Exo...what? Let's talk Exosomes!

Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field that offers the potential to restore function to damaged tissues (and organs). One of the most promising developments in this field is the use of exosomes, tiny vesicles that play a critical role in intercellular communication. In this blog post, we will explore what exosomes are, how they differ from platelet-rich plasma (PRP), how it's used in medical spas, and why we prefer to use exosomes over PRP in our practice.

What are exosomes?

Exosomes are small, membrane-bound vesicles that are released by cells into the extracellular space. They are involved in a wide range of biological processes, including cell-to-cell communication, immune system regulation, tissue repair and regeneration. In recent years, exosome therapy has emerged as a promising approach in regenerative medicine, with medical spas incorporating exosome treatment into their skincare and wellness services, as they contain a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive molecules that can stimulate tissue regeneration and repair.

How do exosomes differ from PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a blood product that is commonly used in regenerative medicine and has found their way into aesthetic medicine. PRP is derived from a patient's own blood and contains a high concentration of platelets, which are rich in growth factors and other bioactive molecules. It is often injected directly into damaged tissues to promote healing and regeneration. In the case of medical spas, it is typically used topically during microneedling treatments.

While both exosomes and PRP contain growth factors and other bioactive molecules, there are some key differences between the two. Exosomes are smaller and more stable than PRP, which makes them easier to store and transport. They are also more specific in their action, meaning they can target specific cells or tissues more effectively. Additionally, exosomes can be derived from a variety of sources, including stem cells and other types of cells, whereas PRP is always derived from blood.

Why do we use exosomes over PRP?

1. Comfort and time for our clients: PRP requires a blood draw, spinning down the blood in a centrifuge the obtain the PRP, then applying it to the skin while microneedling. By contrast exosome requires no blood draw or centrifuge, thereby decrease the discomfort of a blood draw and decreasing the time spent waiting for centrifuge.
   

2. Speed of results: Exosome treatments will typically improve skin health and appearance after 1-2 applications vs. PRP, which can often require 3-6 treatments to achieve the same results. Why is this? Simply put, exosomes deliver 100 times more growth factors than PRP.
   

3. Inflammation-fighting ability: Exosomes have anti-inflammatory properties vs. PRP, which has no anti-inflammatory properies.
   

4. Consistency of results: Exosomes work equally well on individuals of all ages, and has far fewer extrinsic factors that can affect its efficacy. PRP, however, can work better for some individuals than others based on their age, hydration, and other variables.