What are exosomes? How do exosomes work? What are the benefits? 

Exosomes are like “packages” of multiple signals. They are naturally occurring packages (called extracellular vesicles) released by cells (often stem cells found in sources like fat or placenta) and contain a mix of growth factors, peptides, lipids, RNA, and other instructions. If you imagine a stem cell as a delivery truck, the exosome would be the carefully packed shipment on that truck. What matters most is the “cargo” inside the exosome: the collection of signals that can help target cells repair, regenerate, and function optimally. 

They are increasing in popularity on the market right now because the field of science and technology has advanced to a point where we are able to collect, purify and harness the power of exosomes. Previously, while I was in med school, exosomes were thought to be cellular waste. We now understand that the messages contained inside of these vesicles play a very important role in intracellular communication. 

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Does it differ with how it works for skin or hair?

Depending on how a manufacturer collects and purifies exosomes, they can be enriched to target specific outcomes, such as skin quality or hair renewal. What differs is the signals that are contained within the exosome. Further, many exosome products that are created to treat specific cosmetic conditions may also have other active ingredients in their formulations to benefit the specific use case. 

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How do exosomes deliver hydration? Can they replace hyaluronic acid in our skin/haircare routines?

Exosomes are not a replacement for hydration products. When I use Benev exosomes in my clinic or send a patient home with Plated exosomes, I always recommend that they pair the exosomes with a hyaluronic acid product, like SkinMedica’s HA5 HydraCollagen, which contains multiple different molecular weights of HA to enable improved bioavailability and penetration into the skin. Further, I recommend that patients stack a moisturizer on top of the HA to seal in the hydration. My favorite is SkinMedica’s Dermal Repair Cream.

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How should someone new to exosomes incorporate into their routine? How long does it take to see results?

Exosome Serums, like Plated, should be applied to freshly cleansed skin. A little goes a long way, so one pump should cover your entire face. Let the product absorb into your skin before applying the next step of your skin care routine (often an HA-based hydrator). Similarly, the Plated Hair Serum also needs just one pump to key areas of hair loss to be effective. 
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It will take several weeks to see improvements in your skin tone and potentially several months for the hair cycle to sync the benefits of scalp-applied exosomes. 

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Interested in exosomes?

If you’re seeking to make drastic improvements in your skin tone, ask your cosmetic provider about pairing exosomes with laser based treatments like Moxi or Halo, and for your hair growth journey, pairing exosomes with SylfirmX radiofrequency microneedling and PRP treatments. 

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For personalized recommendations, schedule a consultation at SOM Aesthetics to learn how the exosomes can transform your skin and hairline.

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To learn more about exosomes, check out this study from the National Institute of Health.

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