways: Regenerative aesthetics is booming, but not all treatments are created equal. Options like PRP, exosomes, and PDRN each offer different mechanisms of action and different levels of evidence. Some treatments have strong support for wound healing and inflammation reduction; others are buzzy but unregulated. Understanding the difference between signals (secretome) and single-category treatments is key to knowing what actually works. Vampire facials. Exosomes. Salmon sperm (?!). Walk into any modern dermatology clinic, and you’re met with a roster of acronyms and catchy (if not stomach-churning) treatment monikers. The world of “cell-based skincare” has exploded, promising brighter skin, more collagen, faster healing, and even a more youthful glow using your body’s own biology. But behind the buzzwords lies a simple truth: these treatments aren’t all doing the same thing. Each one delivers a different slice of the signals your skin uses to repair, regenerate, and stay resilient. PRP offers a light boost. Exosomes deliver more targeted messages. PDRN supports healing and inflammation. And emerging secretome-based therapies go even further by capturing far more of the body’s natural repair language. Understanding where each option falls on this spectrum isn’t about choosing a “winner.” It’s about understanding how comprehensive each treatment really is and what results you can expect based on the level of regenerative signaling it provides. Here’s how today’s most popular regenerative treatments compare. What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)? PRP concentrates platelets from your own blood and reintroduces them into the skin. How it works: Blood is drawn and spun down to isolate the platelet-rich layer. Those platelets release a limited set of growth factors that support early healing and mild collagen production when injected or applied to the skin. Great for: Post-laser or microneedling healing Mild improvements in tone and texture Early signs of aging Tradeoffs: PRP only delivers a small portion of the molecules your skin needs for full repair. It’s supportive—but limited.[1] What Are Exosome Treatments? Exosomes have quickly become a post-procedure favorite because they can help skin bounce back faster and look more radiant. They offer a step deeper into regenerative biology than PRP, but still don’t capture the full picture. How it works: Exosomes are tiny vesicles naturally released by cells, often harvested from donor-derived stem cells. To isolate them, labs typically culture a population of stem cells, collect the fluid the cells grow in (called “conditioned media”), and then separate the exosomes. These purified vesicles are then formulated for topical or injectable use. Applied after procedures, exosomes help calm inflammation, improve hydration, and accelerate recovery. Great for: Redness and inflammation Hydration Faster recovery Mild collagen improvement Tradeoffs: Exosomes represent one category of regenerative signals: powerful, but still just a fraction of the skin’s full repair language.[2] What is PDRN? Polydeoxyribonucleotide, or PDRN, has gained popularity for its soothing, restorative qualities, especially for sensitized or post-treatment skin. It’s gentle, reliable, and supported by solid clinical data. How it works: PDRN is a DNA fragment (often salmon-derived) that activates A2A receptors, helping reduce inflammation and encourage controlled cell turnover and wound healing. PDRN is usually delivered as a series of tiny injections across the face (similar to skin boosters) or mixed into post-procedure serums during microneedling. Some clinics also use PDRN masks or gels for calming immediately after energy-based treatments. Great for: Hydration Soothing compromised or inflamed skin Gentle, cumulative rejuvenation Tradeoffs:PDRN is calming and supportive, but not a structural anti-aging or collagen-focused intervention.[3] What are secretome treatments? Secretome represents the most complete form of regenerative signaling: capturing the entire suite of molecules your skin naturally uses to repair, rebuild, and stay resilient. It mirrors the complexity of the body’s own repair system. How it works: Secretome includes growth factors, peptides, cytokines, extracellular vesicles, exosomes, and more—the full network of signals stem cells release to coordinate inflammation control, collagen production, elasticity, hydration, and barrier repair. Typically, you’ll start with an appointment to bank your stem cells. (Acorn does this via the painless collection of hair follicles.) Then, your cells are sent to a lab, where they’re cryopreserved and used to create your personalized secretome—a formulation containing the balanced, full-spectrum signaling your biology naturally produces. In a clinic, secretome is usually applied during microneedling or laser treatments, when the skin is most receptive—to help accelerate healing and regeneration.[4] Great for: Supporting collagen and elasticity Enhancing recovery after in-office treatments Improving skin resilience, hydration, and overall glow Strengthening the barrier and calming inflammation The Bottom Line Secretome is emerging as one of the most comprehensive tools in regenerative aesthetics because it mirrors the way your skin naturally heals—using a complete, coordinated network of signals rather than a single ingredient or pathway. Treatments like PRP, exosomes, and PDRN all have meaningful roles, but they each deliver only slices of this communication system. Secretome brings the whole conversation together. And when it’s created from your own preserved cells, it becomes even more powerful: personal, stable, and future-ready. As regenerative skincare evolves, full-spectrum signaling (not just isolated components!) is likely to become the foundation of how we support long-term skin health. FAQ How is secretome different than exosome therapy? Exosomes are just one part of the secretome. Secretome includes exosomes alongside growth factors, peptides, cytokines, and other bioactive molecules. Do I need to bank my cells before I get secretome? If you want a personalized secretome made from your own biology (like Acorn YOUTM), yes—you’ll need to bank your cells first. Generic, donor-derived secretome products exist, but they don’t reflect your unique regenerative profile. Is PRP outdated? Not at all. PRP remains a useful treatment, particularly as an add-on to lasers and microneedling. It’s just limited in scope compared to newer regenerative tools. How are these treatments done? PRP involves a blood draw and reinjection; exosomes and secretome are often applied during microneedling or post-laser. PDRN is delivered through tiny injections or microneedling. All are performed in clinics by trained providers. Further Reading: Phoebe, L. K. W., Lee, K. W. A., Chan, L. K. W., Hung, L. C., Wu, R., Wong, S., Wan, J., & Yi, K. H. (2024). Use of platelet rich plasma for skin rejuvenation. Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), 30(4), e13714. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13714 Tienda-Vázquez, M. A., Hanel, J. M., Márquez-Arteaga, E. M., Salgado-Álvarez, A. P., Scheckhuber, C. Q., Alanis-Gómez, J. R., Espinoza-Silva, J. I., Ramos-Kuri, M., Hernández-Rosas, F., Melchor-Martínez, E. M., & Parra-Saldívar, R. (2023). Exosomes: A Promising Strategy for Repair, Regeneration and Treatment of Skin Disorders. Cells, 12(12), 1625. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12121625 Squadrito, F., Bitto, A., Irrera, N., Pizzino, G., Pallio, G., Minutoli, L., & Altavilla, D. (2017). Pharmacological Activity and Clinical Use of PDRN. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 224. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00224 Zare, S., Jafarzadeh, A., Zare, S. et al. Exploring the dermatological applications of human mesenchymal stem cell secretome: a comprehensive review. Stem Cell Res Ther 16, 177 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04311-8 --- ## Are We Entering the Post-Botox Era? What Anti-Aging Will Look Like in 2030 URL: https://acorn.me/blog/the-future-of-regenerative-aesthetics What will aesthetics treatments look like in 2030? We asked practitioners and scientists to predict how skin and hair treatments will evolve over the next 5 years. Key Takeaways: Aesthetics clinics become "longevity hubs" by 2030: the focus shifts from disguising aging with Botox and fillers to regenerative treatments that repair cells and tissues from the inside out, with visits starting from a biological workup (AI scans, biomarker panels, epigenetic age testing) instead of a standard intake form. Treatments get personalized and proactive: clinics stack regenerative therapies (injectable secretomes, follicle support, bioelectric stimulation) based on your genetics and biomarkers, and proactive stem cell banking becomes a standard offering rather than a futuristic luxury. Aesthetics merges with longevity medicine: clinics offer hormones, peptides, infusions, and biomarker-tuned lifestyle plans alongside cosmetic care, ushering in a "post-symptom era" where biology is tuned continuously instead of waiting for wrinkles to appear. Walk into a high-end aesthetics clinic in 2030, and it won’t feel like the Botox parties of the mid-aughts… or even the vampire facials of today. Instead, you’ll find a menu that looks less like a medspa and more like a personalized longevity lab. The shift is already underway. For decades, anti-aging focused on disguising decline: paralyzing wrinkles, filling volume loss, and resurfacing skin. But the next frontier is about reprogramming biology itself, tapping into regenerative science to make our cells and tissues younger from the inside out.  With guidance from experts at the forefront of this transition, we’re mapping what the aesthetics clinic of 2030 might realistically look like. Much of the science is already here—but the next six years will change how these tools are delivered, combined, and personalized. Ready for a tour? The First Stop: Clocking Your Biological Age Instead of a quick intake form, your visit begins with a full biological workup. AI-driven scans measure skin elasticity, hair follicle activity, and even the cellular signals coursing through your blood. A genetic and biomarker panel maps out how your tissues are actually aging, and an epigenetic clock measures your biological age in years. “By 2030, we expect personalized regenerative therapies—tailored to your genetics and biological profile—to define the future of aesthetics,” says Dr. Nazish Ahmed, regenerative medicine expert and Senior Director at Acorn. It’s less “pick your filler” and more “here’s the exact protocol your cells are asking for.” What’s on the Menu? Once your biological age is clocked, you work with your practitioners on a custom treatment plan designed for your cells, your genetics, and your goals. Today, the building blocks of regenerative aesthetics already exist: PRP, exosomes, skin boosters, peptides, and energy devices. But by 2030, these treatments become far smarter, more personalized, and far more integrated. Instead of choosing one modality, clinics stack coordinated regenerative inputs based on biomarkers, genetics, and tissue needs. Think of it as a true dovetailing of regenerative medicine and aesthetics—a holistic approach that abides by the philosophy that we only look as good as our cells are healthy. Here’s what’s on the menu: Cellular Regeneration Therapies That Go Even Further In addition to filling or freezing, treatments reawaken your body’s own repair systems: Secretome-derived serums (once reserved for microneedling or laser pairings) become the backbone of regenerative aesthetics. And by 2030, injectable secretome formulations take center stage, offering deeper and more precise tissue repair. Hair thinning is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to deeper signaling, hair restoration shifts from “treating loss” to preserving growth. Secretome-based follicle support becomes routine, and thinning hair becomes less of a late-life inevitability—corrected early with regenerative inputs. Bioelectric stimulation“charges” sluggish cells and boosts tissue repair. (Basically, we’ve taken biohacking to an entirely new level.) A Shift Toward Proactive Cell Banking It’s a standard line item, not a futuristic luxury. As one of our experts put it, it’s like scheduling regular tuneups for your car before it breaks. In our 2030 clinic, aesthetics shift from reactive fixes to proactive biological maintenance, and banked stem cells make it possible to take a prescriptive, personalized approach to regeneration before issues ever surface. Clinics preserve your most potent cells and biofluids for aesthetic and therapeutic use. And Acorn has set a new standard for stem cell accessibility thanks to its hair follicle harvesting method. (Think of it as making deposits in your longevity bank—now, in 2030, and beyond.) Precision Longevity Techniques The menu doesn’t stop at skin and hair. Aesthetics clinics increasingly become the “glue” between functional medicine and longevity care. Many providers are already shifting into this hybrid model, offering hormones, peptides, metabolic support, gut health protocols, and biologic repair plans in the same clinic where you book your microneedling. But in 2030, we’re predicting it becomes the standard. And beyond skin and hair treatments, here’s what you can expect to see on the menu: Age “reversal” protocols, where therapies are tracked against your epigenetic clock. Personalized infusions that target cellular resilience. Lifestyle prescriptions (nutrition, exercise, sleep) that are fine-tuned to your biomarkers. “Hair restoration and aesthetics will increasingly adopt regenerative cellular therapies and next-generation technologies designed to restore, not just conceal, the signs of aging,” says Dr. Ahmed. And a patient’s weekly plan might include a peptide for muscle tone, a mitochondrial-support infusion, and a microneedling session finished with personalized secretome. What’s No Longer Center Stage Not everything makes it onto the 2030 menu. Some treatments still exist, but they’ve been moved from the spotlight to the sidelines: Botox as default. Regenerative therapies strengthen muscle tone, improve skin elasticity, and enhance volume retention—making neuromodulators a bonus for expression management, not the backbone of anti-aging. Cookie-cutter plans. With access to their personal longevity blueprint, patients are more focused on amplifying their natural biology (and beauty!) than adopting a one-size-fits-all look. Surface-only fixes. Lasers and chemical peels still have a role, but they’re paired with regenerative treatments that speed healing and address aging at its source. By the time you leave, you’ll carry a personalized care plan for both your skin and your biology.  The Clinic of Tomorrow Goodbye medspas, hello longevity hubs: places where aesthetics, regenerative medicine, and preventative health converge. Experts describe this evolution as the “post-symptom era” of aesthetics: where treatments don’t wait for wrinkles, laxity, or loss. Instead, they tune biology continuously, much like preventative medicine, but with the cosmetic outcomes patients are actively seeking. “It’s an exciting time,” says Dr. Ahmed. “We’re at the forefront of regenerative science, pushing beyond today’s injectables to pioneer the next era of longevity and aesthetics.” FAQs What’s the main difference between chronological and biological age? Chronological age is how long you’ve been alive; biological age measures how well your body is performing at the cellular level. It’s a more accurate indicator of overall health and longevity. What does "regenerative aesthetics" actually mean? Instead of disguising aging, regenerative aesthetics supports the body’s own repair systems. The goal is to improve how cells function—boosting collagen, elasticity, and recovery—so skin and hair age more slowly and resiliently. Why are hair follicles used to collect stem cells? Hair follicles contain highly regenerative stem cell populations and can be collected quickly and painlessly. This makes cell banking more accessible than older methods like bone marrow or fat extraction. Is this just about skin and hair? No. By 2030, aesthetics clinics increasingly overlap with longevity and functional medicine, addressing hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and cellular health alongside cosmetic outcomes. --- ## Using Your Own Cells to Improve Your Skin and Reduce the Signs of Aging URL: https://acorn.me/blog/using-your-own-cells-to-improve-your-skin-and-reduce-the-signs-of-aging Scientists are discovering new applications for the human cell to fight visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines and loss of natural glow. Regenerative medicine is transforming the aesthetics space as we know it. Leveraging the power of the human cell, doctors and scientists around the world are currently working to develop treatments for many of the diseases associated with the signs of aging. Wrinkles and fine lines, loss of natural glow and elasticity, dryness, and thinning of the skin - these can all be addressed through regenerative cell-based treatments. In order to take advantage of these opportunities, cell samples can be extracted and preserved under carefully controlled conditions. Your own younger cells extracted today can be reintroduced into your skin now or in the future to reverse the effects of aging. What are the causes of skin aging? There are two types of skin aging: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic aging is caused by external factors such as poor diet, sun exposure, stress, smoking, and lack of sleep. Its severity depends on our lifestyle choices. Intrinsic damage is determined largely by genetic factors and is characterized by loss of elasticity. Skin damage, from either kind, starts to become noticeable around the age of 25. There are a number of habits you can adopt to minimize the severity of the damage: wearing sunscreen, sleeping well, and avoiding smoking. In addition to these sensible habits, science has come up with a more direct approach to restoring and maintaining the youthful appearance of your skin. These are known as cell-based treatments. How cell-based anti-aging treatments work? It’s likely you have already heard of stem cells: these are cells that have the potential to transform into other cell types as the body requires them for healing and maintenance. There are many different types of stem cells and a variety of them have been used to promote anti-aging for skin. In a study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science, researchers induced wrinkles in mice using UVB irradiation. After injecting the mice with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), they found a reduction in wrinkles, as well as an increment in dermal thickness and collagen contents in the skin. A later study, published in Experimental Dermatology, found similar results. The authors, from Yonsei University in South Korea, concluded that “ADSC therapy may be useful in aging skin. Its effects are mainly mediated by stimulating collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts.” This means that ADSCs can induce skin cells to produce more collagen, the protein that supports the epidermis and maintains the look of youthful skin. Researchers have also worked with stem cells derived from cord blood. In a study published in Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 22 subjects (women from 18 to 55 years of age) used a topical treatment of mesenchymal stem cell conditioned media (USC-CM) for four weeks. After the treatment, their skin density increased significantly while wrinkles in the eye area were reduced. They experienced no adverse reactions. These results are promising, but collecting both adipose-derived stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells is complicated. Requiring invasive procedures with bone marrow or fat tissue, or through collecting umbilical blood or amniotic fluid, their collection presents legal and ethical complications. The answer? Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Here’s where Acorn can help. How to take advantage of these therapies The 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to researchers John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka for an extraordinary discovery: they found a way to take adult cells and make them behave like stem cells again. Called iPSCs, these stem cells share the transformative potential of adipose-derived stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, but they can be sourced from adult cells in a non-invasive way. It is as simple as plucking a few hairs. Using iPSCs, scientists from North Carolina State University have managed to slow down aging in skin cells. They used exosomes (vesicles implicated in cell-to-cell communication) from iPSCs in mice irradiated with UVB light. They found improved skin contour, reduction of wrinkles, and increased density of collagen fibers. Researchers in Germany have also developed an autologous cell therapy from a type of fibroblast cell found in the hair follicle called non-bulbar dermal sheath cells. They isolated these cells from the follicle, cultured them to provide a sufficient supply, and then reintroduced them into problem areas. Once reintroduced, there was an increase in the expression of genes that drive collagen synthesis leading to wrinkle reduction. Advancements like these can be an effective tool to reverse skin damage caused by aging. If you are looking to restore your skin’s youthful appearance, the first step is banking your cells as soon as possible, as cell-therapies are most effective with your younger cells of today than those in the future. Collecting and processing your cells is more convenient than ever thanks to our patented, non-invasive cell collection process. --- ## What Happens to Your Skin as You Age URL: https://acorn.me/blog/what-happens-to-your-skin-as-you-age It is no secret that our skin goes through significant changes as we age. These physical changes we see are a result of aging skin cells. In this blog, we'll cover what happens to skin on a cellular level as we age. It is no secret that our skin goes through significant changes as we age. The fine lines and age spots gradually become more prominent. These physical changes we see are a result of aging skin cells. In this blog, we'll cover what happens to skin on a cellular level as we age. What Happens to Your Skin as You Age The skin has three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Changes in the second layer—the dermis—are the most obvious. The two categories of skin aging include intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging involves fine lines and thinning skin caused by advancing age. Extrinsic aging involves deep wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and hyperpigmentation. The primary cause of extrinsic aging is environmental factors such as chronic sun exposure. Regardless of the type of aging, both wrinkles and reduced elasticity are a result of progressive atrophy of the dermis. The components of the dermis (the second layer of skin) consist of: collagen proteoglycans glycosaminoglycans fibroblasts immune cells endothelial cells The Role of Collagen Collagen fibers make up a significant component of the second layer of skin. In younger skin, collagen is tightly packed and well-organized, but with age, they become fragmented and coarsely distributed resulting in wrinkled skin and loss of elasticity. This can occur because of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Additionally, increased production of a specific group of enzymes called Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMPs) that break down collagen while there is no corresponding increase in levels of the enzyme inhibitors. This imbalance in enzyme production results in more collagen being broken down than preserved, accelerating skin aging. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a major driver in the increase in MMP production in aged skin. ROS can come from extrinsic factors like ultraviolet irradiation and intrinsic factors as a result of cell metabolism. How the Skin's Regulatory Systems Break Down The regulatory systems within the dermis also become impaired with age. Specifically, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is responsible for regulating both collagen production and degradation and is critical for maintaining the mechanical integrity of connective tissue in the dermal layer of skin. With age, the TGFβ signaling pathway is inhibited and leads to a reduction in net collagen found in the dermis. How Elastic Fibers Change The elastic fibers in the dermis also undergo structural changes with age. Intrinsic aging leads to a reduction in the number of elastic fibers, whereas extrinsic aging leads to an increase in abnormal elastic fibers. This combination causes the loss in elasticity and wrinkle formation we see with aged skin. The Future of Skin Aging Overall, with age, our cells begin to malfunction on a cellular and molecular level, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and loss of elasticity in our skin. However, in the near future, we'll be able to leverage our own younger cells to reintroduce youth into our skin. These regenerative treatments will be ultra-specific to you, removing the immunological risks involved with antiaging treatments that leverage pharmaceuticals or donor material. Banking your younger cells as soon as possible is the first step in preparing for these treatments. Learn more here. --- ## What Causes Hair Loss? URL: https://acorn.me/blog/what-causes-hair-loss Hair loss can be caused by various factors ranging from genetic to environmental. Check out this blog post to learn more about the main cause of hair loss. Key Takeaways: Hair loss is primarily driven by genetics and age, but can also be caused by hormonal shifts, medical conditions, high stress, or physical tension. New research shows that as we age, hair follicle stem cells don't just die, they actually change shape and escape from the follicle structure, leading to follicle miniaturization and eventual hair loss. Beyond traditional pills and topical solutions, the future of hair restoration lies in stem cell repopulation, exosomes, and lab-grown follicles that aim to restart the growth cycle at a cellular level. According to Mayo Clinic the most common cause of hair loss is caused by hereditary factors and age. Male and female pattern baldness are the most common types of hair loss and is inherited from one or both parents. Alternate causes can include hormonal changes or imbalances. Our hormones play a key role in hair growth and changes due to factors like pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid problems can contribute to hair loss. There are also certain medical conditions that can result in hair loss. Illnesses such as lupus, diabetes, and anemia can involve hair loss. Certain medications such as antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, and blood thinners can also trigger hair loss. High stress levels or emotional shock can cause hair loss by triggering your hair follicles to enter the resting stage and fall out. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium and hair will typically grow back within three to six months without treatment. Another cause of hair loss includes traction alopecia. This is a result of certain hair styles that are creating constant tension or pulling on the roots. Environmental factors can also contribute to hair loss. Exposure to toxins, pollutants, and UV rays can cause hair loss over time. As we get older, our hair naturally begins to thin and the rate of new hair growth slows down. Scientists at Northwestern University recently made a discovery of the changes that happen at a cellular level leading to hair loss as we age. Generally, it was thought that the stem cells responsible for hair growth would die in place with age- a process known as stem cell exhaustion. But what Dr. Yi had observed in the hair follicles of aging mice was that the stem cells responsible for growth had escaped from the structures that house them. The cells would change their shape and squeeze out of the holes in the follicle, return to their regular shape and move away. This stem cell escape could be the reason behind why we lose hair as we get older. But How Do We Fix That? There are many potential treatments available for hair loss ranging from prescription medication to surgical procedures. Some commonly prescribed medications for hair loss include finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride is a pill that is specifically used to treat male pattern baldness whereas minoxidil is a solution that is applied to the scalp to treat both male and female pattern baldness. Minoxidil works by promoting blood flow to your hair follicles to stimulate growth. Finasteride works by stopping your body from producing a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for male pattern baldness. A popular hair loss treatment uses a patient's own blood plasma to promote hair growth. This is called Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. The platelets from the patient's blood are isolated and then injected back into the scalp. This delivers growth factors to the scalp and promotes hair growth. A new development in hair transplant technology focuses on the stem cells rather than the entire hair follicle. The hair transplant available today takes existing hair follicles from one area of the scalp and implants them to areas of concern. This new method takes a skin sample from the patient, extract the stem cells from that sample, and then inject those stem cells back into the scalp in the areas of hair loss. Therefore repopulating the stem cells and encouraging hair regrowth. Researchers have also shown that extracellular vesicles derived from dermal papilla can promote hair growth. Extracellular vesicles are small pouches of RNA that stem cells release into their surroundings to induce repair in other cells. Other stem cell derived components such as growth factors and exosomes have also been effective in promoting hair regrowth. Scientists at Yokohama National University leveraged skin stem cells from mice and cultured them to generate fully functional hair follicles. The next step for the research team is to recreate the experiment with human cells. If they are successful, these lab grown follicles could be used to reverse hair loss. The Catch? These regenerative treatments will leverage our own cells, which means that the treatment will only be as powerful as the cells that are being used. As we get older, our cells begin to accumulate damage, and become less effective. Ensuring you have a reserve of your best cells available would help you get ahead of the effects of aging and prepare you for the future of regenerative treatments. With Acorn’s innovative non-invasive adult cell banking solution, you’ll be able to do just that. Learn more here. FAQ What is the most common reason for hair loss? According to the Mayo Clinic, the most frequent cause is hereditary factors combined with aging. This is known as male or female pattern baldness, which is a predictable type of thinning inherited from one or both parents. Can stress really make my hair fall out? Yes. High emotional shock or physical stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium. This causes hair follicles to prematurely enter a "resting stage" and fall out. Fortunately, this is usually temporary, and hair typically grows back within three to six months once the stressor is managed. How do traditional methods of hair restoration work? These treatments target different biological paths: Minoxidil is a topical solution that increases blood flow to the follicles to stimulate growth whereas Finasteride is an oral medication that blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for shrinking follicles in male pattern baldness. How is stem cell therapy different from a traditional hair transplant? A traditional transplant moves existing hair follicles from one part of the head to another. But, new regenerative methods involve extracting stem cells from hair follicles and applying them back on the scalp to "repopulate" thinning areas and encourage follicles to grow again without needing to move large amounts of hair. What is the role of secretome in hair restoration? Secretome leverages the power of your own hair follicle stem cells to create a concentrated serum of growth factors and exosomes. Research shows that these extracellular vesicles can signal damaged or "resting" follicles to enter the growth phase. Because secretome is derived from your own cells, it provides a highly personalized and potent treatment to combat the "stem cell escape" associated with aging. --- ## Regenerative Treatments Through Time URL: https://acorn.me/blog/regenerative-treatments-through-time When you think about anti-aging treatments, your mind goes to things like creams and surgical procedures. However, the world of anti-aging treatments is constantly evolving. Check out the timeline of regenerative treatments. When you think about anti-aging treatments, your mind goes to things like creams, serums, pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures. However, the world of anti-aging treatments is constantly evolving. These days, anti-aging treatments are starting to leverage the progress seen in regenerative medicine. Regenerative anti-aging treatments use a patient's own cells or tissues to promote tissue regrowth and rejuvenation. Regenerative treatments are becoming more popular with Hollywood celebrities leveraging them to maintain a youthful appearance. Check out the timeline of regenerative treatments below 1869 - First ever skin graft The first ever autologous skin graft was performed by Jacques-Louis Reverdin. He then went on to perfect this treatment to treat burn wounds, ulcers, and other open wounds 1893 - Fat grafts Fat grafts involve transferring a patient's adipose tissue from one area of the body to the face in order to restore the loss of fullness. This procedure was first performed in 1893 to correct scarring around the eye formed from a previous eye infection. 1955 - Nasal bone grafts In the 1950s Dr. Edgar Holmes used bone derived from the patients pelvis to correct any issues with the patients nose. 1990s - Laser therapy Photorejuvenation leveraged lasers to prompt the skin to heal itself and boost cell regeneration to reverse the signs of aging. 1995 - Microneedling Also known as collagen induction therapy, this procedure involves repeatedly puncturing the skin to stimulate the wound repair response, in turn boosting cell regeneration. Early 2000's - Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Also known as the vampire facial made widely popular by Kim Kardashian. The procedure involves drawing blood from your arm, placing the blood in a machine that separates the platelets from the rest of your blood, then reinjecting just the platelets into areas of concern. Though it has only recently been used in aesthetics, PRP has been used in regenerative medicine since the 1980s to treat various health conditions. In 2006, it was leverage to promote hair growth. Since 2010 it has been used for cosmetic dermatology and shown to improve hydration, flexibility, and tone of skin. 2020 - Exosomes Exosomes are cell derived nanoscale vesicles that carry important information (genes/proteins/carbohydrates/lipids/nucleic acids) between cells, essentially function as a route of communication between cells. They can also modulate essential cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and migration. As we age our skin loses the ability to maintain collagen synthesis and to repair damaged cells. Exosomes facilitate the exchange of RNA and proteins like keratin, fibroblasts, and immune cells between cells. By applying exosomes directly to the tissue, we bypass the long cellular division process and skip straight to the replenishment and regeneration of the treatment area. Thus younger looking, more vibrant and healthy skin tissue is formed and regenerated! In the near future, we’ll be able to use exosomes to treat dryness, get better skin hydration, improve tissue health at a cellular level, visibly decrease fine lines, wrinkles and age spots, and a reduction in redness and irritation 2021 - MSCs Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were first isolated and cultured in 1968. MSCs are like embryonic stem cells, however they have limited self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. MSCs can differentiate into bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat cells. MSCs can be derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow, amniotic membrane, and even the hair follicle. Recent research has shown that reintroduction of these cells are efficient at boosting skin regeneration through re-epithelization and secretion of growth factors. Researchers observed an increase in elastic collagen synthesis, hair regeneration, and elastin synthesis when treated with MSCs. 2022 & Beyond There’s a revolution happening in aesthetic medicine. We’ll be using our own younger cells to reverse the signs of aging. And this isn’t a far distant future, we’re already seeing scientists leveraging patients' own cells to treat wrinkles and fine lines. But these treatments will only be as powerful as the cells that are used. As we age, so do our cells, and over time they lose their regenerative potential. When it comes to regenerative treatments, younger cells can provide younger results. Preserving your cells ahead of the effects of aging is the only way to prepare for the future of regenerative treatments. --- ## Stem Cells 101 URL: https://acorn.me/blog/stem-cells-101 Stem cells are special cells that have the ability to divide and differentiate into any other cell in the body. Read more about these important cells. Stem Cell 101 Stem cells are immature cells in your body that can grow into many other types of cells. Think of stem cells as young “children''; very adaptable, with a lot of potential. Just as we see in human children, they mature into adults gradually. A child becomes an adolescent and then a teen before they become an adult. The same thing goes with stem cells. They gradually mature, step by step, into the fully functioning adult cells in your body. The most undeveloped state of stem cells is called totipotent stem cells. They are like a newborn baby with endless potential. A totipotent stem cell can develop into any type of human cell. They came right from a fertilized egg, and they can form an embryo as well as the placenta and other structures outside of the embryo.  The totipotent stem cells then grew into the more specialized pluripotent stem cells. They are like preschool kids, the possibilities are still seemingly endless, but some things are already determined. A pluripotent stem cell can develop into any tissue in the human body, losing the potential, or potency, of growing into anything outside of an embryo (such as a placenta). One step further from Pluripotent stem cells is multipotent stem cells. Multipotent stem cells are the teenagers of stem cells; their interests are visible, and their future is somewhat structured. Multipotent stem cells can develop into any cell type within a family of tissues. An example would be mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, which can form anything within a family of tissues from muscle to bone and cartilage. When multipotent stem cells further divide, they become oligopotent and unipotent stem cells. Oligopotent stem cells are your typical college student; they still have a couple of choices for career, but the future is mostly set. Oligopotent stem cells can form 2 or more types of cells within the same tissue. A unipotent stem cell is like a high school grad that decides college isn’t for them. They have decided on what they want to become, as unipotent stem cells form one and only one type of functional adult cell.  This process in which fertilized eggs mature into different stem cells and eventually adult cells is called differentiation. Through differentiation, stem cells gradually specialize in their form and capabilities until they become fully functional adult cells. There is also a special type of stem cell called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs for short. Essentially iPSCs are adult cells genetically engineered to resemble pluripotent stem cells in function. You can think of them as an adult taken on a time machine, and reverted back to their childhood. In most practical perspectives, you can equate iPSCs with pluripotent stem cells. Why should I care? There are actually quite a few reasons why stem cells are relevant to all of us. Firstly, stem cells have the potential to change how we approach healthcare and use medicine. Traditional medicine has always struggled to treat diseases that cause too much damage to our body. Leukemia destroys blood production, Parkinson’s disease kills the neurons and myocardial infarctions ruin the heart muscles. Our bodies cannot cope with the damage caused by these diseases, which is why they are so deadly. Traditional medicine is best equipped to reduce the symptoms, but it doesn’t sufficiently repair the damage done by the diseases. This is why we continue to struggle with Leukemia, Parkinson’s and myocardial infarction. Regenerative medicine using stem cells has the potential to change this, leveraging stem cells to treat the damage caused by disease. Another reason why stem cells are relevant to all of us is that we must start preparing now in order to take full advantage of stem cell therapies in the future. As we speak, stem cells in our body are aging. Aging causes stem cells to slowly lose their ability to differentiate and self-regenerate, leading to a loss of the regenerative capabilities of our stem cell niches. This loss of differentiating power, or potency, is terrible news for any regenerative treatment. Regenerative therapies depend on this special characteristic of stem cells to repair the damages in your body. If we let our cell age too much, it might just lose the potency required for any treatment. Where are the stem cells? Stem cells are located throughout our body. Each individual organ and tissue has its own niche and variety of stem cells. In adult humans, the most studied source of stem cells include bone marrow, skin, hair follicles and urine. These in addition to common stem cell sources in embryos and placenta and umbilical cord blood from childbirth make up the bulk of studied stem cell niches in humans. When we are talking about using stem cells in cell banking or stem cell therapies, each of these sources have its unique utilities and challenges. To begin, embryos as a stem cell source is extremely controversial, basically making its wide range application impossible. Umbilical cord blood and placenta make for a great, non-invasive cell source, though it is limited to immediately after childbirth. This leaves bone marrow, skin, hair follicles and urine as the main cell source in adults. Urine is not well researched enough as of the publication of this article to constitute a serious choice, while bone marrow requires an invasive procedure to extract (usually drilling into the hip). Skin and hair follicle derived stem cells are both great cell sources with huge potential in future applications and are generally considered to be the safest and most favourable cell source. Within these cell sources, multiple different stem cell types can be found. The most common and currently most researched are the Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), responsible for blood and immune response related functions, and Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), largely related to skin cells and smooth muscle cells. On top of these, there are also the more specialized Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs), which are beginning to show serious potential in treating neurodegenerative disease and a variety of different muscle and heart conditions. Stem cell research and therapy is an emerging game changer for the general biotech landscape. Stem cells continue to exist in different niches in our body after we reach adulthood, and play a role in maintaining our homeostasis. The recent development of regenerative medicine largely founded on stem cell therapeutics is setting the stage for us to solve some of the most important health problems troubling humanity since our very beginning. And for all of us, our best course of action is to prepare and behold this staggering revolution take place. How can I leverage the future of regenerative medicine? There is no better way to prepare for future regenerative medicine than to banking your cells with Acorn. By banking your cells with Acorn, you are ensuring your chances of taking advantage of the future regenerative medicine therapies. With the non-invasive method of stem cell collection from hair follicles, we make stem cell banking easy and painless. --- ## Is This the Future of Hair Health? Meet the Treatment Replacing Hair Transplants URL: https://acorn.me/blog/secretome-hair-loss Is this the future of hair loss? Stem cell treatments offer an exciting new alternative to hair transplants—with way less downtime. Key Takeaways: Hair loss isn’t just a surface issue. It’s deeply connected to cellular signaling and inflammation. Traditional hair transplants move follicles around, but regenerative approaches help revive the ones you already have. Stem cell-derived secretome therapy is emerging as a less invasive, more accessible way to support hair regrowth. For decades, hair loss solutions have existed in two extremes: superficial treatments like shampoos or supplements, or surgery. Transplants were considered the gold standard because they physically relocate active follicles into thinning areas—a powerful but expensive and invasive approach. But now, a new frontier has emerged—and it’s accelerating a future where hair recovery is more accessible than ever. Instead of rearranging hair you already have, regenerative therapies focus on leveraging your own biology to wake up dormant follicles, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and restore the cellular environment needed for healthy growth. While hair loss can feel like a biological failure (it’s not!), these treatments help your body do what it does best. At the center of this shift are stem cell–based tools and secretome therapy, which support hair regrowth from the inside out. Why Hair Loss Happens in the First Place Hair follicles are small but incredibly complex mini-organs. Each and every one goes through cycles of growth, rest, and shedding. And these cycles are impacted by things like: hormones inflammation blood flow cellular stress aging nutrition When the follicle’s environment becomes imbalanced, the growth phase shortens, shedding increases, and with time, the follicle shrinks: a process called miniaturization. This is the biological mechanism behind thinning hair, and it begins long before you see significant loss.[1] Traditional transplants work around this issue. Regenerative therapies aim to attack it at the source. Stem Cells and Secretome: The New Frontier in Hair Growth Stem cells are your body’s natural repair system: responsible for healing tissue, regenerating skin, and supporting healthy hair growth. But the real magic is in the messaging molecules these cells release, known collectively as the secretome.[2] Secretome includes: growth factors peptides cytokines exosomes These are the signals that tell your cells how to behave—including encouraging hair follicles to enter (and stay in) the growth phase. Why it matters for hair: Secretome can help: Reduce follicle inflammation Wake up dormant follicles Improve blood flow and nutrient delivery Strengthen the growth cycle Support thicker, denser strands Slow down or reverse miniaturization It’s biology doing what it’s designed to do. And certain treatments can help give that biology an extra push. Can Regenerative Treatments Really Outpace Surgery? Hair transplants are effective, but they come with caveats: They redistribute existing follicles, but don’t create new ones. Results depend on donor hair quality and availability. The procedure is costly, invasive, and requires downtime. Not everyone is a good candidate. Regenerative therapies do things a little differently: They target the root cause. By improving follicle health, regenerative treatments address the biology behind thinning. (Not just the surface appearance.) They’re less invasive. No surgery, no scarring, minimal discomfort, and no need for a large donor area. They’re more adaptive. Treatments can be repeated over time, adjusting as your biology evolves. They’re accessible earlier. People can begin regenerative support in the earliest stages of thinning, long before a transplant would be considered. We’re not saying hair transplants are going away. But regenerative therapies offer another kind of intervention. For some people, surgery may never be needed at all. The Rise of Regenerative Hair Therapies Over the past decade, a new wave of hair-loss treatments has emerged: ones that focus less on redistributing follicles and more on restoring their function at the source. The two most widely known approaches are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell–based procedures. PRP: A First Step Toward Regeneration PRP works by concentrating platelets from your blood and reintroducing them into the scalp. These platelets release a handful of growth factors that can improve circulation, calm inflammation, and nudge follicles into a healthier rhythm. The upside is that it’s minimally invasive, it can reduce shedding, and it can improve texture and thickness. The limitation is that PRP only contains a small subset of the molecules involved in true regeneration. Platelets release some growth factors, but not the full constellation of signals stem cells naturally rely on.[3] Stem Cell Procedures: A Deeper Regenerative Signal Exosome therapy has become buzzy for a reason. Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles that carry signaling molecules between cells: a kind of biological messaging system involved in repair. They can deliver more sophisticated signals than PRP, and early research suggests potential benefits for supporting hair density and reducing inflammation.[4] But exosomes (especially donor-derived or lab-cultured versions) still capture only part of the regenerative picture. No single growth factor, vesicle, or peptide can replicate the balanced, coordinated signaling system your own cells naturally produce. The real engine of regeneration is the secretome: a full-spectrum blend of growth factors, peptides, cytokines, extracellular vesicles (including exosomes), and other bioactive molecules that work together to guide repair. Secretome Therapy: The Next Wave of Hair Regeneration Where PRP and exosome injections offer slices of regenerative potential, innovative treatments like Acorn YOU™ capture the complete signaling network that drives real repair: your full secretome. Here’s how Acorn changes the paradigm: Your healthiest cells are banked by collecting existing hair follicles painlessly These cells are cryopreserved to maintain their full regenerative capacity Acorn uses these preserved cells to produce a personalized, full-spectrum secretome product This secretome includes everything—the coordinated blend of: growth factors peptides cytokines extracellular vesicles exosomes other bioactive signals It’s the full regenerative “language” your cells use to communicate, instead of fragments of it—captured at its best, stored safely, and ready to support hair health today and for years to come. And most patients begin to see visible improvements in density and quality within 90 days, with ongoing strengthening and thickening over subsequent months. The Bottom Line Hair loss isn’t just a cosmetic concern—it’s a cellular one. And the future of hair health isn’t about moving follicles around or relying on isolated treatments like PRP or donor-derived exosomes. It’s about restoring the environment your follicles need to function: healthy signaling, low inflammation, and a steady supply of regenerative cues. That’s what makes full-spectrum secretome such a breakthrough. Instead of delivering a fraction of the signals involved in repair, it taps into your body’s complete regenerative language. It’s one of the clearest signs that the next era of hair health is moving beyond surgery and toward biology. FAQ How is secretome different than exosome therapy? Exosomes are just one component of the secretome—a single category of signaling vesicles. Secretome contains the entire suite of regenerative signals (growth factors, cytokines, peptides, extracellular vesicles, exosomes), all working together. Can secretome therapy replace transplants for hair loss? Not entirely. Transplants still have a place for people with significant follicle loss. But regenerative therapies can support earlier intervention, improve follicle function, and, for many people, delay or even avoid the need for surgery altogether. Why collect cells through hair follicles? Hair follicles are rich in potent stem-cell populations and can be collected quickly, comfortably, and without needles or surgery. It’s a low-barrier way to preserve cells that are highly active in regeneration. What is the best time to bank my stem cells? Ideally, as early as possible, so you’re preserving your strongest regenerative signals. But people bank at many ages. The point is capturing a version of your biology you feel confident preserving for future treatments. Further Reading: Whiting D. A. (2001). Possible mechanisms of miniaturization during androgenetic alopecia or pattern hair loss. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 45(3 Suppl), S81–S86. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2001.117428 Salhab, O., Khayat, L. & Alaaeddine, N. Stem cell secretome as a mechanism for restoring hair loss due to stress, particularly alopecia areata: narrative review. J Biomed Sci 29, 77 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-022-00863-6 Paichitrojjana, A., & Paichitrojjana, A. (2022). Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug design, development and therapy, 16, 635–645. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S356858 Cheng, M., Ma, C., Chen, H. D., Wu, Y., & Xu, X. G. (2024). The Roles of Exosomes in Regulating Hair Follicle Growth. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 17, 1603–1612. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S465963 --- ## What is Regenerative Medicine? URL: https://acorn.me/blog/what-is-regenerative-medicine Regenerative medicine is an exciting field in the future of medicine, using your own cells to repair and regenerate damage caused by disease and aging. Regenerative Medicine 101 Regenerative medicine is an exciting field in the future of medicine, using the therapeutic ability of cells to repair and regenerate damage caused by disease and aging. Regenerative medicine uses three types of cell: Somatic cells (normal adult cells), adult stem cells and pluripotent cells. Regenerative medicine treatments are usually either an injection of stem cells or a form of tissue engineering. Advancements in regenerative medicine are opening up possibilities for treatment of heart, bone and viral induced diseases and symptoms. A New Era of Cell Based Medicine Regenerative medicine is beginning to make a significant impact on our approach with healthcare, and for good reason.  Unlike traditional approaches to medicine that target the symptoms of disease with interventions or drugs, regenerative medicine leverages your own cells' ability to repair or regrow damages caused by diseases and aging. It's fascinating to think that we can treat disease with cells, especially our own cells, but until recently we never had access to these amazing regenerative treatments. There are three types of cells that regenerative medicine commonly uses. Firstly, you have the somatic cells; the everyday cell from skin cell to neurons in your body. They are widely available in every adult's body, generally easy to extract, and great at healing specific tissue damages. Secondly, you have the adult stem cells. Compared with somatic cells, they are less common in an adult's body. Adult stem cells are a more “primitive” cell, capable of dividing and forming into many (though not all) different types of cell and tissues in your body through a process called differentiation. And lastly you have the pluripotent stem cells. They are the ultimate “primitive” cell, capable of becoming any other type of cell in your body through differentiation. We can find pluripotent stem cells in embryos or we can engineer your somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. So, you might be wondering, how do we use these cells in regenerative medicine? Well, I’m glad you asked. Currently, the majority of regenerative medicine takes two avenues: injection of cells (mostly different types of stem cells) to the damage site to induce recovery, or growing a replacement for transplant. Your stem cells are amazing at helping you recover and repair. They consistently secrete a special type of genetic instruction, the RNA, that instructs other cells in their surroundings to start dividing and repairing. These RNA are released into their surroundings through small “pouches” called extracellular vesicles. This ability of stem cells to induce repair by other cells is coined as the paracrine effect. Injecting stem cells into the site of damage takes advantage of the paracrine effect, and artificially induces reparation of your body. This injection method of regenerative therapy has been successfully used in reparations of brain damage caused by myocardial arrest, and is giving us hope for treatments in multiple previously untreatable diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury resulted paralysis. Engineered replacement for damaged human tissue takes a slightly more radical approach. Now, think of your organ tissues like little huts. I know it's weird, but please, bear with me. To build it, you’ll first need a scaffold structure, supporting the wall panels as it goes up. This is very much the first step scientists do to engineer human tissues. Firstly, a scaffold is made with biomaterial to support the cells as they are prepared and layered. As you will need nails to hold the wall panels in a hut, you will need glue like biomaterial to hold the cells in place. However, unlike a hut, which is inhabited upon completion, when the tissue is finished, it will be left to mature, before transplanted into the patient's body. These series of techniques are called tissue engineering. Clinical application of tissue engineered skin replacement has already been in use, while tech for cardiac muscle and liver lining replacement is quickly advancing. Recent advances in Regenerative medicine COVID-19 and Regenerative medicine A very interesting application of regenerative medicine lately is against COVID-19 symptoms. Severe cases of COVID-19 causes a cytokines storm or the ARD. This is when your body over reacts and goes haywire, resulting in hyper inflammation and immune overreaction. ARD is currently the most lethal of all COVID-19 symptoms, with patient survival rate at less than 50%. A recent clinical trial by Lanzoni et al. suggested that by simple injection of adult stem cells (MSCs) at site of inflammation, the patient’s survival rate increased from 42% to 91%. Adult stem cells have shown tremendous ability in modulating the immune response and inflammation. This treatment has the potential of significantly reducing the fatality rate of COVID-19, and tremendously bolstering our ability to combat a similar pandemic, like COVID-19, in the future. Regeneration of heart tissue Heart disease is a leading cause of death among Canadians, edging out even the worst months of COVID-19. Yet, with traditional medicine heart disease is very difficult  to treat and often leaves behind significant and debilitating sequelae (consequence after treatment). Regenerative medicine is now opening up the possibility for us to reduce these consequences. A new review published in Nature by Tenreiro et al. outlines the significant progress being made in cardiac tissue engineering. In the past years, we have significantly increased our ability to control the behaviour of pluripotent stem cells in differentiation into cardiac tissues. These culminated in the creation of a “mini heart”, or a heart organoid, by Drakhlis et al.in their 2021 paper. Meanwhile another breakthrough in the field of biomaterial also opened up the possibility of blood vessel transplant into the human body. Patel et al. demonstrated that by using extracellular matrix, molecules secreted by cells, we can now create scaffolds much stronger and resembling the strength of natural blood vessels. Regeneration of bones 2 million Canadians have osteoporosis. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience at least 1 fracture in their life due to osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis can be treated with traditional medicine, though the effect is often focused on management of symptoms with suboptimal effects. Regenerative therapy is opening up a new avenue in the treatment of age related bone disease such as osteoporosis. Fowler et al. outlined in their paper the use of Wnt mimetic to induce regeneration of bone tissue. Wnt mimetic can be thought of as a molecule that resembles signals your cell looks for to start dividing and replacing damages. Delivery of the Wnt mimetic is shown to greatly help the reparation and restoration of bone damage. How do I prepare for the future of regenerative medicine? With the exciting promise of regenerative medicine on the horizon, it’s more important that ever to prepare your cells for the future. Live Cell Banking pauses the clock on your cell aging and provides your future self with more capable cells for stem cell use. See more about how Acorn can help preserve your best cells today. --- ## Menopause and Cellular Aging: 4 Things Women Should Know After 40 URL: https://acorn.me/blog/menopause-and-cellular-aging Here's what women entering perimenopause should know about cellular aging—and the treatments and habits to preserve their healthiest cells. Key Takeaways: Hormonal fluctuations in your 40s accelerate cellular aging by impacting mitochondrial function, collagen production, and DNA repair. Perimenopause can begin years before your final period, with early signs including sleep changes, mood shifts, and altered skin and hair texture. Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining cellular energy and resilience, so its decline affects everything from metabolism to cognition. Emerging fields like biobanking allow women to preserve younger cells today for potential future therapies in longevity and regeneration. For decades, menopause was treated as a finish line: a point when fertility stopped and aging supposedly kicked into turbo gear. But research now points to this milestone as a biological inflection point, where shifts in hormones reshape how our cells function, communicate, and repair. The process begins quietly. Perimenopause, the slow transition before menopause, often begins in a woman’s late 30s or early 40s. Sleep grows lighter, energy wanes, and the body may feel a half-step out of sync.  This is because estrogen is linked to cellular youth. It supports everything from collagen synthesis and bone density to mitochondrial efficiency, aka the process that powers every cell. As estrogen declines, those systems start to decelerate. Yet for the first time in history, we can actually see and measure these changes… and even intervene. The emerging fields of longevity science and regenerative medicine finally allow women to work with their biology, not against it. By addressing cellular health directly, we can extend not just lifespan, but healthspan: how long we feel active, youthful, and full of vitality. Hormones Are the Gatekeepers of Cellular Youth Our biology runs on a rhythm: a constant conversation between hormones and cells. Estrogen and progesterone govern fertility, but they’re also deeply involved in how our cells generate energy, repair damage, and renew themselves. As a reminder, menopause itself is the milestone we reach in mid-life when we haven’t had a period for a consecutive 12 months. When estrogen begins to fluctuate in the years leading up to this moment, a domino effect begins inside nearly every system: Mitochondria lose efficiency. These cellular “powerhouses” rely on estrogen to produce ATP, the body’s energy currency. When that signal weakens, metabolism slows and fatigue sets in.[1] Collagen and elastin production decline. Lower estrogen levels translate to thinner skin, weaker connective tissue, and slower healing.[2] Oxidative stress increases. With less hormonal protection, free radicals inflict more damage on DNA and cellular membranes.[3] Telomeres shorten faster. The caps at the ends of chromosomes—which are the markers of cellular age—wear down more quickly when estrogen drops.[4] These are some of the reasons why women often start noticing subtle changes like energy dips, brain fog, and mood fluctuations in their 40s.  But there’s good news. Once you understand how hormones influence the cell’s internal machinery, you can begin to intervene—through nutrition, movement, targeted supplementation, and regenerative therapies designed to restore balance at the root. The Early Signs of the Cellular Shift For many women, perimenopause begins years before the word “menopause” ever enters the conversation. It often arrives quietly, through changes that feel more like stress, overwork, or simply life catching up. (A not-so-fun fact: There are dozens of recognized perimenopause symptoms, ranging from changes in libido, to night sweats, to joint pain.)[5] Those subtle shifts are early indicators that your hormonal and cellular systems are recalibrating, and can include: Sleep disruption. Waking in the middle of the night or struggling to fall asleep is often one of the first indicators that estrogen and progesterone are fluctuating. Both hormones interact with neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, which regulate the body’s circadian rhythm.[6] Brain fog and mood swings. When estrogen dips, the brain’s access to key neurotransmitters (especially dopamine and serotonin) changes. The result can be brain fog, irritability, or anxiety that feels out of proportion to your day.[7] Changes in weight and inflammation. Hormonal fluctuations can mess with insulin sensitivity and cortisol levels, making the body more prone to storing fat, particularly around the midsection.[8] Shifts in skin and hair. Reduced estrogen impacts collagen production and circulation, leading to dullness, dryness, or thinning hair that wasn’t present before.[9] Irregular cycles. As your hormones shift, you may notice that your menstrual periods are shorter, lighter, or more infrequent. For women searching “signs of menopause at 40” or “signs of perimenopause,” these symptoms are often the first breadcrumbs leading to a larger truth: the body is beginning its next biological chapter. Being in tune with your body can help you feel more empowered during what can often feel like a chaotic time—but it’s also important because if you’re seeking certain interventions, they tend to be most effective when introduced during this cellular transition, not after it. The Aging Interventions That Actually Move the Needle Once you understand that perimenopause is a cellular transition (not just a hormonal one!), the question becomes: What can you do to support your biology during this shift? The key thing to remember is that we’re not fighting our bodies, but aiming to work with them. Here’s what makes the biggest impact: Give Your Energy Systems a Boost Many women notice that fatigue and brain fog often take over during perimenopause. That’s normal, because your body is simply working harder to maintain the same level of energy. What helps: Certain supplements that support cellular energy (like NAD+ precursors) Nutrients that protect your cells from stress (like CoQ10 or antioxidants) These don’t replace rest or nutrition, but they can help smooth out those midday slumps. Get Support With Hormonal Fluctuations Hormone levels naturally rise and fall during this transition, and that can affect everything from sleep to mood to how your body handles stress. Getting a hormone panel done can help you understand your internal chemistry with even more precision during this time. From there, you and your healthcare provider can explore options like: Bioidentical hormone therapy Low-dose estrogen support Cycle-aware lifestyle shifts Explore Regenerative Options for Skin, Hair, and Recovery As we often wear these biological changes on our face (and even our hair!), we’d encourage exploring aesthetic treatments that address the root of aging at the source. Regenerative treatments that leverage your body’s own biology, like microneedling paired with stem cell-derived Secretome, help remind your cells how to behave younger. Lower Everyday Stress on Your Cells This is the part that often gets overlooked. During this chapter, we’re more sensitive to inflammation, poor sleep, and cortisol spikes than we used to be. Some basic habits that can help: Strength training (even light) Consistent, earlier sleep Anti-inflammatory eating Brief daily practices that calm the nervous system, like breathing exercises Together, these interventions help your body feel steadier, clearer, and more capable—without trying to “hack” anything. Stem Cells, Biobanking, and the Future of Women’s Health One of the most exciting shifts in women’s health is the growing understanding that we don’t have to wait for decline before thinking about repair. Your body has built-in regenerative tools—your stem cells!—that help heal tissue, maintain elasticity, and support recovery. But like everything else, these cells change with age. Your Stem Cells Age, Too Stem cells are the body’s natural repair team. They help keep skin firm, hair healthy, and muscles strong. Over time, though, they become fewer and less active. In other words: the earlier you think about supporting or preserving them, the more options you have later. Why Women in Their 30s and 40s Are Thinking About Preservation Our stem cells are at their peak in our late twenties. As menopause approaches, your cells are already working overtime to adapt. That’s why many women are choosing to cell bank now, before the biological effects of midlife fully set in—to preserve younger, healthier stem cells to regenerate both skin and hair. Think of it as downloading a “younger version” of your biology for the future. Banking stem cells might also provide another promising avenue to “banking” fertility: Studies show that PRP injections (and specifically growth factors inside) can improve blastocyst count and ovarian reserve. What Biobanking Actually Is Biobanking simply means collecting a small sample of your cells today and storing them at their current age. Those preserved cells can potentially be used later for regenerative treatments—things like recovery, repair, or tissue rejuvenation as the science continues to evolve. A More Empowered Approach to Aging Biobanking is ultimately about giving your future self access to the best biological tools you have right now. It’s one of the clearest examples of how longevity science is evolving—offering not just treatments for today, but possibilities for tomorrow. This is where Acorn comes in: by easily preserving your stem cells at their healthiest, most responsive state, you’re creating optionality for the future. And then, you get to tap into that youthful biology whenever you’d like—for skincare treatments, hair loss, and more. The Bottom Line The lead-up to menopause can feel overwhelming, but it can also be a powerful inflection point: a moment to reassess our habits and tap into our own biology. And with new scientific advancements, it’s easier than ever to address aging at the source. Take our quiz to see if secretome is right for you! FAQ What’s the difference between perimenopause and menopause? Perimenopause is the long transition leading up to menopause, when hormone levels start to rise and fall. Menopause is the point when you’ve gone 12 months without a period. Most women feel changes well before that final cycle. Is it normal to notice symptoms in your early 40s? Yes. Many women experience sleep changes, mood shifts, cycle irregularity, or new skin/hair patterns as early as their late 30s or early 40s. These are common signs that your hormones and cellular systems are beginning to transition. Can you actually “slow down” cellular aging? You can’t stop the clock, but you can support the systems that help your cells stay healthy—things like sleep, strength training, anti-inflammatory nutrition, hormone balance, and certain supplements. These don’t erase aging, but they can make the process feel steadier and more supported. How can biobanking be useful during perimenopause? Biobanking gives your future self access to younger, healthier cells. It’s not about solving a specific issue today—it’s about keeping more options open for tomorrow as regenerative treatments continue to evolve. References: Yu, Y., Yapeng, H., Liu, Z., Fang, L., Li, J., Luan, Y., Li, W., Cong, H., & Wu, X. (2025). Mitochondrial dysfunction in perimenopausal mood disorders: From hormonal shifts to neuroenergetic failure (Review). International journal of molecular medicine, 56(6), 215. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2025.5656 Viscomi, B., Muniz, M., & Sattler, S. (2025). Managing Menopausal Skin Changes: A Narrative Review of Skin Quality Changes, Their Aesthetic Impact, and the Actual Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Improvement. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 24 Suppl 4(Suppl 4), e70393. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70393 Chandimali, N., Bak, S. G., Park, E. H., Lim, H. J., Won, Y. S., Kim, E. K., Park, S. I., & Lee, S. J. (2025). Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review. Cell death discovery, 11(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-024-02278-8 Gray, K. E., Schiff, M. A., Fitzpatrick, A. L., Kimura, M., Aviv, A., & Starr, J. R. (2014). Leukocyte telomere length and age at menopause. Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), 25(1), 139–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0000000000000017 Wegrzynowicz, A. K., Walls, A. C., Godfrey, M., & Beckley, A. (2025). Insights into Perimenopause: A Survey of Perceptions, Opinions on Treatment, and Potential Approaches. Women (Basel, Switzerland), 5(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/women5010004 Beretta, E., Cuboni, G., & Deidda, G. (2025). Unveiling GABA and Serotonin Interactions During Neurodevelopment to Re-Open Adult Critical Periods for Neuropsychiatric Disorders. International journal of molecular sciences, 26(12), 5508. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125508 Bendis, P. C., Zimmerman, S., Onisiforou, A., Zanos, P., & Georgiou, P. (2024). The impact of estradiol on serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine systems. Frontiers in neuroscience, 18, 1348551. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1348551 Kodoth, V., Scaccia, S., & Aggarwal, B. (2022). Adverse Changes in Body Composition During the Menopausal Transition and Relation to Cardiovascular Risk: A Contemporary Review. Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.), 3(1), 573–581. https://doi.org/10.1089/whr.2021.0119 Thornton M. J. (2013). Estrogens and aging skin. Dermato-endocrinology, 5(2), 264–270. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.23872 --- ## What Makes a Cell “Young”? Inside the Science of Regeneration URL: https://acorn.me/blog/what-makes-a-cell-young-inside-the-science-of-regeneration Shift from chronological age to cellular function. Explore the hallmarks of youthful cells and how banking with Acorn Biolabs preserves your biology. Key Takeaways: Cellular “youth” isn’t about your age in years—it’s about how well your cells function. Young cells generate energy efficiently, repair DNA effectively, and regulate inflammation precisely. As cells age, they accumulate damage, experience mitochondrial decline, shortened telomeres, and increased inflammation. Regenerative science now focuses on cellular signaling to support repair… and help cells act younger. Is it really possible to reverse aging? From a technical standpoint, the answer is a resounding no. After all, aging is a complex biological process shaped by time, environment, and cellular wear. But regenerative science has reframed the conversation. Instead of trying to turn back time, researchers are focused on restoring cellular function—because aging begins at the cellular level. A youthful cell behaves differently than an aging one. It produces energy efficiently, repairs DNA damage effectively, and regulates immune function more effectively. But as those functions decline, tissues begin to age. To better understand where regenerative medicine is headed, we first have to understand what makes a cell young in the first place. But First: A Refresher on Biological Aging vs. Chronological Aging When we talk about helping cells “act” younger, we’re referring to our biological age (how youthfully our body functions) rather than our chronological age (the number of candles on the birthday cake). Biological age reflects how well your body is functioning relative to your chronicle age. It’s influenced by genetics, lifestyle, environment, and—perhaps most importantly—your resulting cellular health. At its core, biological aging is the cumulative result of cellular aging. As cells lose efficiency—in energy production, DNA repair, inflammatory control, and communication—tissues begin to decline. When enough cells shift in function, the effects become visible and measurable across the body. (Think: volume loss in skin, creaky joints, and gray or thinning hair.)[1] So, what makes a cell “young?” Cellular youth is about performance, not appearance or age. (After all, those physical effects are happening downstream.) Instead, scientists evaluate cellular aging through a set of biological hallmarks. While no single marker defines youthfulness, younger cells consistently share several functional traits. 1. Efficient Energy Production Every cell runs on energy. That energy is produced by tiny structures called mitochondria. (High school biology throwback, anyone? In youthful cells, mitochondria work efficiently: producing steady energy while limiting harmful byproducts. As cells age, energy production becomes less efficient and repair slows.[2] 2. Effective DNA Repair Your cells experience damage every day from sun exposure, pollution, stress, and normal metabolism. Young cells are quick to detect and repair that damage—but over time, repair systems become less precise. Small errors accumulate, contributing to inflammation and visible signs of aging.[3] 3. Longer Telomeres Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of your chromosomes. Each time a cell divides, those caps shorten slightly. Longer telomeres are associated with greater ability to replicate and repair tissue. Shortened telomeres are one indicator of cellular aging.[4] 4. Inflammatory Response It’s easy to demonize inflammation. But in truth, inflammation is part of healing—it’s your body doing what it’s supposed to do. The problem is when it goes into overdrive. Younger cells take a balanced approach to stress, then return to baseline. But aging cells are more likely to remain in a state of low-grade, chronic inflammation—sometimes called “inflammaging”—which can gradually damage tissue.[5] 5. Fewer “Zombie Cells” Some aging cells stop dividing but don’t die. These are called senescent cells—or colloquially, “zombie cells.” Instead of contributing to repair, they release inflammatory signals that disrupt surrounding tissue. Younger tissue contains fewer of these dysfunctional cells. And chronic stress can also contribute to the accumulation of zombie cells—and in turn, visible signs of aging.[6] Can You Help Cells Act Younger? While we can’t stop time, research shows that certain behaviors and biological interventions can influence the pathways associated with cellular aging. Support metabolic health. Energy production is one of the most foundational aspects of cellular function—and lifestyle plays a measurable role here. Regular exercise, consistent sleep, and blood sugar regulation are all key habits to prioritize. [2] Offset chronic inflammation. Low-grade, persistent inflammation can accelerate many hallmarks of aging. Engaging in habits that balance stress levels is crucial. [7] Read up on senescent cell research. Those zombie cells we talked about? Scientists are actively researching compounds that may be able to target and clear them out—a category called senolytics. Much of the science is still early stage, but it underscores a noteworthy shift: aging may be influenced not just by adding new cells, but by addressing dysfunctional ones.8 Explore regenerative and stem cell therapies. Instead of simply replacing cells, scientists are also investigating how signaling molecules may help guide repair, regulate inflammation, and influence cellular behavior. This is where stem cell therapies are coming to the fore, particularly for aesthetic applications like collagen restoration and hair loss. By leveraging our most regenerative cells, we can signal and revitalize those that are performing less efficiently.[9,10,11] While the idea of actually reversing aging is somewhat realistic, understanding how young cells act has become instrumental in guiding how we preserve that functionality. In other words: The more we understand what makes a cell young, the more precisely we can support it. Acorn Biolabs makes it possible to bank your living cells today—preserving their functionality so they're available for tomorrow's regenerative therapies. Don't wait for the science to catch up to find out you wish you'd started sooner. Bank your cells with Acorn → FAQ Can you really reverse aging? Not in the literal sense. You can’t reverse the clock, but you can help preserve functionality—and improve your cells’ regenerative capacity. In other words, focus on dialing back that biological age, and the visible effects will follow. What is cellular aging? Cellular aging refers to the gradual decline in how well your cells function. Over time, cells experience reduced energy production, accumulated DNA damage, shortened telomeres, chronic low-grade inflammation, and increased numbers of senescent (“zombie”) cells. Can lifestyle changes slow cellular aging? Lifestyle factors play a meaningful role in cellular health. Research consistently habits like regular exercise, consistent sleep, balanced nutrition, and stress management with healthier mitochondrial function and lower inflammatory burden. Is “reversing aging” the right way to think about longevity? A more accurate way to think about it is preserving or restoring cellular function. The goal isn’t to eliminate time—it’s to extend healthspan, meaning the years your cells and tissues function optimally. Further Reading Mathur, A., Taurin, S., & Alshammary, S. (2024). New insights into methods to measure biological age: a literature review. Frontiers in aging, 5, 1395649. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2024.1395649 Catic A. (2018). Cellular Metabolism and Aging. Progress in molecular biology and translational science, 155, 85–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.12.003 Di Micco, R., Krizhanovsky, V., Baker, D., & d'Adda di Fagagna, F. (2021). Cellular senescence in ageing: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities. Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology, 22(2), 75–95. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-020-00314-w Shammas M. A. (2011). Telomeres, lifestyle, cancer, and aging. Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care, 14(1), 28–34. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0b013e32834121b1 Jiang, B., Dong, Y. N., Xiong, Y., Jiang, C. X., Ping, J., Wu, Q., Xu, L. J., Shu, R. Z., Gao, D. D., Zhu, S. M., Ye, W. D., & Zhang, F. (2025). Global research trends in inflammaging from 2005 to 2024: a bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in aging, 6, 1554186. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2025.1554186 Song, S., Lam, E. W., Tchkonia, T., Kirkland, J. L., & Sun, Y. (2020). Senescent Cells: Emerging Targets for Human Aging and Age-Related Diseases. Trends in biochemical sciences, 45(7), 578–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2020.03.008 Polsky, L. R., Rentscher, K. E., & Carroll, J. E. (2022). Stress-induced biological aging: A review and guide for research priorities. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 104, 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2022.05.016 Hickson, L. J., Langhi Prata, L. G. P., Bobart, S. A., Evans, T. K., Giorgadze, N., Hashmi, S. K., Herrmann, S. M., Jensen, M. D., Jia, Q., Jordan, K. L., Kellogg, T. A., Khosla, S., Koerber, D. M., Lagnado, A. B., Lawson, D. K., LeBrasseur, N. K., Lerman, L. O., McDonald, K. M., McKenzie, T. J., Passos, J. F., … Kirkland, J. L. (2019). Senolytics decrease senescent cells in humans: Preliminary report from a clinical trial of Dasatinib plus Quercetin in individuals with diabetic kidney disease. EBioMedicine, 47, 446–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.08.069 Abdellaoui, S., & Katsimpardi, L. (2025). Neural stem cell secretome: a secret key to unlocking the power of regeneration in the adult and aging brain. Aging brain, 8, 100144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbas.2025.100144 Wang, J. V., Schoenberg, E., Saedi, N., & Ibrahim, O. (2020). Platelet-rich Plasma, Collagen Peptides, and Stem Cells for Cutaneous Rejuvenation. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 13(1), 44–49. Talebzadeh, A. T., & Talebzadeh, N. (2023). Stem Cell Applications in Human Hair Growth: A Literature Review. Cureus, 15(4), e37439. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.37439 --- ## The Inflammaging Effect: How Cellular Stress Speeds Up Wrinkles and Hair Loss URL: https://acorn.me/blog/inflammaging Inflammaging is the chronic, low-grade cellular inflammation triggered by everyday stressors that silently degrades collagen, weakens hair follicles, and accelerates the visible signs of aging. While anti-inflammatory nutrition and targeted lifestyle habits help buffer this daily stress, regenerative treatments like Acorn's personalized secretome therapies work at the source to restore youthful cellular communication and actively reactivate your body's natural repair pathways. Key Takeaways: “Inflammaging” is the chronic, low-grade inflammation that accelerates aging beneath the surface. It can disrupt collagen production, weaken hair follicles, and speed up visible signs of aging. Everyday stressors like poor sleep, processed foods, hormones, UV exposure, and pollution all contribute. Anti-inflammatory nutrition, targeted lifestyle habits, and regenerative therapies all help restore balance. Aging is often described as a slow, inevitable decline. But beneath what we see on the surface—fine lines, thinning hair, stray grays—is a quieter, more influential force: inflammation. This isn’t the kind of inflammation that happens when you twist your ankle or wear something that irritates your skin. It’s a low, chronic, background hum of stress inside your cells that gradually wears down their ability to repair, renew, and stay resilient. Scientists call this phenomenon inflammaging, and it’s now considered one of the most significant drivers of accelerated aging.[1] Inflammaging is directly linked to how our skin looks, how our hair grows, how quickly we build (or lose) collagen, and how well our cells bounce back from daily stressors. But the good news is that we can impact it: What you eat, how you sleep, how you manage stress, and how supported your cells are can all make a profound difference in how quickly or slowly inflammaging progresses. What Is “Inflammaging?” Most of aging is driven by tiny, repeated stress signals your cells receive every day. Inflammaging is the slow, quiet accumulation of those signals: things like oxidative stress, hormonal fluctuations, blood sugar swings, environmental toxins, poor sleep, UV exposure, processed foods, and even emotional stress.[2] Individually, none of these create chaos. But together, they keep your cells in a low-grade fight-or-flight mode that never fully switches off. Over time, this constant background stress weakens your body’s natural repair pathways. Skin regenerates more slowly. Hair follicles become more fragile. Collagen breaks down faster than it’s produced. And all of this accelerates visible and biological aging long before you necessarily “feel” old. It might not even reflect the number on your driver’s license! How Inflammaging Shows Up on Your Skin Skin is one of the first places inflammaging becomes visible because it’s already on the front lines: exposed to sunlight, pollution, changes in hormones, and environmental shifts. When cellular inflammation rises: Collagen degrades more quickly Elastin becomes less functional Hydration levels drop The moisture barrier weakens Cell turnover slows Fine lines and dullness appear earlier And even great topical products can only do so much when your cells are being taxed from the inside out.[3] How Inflammaging Contributes to Hair Thinning and Shedding Did you know that hair follicles are micro-organs with their own microbiomes? They’re highly sensitive to their environment—and when inflammation is elevated, they react quickly. Chronic cellular stress can: Shorten the growth phase of the follicle Push more hairs into shedding mode Reduce the amount of blood flow and nutrients delivered to the scalp Shrink the follicle over time Make hair more reactive to hormones and stress spikes This is why you might notice more hair in your shower drain during periods of high stress, hormonal change, or poor sleep.[4] What Triggers Inflammaging in the First Place? This is where things get interesting, because inflammaging rarely comes from one big trigger. It’s the stacking of small, everyday stressors—and your cells can’t catch a break. Common contributors can include: Highly processed, high-sugar foods Poor sleep or irregular sleep patterns Chronic stress and cortisol spikes Hormonal changes (like perimenopause, menopause, and postpartum) UV damage Consistent alcohol use Sedentary lifestyle Chronic infections or gut imbalance Pollution By the way: You don’t need to live “perfectly” and eliminate all of these stressors altogether to “age well.” Life happens! You just need to reduce the cumulative load so your cells can get a breather—and repair. How To Reduce Cellular Inflammation You don’t need to overhaul your life or adopt an extreme regimen. You can meaningfully reduce inflammaging with simple, sustainable habits. Eat the Rainbow This isn’t a “diet” so much as a shift toward foods rich in antioxidants and healthy fats: Colorful produce (berries, greens, tomatoes) Omega-3s (salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia) Herbs + spices (turmeric, ginger, rosemary) Legumes Whole grains These foods are shown to help buffer oxidative stress, which is one of inflammaging’s biggest drivers. Support Your Nervous System Daily Your stress levels directly influence your inflammation levels. Even five minutes of intentional downshifting can help—rituals like: Breathwork Walking outside Mindfulness or prayer Light stretching Journaling Build and Maintain Muscle Muscle is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory organs in the body. Strength training improves insulin sensitivity, reduces chronic inflammation, and balances hormones—all crucial for slower aging. (Even 20 minutes twice a week helps.) Sleep Like It Matters Because it does. When you sleep, your body clears inflammatory markers and repairs cellular damage. Even small improvements like consistent bedtimes, a cooler, darker room, and reducing screentime can have an outsized impact. Support Your Moisture Barrier A strong barrier reduces reactive inflammation. Think: ceramides niacinamide gentle retinoids peptides sunscreen Tap Into Your Body’s Natural Anti-Inflammaging System The most potent anti-aging ingredient is already inside you. Regenerative approaches like secretome therapies harness the signaling molecules your stem cells naturally produce—the same ones that guide healing, collagen formation, and tissue renewal. Instead of simply calming inflammation, these signals help your cells remember how to function more youthfully. This is where inflammaging meets regeneration: not just reducing damage, but reactivating the pathways that keep your skin, hair, and tissues resilient. Secretome helps address inflammaging by: Encouraging cell regeneration and proliferation Balancing your body’s natural inflammation response Increasing the speed of wound healing via growth factors Maintaining cellular balance and a healthy concentration of beneficial molecules By preserving your stem cells at their healthiest, most responsive state and transforming them into personalized secretome formulations, companies like Acorn give you access to the regenerative signals your cells rely on to repair. It’s a way to tap into your own biology’s anti-inflammaging potential, today and years from now. The Bottom Line Inflammaging is simply a biological response; your cells reacting to the world you live in and the stressors you encounter every day. The good news is that those stressors are modifiable, and your biology responds quickly when you give it a supportive environment. By lowering chronic inflammation and strengthening your repair pathways, you give your skin, your hair, and your overall health the chance to age more efficiently. FAQ What is “inflammaging,” in simple terms? Inflammaging is the slow, steady, low-grade inflammation that builds up over time and makes your cells less efficient at repairing themselves. You may not feel it, but it shows up as dull skin, thinning hair, fatigue, or slower recovery. Is inflammation always bad? Not at all. Inflammation is part of your body’s natural defense system. The issue is chronic inflammation—the kind that never fully switches off. That’s what accelerates aging and impacts skin, hair, and overall vitality. Can stress really exacerbate aging? Yes. Elevated cortisol increases inflammation, destabilizes blood sugar, and disrupts sleep, all of which accelerate cellular aging.The flip side of this is that even small, stress-relieving habits can have a measurable impact on inflammatory markers. Can chronic inflammation contribute to hair loss? Yes. Hair follicles are highly sensitive to inflammation. Even mild chronic inflammation can shorten the growth cycle, slow regrowth, or increase shedding over time. How do regenerative therapies help with aging? Regenerative approaches work by sending healthier signals to your cells, encouraging them to repair, renew, and regenerate more effectively. Secretome therapies, in particular, support collagen production, tissue health, and more resilient skin and hair. Further Reading: Xia, S., Zhang, X., Zheng, S., Khanabdali, R., Kalionis, B., Wu, J., Wan, W., & Tai, X. (2016). An Update on Inflamm-Aging: Mechanisms, Prevention, and Treatment. Journal of immunology research, 2016, 8426874. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8426874 Yegorov, Y. E., Poznyak, A. V., Nikiforov, N. G., Sobenin, I. A., & Orekhov, A. N. (2020). The Link between Chronic Stress and Accelerated Aging. Biomedicines, 8(7), 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8070198 Papaccio, F., D Arino, A., Caputo, S., & Bellei, B. (2022). Focus on the Contribution of Oxidative Stress in Skin Aging. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 11(6), 1121. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11061121 Peyravian, N., Deo, S., Daunert, S., & Jimenez, J. J. (2020). The Inflammatory Aspect of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss. Journal of inflammation research, 13, 879–881. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S275785 --- ## Are Plant Stem Cells Effective in Skincare? URL: https://acorn.me/blog/are-plant-stem-cells-effective-in-skincare The regenerative properties of plants and the restrictions on the use of animals and humans in cosmetics has grabbed the interest of dermatology researchers and the cosmetics industry. But are they effective? The Rise of Plant Stem Cells in Skincare Many popular skin care brands have recently been touting the benefits of plant stem cells in skincare. The regenerative properties of plants and the restrictions on the use of animals and humans in cosmetics has grabbed the interest of dermatology researchers and the cosmetics industry. Extracts, Not Live Cells: What's Really in the Bottle However, almost all cosmetic companies advertising to contain plant stem cells in their products actually contain stem cell extracts and not the live stem cells. A lot of research has been done on plant stem cells and their efficacy as anti-aging treatments, but the stem cells that are packaged up and sold in cosmetic formulations are already dead. As a result, the stem cells will not act the same way as live stem cells. Any benefits that the cosmetic companies are touting are from the antioxidants and other active extracts from the stem cells. What Stem Cells Actually Need to Work For plant stem cells to be effective in skin care formulations, they need to be alive and should remain alive while in the serum or cream. Dr. Christopher Calapai, a stem cell expert highlights this and has said that for stem cells to be effective in skin care, "they'll need to be from a human who is preferably the one seeking the treatment, alive, and delivered directly to the skin (most likely with an injection)." The Science of Autologous Cell Therapy Researchers are already on the path of making these types of treatments available. Scientists have developed an autologous cell therapy from a type of fibroblast cell found in the hair follicle called non-bulbar dermal sheath cells. They isolated these cells from the follicle, cultured them to provide a sufficient supply, and then reintroduced them into problem areas. Once reintroduced, there was an increase in the expression of genes that drive collagen synthesis leading to wrinkle reduction. The Bottom Line: Bank Your Young Cells Today Overall, plant stem cells may have some potential to help aging skin indirectly through cell extracts but any cosmetics claiming to contain full plant stem cells may not be as effective. However, there are massive potential benefits to using your own human stem cells for skin rejuvenation - especially your younger cells. Banking your own young cells is something you can actually do today to help ensure you have younger cells available for these future stem cell based skin treatments. Learn more here. --- ## 39 Effects of Aging: How Our Body Changes Over Time URL: https://acorn.me/blog/39-effects-of-aging-how-our-body-changes-over-time Systemic aging unfolds through a shared biological pattern of slowing cellular repair, rising inflammation, and fading stem cell potency, quietly degrading everything from skin elasticity and hair density to organ efficiency and immune defense. While foundational lifestyle habits like restorative sleep and regular movement help mitigate this multi-system decline, proactively banking your youngest available stem cells with Acorn preserves a potent biological blueprint to unlock future personalized, system-wide regenerative treatments. Key Takeaways: Aging affects every system in the body: from skin and hair to the brain, immune system, and organs. Many visible signs of aging reflect deeper cellular changes. While aging is inevitable, understanding how it unfolds helps guide strategies to support healthspan. New regenerative research focuses on preserving and restoring cellular function—not just treating symptoms. According to the World Health Organization, the global population aged 60 and older will double by 2050. This demographic shift makes healthy aging one of the most important medical and societal challenges of our time. Aging isn’t a single process. It’s the cumulative result of changes occurring across tissues, organs, and cells. While these changes show up differently for everyone, they follow recognizable biological patterns. Understanding these patterns is key to managing age-related decline and extending healthspan, not just lifespan. And the good news? Scientists are learning more about these shifts at a breakneck pace—and how to support them accordingly. Below is a systems-based look at how aging affects the body, starting with the most visible changes… and moving inward. Skin Skin is the body’s largest organ. And it’s often the first place aging becomes visible: Over time, the skin’s ability to renew itself slows, structural support weakens, and repair takes longer. As we age, fibroblasts—the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and other structural components of the skin—become less active. When these “builder cells” slow down, the skin gradually loses firmness, elasticity, and resilience. Common age-related skin changes include: Reduced oil (sebum) production, leading to dryness and itching Slower cell turnover, which can make skin appear dull or uneven Declining collagen and elastin, contributing to wrinkles and laxity Reduced hyaluronic acid, resulting in dehydration and thinning Slower wound healing and increased fragility Many of these changes are also linked to an increase in senescent skin cells, or “zombie cells:” older cells that no longer divide or repair damage efficiently, but remain active and inflammatory.[1,2] Hair and Nails Hair and nails are highly sensitive to changes in hormones, inflammation, and cellular health. Because hair follicles rely on active regeneration, for example, they are often early indicators of deeper cellular aging. (Gray hairs, anyone?) Hair growth depends on healthy signaling between hair follicles and the surrounding scalp environment. With age, this communication becomes less efficient. Follicles may remain present, but they produce thinner hairs, grow more slowly, or spend longer periods in a resting phase.[3,4] Age-related changes in our nails and hair commonly include: Thinner strands and reduced density Increased time in the resting (telogen) phase of growth Graying due to a decline in melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) Slower hair and nail growth Brittle or thickened nails Cardiovascular System The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen and nutrients to every tissue in the body, so age-related changes can have profound effects. Over time, blood vessels become stiffer and less elastic, making it harder for blood to flow efficiently. The heart also undergoes structural changes, including a gradual decline in specialized pacemaker cells that regulate heart rhythm. Common age-related cardiovascular changes include: Stiffening of arteries and increased blood pressure Reduced production of nitric oxide (a molecule that helps blood vessels relax) Increased risk of clot formation Thickening of heart muscle tissue Slower production of new blood cells These shifts affect endurance, recovery, and organ health throughout the body.[5] Musculoskeletal System The musculoskeletal system—our muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons—provides structure, movement, and stability. With age, muscle cells shrink and decline in number, a process known as sarcopenia. At the same time, bones lose density, cartilage thins, and connective tissues become stiffer. (Your creaky knees might be an early sign.) Common changes include: Loss of muscle mass and strength Reduced protein synthesis and slower muscle repair Decreased bone density and increased fracture risk Joint stiffness and reduced flexibility Slower recovery after physical stress As these changes advance, they can impact mobility, balance, and overall independence.[6] Brain and Nervous System The brain is made up of billions of neurons supported by complex networks of other cells. Aging affects both the structure and function of these systems. Over time, synaptic plasticity (the brain’s ability to form and adapt connections) declines. Blood flow to the brain decreases, and the production of key neurotransmitters slows.[7] Age-related changes may include: Slower processing speed and memory recall Reduced blood flow to brain tissue Decline in neural stem cell activity (i.e. cells that help repair and maintain brain tissue) Increased vulnerability to inflammation Some cognitive changes are expected. But all in all, brain aging is strongly influenced by cellular health and lifestyle factors.[8] Vision and Hearing Our eyes and ears rely on specialized cells that are particularly sensitive to aging. With time, the lens of the eye becomes thicker and less flexible, making it harder to focus. The cells responsible for processing light and sound also regenerate more slowly.[9,10] Common changes include: Reduced tear production and dry eyes Increased risk of cataracts and macular degeneration Gradual hearing loss (presbycusis) Balance issues due to loss of sensory hair cells in the inner ear Hormones Hormones act as chemical messengers throughout the body, so age-related hormonal changes can impact the whole system. As we age, production of several key hormones declines, including growth hormone and melatonin. Our reproductive hormones also shift significantly throughout our lives.[11] Examples include: Menopause and declining estrogen in women Reduced testosterone levels in men Changes in fertility, metabolism, bone density, and mood By extension, these transitions can influence energy levels, tissue health, skin and hair, and sleep. Immune System The immune system protects the body from infection and supports healing. With age, it becomes less precise and slower to respond: a process known as immunosenescence.[12] Key changes include: Reduced function of immune cells Slower wound healing Increased chronic inflammation Higher susceptibility to infection This combination of weaker defense and heightened inflammation plays a major role in age-related disease. Organ Health Your organs don’t suddenly stop working as you age, but they do become a little less flexible and efficient over time. Think of it as having less backup when your body is under stress, illness, or fatigue. As cellular repair slows, organs may take longer to bounce back from challenges and become more sensitive to lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, and hydration. Some common age-related changes include: Kidneys: Filtering slows slightly, which can affect how your body balances fluids, electrolytes, and medications.[13] Liver: Detoxification and metabolism become less efficient, meaning alcohol, medications, and toxins may hit harder than they used to.[14] Pancreas: Cells involved in blood sugar regulation can become less responsive, increasing the risk of insulin resistance.[15] Lungs: Elasticity decreases, making breathing feel less effortless during exercise or illness.[16] These shifts are subtle at first, but they help explain why recovery can feel slower with age—and why habits that support cellular health become increasingly important over time. How To Support Healthy Aging While aging affects every system differently, the underlying drivers are surprisingly consistent. Across skin, hair, muscle, brain, and organs, healthy aging depends on a few core biological principles: reducing chronic inflammation, supporting cellular repair, and preserving regenerative capacity. And the habits that support this might be simpler than you think. Protect your sleep. Deep, restorative sleep is when your body performs its most important repair work—clearing damaged cells, regulating hormones, and restoring immune balance. Poor sleep accelerates inflammation and cellular decline across nearly every system listed above.[17] Move regularly to maintain cellular function. Physical activity supports circulation, mitochondrial health, muscle integrity, bone density, and brain health. Movement also helps the body clear the “zombie” cells that accumulate with age. (For what it’s worth, science shows that consistent low-impact exercise like walking and strength training should do the trick.)[18] Eat to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. You know the drill: Whole, nutrient-dense foods—particularly those rich in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats—help protect cells from damage that accelerates aging. After all, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are two of the biggest contributors to age-related decline.[19] Manage stress. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which can impair immune function, slow tissue repair, and accelerate cellular aging. Even short, consistent stress-regulation practices can make a meaningful difference over time. (Maybe a daily breathing exercise or two?)[20] Be proactive about aging. Many age-related changes begin decades before symptoms appear. That’s why modern longevity science is shifting toward early intervention—supporting the body’s repair systems before they’re overwhelmed. This proactive mindset is where emerging strategies like regenerative medicine and stem cell preservation come into play. Banking Your Most Resilient Cells Nearly every effect of aging listed above can be traced back to changes at the cellular level. The process goes a little something like this: Stem cells lose regenerative power, repair signals weaken, and damaged cells accumulate over time. As regenerative medicine continues to advance, many future therapies—whether for skin, hair, joints, or organs—will rely on a person’s own cells. It’s about harnessing our own biology to help signal regeneration, and effectively help our existing cells act younger. This has led to growing interest in stem cell therapies and stem cell banking: preserving your healthiest, most regenerative cells earlier in life, before significant decline occurs. By cryopreserving cells at ultra-low temperatures, biological aging is effectively paused. These cells can later be used as the foundation for personalized regenerative treatments as new medical and aesthetic applications emerge. Acorn makes this process accessible through a non-invasive hair follicle collection method, allowing individuals to bank their stem cells without surgery or downtime. Right now, these stem cells are processed into a personalized secretome serum that can be used to enhance skincare treatments or for hair regeneration. But in the future? The applications abound. Rather than committing to a single treatment today, cell banking preserves optionality—keeping your body’s most regenerative resources available for wherever longevity science takes us. FAQ What are the most common effects of aging on the body? Aging affects nearly every system, including skin, hair, muscles, brain, immune function, and organs. These changes are driven by slower cellular repair, increased inflammation, and reduced regenerative capacity over time. When does aging actually begin? Cellular aging can begin as early as your late 20s or early 30s—long before visible signs appear. Many effects accumulate quietly for decades before symptoms surface. Why do skin and hair tend to show aging first? Skin and hair rely heavily on fast cell turnover and regenerative signaling. As those processes slow, changes like wrinkles, thinning hair, and slower healing become more noticeable. What is cellular senescence? Cellular senescence occurs when cells stop dividing but don’t die. These cells release inflammatory signals that can disrupt surrounding tissue and accelerate aging throughout the body. Further Reading: Shin, S. H., Lee, Y. H., Rho, N. K., & Park, K. Y. (2023). Skin aging from mechanisms to interventions: focusing on dermal aging. Frontiers in physiology, 14, 1195272. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1195272 Hou, X., Wei, Z., Zouboulis, C. C., & Ju, Q. (2022). Aging in the sebaceous gland. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 10, 909694. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.909694 Liang, A., Fang, Y., Ye, L., Meng, J., Wang, X., Chen, J., & Xu, X. (2023). Signaling pathways in hair aging. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 11, 1278278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2023.1278278 Rao, S., Banerjee, S., Ghosh, S. K., Gangopadhyay, D. N., Jana, S., & Mridha, K. (2010). Nail changes and nail disorders in the elderly. Indian journal of dermatology, 55(3), 301–304. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.70695 (Retraction published Indian J Dermatol. 2012 Jan;57(1):I.) Vakka, A., Warren, J. S., & Drosatos, K. (2023). Cardiovascular aging: from cellular and molecular changes to therapeutic interventions. The journal of cardiovascular aging, 3(3), 23. https://doi.org/10.20517/jca.2023.09 Walston J. D. (2012). Sarcopenia in older adults. Current opinion in rheumatology, 24(6), 623–627. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0b013e328358d59b Appelbaum, L. G., Shenasa, M. A., Stolz, L., & Daskalakis, Z. (2023). Synaptic plasticity and mental health: methods, challenges and opportunities. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 48(1), 113–120. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-022-01370-w Potashkin, J. A., Vidyadhara, D. J., & Hunsberger, H. C. (2025). The Impact of Lifestyle on Brain Health. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 15598276251411888. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276251411888 Singh P, Zeppieri M, Tripathy K. Presbyopia. [Updated 2025 Jun 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560568/ Hughes, S. E., Brenner, C. R., Pandian, A. T., Ross, E. J., Nieman, C. L., McKee, M. M., McCaslin, D. L., Tunkel, D. E., Manojlovich, M., Wallhagen, M. I., & Brenner, M. J. (2025). Age-Related Hearing Loss: Evidence-Based Strategies for Early Detection and Management. ORL-head and neck nursing : official journal of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses, 43(2), 26–39. Biagetti, B., & Puig-Domingo, M. (2023). Age-Related Hormones Changes and Its Impact on Health Status and Lifespan. Aging and disease, 14(3), 605–620. https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2022.1109 Fu, Y., Wang, B., Alu, A. et al. Immunosenescence: signaling pathways, diseases and therapeutic targets. Sig Transduct Target Ther 10, 250 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-025-02371-z Fang, Y., Gong, A. Y., Haller, S. T., Dworkin, L. D., Liu, Z., & Gong, R. (2020). The ageing kidney: Molecular mechanisms and clinical implications. Ageing research reviews, 63, 101151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101151 Williams, S. N., & Ding, W. X. (2025). The impact of aging on liver health and the development of liver diseases. Hepatology communications, 9(10), e0808. https://doi.org/10.1097/HC9.0000000000000808 De Tata V. (2014). Age-related impairment of pancreatic Beta-cell function: pathophysiological and cellular mechanisms. Frontiers in endocrinology, 5, 138. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2014.00138 Sharma, G., & Goodwin, J. (2006). Effect of aging on respiratory system physiology and immunology. Clinical interventions in aging, 1(3), 253–260. https://doi.org/10.2147/ciia.2006.1.3.253 Miao, Y., Wang, J., Li, X., Guo, J., Ekblom, M. M., Sindi, S., Zhang, Q., & Dove, A. (2025). Poor sleep health is associated with older brain age: the role of systemic inflammation. EBioMedicine, 120, 105941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105941 Chan, M. L. T., & Yu, D. S. F. (2022). The effects of low-impact moderate-intensity stepping exercise on fatigue and other functional outcomes in older adults with multimorbidity: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 98, 104577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2021.104577 Tessier, AJ., Wang, F., Korat, A.A. et al. Optimal dietary patterns for healthy aging. Nat Med 31, 1644–1652 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03570-5 Yegorov, Y. E., Poznyak, A. V., Nikiforov, N. G., Sobenin, I. A., & Orekhov, A. N. (2020). The Link between Chronic Stress and Accelerated Aging. Biomedicines, 8(7), 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8070198 --- ## “Should I Bank My Stem Cells?” 6 Reasons Why It’s a Good Idea URL: https://acorn.me/blog/biobanking-everything-you-need-to-know-about-current-uses-of-personal-cell-cryopreservation Biobanking is quickly becoming a popular way to preserve cells and allows individuals to leverage them for treating diseases and regenerative procedures. Key Takeaways: Biobanking is the process of collecting and cryopreserving your own cells for future medical, regenerative, and aesthetic use. Advances in cryopreservation now allow cells to be stored safely for years while maintaining their integrity, and non-invasive collection methods are making the process more painless and accessible than ever. Banking your cells earlier is rapidly emerging as a strategy to preserve your youngest, most regenerative biology. For a long time, many of us probably associated the term biobanking with large research institutions and hospitals. But as we look to the future of longevity, stem cell therapies have made their way to our local aesthetics practices, effectively becoming more accessible than ever—and more personal. Today, stem cell therapies are rapidly emerging as the next wave of regenerative aesthetic treatments—in addition to advancements in medical care, of course. From fertility preservation and hair loss prevention to collagen stimulation, biobanking is shifting from a strictly clinical research tool to a proactive health decision. So, how do you know if you’re a good candidate for biobanking your stem cells? Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why you might consider it—and how to get started. First Things First: What Is Biobanking? Biobanking is the process of collecting, cryopreserving, and storing biological material—such as cells, tissue, or DNA—for future use. Cryopreservation involves freezing cells at ultra-low temperatures, effectively pausing biological aging and preserving their structure and function. Once stored, these cells can later be used for medical, regenerative, or aesthetic applications as technologies advance. (Think of it like a biological insurance policy—an investment you make to “lock in” your healthiest cells now, so you can leverage them later.) Historically, biobanking focused on research. Today, this is rapidly expanding into personalized, preventative care: giving individuals access to their own biological resources later in life. 5 Reasons You Might Biobank Your Cells 1. You want to preserve your healthiest cells… before they change. Your cells aren’t static. Over time, they’re shaped by aging, stress, illness, environmental exposure, and inflammation. Biobanking allows you to preserve cells at their current biological age, effectively pausing the clock on their regenerative potential. For many people, this is the biggest draw: locking in younger, more resilient biology now, rather than trying to reverse damage later. (As we like to say at Acorn: Your cells will never be younger than they are right now.) 2. You want to enhance other skin treatments. Many of today’s most popular skin treatments (like microneedling, lasers, and energy-based devices) work best when the skin’s repair systems are supported from within. Biobanking gives you access to your own regenerative biology, which can be used to amplify healing, recovery, and long-term results. Your cells contain a soup of bioactive molecules like peptides, proteins, and growth factors. Collectively, this is called the “secretome”—it effectively coordinates your body’s internal repair system. That’s why harvesting the secretome specifically (which is what we do at Acorn) is so valuable for your future self—and why it can be particularly effective when combined with skincare treatments to speed and enhance healing, collagen production, and more. We captured this impact in an observational study: Many patients saw improvements in their skin health as early as 7 days after treatment, and 84% of subjects showed clear aesthetic improvement by Day 30. 3. You’re thinking ahead about hair health. Hair thinning often begins quietly, years before it becomes noticeable. By the time visible loss appears, follicles may already be less responsive to treatment. Biobanking allows you to preserve regenerative cells early—before changes set in—creating future options to support follicle health, density, and growth. As secretome-based hair applications continue to expand, having your own banked cells may offer a more personalized approach to maintaining hair health over time. (And FWIW, secretome boasts 34x the growth factors of PRP.) Exhibit A: In a study of subjects who underwent treatment with Acorn’s secretome, participants saw visible improvements in hair density and hair quality in 90 days.* 4. You want access to your own biology—not donor-derived products. As regenerative treatments become more mainstream, many rely on donor-derived cells or signals. While these approaches can be effective, they’re inherently generalized. Biobanking allows you to preserve your own cells, creating future options that are fully personalized to your biology. Using your own preserved cells—or the secretome they produce—also reduces the risk of immune reactions and ensures treatments are aligned with how your body naturally repairs itself. (Psst: We do it painlessly at Acorn by collecting your hair follicles at your local practitioner’s office, and building your personalized secretome serum in our lab.) 5. You’re keeping your anti-aging options open. Most anti-aging decisions happen reactively: something changes, then you scramble to address it. Biobanking offers a different path—one that lets you prepare early without committing to a specific procedure or outcome. With non-invasive collection methods becoming more widely available, banking your cells is a low-effort, one-time step that keeps future options open. It fits a preventative, maintenance-minded approach to aging while giving you flexibility as regenerative treatments continue to evolve. 6. You’re curious about longevity beyond aesthetics. Stem cell therapies aren’t just about skincare and hair loss prevention. Secretome shows promise for medical applications as well, from joint and tissue repair to easing inflammation, and beyond. The beauty of banking your cells at their youngest state (read: right now) is that you’re opening up a world of possibilities as the science continues to evolve. It’s the ultimate investment in your future self: a longevity insurance policy. The Bottom Line Biobanking is no longer just a research concept or a fertility tool—it’s becoming part of a proactive approach to aging, health, and longevity. By preserving your own cells while they’re at their healthiest, you’re giving yourself access to future regenerative and medical options as science continues to advance. And the coolest part? You don’t need to know exactly how you’ll use your banked cells to see the value. Biobanking is about flexibility, personalization, and staying ahead—on your own terms. FAQ Is biobanking only for people with health issues? No. Many people choose biobanking as a preventative step, long before any medical or aesthetic concern arises. What’s the difference between stem cells and secretome? Stem cells are the source; secretome is the collection of regenerative signals they produce. And unlike exosome-focused treatments, secretome contains the full spectrum of cellular bioactives—including exosomes. Is it better to bank cells earlier in life? Generally, yes. Banking earlier preserves cells before age-related and environmental damage accumulates. That said, it is possible to bank your stem cells at any age. How invasive is the biobanking process? That depends on the method. Newer approaches, like Acorn’s hair follicle collection, can be quick, painless, and non-invasive. --- ## True or False? Mythbusting 8 Common Beliefs About Aging URL: https://acorn.me/blog/aging-myths True longevity is driven by deep cellular health rather than surface-level hacks, meaning everyday habits and environmental factors have a far greater impact on how we age than genetics alone. By offering a painless hair-follicle collection method, Acorn simplifies biobanking so you can proactively preserve your stem cells to revitalize cellular communication and power advanced skin and hair repair at any stage of life. Key Takeaways: Research shows that a few foundational habits have a far bigger impact on aging than supplements, topicals, or “hacks.” Regenerative medicine is changing what’s possible by focusing on repair, not restriction. Understanding what’s actually true about aging helps you invest time and energy where it matters most. Scroll through social media, and you’ll see a thousand competing narratives about aging. Collagen loading. Ice baths. Hormone hacks. Peptides and “miracle” supplements. Red light everything.  Some of it’s helpful. A lot of it is hype. And some of it is even quietly working against the very goals people are chasing. With a market that is only projected to double over the next decade, the sheer noise can be overwhelming. And the essential question becomes: How do we separate good science from good marketing? That’s where we come in. Let’s bust some common myths about aging and anti-aging, together. Myth: “How I’ll age comes down to genetics.” Truth: Not quite. Yes, genes matter. But they’re not the only driver of how you age. Research shows that aging outcomes are actually largely driven by external factors like lifestyle, stress, sleep, movement, hormones, nutrition, and environmental exposures.[1] It’s kind of like your genes provide the blueprint, but your environment and habits determine which switches to pull. This is why two people the same age can look and feel a decade apart—and why interventions at any stage of life can meaningfully shift your trajectory. In other words, good habits matter. Myth: “My expensive skin creams will do the trick.” Truth: Look—we love our fancy skincare formulas as much as the next person. But a holistic anti-aging routine is also about addressing aging at the source. Surface-level skincare can be great. Sunscreen protects collagen. Retinoids improve texture. Antioxidants brighten tone. They matter, but they don’t change the cellular processes that drive aging. Biological aging happens deeper: Mitochondria produce less energy Stem cells become less active Inflammation rises DNA repair slows Skincare can certainly soften the surface effects, but slowing actual aging requires supporting the biology underneath. (And we can do that both by focusing on a healthy lifestyle and harnessing our body’s most potent regenerative resources, like stem cells. We like to say that Acorn is about skin repair—not skin care.) Myth: “I’m too old to harvest or use my stem cells.” Truth: One of the biggest misconceptions in longevity is that older adults can’t benefit from regenerative therapies because “their stem cells are too old.” While it’s true that our stem cells are at their peak when we are young, they don’t necessarily disappear as we age… they just become less active. And emerging research shows that enhancing cell-to-cell communication (through growth factors, exosomes, peptides, and other signaling molecules) can revive functionality even when cell counts are lower.[2] So while we like to say that “the best time to harvest your stem cells is right now,” there’s not a time limit on when you bank them—and there’s definitely not a time limit on when you can leverage them for skin treatments, hair loss, or even future medical interventions as the science continues to evolve. Myth: “I started my anti-aging routine too late.” Truth: Your aging trajectory shifts when you decide it does. (Seriously!) Your body is responsive at every decade. People in their 40s, 60s and even 80s see real changes in strength, skin quality, inflammation, recovery, and energy when they shift their habits or receive regenerative support.[3] Pair consistency with the right inputs, and you’ll start to see (and feel) results. Myth: “Natural is always better.” Truth: There’s a common belief that “natural” anti-aging tools are automatically gentler and lab-based ones are risky. In reality, the body doesn’t classify things that way. It responds to signals, not marketing labels. In many cases, the lab process is a guardian, not a changer. Regenerative therapies use natural sources, but might involve lab manipulation to enhance your biology even more. The future of aging interventions is bright because we’re able to bridge our own biology with lab-based breakthroughs. Myth: “Anti-aging is just about looking younger.” Truth: Surface-level solutions are just that—surface-level. Real aging isn’t skin deep, it’s cell deep. When we make the goal more about cellular health rather than, say, fighting fine lines, all of those visible indicators tend to follow. That means embracing habits like consistent sleep, staying active, hormone management, and regenerative therapies that target aging at the source. Myth: “I don’t feel old, so I don’t need to think about aging.” Truth: A not-so-fun fact: Our bodies start declining in our late twenties. We say that not as a scare tactic, but because prevention is the most crucial anti-aging strategy there is. Most cellular aging starts silently, long before we notice a gray hair or a creaky joint. Prevention is more effective than repair, so it’s never too early to start looking out for your future self. (Psst—the same goes for harvesting your stem cells.) Myth: “Biobanking is painful, expensive, and invasive.” Truth: It’s true that traditional stem cell banking methods involve things like extracting it from bone marrow or collecting from umbilical cord blood at birth. (Effective, but not exactly approachable for most people.)  Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Acorn collects your stem cells through a quick, painless hair-follicle procedure, with no needles or downtime. Those cells are then processed into a personalized secretome product that can support skin and hair regeneration—and preserved for your future self as regenerative science continues to evolve. In other words, biobanking has shifted from a high-barrier medical event to a simple, proactive step anyone can take. The bottom line Most of what shapes how we age comes from the choices we make, the environments we live in, and the support we give our cells over time. With a clearer understanding of what actually influences longevity, you can focus your energy where it matters most. But above all else, remember this: You don’t need perfection. You don’t need extreme routines. And you’re never “too late.” FAQ Is it actually possible to slow aging? Yes, at least the biological kind. While you can’t stop time, you can influence how your cells function. Sleep, strength training, metabolic health, stress regulation, and targeted regenerative support can all meaningfully shift biological age markers. What’s the difference between anti-aging and longevity? “Anti-aging” traditionally focuses on appearance. Longevity is about function—how well your cells repair, how much energy they produce, how resilient your tissues are, and how well your body adapts to stress. The outside follows the inside. If my parents aged a certain way, will I age the same? Not necessarily. Genetics play a role, but aging outcomes are shaped by lifestyle, hormones, environmental exposures, and cellular health. Two people with the same genes can age very differently depending on their habits and environment. How early should I start thinking about aging? Earlier than you might assume. Prevention is easier than repair, and small habits in your 20s, 30s, and 40s create a strong cellular foundation later. But it’s never too late. Your biology responds at every age. Does secretome therapy replace traditional skincare or lifestyle habits? No—it complements them. Secretome supports skin, hair, and tissue regeneration at the cellular level, but foundational habits (sun protection, sleep, strength training, nutrition) still play a huge role in how your biology ages. Further Reading: Castruita, P. A., Piña-Escudero, S. D., Rentería, M. E., & Yokoyama, J. S. (2022). Genetic, Social, and Lifestyle Drivers of Healthy Aging and Longevity. Current genetic medicine reports, 10(3), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40142-022-00205-w Da Silva, K., Kumar, P., & Choonara, Y. E. (2025). The paradigm of stem cell secretome in tissue repair and regeneration: Present and future perspectives. Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society, 33(1), e13251. https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.13251 What do we know about healthy aging? | National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/what-do-we-know-about-healthy-aging --- ## What Is Stem Cell Therapy? Skin, Hair, Longevity, and More URL: https://acorn.me/blog/what-is-stem-cell-therapy-skin-hair-longevity-and-more Stem cell therapies utilize your body's master repair cells to stimulate collagen production, regulate inflammation, and revive dormant hair follicles by delivering a rich network of signaling molecules known as the secretome. Because a stem cell's regenerative power and communication efficiency decline with age, non-invasively banking your hair follicles with Acorn freezes your cellular clock to protect your youthful potential for advanced, personalized anti-aging and medical treatments. Key Takeaways: Stem cell therapies harness your body’s natural repair system to support renewal and regeneration. More and more stem cell-based treatments are emerging to support longevity, medical applications, and even address skin health and hair loss. Stem cell banking is becoming more accessible than ever—allowing us to invest in our own longevity and regenerative potential as research develops. At their core, stem cell therapies are built on a simple idea: your body already contains the tools it needs to repair and regenerate. Until fairly recently, tapping into our stem cells was something reserved for hospitals and research clinics—and not to mention invasive, often-painful procedures. But the tide is turning. Not only are stem cell therapies starting to show up on the menus of aesthetics practices to support skin health and hair regrowth, but banking your own stem cells—and in turn, future-proofing your health—is also becoming more accessible than ever. Let’s take a closer look at why stem cell therapies are the next wave of longevity science. Quick Refresher: What Are Stem Cells, Exactly? Stem cells are often described as the body’s “master cells.” They have the ability to develop into specialized cell types and help maintain tissue health over time. (It’s why learning how to isolate and cultivate them is one of the most important medical developments in recent scientific history.) But stem cells don’t just become new cells. They also act as biological communicators. By releasing signaling molecules that coordinate repair, they help stimulate collagen production, regulate inflammation, and support healthy growth cycles in tissues like skin and hair. Collectively, this network of regenerative signals is often referred to as the secretome — a blend of growth factors, peptides, and microscopic messengers that help coordinate cellular repair. In other words, stem cells support regeneration not only through their own activity, but by guiding nearby cells to repair, rebuild, and function more effectively. The Shift Beneath the Surface: Stem Cells and Aging Before you notice an errant gray hair or a fine line, your cells are already aging well beneath the surface. They divide more slowly, release fewer regenerative signals, and respond less efficiently to stress or damage. The communication network that once coordinated repair slowly begins to quiet. This gradual slowdown affects how tissues maintain themselves. In skin, it may show up as decreased collagen production, slower healing, and reduced elasticity. In hair, it can disrupt growth cycles and weaken follicle resilience. Across the body, it influences recovery, inflammation balance, and overall vitality.[1] But understanding this shift reframes the conversation around longevity: It’s not just about treating what we see, but about supporting the systems that drive renewal. We may not be able to stop or reverse aging, but we can slow it significantly. And stem cell therapies allow us to do so with personalized precision, going straight to the source to help our own biology do what it does best. Stem Cell Therapies for Hair, Skin, Longevity, and More “Stem cell therapy” isn’t just one treatment. It’s a category that includes different approaches depending on what you’re trying to support, from skin and hair to broader health and longevity. And as new science emerges, the list only continues to grow. At the heart of each approach is the same idea: Help the body repair and renew itself more effectively. The difference lies in where that support is directed. Stem Cell Therapy for Hair Loss Hair growth depends on healthy follicle signaling. Over time, follicles can become weaker or remain in a resting phase longer than they should—due to any number of factors like genetics, stress, chronic illness, and more. This may lead to thinning, slower growth, or reduced density. The key here is that in many cases, those follicles aren’t lost forever—they just go dormant. Stem cell therapies can restimulate those growth cycles by improving the environment that allows hair to grow in the first place.2 Stem Cell Therapy for Skin Health As we age, our skin doesn’t repair itself as quickly as it once did. Collagen production slows, and elasticity declines. And recovery from stress—whether that’s in the form of sun exposure, chronic cortisol, or other forms of damage—can take longer. Stem cell-based treatments aim to support the biological processes behind firmness and renewal. In aesthetic settings, regenerative therapies are often paired with microneedling or laser treatments to enhance recovery and encourage healthier-looking skin over time. Instead of just treating the surface, these approaches focus on strengthening the repair system underneath.[3] Stem Cell Therapy for Medical Regeneration Outside of aesthetics, stem cell therapies have also being studied and leveraged in medical settings for many years now—and the science is evolving at a breakneck pace. Researchers are exploring how regenerative approaches may support tissue repair, joint health, and other areas where healing capacity declines with age or injury.[4] While many applications are still under investigation, the broader shift is clear: medicine is increasingly focused on improving how the body heals itself. And now that stem cell collection is becoming more accessible than ever, it’s possible to invest in these future therapies now by banking our cells. Stem Cell Therapy for Longevity Because aging is closely linked to declining regenerative capacity, stem cell-based approaches are gaining more and more attention in preventative care. We’re asking ourselves the question: Rather than treating aging at the surface, how can we train our cells and broader biology to act younger? We know that there’s a constellation of habits that can support healthy aging, and enhance our biological age. But we can insure our resilience even further by banking our stem cells now to leverage later as new treatments emerge.[5] Preserving Your Regenerative Potential with Acorn If stem cell therapies are about supporting repair, the obvious question becomes: How do we protect that repair capacity as we age? Stem cells don’t completely disappear over time, but their efficiency does decline. They divide more slowly, respond less dynamically to stress, and produce fewer regenerative signals. That’s part of what drives the visible and invisible effects of aging. Stem cell banking is a proactive way to preserve your cells at a younger, more biologically active stage. By collecting and cryopreserving your own stem cells today, you’re effectively pausing their biological clock. And as regenerative science continues to evolve—for skin, hair, medical applications, and beyond—those preserved cells may offer access to more personalized, biologically aligned treatments in the future. Rather than waiting for decline and reacting to it, preservation offers a different mindset: protect your regenerative potential while it’s at its strongest. At Acorn, this preservation starts with a non-invasive collection of hair follicle stem cells. Those cells are cryopreserved and can be used to generate personalized regenerative treatments designed to support skin and hair health today—with the potential for broader applications tomorrow. Bank Your Cells With Acorn FAQ What exactly is stem cell therapy? Stem cell therapy refers to treatments designed to support the body’s natural repair systems. In aesthetics and longevity care, many modern approaches use stem cell–derived signals—like growth factors and peptides—to encourage renewal in skin, hair, and other tissues. Are stem cell therapies only used for medical applications? No. While stem cells are widely studied in medical research, regenerative approaches are increasingly used in aesthetic settings to support skin health and hair regrowth. How are stem cell therapies used in skincare? In skin treatments, stem cell-based approaches may be paired with procedures like microneedling or laser therapy to enhance recovery and stimulate collagen production. The goal is to speed healing and support the biological processes behind firmness and repair. How does stem cell therapy help with hair loss? Stem cell-based treatments show promising results in supporting healthier growth cycles. By supporting the cellular signals that regulate follicle growth, regenerative approaches aim to strengthen existing follicles and promote regrowth. Is stem cell therapy available in the US? Some stem cell–based treatments are available in the U.S., but the landscape is highly regulated. A limited number of therapies have been approved by the FDA for specific medical uses, while some other applications are still being studied. Because of this, availability can vary widely depending on the treatment and setting—and it’s important to do your homework and see how the treatment you’re looking into is being substantiated. How much does stem cell therapy cost? The cost of stem cell–based therapies can vary significantly depending on the type of treatment, the source of the cells, and the clinical setting. If you’re banking your stem cells, you may pay a monthly storage fee—along with the cost of individual treatment applications. Acorn offers a variety of packages to help you preserve your stem cells in a cost-effective way. After all, future-proofing your own biology is priceless. Further Reading: Tartiere AG, Freije JMP and López-Otín C (2024) The hallmarks of aging as a conceptual framework for health and longevity research. Front. Aging 5:1334261. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2024.1334261 Salhab, O., Khayat, L., & Alaaeddine, N. (2022). Stem cell secretome as a mechanism for restoring hair loss due to stress, particularly alopecia areata: narrative review. Journal of biomedical science, 29(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-022-00863-6 Ojeh, N., Pastar, I., Tomic-Canic, M., & Stojadinovic, O. (2015). Stem Cells in Skin Regeneration, Wound Healing, and Their Clinical Applications. International journal of molecular sciences, 16(10), 25476–25501. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms161025476 Aly R. M. (2020). Current state of stem cell-based therapies: an overview. Stem cell investigation, 7, 8. https://doi.org/10.21037/sci-2020-001 El Assaad, N., Chebly, A., Salame, R., Achkar, R., Bou Atme, N., Akouch, K., Rafoul, P., Hanna, C., Abou Zeid, S., Ghosn, M., & Khalil, C. (2024). Anti-aging based on stem cell therapy: A scoping review. World journal of experimental medicine, 14(3), 97233. https://doi.org/10.5493/wjem.v14.i3.97233 --- ## What Is Cellular Aging? Signs, Causes, and How to Slow It Down URL: https://acorn.me/blog/cellular-aging Long before wrinkles appear, cellular aging begins quietly beneath the surface as "senescent" cells accumulate and slow down your body's natural repair systems. While daily habits like sleep and exercise shield your biology, banking your younger stem cells with Acorn secures your most potent, regenerative toolkit for future anti-aging therapies. Key Takeaways: Cellular aging begins decades before we see it. Long before wrinkles or fatigue appear, your cells start to lose efficiency in repair and renewal. Subtle early clues include slower recovery, lingering inflammation, dull skin, and unexplained energy dips. Habits that protect your cells—quality sleep, movement, nutrition, and stress regulation—can dramatically slow cellular decline. We tend to think of aging as something we can see and feel: a fine line here, a slower morning there. But the earliest signs of cellular aging begin long before they show up in the mirror. Deep beneath the surface, your cells are quietly changing. Deep beneath the surface, your cells are constantly dividing, repairing, and replacing themselves to keep your body running smoothly. Over time, that renewal process starts to slow. Certain cells stop functioning as they once did. And some lose their ability to repair damage altogether. This invisible slowdown is known as cellular aging, and it begins decades before most people realize it. And while we can’t stop time, we can influence how our cells respond to it. Understanding the early signs of cellular decline (and how to counter them) can change the way you age, from the inside out. So let’s slow down the clock, shall we? What Is Cellular Senescence? The Science Behind How Cells Age Say it with us: suh-nes-sense.  Every cell in your body has a natural lifecycle: It divides, performs its job, and eventually retires. Normally, older cells die off to make room for new ones. But sometimes, a cell stops dividing without dying. This “retirement” phase is called cellular senescence. A senescent cell is technically still alive, but it’s no longer contributing to healthy renewal. Instead, it releases a constant stream of inflammatory molecules that can affect the cells around it. Scientists call these signals the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)—a mouthful that basically means your older cells start sending out stress signals. To be fair, senescent cells are trying to be helpful: it’s your body’s way of preventing damaged or potentially cancerous cells from spreading. But over time, as more of these “zombie cells” accumulate, they begin to disrupt the tissue around them. The effects are subtle at first: Skin that takes longer to bounce back after stress, slower healing from injuries, or a dull, tired look. But inside the body, this same process can make recovery slower, energy lower, and inflammation more persistent. Cellular senescence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a quiet, gradual buildup that reshapes how your body renews itself. The key is recognizing it early and supporting your cells—long before the slowdown becomes visible. Early Signs of Cellular Aging: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You Cellular aging percolates far beneath the surface. But if you’ve noticed any of these subtle shifts, your cells may be signaling that they’re working harder than they used to:[1,2,3] Slower recovery: That light sunburn or post-facial redness that once faded in a day now takes longer to disappear. The same goes for soreness after a workout or minor cuts that heal more slowly. Lingering inflammation: A bit of redness or puffiness that lingers, or skin that feels more reactive to familiar products, can reflect an increase in low-level cellular inflammation. Changes in texture or tone: When cell turnover slows, skin can appear dull or uneven—no matter how consistent or robust your topical skincare routine is. Hair thinning or slower growth: Senescent cells around the follicles can interfere with growth signals, making strands weaker or less dense over time. Unexplained fatigue: Logging a full eight hours of sleep and still feeling tired? Persistent fatigue or slower recovery after stress can point to a decline in cellular efficiency. (The tiny engines in your body are working below capacity.) Results that plateau: Maybe your skin doesn’t respond to treatments like it used to, or your workouts feel less effective. That’s because senescent cells can dampen your body’s ability to regenerate and adapt. These shifts aren’t signs of engine failure—they’re just your cells’ way of communicating that things are slowing down. And that can be a great signal to start tackling aging at the source. How To Slow Cellular Aging: 6 Science-Backed Habits While you can’t stop time, you can influence how your cells respond to it. The key is supporting your body’s natural repair systems—the mechanisms that keep cells healthy, clear out damaged ones, and promote regeneration. Here’s the scientific blueprint: 1. Prioritize real recovery. Your body performs its deepest repair work while you sleep. During this time, growth hormones rise and cellular cleanup processes get to work. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of restorative sleep in a dark, cool room to help your cells reset nightly. 2. Move your body often. Exercise doesn’t just strengthen muscles… It strengthens your cells. Regular movement improves circulation, enhances mitochondrial efficiency, and helps your body clear out senescent cells more effectively. (Even 20 minutes of walking or stretching a day can make a difference!) 3. Eat for longevity. A diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and phytonutrients protects cells from oxidative stress—the damage that accelerates aging. Think colorful vegetables, omega-3s, and whole foods that fight inflammation from within. 4. Manage everyday stress. Chronic cortisol (your stress hormone) speeds up cellular aging by increasing inflammation and slowing repair. Short, consistent practices—like breathwork, meditation, or simply stepping outside for a few minutes—can help reset your nervous system. 5. Defend against environmental stressors. UV rays, pollution, toxins… these are some of the biggest culprits for cellular damage. But broad-spectrum SPF, antioxidant skincare, and minimizing exposure to environmental pollutants can all help reduce the “load” on your cells. 6. Support your body’s regenerative potential. Emerging science is redefining how we think about aging—not as an inevitable decline, but as a process we can influence. Researchers are now exploring ways to preserve the body’s most regenerative cells at their healthiest, most potent state. (Think of it as a biological time capsule.) At Acorn, we've built a way to act on this science now. Since stem cell potency declines with age, preserving yours while they're at their most regenerative gives you a biological advantage, a head start for whatever regenerative therapies the future holds. The earlier you bank, the better Learn how stem cell banking works → https://acorn.me/cell-banking/ The Future of Cellular Renewal and Longevity Science Every day, your cells are sending signals about what they need to function, repair, and thrive. When you support those signals—through healthy habits and science-backed interventions—you’re not fighting time; you’re working with it. The future of longevity will be less about erasing age and more about helping your body stay in sync with how young you feel. FAQs What is cellular aging? Cellular aging refers to the gradual slowdown of your body’s renewal processes. Over time, cells divide less efficiently, repair slows, and the body accumulates “senescent” or non-functioning cells. What are senescent cells? Senescent cells, sometimes called "zombie cells" are cells that have stopped dividing but haven’t died. These “zombie cells” remain active, releasing inflammatory molecules that damage nearby tissues and accelerate visible aging. How early does cellular aging start? Sooner than most people realize. Research suggests it can begin in your late 20s or early 30s, depending on factors like stress, diet, and environmental exposure. What are the early signs of cellular decline? Slower healing, duller skin, lingering redness, thinning hair, lower energy, and plateaued results from workouts or skincare are all subtle signs of cellular decline. Can lifestyle habits really slow cellular aging? Yes. Studies show that consistent movement, antioxidant-rich nutrition, restorative sleep, and stress management can help maintain cellular health and delay senescence. What’s the connection between stem cells and aging? Stem cells are your body’s natural repair system. As they lose potency with time, tissue renewal slows. Preserving them early means saving your body’s most regenerative cells for the future. Further Reading: Li, X., Li, C., Zhang, W. et al. Inflammation and aging: signaling pathways and intervention therapies. Sig Transduct Target Ther 8, 239 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-023-01502-8 Carroll, J. E., & Prather, A. A. (2021). Sleep and Biological Aging: A Short Review. Current opinion in endocrine and metabolic research, 18, 159–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coemr.2021.03.021 Wang, Y., Gao, T. & Wang, B. Application of mesenchymal stem cells for anti-senescence and clinical challenges. Stem Cell Res Ther 14, 260 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-023-03497-z --- ## PRP vs. Stem Cell Hair Restoration: What’s the Difference? URL: https://acorn.me/blog/prp-vs-stem-cell-hair-restoration-whats-the-difference Comparing PRP and stem cell hair restoration? Learn how regenerative secretome treatments re-educate follicles for long-term hair density and scalp health. Key Takeaways: PRP and stem cell-based treatments are both regenerative approaches to hair restoration—but they work very differently. PRP delivers a short-term boost of growth factors, while stem cell-derived treatments focus on longer-term follicle signaling and repair. The right option depends on the cause of hair loss, stage of thinning, and whether you’re looking for temporary stimulation or future-ready regeneration. Hair loss treatments have come a long way from just targeted shampoos and transplants. Today, regenerative therapies like PRP and stem cell-based hair restoration are changing how clinicians think about thinning hair: not as a cosmetic issue to mask, but as a biological process to target at the source. But while these cutting-edge therapies are often mentioned in the same breath, they’re not interchangeable. They work through different mechanisms, offer different timelines, and serve different goals. If you’ve ever wondered which one actually makes sense for you, here’s a clear breakdown. (You know, without the jargon.) What Is PRP Hair Restoration? PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, a concentration of platelets derived from your own blood. How it works: A clinician draws a small vial of your blood. The blood is spun in a centrifuge to isolate platelet-rich plasma. That plasma is injected into thinning areas of the scalp. Platelets are best known for their role in healing wounds. In hair restoration, they deliver signaling molecules that can:[1] Increase blood flow to follicles Reduce inflammation Encourage follicles to stay in (or re-enter) the growth phase What PRP is often recommended for: Early-stage thinning Stress-related shedding (like telogen effluvium) Supporting hair regrowth after a transplant Patients looking for a minimally invasive, same-day treatment PRP can be effective for hair restoration. But its impact depends heavily on consistency. Because platelets are short-lived, results often require multiple sessions per year to maintain. What Is Stem Cell-Based Hair Restoration? Stem cell-based hair therapies work by supporting the signals that tell your hair follicles how to grow, repair, and stay active—rather than just giving them a temporary boost. Most modern treatments don’t involve injecting live stem cells into the scalp. Instead, they use the regenerative signals stem cells naturally release. This is called the secretome: a powerful blend of growth factors and microscopic messengers that help follicles function the way they did when they were younger and healthier. This natural, regenerative cocktail boasts 34x the growth factors of PRP.[2] How it works: Stem cells are collected from the patient. (At Acorn, we do this by painlessly collecting a few hair follicles.) These cells are processed in a lab into a concentrated, personalized secretome serum. The serum is applied or injected to support follicle repair, regeneration, and communication. What stem cell–derived treatments are best for: Pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) Hair thinning related to aging Follicles that are miniaturizing but still present Long-term preservation of hair health Because these treatments work by improving how hair follicles communicate and repair themselves, they’re often viewed as a more future-focused approach: one that addresses why hair loss happens, not just how it looks. PRP vs. Stem Cell Hair Restoration: What Are the Key Differences? Here’s where the two approaches really diverge: Source of signals: PRP relies on platelets from your blood. Stem cell therapies rely on signals released by regenerative cells. Duration of effect: PRP delivers a short-term burst of growth factors. Stem cell therapies go to the source of follicle miniaturization, supporting longer-term repair and communication. Mechanism: PRP stimulates follicles. Stem cell-based therapies aim to re-educate them. Maintenance: PRP typically requires frequent repeat sessions. For secretome therapies, your stem cells are banked for future use: for hair restoration, and other longevity treatments. Best use case: PRP can be a great entry-level option. Stem cell therapies are better positioned for addressing age-related or progressive hair loss. What are Exosomes and Secretome? Not all stem cell hair restoration treatments are created equal. As you peruse different options, you might see two buzzwords come up: exosomes and secretome. Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles that carry instructions between cells. But they’re just one component of the broader secretome: the full set of regenerative signals stem cells release.[3] In hair restoration, these signals can: Encourage dormant follicles to re-enter the growth phase Support the cells that anchor and nourish the follicle Reduce inflammatory signals linked to follicle miniaturization This is where next-generation hair restoration is headed: not replacing follicles, but supporting the biology that keeps them active. By containing the full spectrum of growth factors and restoration signals, secretome is the most potent option. Can PRP and Stem Cell Therapies Be Combined? Yes, and many clinicians already do. PRP can enhance circulation and create a supportive environment, while stem cell-derived signals work on deeper regenerative pathways. Used together, they may offer complementary benefits, especially in early or moderate hair loss. That said, your hair landscape is unique to you: Combining treatments works best when they’re part of a personalized plan, not a one-size-fits-all protocol. The Role of Cell Banking in Hair Restoration One flag with regenerative treatments is that they rely on your own biology, which changes with age. Cell banking allows individuals to preserve their most regenerative cells earlier in life, before age-related decline advances. Those cells can later be used for hair-focused treatments—along with skin treatments and other longevity advancements. (Think of it as the ultimate regenerative insurance plan as the science continues to evolve.) This shifts hair restoration from reactive to proactive. It’s less about chasing loss, and more about preserving potential. Unlock 34x More Growth Factors with Acorn PRP and stem cell therapies are both useful tools with different strengths. PRP offers short-term stimulation. Stem cell therapies focus on long-term follicle health and regeneration, with a potent cocktail of growth signals–especially for formulas that incorporate the entire secretome, which boast 34x the growth factors of PRP. Acorn YOU™ is one of them: harnessing stem cells from your existing hair follicles to develop your own personalized secretome product. Patients using Acorn YOU™ saw visible changes to hair density and hair quality in 90 days—with many noticing changes in just a few weeks. Ready to support your hair’s regrowth at the cellular level? Get started now. FAQ What’s the fundamental difference between stem cell hair loss therapies and PRP? PRP works well for early thinning and short-term stimulation, while stem cell-based treatments target longer-term follicle health. Does PRP regrow hair permanently? PRP can improve density and thickness, but results often require ongoing maintenance. After all, it doesn’t stop the underlying aging process of follicles. Is stem cell collection invasive? Historically, yes—but that’s rapidly changing. At Acorn, for example, we bank stem cells by way of painless hair follicle collection. Can these treatments replace transplants? Not entirely, but they may reduce the need for surgery by preserving existing follicles and slowing progression. The growth factors in stem cell therapies can also speed healing and regeneration after a transplant. Further Reading: Paichitrojjana, A., & Paichitrojjana, A. (2022). Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug design, development and therapy, 16, 635–645. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S356858 Tran NT, Truong MD, Yun HW, Min BH. A novel cell-free regenerative therapy for hair loss: human fetal cartilage progenitor cell secretome. Biomaterials. 2026 Feb;325:123627. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123627. Epub 2025 Aug 11. PMID: 40811943. Park, S. R., Kim, J. W., Jun, H. S., Roh, J. Y., Lee, H. Y., & Hong, I. S. (2018). Stem Cell Secretome and Its Effect on Cellular Mechanisms Relevant to Wound Healing. Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy, 26(2), 606–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.09.023 --- ## Acorn Secretome Wins 2026 NewBeauty Award URL: https://acorn.me/blog/acorn-secretome-wins-2026-newbeauty-award Acorn's YOU™ Secretome won a 2026 NewBeauty Award for Best Secretome Treatment. We are proud to announce that Acorn Biolabs YOU™ Secretome has been honored with a 2026 NewBeauty Award for Best Secretome Treatment in the In-Office/Post-Procedure category for the second year in a row. NewBeauty has served as an authority on the most effective and innovative treatments in the industry. This recognition reinforces Acorn’s position at the forefront of regenerative medicine and personalized skincare. What is YOU™ Secretome? As the aesthetics industry moves toward more natural and effective results, YOU™ Secretome stands out as a first-of-its-kind. Unlike donor-derived serums, YOU™ Secretome is 100% autologous—meaning it is made entirely from your own cells. We collect a few hair follicles (a non-invasive process) to capture your stem cells. These cells are then used to create a highly concentrated product rich in: Exosomes: Signaling molecules that trigger cellular repair. Growth Factors: Proteins that stimulate collagen and elastin production. Cytokines: Messengers that reduce inflammation and improve skin health. And even more matrix molecules “The Coolest Treatment I’ve Seen in 15 Years” Britt Fallon, Director of Beauty at NewBeauty, praised the treatment for its innovation and biological precision, calling it one of the most exciting advancements she has seen in over a decade. By using your own biology, YOU™ Secretome eliminates the risk of adverse reactions to foreign proteins and ensures that the growth factors being applied are perfectly compatible with your skin’s specific needs. Want to experience the award-winning power of your own biology? Find an Acorn Provider Learn More About Stem Cell Banking Read the Full NewBeauty Feature --- ## From Botox to Biobanking: Tracing the History of Anti-Aging URL: https://acorn.me/blog/from-botox-to-biobanking-tracing-the-history-of-anti-aging Humans have targeted the effects of aging for centuries—from the herbal elixirs of ancient China and Egypt, to wrinkle patches in the 19th century, to today's stem cell innovations. Key Takeaways: The desire to slow aging is nothing new. From Egyptian oils to Victorian wrinkle cures, every era has sought ways to preserve youth. The 21st century marks a new chapter: regenerative medicine. Treatments like PRP, stem-cell therapy, and secretome are helping the body rebuild and repair from within. At first glance, the fixation on anti-aging feels like a modern invention: The stuff of Botox parties, tabloid headlines, and social media “anti-wrinkle hacks.” But in truth, the quest to slow time has been with us for millennia. Ancient Egyptians used rituals to preserve youth, 19th-century surgeons attempted facelifts, and collagen injections came into vogue in the 1970s. Each era reflects both the tools of its time and the cultural meaning of aging. Today, that perspective is shifting yet again. Beauty is no longer skin deep—it’s cell deep. As we herald in new breakthroughs in regenerative science, it’s less about disguising decline and more about reprogramming it altogether: teaching our biology to behave younger. And we’re changing the game for medical therapies and aesthetics alike. But to see how far we’ve come, it’s worth taking a look back at how our approach to anti-aging has evolved over time. Antiquity to 19th Century: Ancient Rituals and Early Experiments Ancient Civilizations: Rituals rooted in nature Egyptian and Roman texts describe the use of botanical extracts, animal fats, and mineral compounds to preserve skin elasticity and delay visible signs of aging. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbs like ginseng, goji, and reishi were (and still are) prescribed for longevity and vitality. And while it’s popular to this day, the Chinese therapy of gua sha was first documented in medical texts of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368 CE), though some archaeological evidence actually dates similar scraping techniques back to the Paleolithic era. Middle Ages: The humors In Europe, medical theory was dominated by Galen’s humoral system, which framed aging as the gradual drying and cooling of the body. “Rejuvenation” therapies were aimed at rebalancing humors: bloodletting, herbal tonics, mineral baths, and dietetics. These interventions represented an attempt to medicalize aging, interpreting it as a physiological process rather than just a natural inevitability. The Renaissance and Enlightenment: Laying the groundwork With advances in anatomy and chemistry, scholars began to challenge Galenic theory. Physicians such as Paracelsus argued that chemistry could be harnessed for medicine, leading to experiments with distillations, tinctures, and early pharmacology. Cosmetic potions gave way to early medical skin treatments, and people began talking about aging as a biological process instead of a mystery. This intellectual shift laid the conceptual groundwork for dermatology and modern medical aesthetics.  That’s not to say that beauty fads didn’t have their moment: In Elizabethan England, for example, elite women placed slices of raw meat on their faces as an overnight wrinkle treatment. 19th Century Medicine: The birth of the consumer market By the late 1800s, surgeons were quietly experimenting with some of the earliest wrinkle excisions. Results were inconsistent, but these procedures represented a major turning point as doctors attempted to physically intervene in the aging process—a step closer to the modern idea of aesthetic medicine.  Meanwhile, anti-aging started to make its way to the consumer market. In 1889, Ohio housewife Margaret Kroesen created Frownies: adhesive patches designed to soften fine lines. The 20th Century: From Facelifts to Fillers 1900s to 1930s: Early facelifts In 1901, German surgeon Eugen Holländer documented one of the first facelifts, and similar “wrinkle excisions” spread across Europe. These procedures were basic skin lifts with limited results, but they established surgery as a legitimate avenue for age intervention. The 1920s also saw the rise of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), such as estrogen injections and hormone creams. 1940s to 1950s: Dermatology on the rise At the start of the mid-century, dermatology started to emerge more prominently as a recognized specialty, broadening from medical to aesthetic care. Dermabrasion, the predecessor of microdermabrasion, became a treatment du jour, utilizing a motorized wire brush to treat scars and sun damage. (As you might imagine, the recovery was… challenging.) 1960s to 1980s: Collagen injections and “volume restoration” Some of the earliest injectable fillers consisted of substances like paraffin wax, which carried a high risk of migration and other nasty side effects. But in the 1970s, scientists successfully developed and tested the first animal collagen filler. Approved by the FDA in 1981, Zyderm was a bovine collagen used to correct wrinkles, facial lines, and scars. The 1980s also gave way to a new category of in-office aesthetic treatments: lasers. CO2 lasers allowed dermatologists to carefully remove superficial layers of skin to stimulate collagen production and repair.  Meanwhile, a San Francisco ophthalmologist named Alan Scott began researching the use of botulinum toxin to treat eye spasms. One side effect he started to notice in his patients? The softening of wrinkles around their eyes. That’s right: The birth of Botox was a happy accident. 1990s: Anti-aging goes mainstream The 1990s accelerated the democratization of aesthetic treatments. Retinoids exploded as a consumer category, allowing consumers to gently resurface their skin at home. And the buzz around Botox reached a fever pitch, culminating in its FDA approval for wrinkle treatment in 2002. The 21st Century: From Botox to Biobanking 2000s: Botox changes everything Quick, repeatable, and relatively affordable, Botox fueled the cultural conversation and made anti-aging part of a holistic, preventative routine rather than a hidden luxury. All the while, the injectable menu was expanding quickly: With the approval of Restylane in 2003, hyaluronic acid fillers began to emerge as a safer replacement for bovine collagen. Meanwhile, fractional lasers became more commonplace in aesthetic offices in the mid-2000s, offering significantly less downtime and more precise regenerative results than their predecessors. 2010s: Regenerative aesthetics start to take hold While injectables were certainly effective, they were also inherently limited—doing little to actually address the root causes of aging. The next wave of aesthetics began to look under the hood, borrowing from regenerative medicine to help the body act—and by extension, look—younger. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was an early pioneer. First described in the 1970s and used in orthopedics and dentistry to speed healing, PRP was repurposed into aesthetics when physicians noticed its ability to stimulate collagen production and improve tissue quality. By drawing patient’s blood, spinning it down to concentrate platelets, and reinjecting the growth-factor–rich plasma into the skin, doctors created a treatment that actually encouraged cellular repair. Popularized as the “vampire facial,” PRP made regenerative biology accessible to a consumer audience. Stem cell research followed closely behind. Scientists had long known that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), found in fat tissue and bone marrow, had remarkable regenerative potential. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, experimental aesthetic procedures began using autologous stem cells (often harvested from liposuction material) to rejuvenate skin and soft tissue. Though stymied by mixed results and regulatory hurdles, the concept was groundbreaking: using one’s own stem cells to reverse the visible effects of aging. 2020s: The Longevity Era Now, the conversation around anti-aging is increasingly converging with longevity medicine. Our focus is no longer just looking younger, but living younger, and research is steadily providing a more detailed blueprint for doctors and consumers alike. In this new world, our age is quite literally just a number—instead, our “biological age” provides a more accurate read on how young our body acts. Epigenetic clocks and other biomarkers make it possible to track aging at the molecular level, and to see the measurable effects of interventions like diet, exercise, or medical treatments on healthspan. At the same time, biobanking has emerged as a powerful tool for future-proofing. Patients can now store youthful stem cells or plasma, preserving their regenerative potential for therapies still in development. And perhaps most excitingly, research is showing that it’s not always the cells themselves that matter most, but the signals they release. Tiny messengers called exosomes, and the broader secretome they belong to, play a critical role in how cells communicate repair instructions. Early studies suggest these molecules can stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and restore youthful cellular function. And as we look forward, companies like Acorn are bringing these advances out of the lab, into the practitioner’s office… and directly into consumers’ hands. Acorn YOU™ is a secretome product captured directly from a patient’s own stem cells, harvested painlessly from hair follicles, unlike some of the more invasive stem cell banking methods of the past. The resulting product is paired with treatments like microneedling, lasers, or for hair regrowth—harnessing our body’s most resilient cells to speed healing, regeneration, and essentially encouraging our cells to act younger at the source. Advancements like Acorn YOU™ demonstrate how regenerative aesthetics are becoming more personalized and more accessible than ever—ultimately, offering a glimpse into how the next few years might unfold. — The history of anti-aging is really the history of medicine moving inward. We began with rituals and remedies, graduated to surgery and injectables, and are now working directly with the body’s own cellular programs. In just over a century, we’ve gone from wrinkle patches to molecular therapies; from chasing youth to engineering longevity. FAQs What’s driving the shift from traditional anti-aging to regenerative medicine? Historically, we focused on masking aging through creams, lifts, and injectables. Regenerative medicine takes a deeper approach, helping the body restore itself by reactivating at the cellular level. What exactly is “regenerative aesthetics?” It’s the integration of regenerative medicine into aesthetic care: using your body’s own cells to promote repair, collagen production, and renewal. Examples include PRP, stem cell-derived treatments, and secretome therapy. What is secretome, and why is it so important? The secretome is the collection of growth factors, peptides, and exosomes that your cells naturally release to communicate. It’s like your body’s internal “language” for regeneration, and it’s the foundation of Acorn YOU. How is Acorn YOU different from traditional stem cell treatments? Unlike donor-derived or more invasive procedures, Acorn Secretome uses your own stem cells, painlessly harvested from hair follicles. Those cells are processed into a personalized secretome product, which is then paired with in-clinic treatments like microneedling or laser to amplify results. What kinds of results can regenerative treatments achieve? Clinical studies show measurable improvements in skin texture, tone, and elasticity within 30 days, along with faster healing and reduced inflammation. For hair, secretome treatments can improve density and quality within 90 days. What’s next for the field of anti-aging? The future lies in personalization: banking your cells while they’re at their biological best, and using them in future therapies. --- ## Biological Age vs. Chronological Age: Here’s How Old Your Cells Say You Are URL: https://acorn.me/blog/biological-age-vs-chronological-age While chronological age simply tracks time, biological age measures real-time cellular health and directly dictates how your body and skin regenerate. By preserving your stem cells at their biological peak, Acorn allows you to lock in your youngest, most potent cells to power future regenerative and anti-aging treatments. Key Takeaways: Chronological age counts your trips around the sun; biological age measures how efficiently your cells are functioning right now. Two people with the same birth year can have dramatically different biological ages based on lifestyle, stress, sleep, and environment. Your skin mirrors your biological age: slower cell turnover, weaker collagen production, and delayed repair all reflect changes happening deep in your tissues. Forget the number on your birthday cake or driver’s license. In reality, your body may actually act older (or younger!) than you think. The age you celebrate each year is your chronological age, a simple count of how long you’ve been alive. But your biological age tells a more personal story—one written in your cells. It measures how efficiently your body is repairing, renewing, and functioning at this very moment. Two people might share the same birth year but have completely different cellular ages. One is thriving at a biological 30, the other closer to 50. The difference lies not in time, but in biology: how your body responds to stress, sleep, nutrition, and daily habits. We believe the future of beauty and longevity lies in understanding—and preserving—your biological age. Because once you know how old your cells are really acting, you can start to take control of how you age from the inside out. What Is Chronological Age vs. Biological Age? Think of it as the difference between the age on your passport and the age your body feels. Your chronological age is pretty straightforward: it’s the number of years since you were born, marking each trip around the sun. It moves at the same pace for everyone. Your biological age, however, is far more personal. It reflects how your cells are functioning, repairing, and renewing in real time. And here’s the fun part: While your chronological age will always move forward, your biological age is dynamic. It can slow down, speed up, or even reverse depending on how you live. That’s because your biological age is influenced by the factors that affect cellular health: Lifestyle: sleep, movement, stress, and nutrition Environmental exposure: pollution, UV light, toxins Internal factors: inflammation, hormones, and genetics Two people can share the same birth year yet have drastically different biological profiles. One may have cells that behave a decade younger, while the other’s may show signs of accelerated aging. Understanding that difference—and learning how to influence it—is the foundation of modern regenerative science. And while time can feel like a runaway train sometimes, the cool reality is that we can exercise a lot of control over the way we age. How Biological Age Shows Up on Your Skin Your skin is one of the most visible reflections of your biological age. When your skin’s cells are young and efficient, they work like a well-coordinated team: collagen and elastin are produced in abundance, new skin cells rise to the surface, and your barrier stays strong and hydrated. But as biological age increases, those cellular processes begin to slow. The assembly line of renewal that once ran smoothly starts to lose pace: Collagen and elastin production decline, leading to sagging and fine lines. Cell turnover slows, making texture appear dull, papery, or uneven. Barrier function weakens, which can cause dryness and sensitivity. Repair mechanisms become less efficient after stress or UV exposure. The result is a visible disconnect between how young you feel and how your skin behaves. In addition to key lifestyle habits (this is your reminder to lather on your SPF!), this is where regenerative science comes in. By understanding and supporting your skin’s cellular health at the source, you can help your complexion align more closely with your biological potential—not your chronological number. How Is Biological Aging Measured? So how do we actually know how old our cells actually are? Scientists can now estimate biological age using a combination of biomarkers: tiny molecular clues that reveal how well your body is aging on a cellular level. The most accurate methods look at changes in your DNA methylation patterns (sometimes called “epigenetic clocks”). These chemical markers act like timestamps, showing how your cells have responded to lifestyle, stress, and environmental factors over time. Other biological age tests measure things like: Telomere length, the protective caps at the ends of your DNA strands Protein and metabolite levels, which shift as cells age Inflammatory markers, which often rise with biological wear and tear Together, these measurements give scientists a clearer picture of your body’s true biological age, and how it’s trending over time. While Acorn doesn’t directly measure biological age, our work is built around it. By banking your stem cells at their biological peak, Acorn allows you to preserve your healthiest, most potent cells—and in turn, your regenerative potential. That way, you can tap into that power for skin regeneration, hair regrowth, and more. The Role of Stem Cells in Regeneration Every day, your body repairs, rebuilds, and renews itself… and stem cells are at the heart of that process. Stem cells are your body’s master repair system. They have the unique ability to transform into other cell types and release signaling molecules that guide healing and renewal across the body. From regenerating skin after an injury to maintaining the strength of your hair follicles, stem cells are behind almost every repair mechanism that keeps you looking (and feeling!) youthful. But like everything else, stem cells change with time. As you age, both their number and efficiency begin to decline. They don’t respond to damage as quickly, and their ability to produce regenerative signals weakens. That’s one reason why skin may take longer to recover, or why the visible signs of aging accelerate with each passing year. At Acorn, we’re redefining what’s possible by helping you capture your stem cells at their biological best—when they’re healthiest, most potent, and most regenerative. Through advanced preservation, we store your unique cells in time, giving you the ability to leverage them later for personalized treatments that work with your biology, not against it. Your cells are nature’s most powerful form of renewal. Preserving them now ensures you can use that potential in the years to come. FAQs What’s the main difference between chronological and biological age? Chronological age is how long you’ve been alive; biological age measures how well your body is performing at the cellular level. It’s a more accurate indicator of overall health and longevity. Can biological age actually be reversed? Yes—studies show that lifestyle interventions like improved sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction can slow or even reverse biological aging markers within months. What does biological age have to do with my skin? Your skin’s texture, tone, and ability to repair are direct reflections of cellular efficiency. When your biological age is lower, it means that your skin regenerates faster and maintains structure longer. How do stem cells influence biological aging? Stem cells are your body’s master repair units: they replace damaged cells and release regenerative signals. Why preserve stem cells early? The younger your cells, the stronger their regenerative capacity. Banking them now means preserving your body’s most potent biological toolkit for future therapies. --- ## Beyond Tomorrow Podcast: Why Your Hair Might be the Key to Longevity URL: https://acorn.me/blog/beyond-tomorrow-podcast-why-your-hair-might-be-the-key Recaps CEO Drew Taylor's podcast appearance on the shift toward personalized, cell-based regenerative medicine, explaining why hair follicles are an ideal, non-invasive source of high-quality stem cells. In a recent appearance on The Beyond Tomorrow Podcast, our CEO and Founder, Drew Taylor, sat down to discuss a shift from reactive care to personalized, biology-driven regenerative medicine. From cryopreservation to the potential for 3D-printing organs, the conversation covered why your own cells are the most valuable resource you own. Cells as the New Currency Traditional medicine relies on chemical compounds manufactured in labs. Regenerative medicine, however, uses your own biology as the starting material. As Dr. Taylor explained, "The next resource in healthcare will be cells" [01:45]. By banking your cells today, you are essentially securing a biological insurance policy that stays frozen in time while the rest of your body continues to age. Why Hair Follicles One of the most common questions we get is: Why the hair? Dr. Taylor broke down a few main reasons why the hair follicle is a scientific gem: Accessibility: Unlike bone marrow or fat, which require invasive drilling or surgery, hair follicles can be collected via a simple, painless pluck [05:46]. Robustness: Cells in the follicle are packed in a protective tissue structure, making them easier to transport [05:04]. Quality: Hair follicles are rich in Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)—the same high-quality cells found in bone marrow—which are essential for regeneration [06:05]. Introducing Secretome The "magic" of stem cells isn't just the cells themselves, but what they secrete. This is known as Secretome—a cocktail of growth factors, exosomes, and molecular cues that tell your body how to repair itself [18:16]. Looking Ahead Dr. Taylor compared the current state of regenerative medicine to the early days of flight. While we are currently "crossing the Atlantic," the next 20 years will be our "Moon landing" [30:52]. Don’t Wait The most important advice Dr. Taylor shared? Don't take a passive approach to aging. "The more that we engage and lean in... the better position we're going to be in to take the greatest advantage of these next-generation therapies" [50:39]. The future of medicine isn't a one-size-fits-all pill; it's a treatment made by you, for you. Watch the full video here - https://linktw.in/FAExZM Learn more about YOU™ Secretome - acorn.me/skin --- ## Can Adults Bank Stem Cells? URL: https://acorn.me/blog/can-adults-bank-stem-cells What if we told you that babies are not the only ones with stem cells and that this powerful cell type also exists in adults? This article will help you identify various stem cell sources, evaluate stem cell usefulness, explore harvesting and storage methods, and illustrate how they could be used in the future. Key Takeaways: You are not too old. Adults have powerful regenerative stem cells present in their own organs, fat, and hair follicles. The source matters when it comes to cell banking. Most methods are often painful and invasive. The hair follicle is the gold mine of non-invasive banking, providing a reliable, painless, and abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells. By cryopreserving your cells, you can stop that biological clock, ensuring you have healthy, potent cells available for skin and hair rejuvenation and future regenerative treatments. Did you know that it is possible to use stem cell therapy to heal your body, regenerate skin, or treat age-related hair loss? The idea is that your own cells, such as bone marrow or hair follicle cells, can be extracted and manipulated to provide many health and cosmetic benefits. Parents do this by banking their newborn babies’ cord blood and embryonic stem cells for regenerative treatment later in life. What if we told you that babies are not the only ones with stem cells and that this powerful cell type also exists in adults? This article will help you identify various stem cell sources, evaluate stem cell usefulness, explore harvesting and storage methods, and illustrate how they could be used in the future. Areas of Stem Cell Populations Adult stem cells are present in most major organs and can be isolated from a wide range of tissues in the body. Mesenchymal stem cells were first isolated from the bone marrow but have been found in adipose tissue (fat cells),  peripheral blood, skin, and hair follicles. Their location determines the ease of access to stem cells; for example, extracting stem cells from the bone marrow requires an invasive and painful procedure involving inserting a needle into the bone, and liposuction surgery is required for adipose stem cell collection. Adipose stem cells are isolated from fatty tissue, which is abundant in the body and provides many options for extraction sites. Stem cells from this source have shown promising results in clinical trials for patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries. However, the proportion of stem cells to other cell types highly depends on the area they are collected from, which affects stem cell yield. Research is required to find the most reliable option for extraction sites as it varies from person to person. As mentioned above, the hair follicle houses mesenchymal stem cells in the dermal papilla (involved in hair growth regulation) and connective tissue sheath, which can be differentiated into several cell types. The bulge region of the hair follicle also contains stem cells which generally function in epidermis and other hair follicle structure regeneration. They are abundant, can be accessed non-invasively by plucking hair, and are easily isolated with various materials and reagents. The hair follicle is the most reliable and least invasive source of stem cells that can be stored for tissue repair, hair regrowth, and many other uses. Stem cells can also be found in urine or feces, but these sources are unreliable with high risks of contamination. Researchers have found four different cell populations during urine evaluation, showing that the urine-derived stem cells are available in small quantities, complicating the isolation process. Stem Cell Harvesting Methods All the identified stem cell sources have harvesting methods that vary significantly in invasiveness and ease of extraction. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can be collected from the bone marrow through a surgical procedure that involves drilling into the bone with a needle and extracting the marrow. They can also be separated from the peripheral blood through a two-to-three-hour process where blood is removed from circulation, and stem cells are isolated; then, it is returned into circulation. This is a risky method as it does not produce consistently viable stem cells and involves a complex isolation procedure. Adipose tissue (fat cells) adult stem cells can be collected through liposuction surgery or direct excision, which has been shown to yield the most stem cells when extracted from the abdomen but is highly invasive. Epithelial stem cells are collected with a punch biopsy, where a small sample of all layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue) is obtained with a tiny tube to allow the isolation of the required cells. However, not all harvesting methods require long surgical procedures and needles. Some techniques are non-invasive and much quicker to perform. Hair follicle extraction is the least invasive method of obtaining stem cells with no risks. Unlike procedures requiring injections and various drugs, this source simply needs a careful collection of hair follicles. To collect adult stem cells from the hair follicle, you must carefully pluck the hair, and then isolate them in a simple lab procedure. Future use: Is it worth it to bank stem cells? The various benefits of banking adult stem cells make it essential to have them on hand for cosmetic and regenerative procedures. For regenerative applications, stem cells should be available in abundant qualities, obtainable with a minimally invasive process, differentiate into various cell types, and be safe to use without the possibility of an immune response. Hair follicle cells meet all the above criteria and can be used for many applications, including regenerating entire hair follicles and creating skin cells for wound healing or skin rejuvenation. FAQs How are stored stem cells preserved, and what kind of lifespan can they have in the bank? After the extraction process, effective storage is required to ensure the cells can serve their function optimally when they are needed. Stem cells are stored at extremely low temperatures (cryopreservation) with steps including pre-freeze processing, use of a cryopreservation solution, freezing and providing adequate conditions for long-term storage. Cryopreservation ensures that they are at the right temperature required for safe thawing. Stem cells can be stored for decades with no signs of degradation. Where can I get my storable stem cells banked? Acorn Biolabs can help you store your cells through cryopreservation while extracting them from the most accessible source, hair follicles. Click here to start your adult stem cell banking journey today. Can adults bank their stem cells? Yes. While many people associate stem cell banking with newborns, adults have stem cells in various tissues (including skin, fat, and hair follicles) that can be harvested and stored for future regenerative medicine. What is the best source for cell banking? It depends on the goal, but for ease of access and reliability, the hair follicle is a top choice. Unlike bone marrow or adipose tissue, hair follicles can be collected non-invasively by plucking a few hairs. Does harvesting stem cells from hair follicles hurt? Not at all. Hair follicle extraction is the least invasive method available. It requires no surgery, no downtime, and no needles—just a careful collection of hair follicles by a professional. How are stem cells stored once they are collected? Cells are stored using a process called cryopreservation. They are kept at extremely low temperatures to pause their biological activity, ensuring they remain viable and potent for decades without degrading. Why should I bank my cells now instead of waiting? Your cells are the youngest they can be right now. By banking them you are preserving them at their current biological age. --- ## What Is Secretome—and Why It’s Revolutionizing Regenerative Skincare URL: https://acorn.me/blog/what-is-secretome Secretome represents the next frontier in regenerative aesthetics by combining exosomes, growth factors, and peptides into a complete cellular communication network that targets the root causes of aging. By utilizing your own banked hair follicles, Acorn YOU™ creates a fully biocompatible, personalized treatment that clinically improves skin radiance and hair density within 30 to 90 days. Key Takeaways: Secretome is your body’s own regenerative formula: a natural blend of proteins, peptides, and growth factors that power cell-to-cell repair and renewal. It’s the evolution of PRP and exosome therapy, offering a more complete, potent approach to restoring youthful skin function. Clinical results show 84% of patients saw skin improvement by day 30*. Retinoids, Botox, Ultherapy… each passing year brings a new contender promising healthier, more resilient skin. But now, longevity scientists and aesthetics experts alike have locked in on a particularly exciting ingredient: you. Regenerative therapies like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) facials have shown what’s possible when we harness the body’s own biology. Yet researchers are zeroing in on the real driver of those effects: secretome, a natural cocktail of signaling molecules your cells already produce.  Far from a passing trend, secretome represents a shift toward therapies that target the root causes of aging rather than the surface signs. So how does secretome actually work? And what gives it the edge over other buzzy treatments? Let’s dig in. What Is Secretome? Your Skin's Built-In Repair System, Explained Every cell in your body communicates constantly with its neighbors. To do so, cells release a wide range of bioactive molecules—proteins, peptides, lipids, growth factors, enzymes, hormones and extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. Collectively, this collection of signals is known as secretome. Think of secretome as your body’s internal comms system. When tissue is injured, it directs repair. When inflammation needs to be resolved, it coordinates the immune response. In short: secretome is the language cells use to maintain balance and regeneration. As we age, our cells become less efficient at sending and receiving these signals. That slowdown contributes to the visible hallmarks of aging: fine lines, loss of elasticity, and slower healing. But by delivering concentrated doses of secretome, regenerative aesthetics is now finding ways to restore that youthful communication network. Secretome vs. PRP vs. Exosomes: How Do They Compare? “How do we encourage the skin to behave more like it did when it was young?” That’s the central question driving aesthetics and skincare.  Topicals like retinoids and antioxidants stimulate repair from the outside in. They’re valuable, but limited by the skin barrier—not to mention the commitment (and expense) of diligently applying your creams and serums every day. PRP goes deeper,using a patient’s own plasma to deliver growth factors that awaken fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen and elastin. While effective, PRP requires blood collection and reinjection—it’s not nicknamed the “vampire facial” for nothing. Plus, results can vary based on health and age. Exosome therapy has refined the approach further by isolating exosomes: the nano-sized vesicles inside secretome that carry regenerative instructions between cells.By isolating and concentrating these messengers, practitioners can achieve improved physiological effects without the requirement of cell transplants or PRP injection—including more targeted approaches to challenges like hair regrowth. Secretome therapy is the next frontier. While exosomes are powerful, they’re just one part of the puzzle; just one component of secretome. In fact, secretome boasts a whole roster of MVPs that work together: Exosomes carry repair signals, accelerating skin renewal, balancing skin tone, and calming inflammation.[1] Growth factors are proteins that trigger collagen and build elasticity.[2] Cytokines are immune balancers, reducing redness and supporting skin regeneration.[3] Peptides strengthen the skin barrier and boost hydration.[4] All Stem Cells Aren’t Created Equal Many secretome products and treatments source from donors—and that’s where Acorn does things a little differently. Acorn YOU™ is the first regenerative secretome product made from your own stem cells, innovatively banked from hair follicles with no painful injections required. By bypassing potential issues like incompatibility and immune rejection, it essentially helps your skin do what it does best, naturally. Who Is a Good Candidate for Secretome Treatment? In short: Anyone who is looking to unlock their skin’s natural radiance. Clinical results show that Acorn’s process preserves up to 85% of key regenerative proteins from both younger and older donors, with 93% of patients showing skin improvement by Day 90.* And the impact goes beyond skin: Acorn YOU™ has demonstrated visible improvements in hair quality and density within 90 days.* How Secretome Works: Step by Step So, what does the treatment process actually look like? Let’s break it down. Banking: First, you’ll need to find a clinic that offers a secretome-based treatment. During an initial appointment, you’ll consult with your practitioner about your goals, and potentially harvest your stem cells. (If you’re opting for an Acorn YOU™ treatment, you’ll start by banking your hair follicles—a minimally invasive procedure that takes less than an hour.) Processing: Your stem cells are sent to a lab, and processed into a personalized solution over a matter of weeks. Application: Your serum is paired with microneedling or laser treatments to amplify their impact, maximize penetration, and accelerate healing. How Secretome Works at the Cellular Level Secretome therapies reprogram skin at the cellular level: Collagen + Elastin Production: Exosomes activate fibroblasts, restoring the machinery that keeps skin firm and resilient—a direct counter to age-related collagen loss.[5] Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Many chronic skin concerns like acne, rosacea, and pigmentation are fueled by inflammation. Secretome signals help quiet overactive immune responses, reducing one of the hidden accelerators of aging.[6] Accelerated Healing: When applied after procedures such as microneedling or laser, exosome formulations reduce downtime and speed tissue repair. Again, this makes them especially appealing for patients seeking aggressive rejuvenation without extended recovery.[3] Cellular Rejuvenation: Believe it or not, exosomes can reprogram older or stressed cells to behave more like younger ones, addressing aging at its root rather than treating symptoms.[7] The Future of Regenerative Aesthetics Aging is inevitable. But how we age—and how visibly those changes appear in the skin—is increasingly within our influence. Secretome offers a way to work with the body’s own biology, restoring the signals that decline with time. Whether through aesthetic treatments, hair restoration, or advanced formulations still in development, secretome is poised to redefine how we approach aging skin. We’ve spent decades chasing down trends and buzzy ingredients. But it turns out the secret was within us the entire time. Take our Secretome Quiz to see if it is right for you! FAQ What exactly is secretome made of? Secretome is a mix of signaling molecules naturally released by stem cells, including proteins, peptides, exosomes, and growth factors. Together, they guide your body’s repair and regeneration processes. How is secretome different from PRP or exosome therapy? PRP uses blood-derived growth factors; exosome therapy isolates one component of the regenerative process. Secretome includes all of these signals, making it more complete and potent. Is secretome treatment safe? Yes. When created from your own cells (as with Acorn YOU), the treatment is fully biocompatible, minimizing risk of immune response or rejection. How soon will I see results? Clinical studies show visible improvement in skin texture, tone, and elasticity within 30 days, with continued benefits over time. Can secretome treatments help with hair as well as skin? Absolutely. Secretome’s regenerative signals also support follicle health, density, and growth. Where can I get a secretome-based treatment? Acorn partners with leading clinics across North America. References: Tienda-Vázquez, Mario Adrián et al. “Exosomes: A Promising Strategy for Repair, Regeneration and Treatment of Skin Disorders.” Cells vol. 12,12 1625. 14 Jun. 2023, doi:10.3390/cells12121625 He, Xin et al. “Research Progress on Bioactive Factors against Skin Aging.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 25,7 3797. 28 Mar. 2024, doi:10.3390/ijms25073797 Wong RSY, Tan T, Pang ASR, Srinivasan DK. The role of cytokines in wound healing: from mechanistic insights to therapeutic applications. Explor Immunol. 2025;5:1003183. https://doi.org/10.37349/ei.2025.1003183 Pintea, Andrada et al. “Peptides: Emerging Candidates for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Senescence: A Review.” Biomolecules vol. 15,1 88. 9 Jan. 2025, doi:10.3390/biom15010088 Liang, Chen et al. “Unveiling exosomes in combating skin aging: insights into resources, mechanisms and challenges.” Stem cell research & therapy vol. 16,1 474. 29 Aug. 2025, doi:10.1186/s13287-025-04620-y Zare, S., Jafarzadeh, A., Zare, S. et al. Exploring the dermatological applications of human mesenchymal stem cell secretome: a comprehensive review. Stem Cell Res Ther 16, 177 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04311-8 Chen, X., Luo, Y., Zhu, Q. et al. Small extracellular vesicles from young plasma reverse age-related functional declines by improving mitochondrial energy metabolism. Nat Aging 4, 814–838 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-00612-4 --- ## Scientists Agree: Do This in Your 30s To Feel Better in Your 70s URL: https://acorn.me/blog/scientists-agree-do-this-in-your-30s-to-feel-better-in-your-70s Because biological shifts in muscle mass, metabolism, and stem cell function begin quietly in your 30s, this decade represents a critical regenerative "sweet spot" where lifestyle choices heavily dictate your future aging trajectory. By combining preventative habits like strength training and stress management with proactive stem cell banking, you can lock in your cells at their biological peak to power advanced, personalized anti-aging treatments down the road. Key Takeaways: Aging starts earlier than most of us realize. Our 30s mark the beginning of subtle biological shifts in muscle, metabolism, skin, and stem cell function. Biological age matters more than chronological age. Two people born the same year can have completely different cellular timelines depending on lifestyle, environment, and genetics. Your 30s are a regenerative “sweet spot.” What you do now—like how you eat, move, sleep, and recover—sets your biological trajectory for decades to come. The idea of “aging” probably conjures up visions of fine lines, silver hair, and creaky joints. But longevity scientists approach things a bit differently… and much earlier than you might expect. Under the hood, the aging process really starts in our 30s, and sometimes even sooner. It’s the decade when muscle mass starts to naturally plateau and your body’s most important repair toolkit—your stem cells—start to lose a bit of their youthful edge. Left alone, those changes add up. But not to fear: Heed this not as a warning, but as an opportunity. Scientists agree that with the right interventions now, you can meaningfully alter your trajectory. And thanks to advances in regenerative medicine, there’s more on the table than diet and exercise. Companies like Acorn are making it possible (and easier than ever) to preserve your own stem cells—granting you access to your body’s innate regenerative power for years to come.  So let’s do your future self a solid, shall we? Let’s dive into some of the best ways to optimize for longevity in your 30s, according to the latest research. First Things First: Age Is Just a Number The number of birthdays we’ve had only tells part of the story. Unlike our chronological age, our biological age adds crucial context to how young our body actually acts—and it’s shaped by genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Two people who are 45 might be living in entirely different timelines. Person A smokes, lives in a city, and works at a desk job for most hours of the day. Person B eats well, exercises regularly, but is also managing a genetic chronic illness. They’re technically the same age, but their “longevity fingerprints” look nothing alike.  Research suggests that our genes only account for 15 to 30 percent of how we age.[1] That leaves lifestyle factors like diet, movement, stress, and sleep with an outsized role. That’s why scientists emphasize early intervention. Every habit you bank today is an investment in your future self. Why Your 30s Matter Your 30s often feel like a “sweet spot.” You’re young enough to still feel resilient, but old enough to notice subtle shifts. That’s not your imagination: Scientists confirm that this is the decade when small but meaningful changes in how our bodies repair themselves start to show up. We might notice changes in our hair. Studies show that hair density tends to peak in our late 20s, before steadily starting to decline.[2] Muscle mass starts to decline. After age 30, we can lose up to 5% of our muscle mass per decade. (This process is called sarcopenia.)[3] Stem cells lose some potency. These are your body’s built-in repair team—the cells that help heal injuries and regenerate tissue. After reaching our cellular peak in our mid-20s, our renewal ability steadily deteriorates, with a more precipitous fall around age 60. (As our scientists like to say: The best time to bank your cells was in your mid-20s. The second best time is today.) Individually, these shifts may not feel dramatic. But stacked over decades, they shape how you’ll feel in your 60s, 70s, and beyond. The good news? Scientists also agree that this is a prime window of opportunity. The choices you make now—how you move, eat, sleep, and even how you preserve your cells—can meaningfully slow the pace of aging and set you up for a healthier, more energetic future. How Scientists Stay Younger, Longer These are the research-backed deposits to make in your longevity bank. 1. Build and Protect Muscle Mass Muscle is one of the best predictors of longevity. It regulates metabolism, glucose uptake, and resilience. Sarcopenia—the gradual loss of muscle—begins as early as your 30s. According to a 2018 study published in Lancet Public Health, your grip strength in midlife can actually help predict your mortality risk.[4] A 2022 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that resistance training reduces cardiovascular disease and early death by up to 17%.[5] Research published in 2019 in the JAMA Network Open correlated more lean muscle mass with a lower incidence of metabolic syndrome.[6] Strength training also protects your stem cell “niche”—the environment that helps stem cells regenerate tissue. The fitter you are, the healthier the environment your banked cells will one day re-enter.[7] 2. Guard Your Metabolic Health For years, it was assumed our metabolism “slows” in our 30s. Newer research tells a different story: a landmark 2021 Science study found that daily energy expenditure actually stays stable from our 20s through our 50s, only declining after 60.[8] So why do so many people notice changes in this decade? The answer lies not in calorie burn, but in how our bodies handle energy. Insulin sensitivity begins to decline, visceral fat creeps up more easily, and low-grade inflammation (sometimes called “inflammaging”) starts to take hold. Studies have linked high mid-life glucose and lipid levels with a higher risk of dementia.[9] One 2015 study showed that modest calorie restriction improved insulin sensitivity and slowed biological aging markers.[10] Research shows that eating routines with an emphasis on plants and whole grains, like the Mediterranean Diet, tend to be closely correlated with longevity and reduced disease risk.[11] 3. Support Skin Health from the Inside Out Your skin is your largest organ… and one of the clearest mirrors of biological aging. In your 30s, fine lines may start to appear, collagen production begins to slow, and cell turnover gets less efficient. Collagen production starts to decline as early as our late 20s, contributing to loss of elasticity and firmness.[12] A 2019 review in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology highlighted that oxidative stress and UV exposure accelerate cellular aging in skin by damaging DNA and depleting stem cell reserves.[13] Studies show that interventions like retinoids, antioxidants, and sun protection don’t just make your skin look younger—they slow the underlying biological processes that drive visible aging.[14] Skin aging is stem cell aging. As skin stem cells lose potency, repair slows and signs of aging become visible. While it’s certainly possible to bank your stem cells later in life,  doing so in your 30s preserves them at their peak—ensuring that future regenerative treatments, from exosome therapies to stem cell–based injectables, can call on your youngest possible cells. 4. Master Stress and Sleep For longevity, sleep and stress management are two of our most underestimated levers. A 2004 landmark study from UCSF found that chronic psychological stress was linked to shorter telomeres (the protective caps on DNA that shorten as we age).[15] Research published in 2019 in the Journal of Neuroscience shows that poor midlife sleep quality is associated with higher Alzheimer’s risk later in life.[16] Studies have long indicated that high cortisol levels and poor sleep can significantly impact our biological age.[17] 5. Build Social and Cognitive Resilience Did you know that building community is a great way to keep our cells young? Social engagement is one of the common denominators in Blue Zones—regions around the world that boast the longest life spans. An 85-year Harvard study—one of the longest-running of its kind—found that human connection was critical for both happiness and health.[18] 6. Preserve Your Stem Cells These lifestyle tweaks are critical to slowing aging—but emerging technology allows us to freeze our cells in time, and leverage them later on. Stem cell harvesting methods like umbilical cord blood banking have been around since 1996, with the caveat that it’s inherently a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.[19] New developments like Acorn YOU™ are making stem cell banking more accessible than ever, allowing us to preserve our body’s most regenerative cells well into adulthood. It’s like having our very own biological time capsule—something that can be later used to help restore youthful skin, stimulate hair growth, and more. Decade by Decade: Building Your Longevity Blueprint The habits you prioritize shift as you move through life, but every decade offers a chance to future-proof your biology. Here’s how scientists suggest thinking about it: In your 30s, build your foundation. Focus on cultivating habits that keep your cells happy: strength training, a healthy diet, quality sleep, and stress management. Now is also a good time to consider banking your stem cells. In your 40s, double down on prevention. Regular screenings become more important, cardiovascular fitness starts to matter more, and many people begin to notice visible changes in their skin. In your 50s, guard against inflammation. Nutrition, recovery, and mobility become key levers, alongside cognitive stimulation to keep the brain sharp. In your 60s and beyond, prioritize preservation. Continue practicing strength and flexibility to keep your bones, muscles, and joints limber. And don’t underestimate leaning on your community—social engagement keeps us young, remember? The bottom line? Scientists agree: What you do in your 30s shapes how you’ll feel in your 70s. Muscle, metabolism, fitness, stress, and connection all leave lasting biological fingerprints. Thankfully, the research supporting these habits is also converging with cutting-edge science, making cellular regeneration more accessible than ever before—a perfect storm to keep our cells younger for longer. FAQs Why do scientists say aging starts in your 30s? Because that’s when subtle but measurable declines begin in muscle mass, stem cell activity, and collagen production. These changes are gradual but compound over time. What’s the difference between biological and chronological age? Chronological age is how many birthdays you’ve had; biological age measures how well your body’s systems are functioning. Lifestyle and environment can make your biological age present younger—or older—than your calendar years. Can I really slow aging through lifestyle habits? Absolutely. Research shows that habits like exercise, sleep, social connection, and nutrient-rich diets can slow biological aging markers by years. Why should I preserve my stem cells now? Your stem cells are at their biological best in your 20s and 30s. Banking them now with Acorn means you’re freezing your most regenerative version of yourself… and making it available for future treatments as regenerative medicine evolves. References: Passarino, G., De Rango, F., & Montesanto, A. (2016). Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango. Immunity & ageing : I & A, 13, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-016-0066-z Robbins, C., Mirmirani, P., Messenger, A. G., Birch, M. P., Youngquist, R. S., Tamura, M., Filloon, T., Luo, F., & Dawson, T. L., Jr (2012). What women want - quantifying the perception of hair amount: an analysis of hair diameter and density changes with age in caucasian women. The British journal of dermatology, 167(2), 324–332. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11010.x Keller, K., & Engelhardt, M. (2014). Strength and muscle mass loss with aging process. Age and strength loss. Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal, 3(4), 346–350. Bohannon R. W. (2019). Grip Strength: An Indispensable Biomarker For Older Adults. Clinical interventions in aging, [14], 1681–1691. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S194543 Momma, H., Kawakami, R., Honda, T., & Sawada, S. S. (2022). Muscle-strengthening activities are associated with lower risk and mortality in major non-communicable diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. British journal of sports medicine, 56(13), 755–763. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-105061 Benz, E., Pinel, A., Guillet, C., Capel, F., Pereira, B., De Antonio, M., Pouget, M., Cruz-Jentoft, A. J., Eglseer, D., Topinkova, E., Barazzoni, R., Rivadeneira, F., Ikram, M. A., Steur, M., Voortman, T., Schoufour, J. D., Weijs, P. J. M., & Boirie, Y. (2024). Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity and Mortality Among Older People. JAMA network open, 7(3), e243604. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3604 Liu, C., Wu, X., Vulugundam, G., Gokulnath, P., Li, G., & Xiao, J. (2023). Exercise Promotes Tissue Regeneration: Mechanisms Involved and Therapeutic Scope. Sports medicine - open, 9(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00573-9 Pontzer, H., Yamada, Y., Sagayama, H., Ainslie, P. N., Andersen, L. F., Anderson, L. J., Arab, L., Baddou, I., Bedu-Addo, K., Blaak, E. E., Blanc, S., Bonomi, A. G., Bouten, C. V. C., Bovet, P., Buchowski, M. S., Butte, N. F., Camps, S. G., Close, G. L., Cooper, J. A., Cooper, R., … IAEA DLW Database Consortium (2021). Daily energy expenditure through the human life course. Science (New York, N.Y.), 373(6556), 808–812. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe5017 Zhang, X., Tong, T., Chang, A., Ang, T. F. A., Tao, Q., Auerbach, S., Devine, S., Qiu, W. Q., Mez, J., Massaro, J., Lunetta, K. L., Au, R., & Farrer, L. A. (2023). Midlife lipid and glucose levels are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 19(1), 181–193. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12641 Johnson, M. L., Distelmaier, K., Lanza, I. R., Irving, B. A., Robinson, M. M., Konopka, A. R., Shulman, G. I., & Nair, K. S. (2016). Mechanism by Which Caloric Restriction Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Sedentary Obese Adults. Diabetes, 65(1), 74–84. https://doi.org/10.2337/db15-0675 Mendez, M. A., & Newman, A. B. (2018). Can a Mediterranean Diet Pattern Slow Aging?. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 73(3), 315–317. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/gly003 Reilly DM, Lozano J. Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty. Plast Aesthet Res. 2021;8:2. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153 Eckhart, L., Tschachler, E., & Gruber, F. (2019). Autophagic Control of Skin Aging. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 7, 143. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2019.00143 Milosheska, D., & Roškar, R. (2022). Use of Retinoids in Topical Antiaging Treatments: A Focused Review of Clinical Evidence for Conventional and Nanoformulations. Advances in therapy, 39(12), 5351–5375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-022-02319-7 Epel, E. S., Blackburn, E. H., Lin, J., Dhabhar, F. S., Adler, N. E., Morrow, J. D., & Cawthon, R. M. (2004). Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101(49), 17312–17315. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0407162101 Winer, J. R., Mander, B. A., Helfrich, R. F., Maass, A., Harrison, T. M., Baker, S. L., Knight, R. T., Jagust, W. J., & Walker, M. P. (2019). Sleep as a Potential Biomarker of Tau and β-Amyloid Burden in the Human Brain. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 39(32), 6315–6324. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0503-19.2019 Carroll, J. E., & Prather, A. A. (2021). Sleep and Biological Aging: A Short Review. Current opinion in endocrine and metabolic research, 18, 159–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coemr.2021.03.021 Harvard study of Adult Development: Human Connection is key to health and well-being | integrative and complementary therapies. (n.d.). https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ict.2023.29074.jha Devi, S., Bongale, A. M., Tefera, M. A., Dixit, P., & Bhanap, P. (2023). Fresh Umbilical Cord Blood-A Source of Multipotent Stem Cells, Collection, Banking, Cryopreservation, and Ethical Concerns. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 13(9), 1794. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13091794 --- ## How Old Is “Too Old” To Slow Down Aging? URL: https://acorn.me/blog/slow-down-aging Your biological age is dynamic and entirely driven by cellular function, meaning your body remains adaptable and responsive to targeted longevity interventions at any point in your life. By leveraging advanced signaling treatments like secretome therapy alongside early stem cell biobanking, you can bypass the rigid timeline of your chronological age to preserve and restore youthful cellular communication from the inside out. Key Takeaways: While our chronological age marks the number of years we’ve lived, biological age shifts based on sleep, stress, hormones, environment, and targeted habits. Our repair capacity changes with age, but it never disappears completely. That said, there are ways to tap into our body’s biological resources when our stem cells are at their prime—and preserve that longevity for later. Regenerative tools like secretome therapy help guide cell-to-cell communication, making chronological age less limiting. Aging has always been tied to a single metric: the number on your birthday cake. Forty, fifty, sixty… each milestone treated like a turning point you can’t undo. But science keeps revealing a more interesting truth. Your birthday doesn’t determine how well your body is aging. Your biology does. Two people can be the same chronological age and live in completely different biological realities. And what separates them isn’t luck, or even just genetics—it’s cellular function. Biological age reflects the actual condition of your cells: how well they repair, how efficiently they produce energy, and how much inflammation they’re juggling. The coolest part is that this is all changeable—which means you’re never “too old” to influence it, or harness it. (Spoiler: This is where biobanking your stem cells can be a winning strategy.) Your Biological Age Is the Driver Behind How You Feel Chronological age moves in one direction. Biological age can move up or down based on how your body is operating. Your biological age is shaped by things like: Sleep quality Stress load Hormonal balance Exercise and muscle strength Inflammation levels Cognitive engagement Nutrition Environmental exposures This is why people in their 40s sometimes feel decades older, and why others in their 60s still feel as vibrant as they did in their 30s. Biological age is dynamic. It reflects function, not time. In the longevity world, this distinction matters more than anything else. Because the moment you start asking “how do my cells feel?” instead of “how old am I?”, the entire conversation shifts toward agency. So—How Old Is Too Old To Slow Down Aging? Technically, as long as your cells are alive, they can respond to signals that support repair and reduce stress. It doesn’t matter if you’re 42 or 72—your biology is still listening. Of course, the degree of change looks different at different ages. Someone in their 40s may see quicker shifts in energy or skin quality. Someone in their 60s may need a little more consistency. But the idea that there’s a point where “nothing works anymore” simply isn’t supported by current science.The body is adaptable until the very end. The key is giving it the right environment and supporting it with the right habits. Regenerative Science Makes Chronological Age Less Relevant For decades, aging support revolved around masking decline at the surface. Now, regenerative science has shifted the question to: How can we use our own biology to target aging at the source? One of the most promising tools here is secretome therapy—a regenerative approach that leverages the natural signals stem cells release. Secretome is essentially the communication system that helps cells: reduce inflammation repair damaged tissue support hydration and collagen encourage healthier cell behavior improve recovery Secretome doesn’t rely on your stem cells being young. It works through signaling—sending messages that help your existing cells function better. That’s why people across a wide age range respond well to it. Even if your own stem cells are less active than they once were, their ability to respond to healthier signals remains active. In other words, regenerative tools don’t require youth to be effective. The caveat, of course, is understanding when our stem cells are at their peak—so that we can harness the secretome for our future selves. While we can certainly collect stem cells across a wide age range, at Acorn, we recommend thinking about biobanking in your 20s, 30s, and 40s in order to tap into your body’s most potent longevity resource.(Trust us: Future you will thank you.) The Bottom Line If there’s one takeaway from longevity science, it’s this: Your cells age according to the environment they’re living in, not the candles on your cake. Support their environment by mitigating less inflammation, getting better sleep, and building stronger muscles, and they behave more youthfully. Stress them out through poor nutrition, low movement, and unmanaged hormonal shifts, and they age faster. With healthy habits and tools like secretome therapy at your disposal, it’s empowering to realize that you’re never truly behind. You’re simply working with the biology you have today—and biology, thankfully, is adaptable. FAQ Can you stop aging, or just feel better? Both. You can’t stop time, but you can influence how your cells respond to it. Improving sleep, lowering inflammation, building muscle, and supporting hormonal balance all contribute to a healthier biological age—and that often translates to feeling, looking, and functioning better. And here’s the cool thing: Preserving your stem cells is the only known way to “stop” aging, since you’re essentially harnessing your healthiest cells at that specific age. Is there an age when longevity interventions stop working? Your cells remain responsive throughout your life. Someone in their 40s and someone in their 70s may see different timelines or results, but both can meaningfully improve energy, skin quality, recovery, and overall vitality. What’s the difference between biological age and chronological age? Chronological age is your birthday. Biological age reflects how your cells are functioning—how well they repair, how much inflammation they’re carrying, how strong your mitochondria are, and how balanced your hormones feel. Biological age can move backwards with the right support. Does secretome therapy work at any age? Age does play a role, since older cells naturally signal less efficiently. But Acorn’s technology was created to help overcome this: The result is a fresh, robust secretome profile that supports healthier cellular communication, so people across a wide age range can still experience meaningful regenerative benefits. When is the best time to biobank my stem cells? The ideal time is whenever your cells are the healthiest and most resilient—which usually means earlier rather than later. But it’s not a now-or-never decision. Many people biobank in their 30s and 40s, while others choose to do it in their 50s or even 60s. What matters most is capturing your cells at a point where you feel good about preserving your current biological baseline for the future. --- ## Hear from Acorn’s CEO Dr. Drew Taylor URL: https://acorn.me/blog/hear-from-acorns-ceo-dr-drew-taylor If you’re looking to learn more about Acorn, check out these podcasts with Acorn CEO Dr. Drew Taylor on the future of regenerative medicine in skincare, sports, and health care. As you may already know, emerging regenerative cell treatments have the ability to use our own cells to heal our bodies or replenish nearly any tissue from skin to bone. We're on a mission to prepare todays generations for the opportunity ahead with regenerative medicine. If you’re looking to learn more about Acorn, check out these podcasts with Acorn CEO Dr. Drew Taylor on the future of regenerative medicine in skincare, sports, and health care. The Monk and The Hedonist Dr. Drew Taylor | The Past, Present and Future of Stem Cells Dr. Bobby Koneru and Drew discuss the world of stem cells and the medical advances that will allow you to use the stem cells to create new skin, tissues, and organs to prolong your life. Wellness Your Way with Megan Lyons The Future of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Banking Drew and Megan take a deep dive into how your younger cells will be leveraged in regenerative treatments and what happens to our cells as we age. Biohacking Superhuman Performance Affordable Live Cell Banking with Acorn Biolabs Nat Niddam and Drew discuss live-cell banking, current applications for such cells, and future applications such as anti-aging, organ regeneration, and more. The Over 50 Health & Wellness Podcast Leveraging Technology for Your Healthiest Future Self with Dr. Drew Taylor Kevin English and Drew chat about Drew's career as he went from a baseball player to CEO of a biomedical startup, and why people should consider banking our cells today for a healthier tomorrow. The Wellness Prescription Dr. Drew Taylor - Founder and CEO of ACORN Biolabs Drew and Dr. Claudia Machiella discuss the hair follicle as a valuable source of cells which can be used in regenerative medicine. High Energy Girl #223 Drew Taylor - Save Your Cells to Stay Younger Learn more about saving your best cells to leverage in future regenerative treatments and why it's important to use your own cells versus donor cells. Golf Smarter Become the Best of Your Younger Self with Regenerative Medicine with Dr Drew Taylor Fred Greene and Drew chat about how your younger cells could be leveraged to treat injuries and keep you healthier for longer. Perfect Practice The Future of Regenerative Medicine with Dr. Drew Taylor and Sachin Patel Drew and Sachin get into where regenerative medicine is at now and how our own cells are going to be the best resource going forward. The Kelly Cutrara Show How a former baseball player-turned-anti-aging-guru developed a technique to freeze and preserve cells Learn more about why the hair follicle is an ideal cell source and more in this short clip with Kelly Cutrara. LifeBlood Improving Health Span with Dr. Drew Taylor George Grombacher and Drew discuss how we can intercept aging and improve health span with cell banking. Beauty Bytes with Dr. Kay: Secrets of a Plastic Surgeon™ Cell Preservation to Combat Against Aging with Drew Taylor Learn more about regenerative treatments for aesthetics and skincare in this podcast with Drew and Dr. Kay. --- ## Your Guide to Secretome: How it Works URL: https://acorn.me/blog/your-guide-to-secretome-how-it-works Discover Acorn’s personalized Secretome: a regenerative skin & hair treatment grown from your own stem cells to accelerate healing and boost collagen. How It Works Our secretome product is the first regenerative product for skin & hair made from your own stem cells. It is a full-spectrum collection of 500 + naturally balanced bioactive molecules released by your stem cells. Because this is a personalized biological product, the process is a journey. Here is what you can expect from start to finish. Step 1: Consult & Coordinate The first step is clinical alignment. Secretome is a regenerative product designed to be paired with common aesthetic procedures to support deeper delivery. Find a Partner Clinic: Select an Acorn-certified provider. Pair Your Procedure: Align with your provider on a delivery method. Secretome is most effective when paired with: Microneedling Laser Resurfacing Tixel® Professional Delivery: The product must be administered by a healthcare professional. Step 2: The Collection To create your Secretome, we need your biological "source code." This involves a simple, non-invasive hair follicle collection at your provider's office. We then take these follicles to our lab to store your live, high-quality stem cells. Step 3: Product Creation (The 60-Day Window) Once your cells arrive at Acorn, the magic happens. We don't just store your cells; we put them to work. Over a 60-day period, our lab specialists cultivate your cells. During this time, the cells naturally secrete exosomes, growth factors, and cytokines—this is the Secretome. We harvest this concentrated essence of your own biology, ensuring it is pure, potent, and 100% unique to you. Why wait 60 days? Unlike "off-the-shelf" products, we are growing your actual cells to harvest their specific signaling molecules. Quality biology takes time, but the result is a treatment that speaks your body's exact language. Step 4: Treatment Day Once your personalized Secretome is ready, it is delivered back to your clinic. You will return for your scheduled aesthetic procedure (as decided in Step 1). Immediately following your treatment, your provider will apply your Secretome. Your skin’s channels will be open, allowing your own growth factors to flood the tissue, accelerate healing, and stimulate collagen production from the inside out. --- ## 5 Ways to Boost Your Longevity URL: https://acorn.me/blog/5-ways-to-boost-your-longevity Recent science and studies show that we could increase our longevity by making a few changes to our lifestyle. Read more to find out how. For most of us, one of our life goals is to live a long and healthy life. However, as the old saying goes for many, "life is short." By the time we've retired, there are only so many years we can enjoy ourselves, not to mention the healthy years we have left can be even fewer. Luckily, recent science and studies show that we could dramatically increase our longevity by making a few minor tweaks to our lifestyle. Before we get into these small tweaks, let's look at what we're trying to extend - healthspan and lifespan. Lifespan is the total number of years you will live, while healthspan is the total number of years you will live in good health. In the modern pursuit of longevity, are we optimizing for healthspan or lifespan? The answer is both. Traditionally, longevity as science looks mostly to increase your lifespan and life expectancy from birth. However, in recent years scientists have been looking more and more at optimizing for healthspan as well. Old age is associated with a much higher chance of practically every chronic disease. Because lifespan and healthspan are closely related, optimizing for both helps us live longer. So healthspan and lifespan, how do we optimize for them? Here are five things you can do: Longevity tip 1: Intermittent fasting A prominent method scientists found that will help augment longevity is caloric restriction. In our process of evolution, we didn't always have our breakfast, lunch and dinner ready on our table when the bell rang. Most organisms developed genetic adaptations to increase the chance of survival and reproduction at times when food wasn't constantly available. Fortunately, humans didn't miss out on this adaptation, and we still have the creatively named "longevity genes" (sirtuin family genes). When we fast, we are telling our bodies to activate these longevity genes. A meta-analysis of all studies on caloric restriction and lifespan between 1934 and 2012 found caloric restriction increased the lifespan of rats by 14%-45%. Why intermittent fasting in particular? Why not other types of caloric restriction? Well, this has to do with how we get our energy from eating. There are two types of energy sources our body takes; Glucose (sugars) and ketones (derived from fatty acids). In diet processes, our body prefers to use glucose as our energy source. However, ketones are more efficient for energy production, producing less CO2 for the amount of oxygen used. Our body has a natural tendency to prefer glucose as an energy source. But when we run out of glucose, our body shifts to ketones for energy. The interval of caloric restriction during intermittent fasting helps consume the available glucose and switch our body's energy source to ketones. Studies found that intermittent fasting is correlated with positive outcomes in a wide range of chronic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and neurodegenerative brain diseases. The studies also found that intermittent fasting increased cognitive ability and memory in rats. Maybe combining breakfast and lunch every once in a while isn't that bad after all. Longevity tip 2: Get a good sleep Another factor in our longevity comes from our sleep. Studies have repeatedly shown that sleep quality is directly correlated to achieving a long life. A 2014 study from Brazil found that although absolute quality of sleep is comparatively lower among extremely old individuals (over 85 years old) than younger adults; those who make it to old age display a remarkably strict sleeping schedule and a better lipid profile (a clear indication of high persistent sleep quality), suggesting a better sleeping practice over the years. Individuals who made it to old age are also shown to have a proportionally longer duration of N3 sleep, the regenerative phase of sleep, compared to younger adults. This indicates that maintaining the regenerative capacity of sleep is also correlated to our longevity. With sleep science on our side, what should we aim to do with our sleep? Here are our three recommendations: Firstly, maintaining a strict sleeping schedule is key. A study conducted in Taiwan shows that a sporadic sleep schedule is significantly associated with a deterioration in sleep quality. Unlike what many of us have been taught since childhood, it is more about a stable sleep schedule than sleeping early every night.  Second, both extremes of sleep duration (very short and very long) can be detrimental to health. A 2018 review found that both extremes of sleep duration are negatively correlated to health. According to the newest public health recommendation, the optimal sleep time is between 7-9 hours for those over the age of 18.  Lastly, optimize your environment for better sleep qualities. According to a Harvard medical school recommendation, the three main environmental factors impacting sleep quality are light, noise, and temperature. To have the optimal sleep quality, reduce the light and noise in your bedroom as much as possible. Some white noise may help you sleep, but ideally keep the volume down. You should also try to keep the room temperature a degree or two lower before you sleep, as lower core temperature helps your body fall asleep quicker. Longevity tip 3: Cell banking A great way to boost longevity is by keeping some of your cells young. This might sound futuristic, but cell banking and preserving youth in some of your cells is real. Scientists found that ageing pauses indefinitely if you take a young person's cell and freeze it cryogenically. The cell stays youthful for as long as the frozen condition continues (there is an upper limit at around 1,000 years). When the cell thaws in the future for use, it can function with the youthfulness it was stored with. Banking your cells can be crucial for your longevity because these banked cells can significantly benefit your healthcare in the future. A high-potential field of medicine, called regenerative medicine, will require cells to regenerate and repair damage in the body. Regenerative medicine opens up possibilities to treat many diseases we currently have no cure for (like cancer and Parkinson's). However, an aged cell likely does not perform as well as a young cell in regenerative therapies. Meaning, to fully take advantage of future regenerative therapies, you will want to keep your cells banked and youthful. Longevity tip 4: Diet and Stay Active Another way we can optimize for our longevity is by controlling our diet and staying active. Studies found that several general health and lifestyle indicators correlate strongly with lifespan and healthspan. A study from Harvard University tracked the body mass index, exercise interval, and diet of 73,196 people over a period of 30 years. Researchers in the study found that individuals with a optimized lifestyle have on average 10 years longer for their healthspan - 73.7 years Vs. 84.4 years in women, 73.5 years Vs. 81.1 years in men. What does an optimized lifestyle consist of? Firstly, try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day with a heart rate of around 120bpm for youth and a heart rate above 95bpm for middle aged and up. Secondly, keep alcohol consumption reasonably low. Doctors recommend 5-15g/day for women, or about 1 glass of wine at 12% alcohol, and 5-30g/day for men, about two glasses of wine. Lastly, try and look at diet quality score. Diet quality score assesses the individual's intake of fat, fibre, variety of vitamins and minerals and general dietary composition. A diet quality score above 8 is usually optimal. You can find a simple questionnaire to track your diet quality score provided by Nature here. Don't underestimate the impact of lifestyle on your longevity. Our routine choices can accumulate to make a considerable impact on improving our longevity and our healthspan. Longevity tip 5: Keep an eye on longevity supplements Since WHO categorized aging as a disease in 2018, several supplements aiming at longevity have emerged. The supplements primarily target molecules or cellular pathways that have roles in metabolic processes and regulating the cells. One of the most discussed longevity supplements is NMN. David Sinclair, one of the leading voices in longevity research, is a prominent advocate for NMN. As we age, our bodies begin to produce less NAD+, a molecule that's critically important in our ability to make energy. Taking an oral NMN supplement is found to elevate the level of NAD+ in human cells, which enhances cell survival and boosts cellular repair. Dr. David Sinclair's Havard research team found that an individual at 60 years old taking NMN demonstrated a lipid profile and epigenetic age of 31. Another commonly discussed longevity supplement is rapamycin. Rapamycin acts on the molecule mTOR, a regulatory molecule of the growth of our cells. Turning down the activity of mTOR has been found to have positive effects on aging. Rapamycin inhibits the mTOR functions in cells, thus enhancing human longevity. Originally developed as an anti-inflammatory, more studies are underway to prove rapamycin's efficacy against aging. Longevity supplements are generally considered to be in their early stage of development and commercialization. It is too early for us to draw any conclusion now, as only time can eventually prove their efficacy in human longevity. However, to optimize our longevity, it's worth keeping an eye on the latest development in the world of longevity supplements. Optimize your longevity and prepare for the future Old age and the pain of aging might feel like a long way away. However, as science has proven to us, your day-to-day actions today might have a significant impact on your health 30, 40 or even 50 years in the future. To recap, in this article, we discussed five ways to boost longevity; we discussed intermittent fasting, the process of restricting calories to activate longevity genes. Getting a good sleep and having a good sleep schedule as a way promoting good health. We also discussed banking cells, thus preparing for the future healthcare and staying active and keeping a good diet, slowing down aging. Just as healthcare in general is shifting more toward preventative healthcare, we must also make efforts to prepare for our future. --- ## Comprehensive list of the effects of aging URL: https://acorn.me/blog/comprehensive-list-of-the-effects-of-aging We all know age creates significant changes in the body, but what exactly is happening as we get older? Here's a comprehensive list of the effects of aging. According to the world health organization, the world’s population aged 60 and older will double by 2050. This trend puts great importance on the pursuits of healthy aging, and how we're going to increase the healthspan of our older populations. Aging effects the body in many ways, and understanding these changes is key to finding strategies to that help manage these effects and optimize our health. Here is a comprehensive, and ever evolving, list of the effects of aging. Skin The dermis (skin) is the largest organ in our body, comprising nearly 15% of our body weight. It’s the most visible part of our bodies, the most exposed to our external environment and it’s showcases the most noticeable effects of aging. These effects predominantly manifest as dryness, discolouration, wrinkles, and overall skin health. Skin Dryness Decrease in skin oils Sebum production decreases as much as 60% Increase in Itchy Skin Discolourations and Malformations Age spots / Liver Spots Increase in skin tags Enzymatically active melanocytes decrease at a rate of 10% to 20% per decade (uneven pigmentation in elderly skin) Increased bruising Wrinkles Epidermal thickness decreases by approximately 6.4% per decade Loss of elastic tissue (elastin) Decrease in Collagen production After the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year. Collagen production decreases on average by 68% by age 80 Altered collagen with a higher degree of disorganization Decrease in Hyaluronic acid The skin’s hyaluronic acid (HA) content starts to decrease in as early as twenty years of age and is reduced to half by the age of fifty. Loss of subcutaneous fat Increase in enlarged pores Skin Health Decrease in skin barrier function Flattened dermal-epidermal junction, more fragile and less resistant to shear forces. Decrease in Langerhan cells Slower epidermal cell turnover Complete renewal of the epidermis requires 40 to 60 days in the elderly compared with 28 days in young adults. Prolonged skin wound healing Decrease in Keratinocyte proliferation and fibroblast proliferation Increase in senescent skin cells Increase in cutaneous malignancy (skin cancers) Pacinian and Meissner’s corpuscles degenerate Hair and Nails Hair is abundant, with nearly 5 million hairs distributed across an adult body. The qualities and appearance of hair changes significantly with age, making it one of the most noticeable areas of aging. Nails grow similarly, and experience their own unique effects of aging. Thinning hair strands Decrease in number of melanocytes (greying hair) Decrease in the number of follicles within the follicular unit Hair density is diminished Increase in androgenic alopecia (Male pattern baldness) Increase in Female Pattern Hair Loss Increased ratio of telogen to anagen follicles Increased ratio of vellus to terminal hair The rate of hair and nail regeneration slows Nails become more brittle Nails become yellow and opaque Increase in nail thickness and ingrown nails Cardiovascular Our cardiovascular system is crucial in supplying our body with blood and oxygen. This system effects our entire body, and has pronounced effects on our muscles and organs. The effects of aging are significant and lead to some of the biggest health challenges we face. Stiffening of blood vessels and arteries Increase in blood clots Higher prevalence of varicose and spider veins Increase in Arotic Aneurysms Lower heart rate Increase in hypertension Less flexibility, stiffness, and thickening of the aorta Slower production of blood cells Higher likelihood of developing Atrial fibrillation Increase in the size of the heart The thickening of the basement membrane of the capillary walls Number of myocardial cells declines Decrease in the number of pacemaker cells in the sinoatrial node Reduced nitric oxide production Collagen deposits increase in myocardium Reduced baroreceptor response Higher prevalence in diastolic dysfunction Musculoskeletal The muscles, bones, ligaments and tendons are responsible for the structure and functional operations of the body. Our activity levels and overall mobility are greatly affected by aging in this system. Loss of muscle mass Loss of muscle cell numbers Loss of muscle twitch time and force Increase in fat around muscle cells More connective tissue in muscles Reduced muscle metabolism and oxygen utilization Reduced muscle protein synthesis Decrease in muscle motor units Endurance capacity declines Loss of bone density Cartilage inside a joint becomes thinner Joint tissues become more rigid and brittle Prevalence of spine compression Higher prevalence of ACL disruption Decrease in osteoblast growth factors Increase in meniscal damage Brain The brain is made up of billions of neurons and other cells that are connected to each other. As we age multiple changes happen in the structures and cells of the brain which can lead to cognitive decline such as memory loss or dementia. Parts of the brain begin to shrink Loss of synaptic plasticity Decline in Episodic Memory Blood flow decreases by 27% by 70 Blood-brain barrier becomes less effective Increase of white matter lesions Decrease in neurotransmitters Lower vessel count in cerebral artery circulation The size and number of neurons shrinks Deterioration of Neurological Stem Cell proliferation and differentiation Vision and Hearing Our main inputs to the world reside in our ears and eyes. With age their ability to process sound and images diminishes and changes the way we interact with the world around us. Increased incidence of Enophthalmos Lens becoming increasingly dense and inflexible Delayed regeneration of the photopigment rhodopsin (light changes) Loosening of the eyelid muscles lacrimal glands produce fewer tears Increased incidence of age-related macular degeneration Posterior vitreous detachment Increase in cataracts Overall hearing decline (Presbycusis) Increased incidence of tinnitus Vestibular apparatus progressively loses hair cells causing balance issues Reproduction and Hormones The reproductive and hormonal systems are responsible for our ability to procreate and change dramatically with age. These hormonal changes represent some of the biggest milestones in human aging. Decrease in Growth hormone Decrease in Melatonin Increase in Follicle-stimulating hormone Increase in Luteinizing hormone Increase in Parathyroid hormone Women Menopause Decrease in fertility Ovarian cells (oocytes) become more disorganized Difficulty conceiving Decrease in Estrogen production Men Decrease in Testosterone Lower testicular volume and metabolism Prostate enlargement Semen volume and quality decreases Erectile disfunction Immune System The immune system is an important system to regulate healing in our body. With age these systems experience loss of function and lead to increased incidence of injury and disease. Slower macrophage Decline in T-cell function Fewer white blood cells Less effective antigens Increased risk of Cancer Slower wound healing Increase in autoimmunity Sweat gland function deteriorates Delayed angeonesis Vitamin D deficiency Increased susceptibility and severity of viral infection Cellular Health Inside all parts of the body are cells, and the ability of these cells are crucial to all functions of the body. Many of the broad effects of aging can be traced back to the cellular level. Regenerative power of stem cells decline Deterioration of Stem Cell proliferation and differentiation MSCs reduced ability to handle oxidative stress Decrease in stem cell population Decrease in cellular metabolism telomeres shorten Mitocondrial disfunction Cell division slows down Accumulation of senescent cells Deficiency in the DNA repair function Accumulation of DNA damage Increases in DNA mutations Human MSCs decline with age Decline in glycosaminoglycans EPC’s lose ability to express growth factors Older Mesenchymal stem cells have reduced capacity to expand Organs Healthy functioning organs are crucial for overall health. Organs use blood, cells and muscle tissues like many parts of the body but manifest the effects of aging in their own unique ways. Urinary tract Bladder loses elasticity Reduced bladder capacity Pelvic floor muscles weaken Number of Kidney Nephrons decreases Arteries supplying the kidney narrow Liver Blood flow to liver decreases Volume of liver cells decreases Number and activity of Kupffer cells increases Overall liver function decreases Pancreas Insulin resistance increases Pancreas volume decrease Increased incidence of exocrine insufficiency Respiratory Changes in bronchial fluids Damaged lung matrix Diminished respiratory function There are many diet and lifestyle factors that can help slow down these effects of aging, but unfortunately our bodies still get older every day. But there are some strategies to intercept the aging process and preserve younger cells to use in regenerative medicine to help our bodies recover and fight these effects of aging. Learn more about Acorn's cell cryopreservation, and save your cells from the effects of aging. --- ## Terms of Service URL: https://acorn.me/terms-of-service Review our official Terms of Service for details on account usage, service policies, and legal responsibilities. Canada Terms of Service Acorn Biolabs, Inc. (“Acorn”) will provide cell collection, cryopreservation and analysis services, including use of the Acorn websites, and other associated services (“Services”) to you, subject to the following terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”). Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before accessing and using the Services. Acorn may modify these Terms and Conditions at any time, and any changes will be posted on this webpage. Please check back from time to time to ensure you are aware of our current terms. These Terms and Conditions should be read together with our Privacy Policy, available at www.acorn.me/privacy-policy Acceptance These Terms and Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Acorn. By accessing and using the Services, you accept, without limitation or qualification, the Terms and Conditions, as they may be updated from time to time. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, or any changes to the Terms and Conditions, you must not use or cease continuing to use the Services in accordance with the then-current Terms and Conditions. If you are dissatisfied with the Terms and Conditions, or any other terms, conditions, rules, policies, guidelines or practices applicable to the Services, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue use of the Services. There are no refunds except in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The Services are not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age (except with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian), and is not intended for users outside of Canada. By accessing and using the Services, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age (or are acting as the parent or legal guardian of a minor), you are a resident of Canada, and that you are otherwise legally qualified to enter into and form contracts under applicable law. The Terms and Conditions are effective on the earlier of the date (a) you accept these Terms, or (b) you first start using the Services. You acknowledge that the Acorn Privacy Policy located at www.acorn.me/privacy-policy, as revised from time to time, and you consent and agree to our collection, use and disclosure of personal information as described in the Privacy Policy.  No Medical Advice Acorn does not provide medical advice or treatment. Our Services are for purposes of preservation of cells as well as for research, informational, and educational purposes. The Services are not intended to be used by the customer for any diagnostic purpose and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider with any questions you may have regarding diagnosis, cure, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of any disease or other medical condition or impairment or the status of your health. Acorn does not endorse, warrant or guarantee the effectiveness of any specific course of action, resources, tests, physician or other health care providers, drugs or other health products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on our websites or in material that may be provided to you. Reliance on any information provided by Acorn is solely at your own risk. Cells and Ownership Rights Your use of the Services may involve your sending hair follicles or other cell or tissue sample(s) (“Cells”) to Acorn for analysis, storage and cryopreservation. Your Cells remains your property, subject to rights of Acorn set forth in these Terms and Conditions. By providing Cells to us, you certify that the Cells are your own or that you have legal authorization from the person to whom the Cells belong to provide them to Acorn. You acknowledge that your Cells may be stored or processed outside of Canada, and would become subject to the laws of the jurisdiction where stores or processed. For a summary of how Acorn collects, uses and discloses other information collected from you, including, personal information, please see the Acorn Privacy Policy at www.acorn.me/privacy-policy. Your Cells, once submitted to us, are processed in an irreversible manner and cannot be returned to you in their original form. You will be required to pay a maintenance fee to Acorn for storage and cryopreservation of your Cells for your continued access to the Services. In the event that you do not pay the required fees when they come due, Acorn will attempt to contact you regarding outstanding fees. If required fees have not been paid within one year of Acorn attempting to contact you regarding outstanding fees, Acorn reserves the right to destroy your Cells and cease providing you with the Services, with no liability to you. Acorn’s right to destroy delinquent Cells is governed by the specific 90-day suspension and 12-month ‘Administrative Escrow’ protocols defined in the Client Storage Agreement. In the event that Acorn receives a communication directing us to destroy your Cells, the cells will not be immediately destroyed absent court order or direction from a government authority, and Acorn will require verification of the identity of the person making the request. Once your identity is verified and the directions to destroy your Cells is confirmed, Acorn may destroy the Cells at any time, in accordance with Acorn’s standard practices. Acorn will not be liable for the loss of your Cells resulting from a third party’s fraudulent claims to be you or to act on your authority. Acorn may be required to transfer or destroy your Cells in accordance with an order issued by a Court or government authority, or due to the enactment of legislation that makes the provision of the Services non-compliant with law. Acorn will test any Cells you submit to ensure the Cells have been collected, stored, and shipped in compliance with Acorn’s instructions and standards, to ensure the Cells are viable and suitable for analysis and cryopreservation. Acorn reserves the right to decline to cryopreserve your Cells, and to decline to perform any analysis of your Cells, if the Cells do not meet Acorn’s standards, and any such Cells which do not meet Acorn’s standards will be destroyed. You will not receive any compensation in the event Acorn is required to destroy or transfer your Cells. In the event that you wish to assign the rights and obligations under these Terms and Conditions (and rights in the ownership of the Cells) to a third party, such as a family member, the third party must agree to these Terms and Conditions. You understand that once you assign those rights and obligations under this, Acorn is no longer bound by these Terms and Condition as between you and Acorn. In the event of a dispute between you and any third party over ownership of the Cells, Acorn will continue to provide the Services, provided that all fees have been and continue to be made, until such time as Acorn is directed by a court or governmental authority to do otherwise. While ownership is generally individual, users may designate a single family member as a secondary rights holder, provided such designations comply with our Family Plans residency requirements and the overarching terms of our Client Storage Agreement.   Use of Cells and Services As noted above, the Services include Cell collection, cryopreservation and analysis services. You understand that information you may learn from Acorn is health or medical advice, and is not designed to independently diagnose, prevent, or treat any condition or disease or to ascertain the state of your health in the absence of medical and clinical information. You understand that the Services are intended for Cell preservation, research, informational, and educational purposes only. You acknowledge that the Cells are being processed and stored for potential therapeutic use and understand that storage of Cells does not guarantee that they will be suitable for any medical treatments or that treatments will work. The storage of the Cells does not guarantee their suitability for any future use. You acknowledge that the Cells are not being stored for any specific medical use, and it may be that the Cells will never be subject to a medical use. Acorn may not be able to process the Cells or maintain a sufficient number of Cells to achieve any potential therapeutic use. Only a doctor can determine when and if the Cells can or should be used for medical treatment, and whether the use of the Cells outweighs any potential medical risks. For greater certainty, except as expressly stated in these Terms and Conditions, Acorn makes no representations or warranties related to your use or reliance on the Services, including in relation to the suitability of the Cells for any future use. In the event that the Cells may be used for a medical use in the future, such use will be subject to all applicable laws at that time in the future. Acorn will only release the Cells to you or to your doctor/health care professionals in accordance with applicable laws and authorizations that may be necessary in the future. Release of the Cells may be prohibited by law due to contamination status, the presence of communicable disease or any other reason. Acorn shall not be liable for any such contamination or presence of communicable disease in the Cells. You will be responsible for all shipment and handling expenses associated with the release and transfer of the Cells from Acorn to a third party, as applicable. Upon a request for release or transfer, the Client shall be responsible for all shipment and handling expenses, provided that no such transfer shall commence until the Client completes Identity Authentication and remits the required Retrieval + Prep Fee as stated in the Client Storage Agreement.   Reservation of Acorn’s Rights Acorn owns all legal and beneficial right, title, and interest in and to the Services and the performance of the Services, including any intellectual property rights which subsist in the Services and in products and materials that may be provided to you in the course of the provisions of the Services, whether those rights are subject to a registration or not, worldwide. Services may contain information which is proprietary and/or confidential to Acorn, and you shall not disclose any such information without Acorn’s prior written consent. Acorn, and any Acorn tradename, trademark (registered or unregistered), brand, logo, and other product or service names are trademarks of Acorn (“Acorn Marks”). Unless agreed otherwise in writing with Acorn, nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall give rise to any right for you to use the Acorn Marks, and you shall not display or use Acorn Marks in any manner. Any proprietary rights notices, including copyright and trademark notices, which may be affixed to or contained in the Services shall not be removed, obscured, or altered by you. For any software used in the Services which is not accompanied by a user license agreement, Acorn grants you a personal, revocable, royalty-free, non-transferable, and non-exclusive right and license to use the object code of such software on a single device. All content available through the Services is owned by Acorn and Acorn’s third-party providers.  All content in the software is provided for informational purposes only, and you are solely responsible for verifying the accuracy, completeness, and applicability of all content and for your use of any content. These Terms and Conditions permit you to use the Services for your personal use only, and not for any commercial purpose other than as expressly set out in these Terms and Conditions. For greater certainty, Acorn, in its sole discretion, may terminate or suspend your license to use the software used in the Services at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice to you, and without any liability to you or any other person. If Acorn terminates or suspends your license to use the some or all of the software used in the Services, these Terms and Conditions will nevertheless continue to apply in respect of your use of the software used in the Services. License to Use Your Submissions and Feedback You grant to Acorn and its affiliates a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable (through multiple tiers) license to use and incorporate into its Services any ideas, descriptions, suggestion, enhancement requests, recommendations, corrections or feedback in the form of message, text, images, graphics, photos, audio, video and any other content provided by you. Acorn’s Use of Non-Identifiable Information Any non-identifiable information gathered by us through your use of the Services may be used by us for our own marketing, promotional and product development purposes and more specifically may be stored in a database and used by us to identify, customize and personalize user access, user experience within the Services. Such information may be shared with our affiliates, suppliers, licensors, partners and clients in furtherance of the forgoing purposes. User Responsibilities You agree not to access or use the Services in any manner that: (a) violate any applicable law including any laws regarding the export of data or software, patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property, legal rights (including the rights of publicity and privacy of others) or contain any material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable laws or that otherwise may be in conflict with these Terms; (b) in any manner violates any third party right or any agreement between you and a third party; (c) includes or contains any material that is exploitive, obscene, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, hateful, defamatory, sexually explicit or pornographic, violent, inflammatory, or discriminatory based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age or other such legally prohibited ground or be otherwise objectionable, such determination to be made in Acorn’s sole discretion; (d) involves, provides, or contributes any false, inaccurate, or misleading information; (e) impersonates or attempts to impersonate Acorn, our employee(s), another user, or any other person or entity; (f) transmits, or procures the sending of, any advertisements or promotions, sales, or encourage any other commercial activities, including, without limitation, any “spam”, “junk mail”, “chain letter”, contests, sweepstakes and other sales promotions, barter, or advertising or any other similar solicitation; (g) encourages any other conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone’s use or enjoyment of the Services, or which, as determined by us, may harm us or users of the Services or expose them to liability; (h) causes annoyance, inconvenience, or needless anxiety or be likely to upset, embarrass, or alarm any other person; (i) promotes any illegal activity, or advocate, promote, or assist any unlawful act; or (j) gives the impression that they originate from or are endorsed by Acorn or any other person or entity, if this is not the case; (k) interferes with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Services; (l) attempts to gain unauthorized access to the Services or their related systems or networks; (m) accesses or uses any Acorn intellectual property except as permitted under these Terms and Conditions; (n) alters, modifies, reproduces, copies or makes derivative works from all or any part of the Services or its contents or any part, feature, function or user interface of any software component of the Services (include any copyright, trademark, or any other notices that are provided on or in connection with any content); (o) frames or mirrors any part of the Services or its contents, or otherwise incorporate any portion of the Services or its contents into any product or service; (p) accesses or uses the Services in order to build a competitive product or service or to benchmark with a non-Acorn product or service; (q) reverse engineers the Services, or any software used to provide them (to the extent such restriction is permitted by applicable laws); (r) accesses or uses any part of the Services or its contents that is (expressly or implicitly) not intended for use by you; (s) uses any non-Acorn automation code in relation to the Services (including any “bot” or “spider”); (t) collects or harvests any information from the Services in a bulk or systematic way; (u) probes, scans, or tests the vulnerability of the Services or any network connected to them, or breach the security or authentication measures on them or on any network connected to them; (v) collects, harvests, reverse look-ups, traces, or otherwise seeks to obtain any information on any other user of or visitor to the Services; or (w) takes any action that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on the infrastructure of the Services or any systems or networks connected to them. Third Party Services and Content The Services may allow you to access and use services provided by third parties (“Third Party Services”). You are responsible for all fees and taxes that may be charged for the use of Third Party Services. You use any Third Party Services at your own risk. Acorn makes no representations or warranties with respect to, nor does it guarantee or endorse, any Third Party Services. Acorn does not guarantee the continued availability of Third Party Services, and Acorn may disable a Third Party Service in Acorn’s sole discretion. Your dealings with the provider of any Third Party Services are solely between you and the provider. Accordingly, Acorn expressly disclaims responsibility and liability for all Third Party Services, and you agree that Acorn shall not be responsible for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as a result of any such dealings or as a result of your use of Third Party Services. If you have any issues with a Third Party Service, you must contact the provider of the Third Party Service directly. Links to Other Sites The Services may provide links to other sites on the Internet for your convenience in locating or accessing related information, products, and services. These sites have not necessarily been reviewed by Acorn and are maintained by third parties over which Acorn exercises no control. Accordingly, Acorn expressly disclaims any responsibility for the content, the materials, the accuracy of the information, and/or the quality of the products or services provided by, available through, or advertised on these third-party websites. Moreover, these links do not imply an endorsement with respect to any third party or any website or the products or services provided by any third party. Modifications to Services Acorn may, at any time and from time to time, modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Services or any part thereof, with or without notice to you. Acorn furthermore reserves the right to take any action related to the Services that is required to comply with applicable law. You acknowledge and agree that modifications may result in a delay in your access and use of the Services, and that Acorn will not be liable to you or to any other party for any modification or discontinuation of the Services. Acorn may offer additional types of analysis or reporting which may be applied to your Cells or Personal Information in the future. Your initial access to and use of the Services does not entitle you to any additional types of analysis or reporting without additional fees. Modifications to these Terms and Conditions The “last updated” legend above indicates when these Terms and Conditions were last amended. Acorn may unilaterally amend all or any part of these Terms and Conditions at any time by updating these Terms and Conditions on the Acorn website. Acorn will provide you with notice of the proposed amendments by posting an amended version of these Terms and Conditions with a new version date. Acorn will include a link to the previous version of the Terms and Conditions beneath the new version date. The amendments will take effect 30 days after the date on which the amended version is posted. Prior to that date, the previous version of the Terms and Conditions will continue to apply. If you disagree with any amendments, you may refuse the amendments and cease using the Services within the 30-day notice period. If you continue to access or use the Services after the 30-day period, you thereby agree to the amended Terms and Conditions. You agree to review these Terms and Conditions regularly to determine your rights and responsibilities. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability The Services do not replace and are not intended to replace an physician’s expert judgment in making treatment of diagnosis decisions, nor does it replace any medical, legal, or other professional advice. You must consult with a health care professional, independent of Acorn, prior to making any decisions or undertaking (or not undertaking) any actions related to any health care problem or issue. You should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice due to information obtained through the Services. Please follow up with a qualified health care professional to discuss any health concerns. Acorn has no responsibility or liability for the deletion of or failure to store any Cells or Personal Information, or for the loss of Cells or Personal Information due to malfunction or destruction of data servers, physical infrastructure, laboratory equipment, or other catastrophic events. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN, ACORN MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUCCESS THE COLLECTION, TESTING, PROCESSING, CRYOPRESERVATION, OR STORAGE PROCESS OF CELLS OR THE SERVICES IN GENERAL. THE SERVICES ITSELF AND ANY INFORMATION AND MATERIALS PROVIDED BY ACORN ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, ACORN DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, PERFORMANCE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. ACORN MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OR ANY OTHER TERM THAT THE SERVICES WILL OPERATE ERROR FREE OR IN AN UNINTERRUPTED FASHION, OR THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE SECURE, OR THAT ANY FILES OR INFORMATION THAT YOU DOWNLOAD FROM THE SERVICES, OR THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE SERVICES, WILL BE FREE OF MALICIOUS CODE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET OUT IN THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, ACORN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SECURITY OF ANY INFORMATION TRANSMITTED TO OR FROM THE SERVICES. ACORN MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT ANY THIRD PARTY WEBSITES OR RELATED CONTENT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ACCESSED THROUGH LINKS IN THE SERVICES. YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICES IS TO STOP USING THEM. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY SUGGESTED OR CONTAINED HEREIN, ACORN (INCLUDING ITS AFFILIATES) SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS (WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT), BUSINESS, REVENUE, DATA, OPPORTUNITY, OR ANTICIPATED SAVINGS OR DAMAGE TO REPUTATION OR GOODWILL OR WASTED EXPENDITURE OF EITHER YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING ANY SUCH LOSS, DAMAGE OR WASTE WHICH ARISES FROM OR AS A RESULT OF ANY CLAIM, LIABILITY IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND BREACH OF STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY), MISREPRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION, RESTITUTION, DELAY, FAILURE TO PERFORM OR OTHERWISE HOWSOEVER ARISING IN RELATION TO THE SERVICES AND/OR PURSUANT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. THE FOREGOING LIMITATION APPLIES EVEN IF THE LOSS, COST, DAMAGE OR WASTE WAS FORESEEABLE OR IN THE CONTEMPLATION OF YOU OR ACORN. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY SUGGESTED OR CONTAINED HEREIN (BUT WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH) AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF ACORN TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY), MISREPRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION, RESTITUTION, DELAY, FAILURE TO PERFORM, CLAIMS UNDER THE THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OR OTHERWISE HOWSOEVER ARISING IN RELATION TO THE SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF THE FEES PAID TO ACORN IN THE CALENDAR YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SUCH CLAIM FOR THE APPLICABLE SERVICE. Indemnity You will indemnify and hold Acorn (and Acorn’s directors, officers, employees, partners, suppliers and agents) harmless from all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising from your use of the Services, or your breach of any of these Terms and Conditions, and from all Losses resulting from any content within the Services that is untrue, inaccurate or incomplete. Some Disclaimers, Exclusions or Limitations May Not Apply In some circumstances, applicable law may not allow for limitations on certain implied warranties, or exclusions or limitations of certain damages. Solely to the extent that such law applies to you, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions or limitations may not apply to you. Injunction You acknowledge that any breach, threatened or actual, of these Terms and Conditions will cause irreparable harm to Acorn, such harm would not be quantifiable in monetary damages, and Acorn would not have an adequate remedy at law. You agree that Acorn shall be entitled, in addition to other available remedies, to seek and be awarded an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction anywhere in the world restraining any breach, threatened or actual, of your obligations under any provision of these Terms and Conditions, and without the necessity of showing or proving any actual or threatened damage or harm, notwithstanding any rule of law or equity to the contrary. You hereby waive any requirement that Acorn post any bond or other security in the event any injunctive or equitable relief is sought by or awarded to Acorn to enforce any provision of these Terms and Conditions. Class Action Waiver Any proceedings to resolve or litigate any dispute, controversy or claim arising under, out of, in connection with, or related to (a) the Services, or (b) these Terms and Conditions, or their subject matter, negotiation, performance, renewal, termination, interpretation, or formation, will be conducted solely on an individual basis. Neither you nor Acorn will seek to have any such dispute heard as a class action, private attorney general action, or in any other proceeding in which either party acts or proposes to act in a representative capacity. No proceeding will be combined with another without the prior written consent of all parties to all affected proceedings. If this class action waiver is found to be illegal or unenforceable as to all or some parts of a dispute, then this section will not apply to those parts. Termination These Terms and Conditions will apply immediately upon your accessing or using the Services, and will continue to apply, as amended from time to time, until terminated either by you or by Acorn. You may terminate your use of the Services, and consequently these Terms and Conditions, by notifying Acorn at any time in writing, which will entail closing any user account or other designated account for all of the Services you may currently be using, or may have used previously. Your notice should be sent to Acorn using the contact information provided below in these Terms and Conditions. Acorn may at any time and at its sole discretion terminate your access to and use of the Services (or any part thereof) if: (i) you have breached any provision of these Terms and Conditions, or have acted in a manner that reasonably demonstrates you do not intend to, or are unable to comply with any provision of these Terms and Conditions; (ii) Acorn is required to do so by law or court order; (iii) Acorn is transitioning to no longer providing the Services (or any part thereof) as a whole or to customers in your jurisdiction; or (iv) Acorn determines in its sole discretion that provision of Services to you is no longer commercially viable. Any suspected fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity that may be grounds for termination of your access to or use of the Services may be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities. Acorn shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your access to and use of the Services. Unless you otherwise request, upon termination either by you or by Acorn, Acorn shall be under no obligation to destroy and/or dispose of any of your Cells which may be preserved or stored, or to destroy and/or delete your Personal Information. If you request that your Cells and/or Personal Information be destroyed upon termination of Services, Acorn shall send confirmation of such destruction in writing once complete. In any event, Anonymized Information will not be subject to destruction or deletion. Governing Law and Jurisdiction These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute, controversy or claim arising under, out of, in connection with, or related to (a) the Services, or (b) these Terms and Conditions, or their subject matter, negotiation, performance, renewal, termination, interpretation, or formation, shall be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable in Ontario, without regard to any conflicts of law rules that might apply the laws of any other jurisdiction. You and Acorn each attorn to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario in respect of any such dispute, controversy or claim, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) you agree that Acorn shall be entitled to seek and be awarded an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction anywhere in the world restraining any breach, threatened or actual, of your obligations under any provision of these Terms and Conditions, and (b) you agree that Acorn shall be entitled to seek and be awarded an order from a court of competent jurisdiction anywhere in the world for the purpose of recognizing and enforcing any interim or final judgement, order, injunction, award or other relief granted or provided by the courts of Ontario, and you hereby waive any defence you might then have to the granting of such an order. Export Controls These Terms and Conditions are expressly made subject to any laws, regulations, orders or other restrictions on export from the United States of America (U.S.) or Canada of the Services, or any information about any of them, which may be imposed from time to time by the governments of the U.S. or Canada. You shall not export the Services, or any information about any of them without the prior written consent of Acorn and compliance with such laws, regulations, orders and other restrictions. You represent and warrant that (a) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. or Canadian government embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. or Canadian government as a “terrorist supporting” country, and (b) you are not listed on any U.S. or Canadian government list of prohibited or restricted parties. Miscellaneous The Terms and Conditions may be amended from time to time, constitute the entire agreement between you and Acorn governing your use of the Services, superseding any prior agreements between you and Acorn on this subject. The failure of Acorn to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provisions of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, you and Acorn agree that the court should give effect the intentions of the parties as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall remain in full force and effect. If any portion of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unenforceable, the remaining sections of these Terms and Conditions will remain in full force and effect. Section titles in these Terms and Conditions are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. Except as otherwise expressly set out in these Terms and Conditions, you may not assign or delegate any rights or obligations under these Terms and Conditions. Any purported assignment and/or delegation shall be deemed ineffective. Acorn may freely assign or delegate any right or obligation under these Terms and Conditions, fully or partially, without notice. Upon notice to you, Acorn may substitute any third party that assumes Acorn’s rights and obligations under these Terms and Conditions. Notices to you may be made via email or regular mail, using contact information that you provide as part of your access to and use of the Services. Acorn may also provide notices of changes to these Terms and Conditions by displaying notices or links to notices on or through the Services, or by posting notices on the Acorn website. Official notices relating to these Terms and Conditions sent to Acorn must be delivered by email or regular mail to: Acorn Biolabs Inc.
 585 University Avenue
 Suite B-PMB120
 Toronto, ON, Canada
 M5G 2N2 Email: support@acorn.me United States Terms of Service Acorn Biolabs, Inc. (“Acorn”) will provide cell collection, cryopreservation and analysis services, including use of the Acorn websites, and other associated services (“Services”) to you, subject to the following terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”). Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before accessing and using the Services. Acorn may modify these Terms and Conditions at any time, and any changes will be posted on this webpage. Please check back from time to time to ensure you are aware of our current terms. These Terms and Conditions should be read together with our Privacy Policy, available at www.acorn.me/privacy-policy Acceptance These Terms and Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Acorn. By accessing and using the Services, you accept, without limitation or qualification, the Terms and Conditions, as they may be updated from time to time. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, or any changes to the Terms and Conditions, you must not use or cease continuing to use the Services in accordance with the then-current Terms and Conditions. If you are dissatisfied with the Terms and Conditions, or any other terms, conditions, rules, policies, guidelines or practices applicable to the Services, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue use of the Services. There are no refunds except in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The Services are not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age (except with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian), and is not intended for users outside of the United States of America. By accessing and using the Services, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age (or are acting as the parent or legal guardian of a minor), you are a resident of the United States of America, and that you are otherwise legally qualified to enter into and form contracts under applicable law. The Terms and Conditions are effective on the earlier of the date (a) you accept these Terms, or (b) you first start using the Services. You acknowledge that the Acorn Privacy Policy located at www.acorn.me/us/privacy-policy, as revised from time to time, and you consent and agree to our collection, use and disclosure of personal information as described in the Privacy Policy.  No Medical Advice Acorn does not provide medical advice or treatment. Our Services are for purposes of preservation of cells as well as for research, informational, and educational purposes. The Services are not intended to be used by the customer for any diagnostic purpose and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider with any questions you may have regarding diagnosis, cure, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of any disease or other medical condition or impairment or the status of your health. Acorn does not endorse, warrant or guarantee the effectiveness of any specific course of action, resources, tests, physician or other health care providers, drugs or other health products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on our websites or in material that may be provided to you. Reliance on any information provided by Acorn is solely at your own risk. Cells and Ownership Rights Your use of the Services may involve your sending hair follicles or other cell or tissue sample(s) (“Cells”) to Acorn for analysis, storage and cryopreservation. Your Cells remains your property, subject to rights of Acorn set forth in these Terms and Conditions. By providing Cells to us, you certify that the Cells are your own or that you have legal authorization from the person to whom the Cells belong to provide them to Acorn. You acknowledge that your Cells may be stored or processed outside of Canada, and would become subject to the laws of the jurisdiction where stores or processed. For a summary of how Acorn collects, uses and discloses other information collected from you, including, personal information, please see the Acorn Privacy Policy at www.acorn.me/privacy-policy. Your Cells, once submitted to us, are processed in an irreversible manner and cannot be returned to you in their original form. You will be required to pay a maintenance fee to Acorn for storage and cryopreservation of your Cells for your continued access to the Services. In the event that you do not pay the required fees when they come due, Acorn will attempt to contact you regarding outstanding fees. If required fees have not been paid within one year of Acorn attempting to contact you regarding outstanding fees, Acorn reserves the right to destroy your Cells and cease providing you with the Services, with no liability to you. Acorn’s right to destroy delinquent Cells is governed by the specific 90-day suspension and 12-month ‘Administrative Escrow’ protocols defined in the Client Storage Agreement. In the event that Acorn receives a communication directing us to destroy your Cells, the cells will not be immediately destroyed absent court order or direction from a government authority, and Acorn will require verification of the identity of the person making the request. Once your identity is verified and the directions to destroy your Cells is confirmed, Acorn may destroy the Cells at any time, in accordance with Acorn’s standard practices. Acorn will not be liable for the loss of your Cells resulting from a third party’s fraudulent claims to be you or to act on your authority. Acorn may be required to transfer or destroy your Cells in accordance with an order issued by a Court or government authority, or due to the enactment of legislation that makes the provision of the Services non-compliant with law. Acorn will test any Cells you submit to ensure the Cells have been collected, stored, and shipped in compliance with Acorn’s instructions and standards, to ensure the Cells are viable and suitable for analysis and cryopreservation. Acorn reserves the right to decline to cryopreserve your Cells, and to decline to perform any analysis of your Cells, if the Cells do not meet Acorn’s standards, and any such Cells which do not meet Acorn’s standards will be destroyed. You will not receive any compensation in the event Acorn is required to destroy or transfer your Cells. In the event that you wish to assign the rights and obligations under these Terms and Conditions (and rights in the ownership of the Cells) to a third party, such as a family member, the third party must agree to these Terms and Conditions. You understand that once you assign those rights and obligations under this, Acorn is no longer bound by these Terms and Condition as between you and Acorn. In the event of a dispute between you and any third party over ownership of the Cells, Acorn will continue to provide the Services, provided that all fees have been and continue to be made, until such time as Acorn is directed by a court or governmental authority to do otherwise. While ownership is generally individual, users may designate a single family member as a secondary rights holder, provided such designations comply with our Family Plans residency requirements and the overarching terms of our Client Storage Agreement. Use of Cells and Services As noted above, the Services include Cell collection, cryopreservation and analysis services. You understand that information you may learn from Acorn is health or medical advice, and is not designed to independently diagnose, prevent, or treat any condition or disease or to ascertain the state of your health in the absence of medical and clinical information. You understand that the Services are intended for Cell preservation, research, informational, and educational purposes only. You acknowledge that the Cells are being processed and stored for potential therapeutic use and understand that storage of Cells does not guarantee that they will be suitable for any medical treatments or that treatments will work. The storage of the Cells does not guarantee their suitability for any future use. You acknowledge that the Cells are not being stored for any specific medical use, and it may be that the Cells will never be subject to a medical use. Acorn may not be able to process the Cells or maintain a sufficient number of Cells to achieve any potential therapeutic use. Only a doctor can determine when and if the Cells can or should be used for medical treatment, and whether the use of the Cells outweighs any potential medical risks. For greater certainty, except as expressly stated in these Terms and Conditions, Acorn makes no representations or warranties related to your use or reliance on the Services, including in relation to the suitability of the Cells for any future use. In the event that the Cells may be used for a medical use in the future, such use will be subject to all applicable laws at that time in the future. Acorn will only release the Cells to you or to your doctor/health care professionals in accordance with applicable laws and authorizations that may be necessary in the future. Release of the Cells may be prohibited by law due to contamination status, the presence of communicable disease or any other reason. Acorn shall not be liable for any such contamination or presence of communicable disease in the Cells. You will be responsible for all shipment and handling expenses associated with the release and transfer of the Cells from Acorn to a third party, as applicable. Upon a request for release or transfer, the Client shall be responsible for all shipment and handling expenses, provided that no such transfer shall commence until the Client completes Identity Authentication and remits the required Retrieval + Prep Fee as stated in the Client Storage Agreement. Reservation of Acorn’s Rights Acorn owns all legal and beneficial right, title, and interest in and to the Services and the performance of the Services, including any intellectual property rights which subsist in the Services and in products and materials that may be provided to you in the course of the provisions of the Services, whether those rights are subject to a registration or not, worldwide. Services may contain information which is proprietary and/or confidential to Acorn, and you shall not disclose any such information without Acorn’s prior written consent. Acorn, and any Acorn tradename, trademark (registered or unregistered), brand, logo, and other product or service names are trademarks of Acorn (“Acorn Marks”). Unless agreed otherwise in writing with Acorn, nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall give rise to any right for you to use the Acorn Marks, and you shall not display or use Acorn Marks in any manner. Any proprietary rights notices, including copyright and trademark notices, which may be affixed to or contained in the Services shall not be removed, obscured, or altered by you. For any software used in the Services which is not accompanied by a user license agreement, Acorn grants you a personal, revocable, royalty-free, non-transferable, and non-exclusive right and license to use the object code of such software on a single device. All content available through the Services is owned by Acorn and Acorn’s third-party providers.  All content in the software is provided for informational purposes only, and you are solely responsible for verifying the accuracy, completeness, and applicability of all content and for your use of any content. These Terms and Conditions permit you to use the Services for your personal use only, and not for any commercial purpose other than as expressly set out in these Terms and Conditions. For greater certainty, Acorn, in its sole discretion, may terminate or suspend your license to use the software used in the Services at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice to you, and without any liability to you or any other person. If Acorn terminates or suspends your license to use the some or all of the software used in the Services, these Terms and Conditions will nevertheless continue to apply in respect of your use of the software used in the Services. License to Use Your Submissions and Feedback You grant to Acorn and its affiliates a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable (through multiple tiers) license to use and incorporate into its Services any ideas, descriptions, suggestion, enhancement requests, recommendations, corrections or feedback in the form of message, text, images, graphics, photos, audio, video and any other content provided by you. Acorn’s Use of Non-Identifiable Information Any non-identifiable information gathered by us through your use of the Services may be used by us for our own marketing, promotional and product development purposes and more specifically may be stored in a database and used by us to identify, customize and personalize user access, user experience within the Services. Such information may be shared with our affiliates, suppliers, licensors, partners and clients in furtherance of the forgoing purposes. User Responsibilities You agree not to access or use the Services in any manner that: (a) violate any applicable law including any laws regarding the export of data or software, patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property, legal rights (including the rights of publicity and privacy of others) or contain any material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable laws or that otherwise may be in conflict with these Terms; (b) in any manner violates any third party right or any agreement between you and a third party; (c) includes or contains any material that is exploitive, obscene, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, hateful, defamatory, sexually explicit or pornographic, violent, inflammatory, or discriminatory based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age or other such legally prohibited ground or be otherwise objectionable, such determination to be made in Acorn’s sole discretion; (d) involves, provides, or contributes any false, inaccurate, or misleading information; (e) impersonates or attempts to impersonate Acorn, our employee(s), another user, or any other person or entity; (f) transmits, or procures the sending of, any advertisements or promotions, sales, or encourage any other commercial activities, including, without limitation, any “spam”, “junk mail”, “chain letter”, contests, sweepstakes and other sales promotions, barter, or advertising or any other similar solicitation; (g) encourages any other conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone’s use or enjoyment of the Services, or which, as determined by us, may harm us or users of the Services or expose them to liability; (h) causes annoyance, inconvenience, or needless anxiety or be likely to upset, embarrass, or alarm any other person; (i) promotes any illegal activity, or advocate, promote, or assist any unlawful act; or (j) gives the impression that they originate from or are endorsed by Acorn or any other person or entity, if this is not the case; (k) interferes with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Services; (l) attempts to gain unauthorized access to the Services or their related systems or networks; (m) accesses or uses any Acorn intellectual property except as permitted under these Terms and Conditions; (n) alters, modifies, reproduces, copies or makes derivative works from all or any part of the Services or its contents or any part, feature, function or user interface of any software component of the Services (include any copyright, trademark, or any other notices that are provided on or in connection with any content); (o) frames or mirrors any part of the Services or its contents, or otherwise incorporate any portion of the Services or its contents into any product or service; (p) accesses or uses the Services in order to build a competitive product or service or to benchmark with a non-Acorn product or service; (q) reverse engineers the Services, or any software used to provide them (to the extent such restriction is permitted by applicable laws); (r) accesses or uses any part of the Services or its contents that is (expressly or implicitly) not intended for use by you; (s) uses any non-Acorn automation code in relation to the Services (including any “bot” or “spider”); (t) collects or harvests any information from the Services in a bulk or systematic way; (u) probes, scans, or tests the vulnerability of the Services or any network connected to them, or breach the security or authentication measures on them or on any network connected to them; (v) collects, harvests, reverse look-ups, traces, or otherwise seeks to obtain any information on any other user of or visitor to the Services; or (w) takes any action that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on the infrastructure of the Services or any systems or networks connected to them. Third Party Services and Content The Services may allow you to access and use services provided by third parties (“Third Party Services”). You are responsible for all fees and taxes that may be charged for the use of Third Party Services. You use any Third Party Services at your own risk. Acorn makes no representations or warranties with respect to, nor does it guarantee or endorse, any Third Party Services. Acorn does not guarantee the continued availability of Third Party Services, and Acorn may disable a Third Party Service in Acorn’s sole discretion. Your dealings with the provider of any Third Party Services are solely between you and the provider. Accordingly, Acorn expressly disclaims responsibility and liability for all Third Party Services, and you agree that Acorn shall not be responsible for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as a result of any such dealings or as a result of your use of Third Party Services. If you have any issues with a Third Party Service, you must contact the provider of the Third Party Service directly. Links to Other Sites The Services may provide links to other sites on the Internet for your convenience in locating or accessing related information, products, and services. These sites have not necessarily been reviewed by Acorn and are maintained by third parties over which Acorn exercises no control. Accordingly, Acorn expressly disclaims any responsibility for the content, the materials, the accuracy of the information, and/or the quality of the products or services provided by, available through, or advertised on these third-party websites. Moreover, these links do not imply an endorsement with respect to any third party or any website or the products or services provided by any third party. Modifications to Services Acorn may, at any time and from time to time, modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Services or any part thereof, with or without notice to you. Acorn furthermore reserves the right to take any action related to the Services that is required to comply with applicable law. You acknowledge and agree that modifications may result in a delay in your access and use of the Services, and that Acorn will not be liable to you or to any other party for any modification or discontinuation of the Services. Acorn may offer additional types of analysis or reporting which may be applied to your Cells or Personal Information in the future. Your initial access to and use of the Services does not entitle you to any additional types of analysis or reporting without additional fees. Modifications to these Terms and Conditions The “last updated” legend above indicates when these Terms and Conditions were last amended. Acorn may unilaterally amend all or any part of these Terms and Conditions at any time by updating these Terms and Conditions on the Acorn website. Acorn will provide you with notice of the proposed amendments by posting an amended version of these Terms and Conditions with a new version date. Acorn will include a link to the previous version of the Terms and Conditions beneath the new version date. The amendments will take effect 30 days after the date on which the amended version is posted. Prior to that date, the previous version of the Terms and Conditions will continue to apply. If you disagree with any amendments, you may refuse the amendments and cease using the Services within the 30-day notice period. If you continue to access or use the Services after the 30-day period, you thereby agree to the amended Terms and Conditions. You agree to review these Terms and Conditions regularly to determine your rights and responsibilities. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability The Services do not replace and are not intended to replace an physician’s expert judgment in making treatment of diagnosis decisions, nor does it replace any medical, legal, or other professional advice. You must consult with a health care professional, independent of Acorn, prior to making any decisions or undertaking (or not undertaking) any actions related to any health care problem or issue. You should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice due to information obtained through the Services. Please follow up with a qualified health care professional to discuss any health concerns. Acorn has no responsibility or liability for the deletion of or failure to store any Cells or Personal Information, or for the loss of Cells or Personal Information due to malfunction or destruction of data servers, physical infrastructure, laboratory equipment, or other catastrophic events. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN, ACORN MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUCCESS THE COLLECTION, TESTING, PROCESSING, CRYOPRESERVATION, OR STORAGE PROCESS OF CELLS OR THE SERVICES IN GENERAL. THE SERVICES ITSELF AND ANY INFORMATION AND MATERIALS PROVIDED BY ACORN ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, ACORN DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, PERFORMANCE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. ACORN MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OR ANY OTHER TERM THAT THE SERVICES WILL OPERATE ERROR FREE OR IN AN UNINTERRUPTED FASHION, OR THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE SECURE, OR THAT ANY FILES OR INFORMATION THAT YOU DOWNLOAD FROM THE SERVICES, OR THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE SERVICES, WILL BE FREE OF MALICIOUS CODE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET OUT IN THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, ACORN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SECURITY OF ANY INFORMATION TRANSMITTED TO OR FROM THE SERVICES. ACORN MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT ANY THIRD PARTY WEBSITES OR RELATED CONTENT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ACCESSED THROUGH LINKS IN THE SERVICES. YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICES IS TO STOP USING THEM. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY SUGGESTED OR CONTAINED HEREIN, ACORN (INCLUDING ITS AFFILIATES) SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS (WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT), BUSINESS, REVENUE, DATA, OPPORTUNITY, OR ANTICIPATED SAVINGS OR DAMAGE TO REPUTATION OR GOODWILL OR WASTED EXPENDITURE OF EITHER YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING ANY SUCH LOSS, DAMAGE OR WASTE WHICH ARISES FROM OR AS A RESULT OF ANY CLAIM, LIABILITY IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND BREACH OF STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY), MISREPRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION, RESTITUTION, DELAY, FAILURE TO PERFORM OR OTHERWISE HOWSOEVER ARISING IN RELATION TO THE SERVICES AND/OR PURSUANT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. THE FOREGOING LIMITATION APPLIES EVEN IF THE LOSS, COST, DAMAGE OR WASTE WAS FORESEEABLE OR IN THE CONTEMPLATION OF YOU OR ACORN. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY SUGGESTED OR CONTAINED HEREIN (BUT WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH) AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF ACORN TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY), MISREPRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION, RESTITUTION, DELAY, FAILURE TO PERFORM, CLAIMS UNDER THE THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OR OTHERWISE HOWSOEVER ARISING IN RELATION TO THE SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF THE FEES PAID TO ACORN IN THE CALENDAR YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SUCH CLAIM FOR THE APPLICABLE SERVICE. Indemnity You will indemnify and hold Acorn (and Acorn’s directors, officers, employees, partners, suppliers and agents) harmless from all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising from your use of the Services, or your breach of any of these Terms and Conditions, and from all Losses resulting from any content within the Services that is untrue, inaccurate or incomplete. Some Disclaimers, Exclusions or Limitations May Not Apply In some circumstances, applicable law may not allow for limitations on certain implied warranties, or exclusions or limitations of certain damages. Solely to the extent that such law applies to you, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions or limitations may not apply to you. Injunction You acknowledge that any breach, threatened or actual, of these Terms and Conditions will cause irreparable harm to Acorn, such harm would not be quantifiable in monetary damages, and Acorn would not have an adequate remedy at law. You agree that Acorn shall be entitled, in addition to other available remedies, to seek and be awarded an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction anywhere in the world restraining any breach, threatened or actual, of your obligations under any provision of these Terms and Conditions, and without the necessity of showing or proving any actual or threatened damage or harm, notwithstanding any rule of law or equity to the contrary. You hereby waive any requirement that Acorn post any bond or other security in the event any injunctive or equitable relief is sought by or awarded to Acorn to enforce any provision of these Terms and Conditions. Class Action Waiver Any proceedings to resolve or litigate any dispute, controversy or claim arising under, out of, in connection with, or related to (a) the Services, or (b) these Terms and Conditions, or their subject matter, negotiation, performance, renewal, termination, interpretation, or formation, will be conducted solely on an individual basis. Neither you nor Acorn will seek to have any such dispute heard as a class action, private attorney general action, or in any other proceeding in which either party acts or proposes to act in a representative capacity. No proceeding will be combined with another without the prior written consent of all parties to all affected proceedings. If this class action waiver is found to be illegal or unenforceable as to all or some parts of a dispute, then this section will not apply to those parts. Termination These Terms and Conditions will apply immediately upon your accessing or using the Services, and will continue to apply, as amended from time to time, until terminated either by you or by Acorn. You may terminate your use of the Services, and consequently these Terms and Conditions, by notifying Acorn at any time in writing, which will entail closing any user account or other designated account for all of the Services you may currently be using, or may have used previously. Your notice should be sent to Acorn using the contact information provided below in these Terms and Conditions. Acorn may at any time and at its sole discretion terminate your access to and use of the Services (or any part thereof) if: (i) you have breached any provision of these Terms and Conditions, or have acted in a manner that reasonably demonstrates you do not intend to, or are unable to comply with any provision of these Terms and Conditions; (ii) Acorn is required to do so by law or court order; (iii) Acorn is transitioning to no longer providing the Services (or any part thereof) as a whole or to customers in your jurisdiction; or (iv) Acorn determines in its sole discretion that provision of Services to you is no longer commercially viable. Any suspected fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity that may be grounds for termination of your access to or use of the Services may be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities. Acorn shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your access to and use of the Services. Unless you otherwise request, upon termination either by you or by Acorn, Acorn shall be under no obligation to destroy and/or dispose of any of your Cells which may be preserved or stored, or to destroy and/or delete your Personal Information. If you request that your Cells and/or Personal Information be destroyed upon termination of Services, Acorn shall send confirmation of such destruction in writing once complete. In any event, Anonymized Information will not be subject to destruction or deletion. Governing Law and Jurisdiction These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute, controversy or claim arising under, out of, in connection with, or related to (a) the Services, or (b) these Terms and Conditions, or their subject matter, negotiation, performance, renewal, termination, interpretation, or formation, shall be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable in Ontario, without regard to any conflicts of law rules that might apply the laws of any other jurisdiction. You and Acorn each attorn to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario in respect of any such dispute, controversy or claim, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) you agree that Acorn shall be entitled to seek and be awarded an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction anywhere in the world restraining any breach, threatened or actual, of your obligations under any provision of these Terms and Conditions, and (b) you agree that Acorn shall be entitled to seek and be awarded an order from a court of competent jurisdiction anywhere in the world for the purpose of recognizing and enforcing any interim or final judgement, order, injunction, award or other relief granted or provided by the courts of Ontario, and you hereby waive any defence you might then have to the granting of such an order. Export Controls These Terms and Conditions are expressly made subject to any laws, regulations, orders or other restrictions on export from the United States of America (U.S.) or Canada of the Services, or any information about any of them, which may be imposed from time to time by the governments of the U.S. or Canada. You shall not export the Services, or any information about any of them without the prior written consent of Acorn and compliance with such laws, regulations, orders and other restrictions. You represent and warrant that (a) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. or Canadian government embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. or Canadian government as a “terrorist supporting” country, and (b) you are not listed on any U.S. or Canadian government list of prohibited or restricted parties. Miscellaneous The Terms and Conditions may be amended from time to time, constitute the entire agreement between you and Acorn governing your use of the Services, superseding any prior agreements between you and Acorn on this subject. The failure of Acorn to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provisions of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, you and Acorn agree that the court should give effect the intentions of the parties as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall remain in full force and effect. If any portion of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unenforceable, the remaining sections of these Terms and Conditions will remain in full force and effect. Section titles in these Terms and Conditions are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. Except as otherwise expressly set out in these Terms and Conditions, you may not assign or delegate any rights or obligations under these Terms and Conditions. Any purported assignment and/or delegation shall be deemed ineffective. Acorn may freely assign or delegate any right or obligation under these Terms and Conditions, fully or partially, without notice. Upon notice to you, Acorn may substitute any third party that assumes Acorn’s rights and obligations under these Terms and Conditions. Notices to you may be made via email or regular mail, using contact information that you provide as part of your access to and use of the Services. Acorn may also provide notices of changes to these Terms and Conditions by displaying notices or links to notices on or through the Services, or by posting notices on the Acorn website. Official notices relating to these Terms and Conditions sent to Acorn must be delivered by email or regular mail to: Acorn Biolabs US Inc.
 185 Technology Dr - Suite 150
 Irvine, CA, USA
 92618 Email: support@acorn.me --- ## Privacy Policy URL: https://acorn.me/privacy-policy Learn how we collect, use, and protect your personal data in our Privacy Policy. Canada Privacy Policy Acorn Biolabs Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Acorn”, “we”, “our” or “us”) are committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) explains how we collect, use and disclose your personal information. This Privacy Policy applies to all of our operations in Canada or operations connected with Canada, unless we have provided you a separate privacy policy for a particular product, service or activity.  The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to inform you about Acorn’s practices relating to the collection, use, disclosure and protection of personal information that may be provided through access to or use of the products and services we offer. BY USING THE SERVICES YOU CONSENT TO THE COLLECTION, USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Privacy Policy Updates This Privacy Policy is current as of the “Last Updated” date which appears at the top of this page.  We may make changes to this Privacy Policy from time to time, which will become immediately effective when published in a revised Privacy Policy posted on our website unless otherwise noted.  We may also communicate the changes through our services or by other means.   Please review this Privacy Policy carefully.  By submitting your Personal Information to us, by registering for or using any of the services we offer, by using our website, or by voluntarily interacting with us, you consent to our collecting, using and disclosing your Personal Information as set out in this Privacy Policy, as revised from time to time. Our Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms and Conditions of Service, available at www.acorn.me/terms-of-service. Personal Information Collected by Acorn Through your use of our products and services, including cell collection, cryopreservation, and analysis services, and use of online services, mobile applications, and other online interactions with Acorn (collectively, the “Services”), Acorn may collect the following personal information (“Personal Information”): Information which may be used to identify you, either alone or in combination with other information, including but not limited to your name, address, email address, user ID, password, and other information which you supply to Acorn upon registration for Services or at any other time; Your credit card or other payment information; Information you submit to Acorn relating to your medical history or genealogy; Information about your genetic makeup gathered from the analysis of hair follicles or other tissue or cell samples you provide to Acorn, or other information about your genetic makeup which you may supply to Acorn (“Genetic Information”); Information about your cells gathered from the analysis of hair follicles or other tissue or cell samples you provide to Acorn including, for example, information about the viability of your cells and telomere length (“Cellular Information”); and Information about your interaction with Acorn websites, mobile applications, and other information services, including IP addresses, browser information, ISP, referring/exit pages, platform, date/time stamp, and other information relating to your use of online Services and other online interactions with Acorn. Information made available through the use of “cookies” or other enlisted third party services which use cookies to track your preferences and activities on our website. Cookies may store a variety of information, including the number of times that you access a site, your language preferences and the number of times you view a particular page or other item on our website. Genetic Information is information about your inherited characteristics and can be highly sensitive personal information. Cellular Information is information about the state of cells in the samples you provide to Acorn, and may reveal details about your inherited characteristics or medical history. Combined with contact, health, lifestyle, and financial information, Genetic Information and Cellular Information can provide a lot of information about you. Your Genetic Information can potentially reveal personal information of your family members as well. Genetic Information and Cellular Information are both types of Personal Information. Any reference to Personal Information in this Privacy Policy includes both Genetic Information and Cellular Information. Use of Personal Information Acorn may use your Personal Information to provide you with the Services. Acorn may use your Personal Information to process, analyze, and deliver analysis results to you as part of the Services. Acorn may also use your Personal Information to monitor usage of our Services, analyze how the Services are used, and to improve the Services for you and for other users. Acorn may also use your Personal Information to communicate with you about the Services, provide you with customer support, to conduct market surveys and polls, to obtain testimonials, or to send you marketing communications. Acorn may also use your Personal Information to investigate legal claims and for such other purposes as you may otherwise consent to from time to time. Acorn may use and process your Personal Information to generate aggregated or anonymized data sets where it is no longer identifiable as your own, for instance by removing any information that would allow you to be identified and associated with any particular Genetic Information or Cellular Information, and/or by combining your Personal Information with similar information from a number of other individuals to create aggregated datasets (“Anonymized Information”). Anonymized Information is no longer considered to be Personal Information. Acorn may use Anonymized Information, and, where we have express consent to, your Personal Information, to conduct scientific research, market research, or to develop or commercialize new products which may or may not form part of the Services. We may use your Personal Information for purposes for which we have obtained your consent, and for such other purposes as may be permitted or required by applicable privacy laws. We will process, collect, use, and disclose information received through our website only to pursue our legitimate business interests in keeping you updated on our services and products, respond to your queries, establish communication with you and your company, and to enhance user experience by analyzing your use of our website. Disclosure of Personal Information Acorn may disclose your Personal Information to third parties when the disclosure is necessary to provide you with the Services, for example, to process credit card information and payments, to storage or process data on an on-premise or cloud-based server, or to perform data analysis. If we provide information to third party service providers, we require that the service providers keep your Personal Information secure, and only handle it for limited purposes.  We do not authorize the service providers to disclose your Personal Information to unauthorized parties or to use your Personal Information for their direct marketing purposes.  Additionally, we may use and disclose your information when we believe such use or disclosure is permitted, necessary or appropriate: (a) under applicable law, including laws outside your country of residence; (b) to comply with legal process; (c) to respond to requests from public and government authorities, including public and government authorities outside your country of residence; (d) to enforce the terms of the agreements for our products and services; (e) to protect our rights, operations or property; (f) to allow us to pursue available remedies or limit the damages that we may sustain.  Acorn may disclose or transfer Personal Information to a third party in the event of a proposed or actual purchase, sale, lease, merger, amalgamation, or any other type of acquisition, disposal, transfer, conveyance, or financing of all or any portion of Acorn or of any of the business or assets or shares of Acorn or a division thereof, in order for you to continue to receive the Services from such third party, in accordance with applicable law. Acorn may disclose or share Anonymized Information with third parties engaged in scientific research, market research, or product development and commercialization. Acorn may also disclose and share your Personal Information with these third parties for the same purposes, provided that Acorn has ensured that those third parties will protect your Personal Information in accordance with your express consent, this Privacy Policy and applicable law. If we otherwise intend to disclose your Personal Information to a third party, we will identify that third party and the purpose for the disclosure, and obtain your consent. Protection of Personal Information Acorn will ensure that access to your Personal Information is restricted to selected employees or representatives that have a need to access the Personal Information to provide you with the Services. Personal Information will be kept confidential, and will only be used for the purposes specified in this Privacy Policy. Acorn will use, and will ensure that its service providers use, appropriate physical, organizational, contractual and technological security measures to protect Personal Information from loss or theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification. Despite the measure outlined above, no method of information transmission or information storage is 100% secure or error-free, so we, unfortunately cannot guarantee absolute security. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure (for example, if you feel that the security of any information that you provided to us has been compromised), please contact us immediately using the contact information in the “How to Contact Us” section below. Transfer, Storage and Retention of Personal Information Your Personal Information may be stored and processed at our offices in Canada, or at the office of our third party service providers. Personal Information may be transferred to and stored outside of Canada, including in the United States. As a result, your Personal Information may be subject to privacy laws which may be different from, or not as strict as in Canada. Acorn retains Personal Information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. Opting Out of Communications If you no longer want to receive marketing-related emails from us, you may opt-out of receiving emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email you receive from us.  You may also opt-out by contacting us directly using the contact information in the “How to Contact Us” section below. We will endeavour to respond to your opt-out request promptly, but we ask that you please allow us a reasonable time to process your request.  Please note that if you opt-out from receiving marketing-related emails, we may still need to send you communications about your use of our products or services, or other matters. Third Party Websites and Services This Privacy Policy does not extend to any websites or products or services provided by third parties.  We do not assume responsibility for the privacy practices of such third parties, and we encourage you to review all third party privacy policies prior to using third party websites or products or services. Access to, Correcting or Updating Your Personal Information You have the right to access, update, and correct your Personal Information in our custody and control, subject to certain exceptions under law. If you request access to Personal Information, subject to certain exceptions, we will inform you of the existence, use and disclosure of your Personal Information that is under Acorn’s control. You may request to access, update and correct inaccuracies in your personal information that we have in our custody or control by contacting us at support@acorn.me. We may request certain personal information from you for the purposes of verifying your identity before providing access to any records.  SMS Privacy Policy Terms Strict Non-Disclosure Notwithstanding any other language in this Privacy Policy, Acorn Biolabs maintains a strict non-disclosure policy for mobile information. We do not share, sell, or rent mobile telephone numbers, SMS opt-in data, or text messaging originator opt-in data to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Message frequency varies.   Mobile data is shared exclusively with our contracted service providers (e.g., SMS gateways) solely to facilitate the delivery of Acorn’s communications to you. These providers are contractually prohibited from using, sharing, or retaining your mobile data for any other purpose. Mobile data is excluded from all other data-sharing, anonymization, or research programs mentioned elsewhere in this policy.   Consent & Revocation By opting into Acorn SMS services, the User provides express written consent for recurring automated transactional, marketing notifications, and account alerts. Opt out: text STOP at any time to revoke consent. A single confirmatory message will be sent Support: text HELP or contact privacy@acorn.me Liability: standard message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages  How to Contact Us If you have any questions, concerns, complaints or requests about our Privacy Policy or our practices relating to Personal Information, you may contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@acorn.me. For more information on your privacy rights, you may also contact the Federal Privacy Commissioner at: Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada  112 Kent Street  Place de Ville
 Tower B, 3rd Floor
 Ottawa, Ontario
 K1A 1H3 United States Privacy Policy Acorn Biolabs Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Acorn”, “we”, “our” or “us”) are committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) explains how we collect, use and disclose your personal information. This Privacy Policy applies to all of our operations in the United States of America or operations connected with the United States of America, unless we have provided you a separate privacy policy for a particular product, service or activity.  The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to inform you about Acorn’s practices relating to the collection, use, disclosure and protection of personal information that may be provided through access to or use of the products and services we offer. BY USING THE SERVICES YOU CONSENT TO THE COLLECTION, USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Privacy Policy Updates This Privacy Policy is current as of the “Last Updated” date which appears at the top of this page.  We may make changes to this Privacy Policy from time to time, which will become immediately effective when published in a revised Privacy Policy posted on our website unless otherwise noted.  We may also communicate the changes through our services or by other means.   Please review this Privacy Policy carefully.  By submitting your Personal Information to us, by registering for or using any of the services we offer, by using our website, or by voluntarily interacting with us, you consent to our collecting, using and disclosing your Personal Information as set out in this Privacy Policy, as revised from time to time. Our Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms and Conditions of Service, available at www.acorn.me/terms-of-service. Personal Information Collected by Acorn Through your use of our products and services, including cell collection, cryopreservation, and analysis services, and use of online services, mobile applications, and other online interactions with Acorn (collectively, the “Services”), Acorn may collect the following personal information (“Personal Information”): Information which may be used to identify you, either alone or in combination with other information, including but not limited to your name, address, email address, user ID, password, and other information which you supply to Acorn upon registration for Services or at any other time; Your credit card or other payment information; Information you submit to Acorn relating to your medical history or genealogy; Information about your genetic makeup gathered from the analysis of hair follicles or other tissue or cell samples you provide to Acorn, or other information about your genetic makeup which you may supply to Acorn (“Genetic Information”); Information about your cells gathered from the analysis of hair follicles or other tissue or cell samples you provide to Acorn including, for example, information about the viability of your cells and telomere length (“Cellular Information”); and Information about your interaction with Acorn websites, mobile applications, and other information services, including IP addresses, browser information, ISP, referring/exit pages, platform, date/time stamp, and other information relating to your use of online Services and other online interactions with Acorn. Information made available through the use of “cookies” or other enlisted third party services which use cookies to track your preferences and activities on our website. Cookies may store a variety of information, including the number of times that you access a site, your language preferences and the number of times you view a particular page or other item on our website. Genetic Information is information about your inherited characteristics and can be highly sensitive personal information. Cellular Information is information about the state of cells in the samples you provide to Acorn, and may reveal details about your inherited characteristics or medical history. Combined with contact, health, lifestyle, and financial information, Genetic Information and Cellular Information can provide a lot of information about you. Your Genetic Information can potentially reveal personal information of your family members as well. Genetic Information and Cellular Information are both types of Personal Information. Any reference to Personal Information in this Privacy Policy includes both Genetic Information and Cellular Information. Use of Personal Information Acorn may use your Personal Information to provide you with the Services. Acorn may use your Personal Information to process, analyze, and deliver analysis results to you as part of the Services. Acorn may also use your Personal Information to monitor usage of our Services, analyze how the Services are used, and to improve the Services for you and for other users. Acorn may also use your Personal Information to communicate with you about the Services, provide you with customer support, to conduct market surveys and polls, to obtain testimonials, or to send you marketing communications. Acorn may also use your Personal Information to investigate legal claims and for such other purposes as you may otherwise consent to from time to time. Acorn may use and process your Personal Information to generate aggregated or anonymized data sets where it is no longer identifiable as your own, for instance by removing any information that would allow you to be identified and associated with any particular Genetic Information or Cellular Information, and/or by combining your Personal Information with similar information from a number of other individuals to create aggregated datasets (“Anonymized Information”). Anonymized Information is no longer considered to be Personal Information. Acorn may use Anonymized Information, and, where we have express consent to, your Personal Information, to conduct scientific research, market research, or to develop or commercialize new products which may or may not form part of the Services. We may use your Personal Information for purposes for which we have obtained your consent, and for such other purposes as may be permitted or required by applicable privacy laws. We will process, collect, use, and disclose information received through our website only to pursue our legitimate business interests in keeping you updated on our services and products, respond to your queries, establish communication with you and your company, and to enhance user experience by analyzing your use of our website. Disclosure of Personal Information Acorn may disclose your Personal Information to third parties when the disclosure is necessary to provide you with the Services, for example, to process credit card information and payments, to storage or process data on an on-premise or cloud-based server, or to perform data analysis. If we provide information to third party service providers, we require that the service providers keep your Personal Information secure, and only handle it for limited purposes.  We do not authorize the service providers to disclose your Personal Information to unauthorized parties or to use your Personal Information for their direct marketing purposes.  Additionally, we may use and disclose your information when we believe such use or disclosure is permitted, necessary or appropriate: (a) under applicable law, including laws outside your country of residence; (b) to comply with legal process; (c) to respond to requests from public and government authorities, including public and government authorities outside your country of residence; (d) to enforce the terms of the agreements for our products and services; (e) to protect our rights, operations or property; (f) to allow us to pursue available remedies or limit the damages that we may sustain.  Acorn may disclose or transfer Personal Information to a third party in the event of a proposed or actual purchase, sale, lease, merger, amalgamation, or any other type of acquisition, disposal, transfer, conveyance, or financing of all or any portion of Acorn or of any of the business or assets or shares of Acorn or a division thereof, in order for you to continue to receive the Services from such third party, in accordance with applicable law. Acorn may disclose or share Anonymized Information with third parties engaged in scientific research, market research, or product development and commercialization. Acorn may also disclose and share your Personal Information with these third parties for the same purposes, provided that Acorn has ensured that those third parties will protect your Personal Information in accordance with your express consent, this Privacy Policy and applicable law. If we otherwise intend to disclose your Personal Information to a third party, we will identify that third party and the purpose for the disclosure, and obtain your consent. Protection of Personal Information Acorn will ensure that access to your Personal Information is restricted to selected employees or representatives that have a need to access the Personal Information to provide you with the Services. Personal Information will be kept confidential, and will only be used for the purposes specified in this Privacy Policy. Acorn will use, and will ensure that its service providers use, appropriate physical, organizational, contractual and technological security measures to protect Personal Information from loss or theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification. Despite the measure outlined above, no method of information transmission or information storage is 100% secure or error-free, so we, unfortunately cannot guarantee absolute security. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure (for example, if you feel that the security of any information that you provided to us has been compromised), please contact us immediately using the contact information in the “How to Contact Us” section below. Transfer, Storage and Retention of Personal Information Your Personal Information may be stored and processed at our offices in the United States of America, or at the office of our third party service providers. Personal Information may be transferred to and stored outside of the United States of America, including in Canada. As a result, your Personal Information may be subject to privacy laws which may be different from, or not as strict as in the United States of America. Acorn retains Personal Information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. Opting Out of Communications If you no longer want to receive marketing-related emails from us, you may opt-out of receiving emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email you receive from us.  You may also opt-out by contacting us directly using the contact information in the “How to Contact Us” section below. We will endeavour to respond to your opt-out request promptly, but we ask that you please allow us a reasonable time to process your request.  Please note that if you opt-out from receiving marketing-related emails, we may still need to send you communications about your use of our products or services, or other matters. Third Party Websites and Services This Privacy Policy does not extend to any websites or products or services provided by third parties.  We do not assume responsibility for the privacy practices of such third parties, and we encourage you to review all third party privacy policies prior to using third party websites or products or services. Access to, Correcting or Updating Your Personal Information You have the right to access, update, and correct your Personal Information in our custody and control, subject to certain exceptions under law. If you request access to Personal Information, subject to certain exceptions, we will inform you of the existence, use and disclosure of your Personal Information that is under Acorn’s control. You may request to access, update and correct inaccuracies in your personal information that we have in our custody or control by contacting us at support@acorn.me. We may request certain personal information from you for the purposes of verifying your identity before providing access to any records. SMS Privacy Policy Terms Strict Non-Disclosure Notwithstanding any other language in this Privacy Policy, Acorn Biolabs maintains a strict non-disclosure policy for mobile information. We do not share, sell, or rent mobile telephone numbers, SMS opt-in data, or text messaging originator opt-in data to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Message frequency varies.   Mobile data is shared exclusively with our contracted service providers (e.g., SMS gateways) solely to facilitate the delivery of Acorn’s communications to you. These providers are contractually prohibited from using, sharing, or retaining your mobile data for any other purpose. Mobile data is excluded from all other data-sharing, anonymization, or research programs mentioned elsewhere in this policy.   Consent & Revocation By opting into Acorn SMS services, the User provides express written consent for recurring automated transactional, marketing notifications, and account alerts. Opt out: text STOP at any time to revoke consent. A single confirmatory message will be sent Support: text HELP or contact privacy@acorn.me Liability: standard message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages   How to Contact Us If you have any questions, concerns, complaints or requests about our Privacy Policy or our practices relating to Personal Information, you may contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@acorn.me. --- ## Client Storage Agreement URL: https://acorn.me/client-storage-agreement Learn about Acorn’s official policies on billing delinquency, sample destruction, cancellation rules, and family plan guidelines. Client Storage Agreement Delinquency + Samples Service Suspension Accounts reaching ninety (90) days of delinquency will face immediate suspension of: Access to the patient application Fulfilment of all product orders, including but not limited to Secretome YOU™ Identity Authentication Following the 90-day delinquency threshold, a “contract termination” notice will be issued via email provided to Acorn. Attempts to contact you will continue until 90 days post failed payment. To reinstate the account, the user must: Authorize full recovery: payment of the total outstanding balance in a single transaction, Reactivation fee: payment of a non-refundable $250 administrative fee. Disposition notice: if an account remains in arrears for 12 months (the “escrow period”), samples will be deemed abandoned and subject to destruction at the company’s sole discretion. Cancellations + External Transfers Identity Authentication To protect sensitive biological assets, all cancellations or transfer requests require a government-issued ID matching the records on file. Retrieval + Prep Fee All requests to transfer biological samples to an external facility are subject to a non-refundable retrieval + prep fee. Once the sample is handed to a third-party courier or the external facility, Acorn should no longer be liable for temperature excursions or damage. Family Plan Governance Eligibility + Residency Family plans are restricted to six members (2 adults and 4 children) residing at a common primary residence. Acorn reserves the right to request proof of residency. Aging out of Family Plans 31+ Upon a member reaching thirty-one (31) years of age, the company reserves the right to transition said member to an individual billing structure. This ensures the primary account holder is not perpetually liable for adult children. Upon reaching age 31, if the member does not establish an independent account within 90 days, the Primary Account Holder remains financially responsible at the then-current Individual Rate to prevent sample abandonment. Continuity of Service (Grace Period) Family plans are restricted to six members (2 adults and 4 children) residing at a common primary residence. Acorn reserves the right to request proof of residency.