Is SCUBE3 Available in Topical or Injectable Form, and How Is It Usually Applied in Studies?

The discovery of new biological molecules that may influence hair growth often generates excitement, particularly when early research suggests the potential to stimulate dormant hair follicles. One such molecule is SCUBE3, short for Signal Peptide, CUB Domain, and EGF-Like Domain Containing Protein 3. Over the past few years, SCUBE3 has been investigated primarily for its role in cell communication and tissue development, and more recently for its potential involvement in hair follicle activation.

A question frequently raised by the public is whether SCUBE3 is currently available in topical creams, serums, or injectable treatments, and how scientists actually apply it in research settings. To answer this clearly and responsibly, it is essential to rely entirely on published scientific studies and official health sources.

At present, SCUBE3 is not an approved medical treatment in either topical or injectable form. Its use remains strictly within laboratory and experimental research. However, scientists have tested how SCUBE3 behaves when applied directly to skin tissue and hair follicles under controlled conditions. Understanding these research methods helps clarify what is scientifically known and what remains speculative.

Understanding SCUBE3 in Simple Terms

SCUBE3 is a naturally occurring protein produced by certain cells in the human body, particularly cells within hair follicles known as dermal papilla cells. These cells play a critical role in regulating hair growth cycles by sending signals to surrounding follicle cells. Proteins like SCUBE3 act as messengers. They bind to specific receptors on cell surfaces and trigger biological responses. In the case of hair follicles, these signals can influence whether a follicle remains dormant (not growing hair) or enters the growth phase, known as the anagen phase.

Researchers became interested in SCUBE3 after observing that it is highly active in healthy hair-producing follicles but much less active in follicles affected by hair loss.

Has SCUBE3 Been Used Topically in Studies?

Human hair follicles grown in laboratory dishes (a method called organ culture, where living tissue is kept alive outside the body for study), and

The skin of mice that had been genetically engineered or prepared to allow observation of hair growth patterns.

Rather than injecting SCUBE3 into the bloodstream, scientists applied it locally to the skin or follicle area. In some mouse experiments, SCUBE3 was delivered using small biodegradable beads placed just beneath the skin surface. These beads slowly released the protein over time, ensuring prolonged exposure in a specific area.

Although the results were promising, the research was limited to animals and isolated human tissue. No large-scale human clinical trials were conducted. Additionally, laboratory conditions do not perfectly mimic the complex environment of the human scalp, where blood flow, immune responses, and hormone levels influence hair growth. Therefore, while SCUBE3 demonstrated biological activity, its real-world effectiveness and safety remain unknown.

Has SCUBE3 Ever Been Injected in Research?

Current published research does not show SCUBE3 being used as a traditional injectable drug in humans. In animal experiments, localized delivery methods were sometimes used to place SCUBE3 close to hair follicles. This is not the same as medical injections used in cosmetic treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or corticosteroids.

The bead-based delivery system in mice is a laboratory technique designed to slowly release proteins in a precise area. It is used to study biological effects rather than as a realistic treatment model for humans.

As of now, there is no evidence from clinical trials that SCUBE3 has been injected into human participants.

What Other Research Says About SCUBE3

Beyond the UCLA hair growth study, SCUBE3 has been examined in other biological contexts, including tissue development and cancer signaling pathways. These studies help scientists understand how the protein behaves in the body but do not involve topical or injectable therapeutic use for hair loss. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) database shows SCUBE3’s role in cell communication, particularly in processes involving growth factors and signaling molecules that regulate cell behavior. However, none of these studies describe SCUBE3 as a commercial or clinical treatment applied to humans.

SCUBE3 is not currently available in either topical or injectable form for medical or cosmetic use.

In scientific studies, it has been applied locally to hair follicles in laboratory conditions and delivered in animal skin using specialized experimental techniques designed for research purposes only. These methods allow scientists to observe biological effects but do not represent real-world treatments.

While early findings suggest SCUBE3 can stimulate hair follicle activity, much more research especially human clinical trials — is required before it could ever become a safe and effective therapy.

Research and Official Sources Section

Below are all references used to support this article, formatted in APA 7 style with direct links.

UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center. (2022). Scientists identify a protein that can stimulate hair growth. https://stemcell.ucla.edu/news/scientists-identify-protein-can-stimulate-hair-growth

Hsu, Y. C., et al. (2022). Dermal papilla cell-derived SCUBE3 activates hair follicle stem cells for hair regeneration. Nature, 605(7910), 323–329. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35508657/

National Institutes of Health. (2022). SCUBE3 gene and protein overview. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/222663

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Drug development process. https://www.fda.gov/patients/drug-development-process

Perfect Hair Health. (2022). SCUBE3 hair growth discovery explained. https://perfecthairhealth.com/scube3-hair-growth/

Tressless Hair Loss Forum. (2022). Discussion on SCUBE3 protein and hair growth research. https://tressless.com/learn/scube3-protein-hair-growth

World Health Organization. (2022). Biological therapies and safety evaluation. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-TRS-1030

---

This article has relied solely on publicly available scientific research and official health sources. No claims have been made beyond what is currently supported by evidence.