Do exosomes really do anything to improve RF Microneedling results? (Photo)

Exosome therapy, or the use of extracellular vesicles, is an emerging and promising technology in regenerative medicine, particularly for skin and soft tissue repair. These nano-sized vesicles carry bioactive molecules that play crucial roles in cellular communication, potentially aiding in tissue regeneration. Preclinical studies, primarily involving animal models, have shown exosomes to be effective in promoting skin healing and restoration, and they hold potential for a variety of applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Exosome therapy offers the advantage of being cell-free and ready-to-use, which simplifies its adoption compared to traditional regenerative cell-based therapies. However, no exosome products have been approved by the US FDA yet, and more research is needed to establish clear guidelines for their use. The main considerations for practice utilization include variation in exosome purification, isolation, storage, scalability and reproducibility.
In the field of regenerative aesthetics, exosomes are gaining attention for their potential in skin rejuvenation and hair restoration. As a minimally invasive option, exosomes offer a promising way to address the underlying causes of skin aging and promote tissue health. While the technology is still in its early stages, initial studies suggest that exosomes can improve skin rejuvenation by enhancing cellular communication and restoring tissue balance. Challenges remain in terms of exosome purification, storage, and reproducibility, and while current research shows safety in humans, there is a lack of consensus on long-term efficacy. Further clinical studies are required to determine which patients will benefit most from exosome therapy and to ensure regulatory compliance before widespread use in aesthetic medicine.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Hi there bluebird98, thank you for asking such an excellent question. There are many benefits to using Exosomes following a Microneedling+RF procedure. You already brought up the biggest advantage, which is that they expedite the healing process, often decreasing the downtime by ~50%, but other benefits include calming redness/skin irritation, increasing neocollagenesis, and promoting a more radiant/even-toned complexion by addressing texture/pigment/dehydration. During Microneedling+RF treatments the needle entry points are cauterized open with the RF energy, therefore it is extremely beneficial to utilize stem cell/growth factor technology via a topical cosmetic solution to help increase the building of new collagen in the dermal layers. I would advise having a thorough consult with each practice/provider you are considering and compare their before and after photos to see if you would get the same level of results from three treatments vs. six treatments, as that may answer whether you might need the three additional treatments to reach the same level of results or if it would be more advantageous to get the additional benefits of the exosomes.