Exosomes are the latest ingredient creating a buzz in the world of aesthetics and skincare. But what are they? And what can they offer that existing treatments don’t already? These nanoparticles, suspended in a gel, are being teamed with well-known in-clinic procedures like radiofrequency microneedling and lasers, to minimise recovery time and significantly enhancing outcomes. These nanoparticles are celebrated for their extraordinary capacity to tighten the skin, diminish wrinkles, even out skin tone, alleviate redness and inflammation associated with conditions like eczema, and even stimulate hair growth.

I believe that exosomes will play a big part in the future of aesthetics, taking the results of many treatments to new levels.

The science behind exosomes

Exosomes are naturally produced by our stem cells and serve as vital messengers for intercellular communication within the body. These tiny “bubbles” carry valuable cargo, including growth factors, ceramides, and RNA, which play a crucial role in protein synthesis such as collagen production.

Skincare actives like retinoids, peptides, and growth factors have demonstrated this effect to a certain degree. However, the level of fibroblast activation for collagen production seen with exosomes is unparalleled in regenerative aesthetics.

Due to their small size and molecular composition, exosomes can effectively penetrate the skin’s deepest layers, delivering their cargo and transmitting cell-stimulating messages. Once absorbed by the cells, they activate fibroblasts to produce up to 600 percent more collagen and 300 percent more elastin.

Where do exosomes come from?

Exosomes are artificially produced in laboratories using human or plant-derived components such as bone marrow, blood, and fat obtained from voluntary donors (the purification and processing methods employed are extensive, ensuring the complete absence of genetic material.)

Human-derived ingredients are not licensed for cosmetic use in the EU (rules which the UK follows). So, at current, the only safe and approved sources are from plants which are also sufficiently powerful to boost human cell communication.

How do they work?

In clinical settings, we utilise exosomes in conjunction with medical microneedling or other devices that create microchannels on the skin surface, such as non-ablative lasers or Profound RF. This combination provides a dual effect: the controlled damage caused by the device stimulates collagen production, whilst the exosomes minimise downtime and stimulate cell renewal to improve texture and tone and significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. We also can incorporate exosomes into medical facial treatments

Are they worth it?

I am excited about the emergence of exosomes, and the results that I’ve seen, so you should expect to hear a lot more about exosome therapy in the future. There’s no doubt that in not so many years, we will be able to reverse or prevent ageing, and people will not expect to age as they used to. In my opinion, if you’re looking for a treatment to improve skin elasticity, texture, and firmness, they are well worth discussing with your practitioner.

If you’d like to learn more about exosomes and whether they’re right for you, click here to enquire or to book a consultation.