Regenerative therapies have been the most desired treatment in aesthetic medicine. Many treatments have attempted to bring about the regenerative effects but often fell short. Exosome therapy has brought this sought-after potential into the commercial landscape. It is a natural therapy that renews the skin from within, treating various cosmetic issues.
Being at the forefront of regenerative aesthetics, exosome therapy has become the new trend in skincare, offering visible improvements. The research on this therapy has accelerated substantially for further refinements. So what exactly is the future of exosome therapy? How will it reshape the aesthetic field, and how will it benefit us? This blog is set to answer all these questions.
Exosome Therapy: Reimagining Skincare
Exosomes are tiny microscopic vesicles with nanoscale size. Our body cells synthesize and release these vesicles to build a network with surrounding cells for adequate functioning. These vesicles are not empty but are packed with a variety of biomolecules such as RNAs, growth factors, proteins, cytokines, peptides, etc. After interacting with the nearby cells, they enter cells and release their package of biomolecules. Each molecule has distinct functions and, therefore, participates in specific cellular pathways.
For instance, RNAs are responsible for protein production. Therefore, they participate in protein synthesis pathways to alter the protein content of the cell. Similarly, proteins mediate numerous signaling events in the cells that ultimately change the cellular response. Therefore, this treatment can cause substantial changes at the cellular level to drive repair and healing. Exosome therapy for skin rejuvenation works by:
- Inducing cell proliferation for skin renewal
- Boosting collagen and elastin for tighter and smoother skin
- Hydrating the skin from within
- Reducing melanin synthesis for radiant skin
- Consuming reactive oxygen species that cause cell death
- Alleviating inflammation that damages skin
- Increasing blood circulation for enhanced nutrient supply.
Together, these cell processes result in improved skin texture and tone while fading fine lines, open pores, blemishes, and dark patches.
Skincare Products: The Exosome Formula
Exosome therapy for skin rejuvenation has grown in demand in the aesthetic market. According to the analysis by Coherent Market Insights, the exosome market in skincare will reach more than 800 million dollars by 2032 with a CAGR of 9%. The report also projected revenue of approximately 150 million dollars from human exosomes in 2025 on a worldwide scale. They are gaining the spotlight for their anti-aging, anti-melanin, and anti-blemish potential.
The increasing demand has drawn diverse products, including skincare products. The manufacturers are now attempting to integrate exosomes into cosmetic products for easy, at-home topical application. Exosome-based serums are even commercially available. They can enhance the formula of cosmetic products, providing visible improvements. With the rising interest in the therapy, a topical exosome formulation is set to become the key driver of the cosmetic market.
Personalized Treatments: Exosomes Tailored To You
Exosomes impact cellular processes through their unique biomolecules. Scientists have been able to tweak the biomolecule composition and, therefore, the subsequent effects of the treatment. For instance, research by Zhang et al. encapsulated curcumin in exosomes, which subsequently increased the bioavailability of curcumin. Many such studies have surfaced in the therapeutic field. They have opened the avenue of personalized therapy in aesthetic treatments. Personalized treatment aims to account for individual variations to maximize the positive outcomes.
Modifying the package within exosomes by adding or removing desired molecules for a specific treatment provides the option for customization. For example, hyperpigmentation treatment can utilize more biomolecules with brightening effects, incorporated into exosomes. Similarly, they can be altered based on skin type. Personalized treatment can considerably enhance the potency of the treatment and maximize the final results, paving the path for next-gen exosome skincare.
In-Depth Research
The therapeutic effects of exosome treatment have led to an explosive increase in their research. More research groups are dissecting them to establish their biomolecule composition. Their synthesis and release mechanisms are also under investigation. While many pathways have been investigated, researchers are also focusing on other pathways that biomolecules may use for rejuvenation.
These pathways can allude to the inner workings of exosomes and the possibility of manipulating them. For example, exosomes use the SIRT1 pathway to mitigate UV damage in the skin. These pathways can serve as targets to bioengineer exosomes with relevant molecules. The construction of synthetic exosomes that have only the required biomolecules acting on specific pathways is possible in the near future.
Sources: The Exosome Origin
Exosomes can be extracted from any cell. However, each cell packs them with a different biomolecule composition, therefore influencing the cell process in different ways. For the regenerative effects, exosomes are prepared from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. They are not just regenerative but also possess diverse properties such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, angiogenesis, etc.
Research studies have confirmed variations in the impacts of exosomes from different sources. Therefore, scientific investigation is leading towards new sources of exosomes with maximum aesthetic benefits. Several new sources are entering the market; however, cord cells are still the most suitable source.
The Cost Factor
Cost is seemingly the topmost barrier for exosome treatment. The high costs are attributed to the expensive state-of-the-art infrastructure for the isolation and preparation of exosomes, along with extensive tests for a contamination-free and impurity-free final product. Their characterization requires cutting-edge techniques like FACS, NTA, SEM, etc.
All of these factors add to the immense cost of the final product. Stabilization and the process of enhancing shelf life at room temperature also incur extra costs. The increasing research is developing easier methods of preparation and characterization. The evolution of technology like hollow fibre bioreactors and microwells is also introducing cost-effective equipment that yields a higher quantity of product than conventional methods.
Exosome Applications for Beauty and Wellness
Despite the hype about exosome treatment, it is still not a routine practice in dermatology, primarily due to the lack of knowledge about the therapy and the absence of training to provide the therapy. The scarcity of good quality products in the market is another factor behind it. Only a few companies in the private sector have invested in the scientific research and manufacturing process behind the treatment. However, the increasing demand for exosome therapy has been encouraging more people to acquire knowledge about it and more clinicians to gain training.
The private sector is also making more investments, considering its proven potential and promising future. Furthermore, research has been unveiling different therapeutic applications of exosomes in diseases such as arthritis, organ regeneration, nervous system disorders, etc. It is therefore possible that they might soon serve as treatment for whole body rejuvenation. Thus, the future will surely witness the widespread and routine exosome application for beauty and wellness.
Wrapping It Up
Exosome therapy is poised to be the next-generation aesthetic treatment. Its advantages have spurred a tremendous amount of research to improve the technology and enhance its accessibility. While the private sector is launching new products, the scientific field is directing its efforts to understand the underlying mechanisms. With vast efforts in this field, bioengineered exosomes personalized to one’s needs will probably enter the market in the future.
They will become a regular ingredient in skincare products that are available at low prices. Advancexo is already making long strides in this market by providing an exosome kit crafted after meticulous scientific research and enriched with skin-enhancing biomolecules. With the current rate of progress, the future of exosome therapy seems promising.
FAQ’s
Exosome composition includes RNAs, growth factors, peptides, proteins, and cytokines to drive skin rejuvenation.
The exosomes are on the edge of integrating into skincare products, considering the difficulties with their stability and shelf life at room temperature. However, the skincare exosome products with the same effectiveness as the treatment are not yet available.
Plant and human cells have been explored as sources. As of yet, none of the other sources have surpassed the benefits of exosomes from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.
Yes, the effects of exosome treatment depend on their source and vary accordingly.
