EXOSOMES - SCI FI OR YOUR DERM'S NEW FAVE TREATMENT?

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today I thought I should share with you an exciting new prospect taking the world by a storm over the pond - I'm talking about exsomes. So, what are they? Let's find out. 

Dr. Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, has revolutionised her practice by incorporating exosome therapy. She now considers it an essential component of any laser treatment she undergoes herself. Having previously experienced procedures such as IPL, Clear & Brilliant, and Ultherapy without exosomes, she confesses her distaste for the pain and lengthy recovery involved. Dr. Peredo explains, "What I find amazing about exosomes is that when applied, they act as a cooling agent, instantly soothing the heat generated by the laser. They significantly reduce redness, discomfort, and healing time by approximately 50 to 60 percent.", as per Glamour’s article I consulted prior to writing this post. 

What are exosomes? 

Exosomes are small particles released by almost every cell in the human body, including skin cells, and they contain a mixture of lipids, proteins, amino acids, peptides, growth factors, and genetic material.

According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ramya Garlapati, exosomes function as messengers, communicating signals between cells. Dr. Eunice Park, a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, explains that these signals stimulate the regeneration of unhealthy cells, harnessing the body's natural healing abilities.

For skincare purposes, exosomes are extracted from human stem cells and kept stable by freezing, as described by Dr. Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist. Unlike stem cells, exosomes lack a nucleus and consist solely of mRNA (similar to the COVID vaccine), eliminating the risk of adverse graft-versus-host reactions.

Exosome therapy involves the application of topical exosomes, resembling a serum or gel, following treatments like laser resurfacing or microneedling. It is crucial to note that exosome therapy complements in-office treatments and cannot be used as a standalone procedure.

Due to their nanoparticle nature, exosomes cannot penetrate the skin independently. They require disruptions in the superficial skin layer to initiate communication with skin cells. Otherwise, if applied without these disruptions, they would remain on the skin's surface without any effect, as explained by Dr. Peredo. Therefore, over-the-counter serums and creams do not currently contain exosomes.

How do exosomes benefit the skin?

As we age, our skin cells gradually shrink, and the production of exosomes decreases, similar to the decline in collagen production, highlights Dr. Park. Consequently, we experience sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Exosome therapy intervenes by introducing new exosomes to revitalise dormant skin cells and older exosomes, enabling them to repair, strengthen, and rejuvenate the skin.

Moreover, exosome therapy stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, accelerates wound healing, and reduces pigmentation, as explained by Dr. Garlapati. This leads to plumper, firmer, brighter, and smoother skin.

Dr. Park suggests that noticeable improvements can typically be observed within two to six weeks after the treatment. Personally, just ten days after undergoing exosome therapy, I couldn't help but notice a significant enhancement in the radiance and smoothness of my cheeks. If I were accustomed to wearing foundation, I would definitely reconsider, as my complexion appears even and luminous on its own, making me reluctant to conceal it.

The exciting aspect is that exosomes remain active for a duration of six to eight months following the treatment, as stated by Dr. Garlapati. This means that the results are longer-lasting compared to those achieved with Botox. Additionally, you can receive exosome therapy as frequently as you undergo laser and microneedling treatments.

Exosome therapy offers the advantage of accelerating recovery time and enhancing the effectiveness of cosmetic procedures, thus reducing the number of treatments required, explains Dr. Peredo. For instance, if you are undergoing Clear & Brilliant treatment for acne scarring, you may only need two or three sessions instead of five.

Additionally, exosomes play a role in sealing the skin after laser treatments, minimising the risk of allergic reactions, notes Dr. Peredo. Often, after receiving laser treatment, patients tend to apply various soothing skincare products, leading to increased inflammation. Exosomes eliminate not only this discomfort but also the uncertainty of which skincare products to use post-procedure. Dr. Peredo advised me to avoid touching my skin with anything, not even water, for 24 hours. Although it was difficult to skip my usual skincare routine, my skin rewarded me with a speedy and beautiful recovery.

What is exosome therapy treatment like?

In Korea, skin booster shots are typically administered through multiple individual pricks across the face or via mesotherapy, which is comparable to microneedling in its injectable form. As the tiny needles gently puncture the skin, the booster is delivered into it. In the US, exosome therapy offers a quicker, easier, and less painful alternative. However, it is important to note that exosome therapy is not a standalone procedure. It must be combined with another cosmetic treatment that creates microscopic channels in the skin, such as microneedling or laser treatments. Dr. Park explains that these channels enable the exosomes to be absorbed and penetrate deeper layers of the skin for enhanced rejuvenation.

Following the laser or microneedling treatment, exosomes, which resemble and feel like a clear aloe vera gel, are applied throughout the face. Those who have tried it report that it provides a pleasant cooling sensation similar to a post-treatment facial.

Who should try exosome therapy?

Dr. Garlapati highlights that exosome therapy offers a wide range of benefits, making it beneficial for everyone. "Individuals seeking anti-wrinkle treatment, overall skin rejuvenation, improvement in uneven texture or dull complexion, acne scars, enlarged pores, or unwanted pigmentation can see positive outcomes from this procedure," she explains. Furthermore, exosome therapy has no significant side effects, so if your skin tolerates lasers or microneedling, adding this step does not pose any additional risks.

For patients looking to avoid downtime before an upcoming event or those wanting to enhance their laser treatments, Dr. Peredo recommends exosome therapy. She says, "I have patients who desire natural but improved results and have previously undergone lasers without significant improvement, but prefer not to use fillers or Botox."

Dr. Peredo notes that exosomes are a beneficial alternative for individuals who are not interested in PRP or have concerns about having their blood drawn for the procedure.

If you're interested in trying exosome therapy, it is important to schedule an appointment with a certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon instead of opting for a salon, as this cosmetic treatment offers benefits beyond the skin barrier.

This blog post was hugely helped by the Glamour article that I mentioned earlier, and the quotes have been extracted from it. 

Willing to try this out? Tell me in the comments below. 

Love, 

Emma 

xoxo