The new buzz word in skincare these days is focused on exosomes and how they can benefit the skin.  In this blog, Skintopia explains the science behind exosomes and answers client questions about the process.

What are Exosomes?

Exosomes are microscopic extracellular vesicles (tiny biological particles) that are released from stem cells within the body allowing cell-to-cell communication.  Skin cells have their own type of exosomes which contain lipids (fatty compounds), proteins, amino acids (chains of amino acids build peptides) and growth factors (healing messengers in the skin) to name a few.

What makes exosomes so EXCITING is that the exosomes being used in skincare contain healing messages that are released into a damaged cell to direct the cell to heal, repair and regenerate!  Before exosomes were discovered, serums such as growth factors, peptides and stem cells worked outside of the cell, creating messages outside the cell. Exosomes are able to enter inside and send reparative signals directly inside the cells.  This is NEW and groundbreaking technology!

Aestheticians and other skin professionals are already using the regenerative power of exosomes to turn back the clock on the chronological aging of skin. Exosomes are chemical-free serums that work with the microbiome of your own skin to rejuvenate, renew, and restore your appearance.

Exosomes are key in maintaining tissue homeostasis by regulating cell.  With exosomes entering into the skin cells with healing and regenerative signals, they help guide the activities of the cells to maintain normal tissue function.  Of course, in the world of skin care, cell turnover, repair and rejuvenation are critical in anti-aging treatments.

Where do Exosomes Come From?

There are various ways to extract exosomes from ethically sourced platelets (cells within our blood that respond when body is injured) or stem cells (bone marrow, amniotic, umbilical chord, etc.).  These cells are collected in sterile facilities and then cultured in a laboratory environment.  Once the cells are cultivated to produce the exosomes, the exosomes are gathered and go through a filtration process to ensure efficacy for use in skincare.   

When exosomes are extracted from human stem cells, they are frozen or freeze-dried to keep them as stable as possible.  The biggest challenge in working with many stem cell exosomes is keeping stability from the time of extraction to use within a skincare product.  However, physician-scientists working with Mayo Rochester have discovered a way to work with platelet-derived exomes which are stable and have been introduced into home use products.   Exosomes do not have a nucleus like stem cells, there is no possibility of an adverse reaction within the skin.

Can I Benefit from Exosome Treatments?

Short answer – yes.  As we age, our cells begin to break down and degenerate and although we still produce exosomes, they are not as healthy as we age.  It is harder for the body to recognize and balance healing and inflammation.  Inflammation anywhere in the body leads to aging.  By using exosomes in treatments and home care and releasing healing messages specially selected to reprogram cells, we are able to fight aging within the skin.

Although exosomes work at a molecular level, you will notice improvement to your skin, thus boosting confidence in your skin health.

In sum, exosomes benefit the skin through wound healing by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels and transporting growth factors and stem cells to damaged cells, promoting repair and regeneration to the tissue.  This benefits the skin’s facial rejuvenation by increasing the levels of collagen and elastin by up to 300% in some studies.  Pigmentation can also be improved by the healing messages released within the cells. 

Exosomes help maintain the health of the skin and reduce signs of aging by protecting cells from damage and oxidative stress.  By stimulating the fibroblast to release collagen, the appearance of fine lines is improved, and the skin can feel and look tighter and more lifted.

Exosomes truly are exceptional and can benefit all skin types!  Keep in mind, the damage within the skin took time to form and, likewise, it will take time for the exosomes to repair the damage to the skin cells.  However, a majority of clients are reported seeing a visible difference within 6 weeks of exosome use. 

How do I Get Started?

Excited to begin your exosome journey?  Skintopia offers at-home and in-studio exosome treatments customized to your needs.  To get started with your at-home use, Skintopia offers the ( plated ) ™ exosome line which was formulated and clinically tested by physician-scientists at Mayo Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.  The serums are available online for purchase at https://skintopiaaz.com/plated-skin-science/intense-serum or at your next studio visit.   

When scheduling your microneedling or Tixel treatment, simply add the Exsome add-on to your cart and the exosomes will take your healing and rejuvenation to a new level.