Exosome therapy is a cutting-edge treatment for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration. It has broadened the horizons of cosmetic treatments with its regeneration potential. Although a lot of people find the therapy interesting, some people are still cautious because of frequent misconceptions, especially about its long-term effects, safety, and effectiveness. As the demand for the therapy grows, so do the questions and concerns surrounding it. This blog will clear the confusion, address common doubts, and provide clarity on what exosome therapy really offers, so one can make an informed decision with confidence.
What are Exosomes?
Exosomes are microscopic particles– just 30-150 nm in size– almost 100-1000 times smaller than a hair strand. Cells synthesize and pack them with a plethora of biomolecules such as proteins, cytokines, lipids, peptides, RNAs, and growth factors. Acting as cellular messengers, they travel to the nearby cells and deliver their biomolecular payload, establishing communication between cells. These biomolecules are the secret ingredients that participate in various cellular processes and steer them, triggering essential changes.
Where do exosomes come from?
Exosomes originate from all kinds of cells, whether they belong to humans, plants, or even animals. In fact, cells residing in tissues, including skin, liver, heart, muscles, etc., form and release these tiny messengers.
Each cell packs a unique content of biomolecules in these tiny particles, imparting them distinct properties and effects. Therefore, selecting the right cells is crucial to achieve desired results, especially for treatment purposes.
Plant vs Human Exosomes: Which is the better?
The exosomes of human cells carry special markers on their surface that allow their easy identification by the nearby cells and their subsequent entry. These markers are absent on the exosomes belonging to the cells of other species, such as plants or animals. Additionally, the physiology and biochemical processes of plants and humans are vastly different. Thus, plant cell-derived products could not contain the molecules required to act on human cells or processes. Therefore, human-derived exosomes take the lead in their application to human cells.
What is the best source of exosomes in cosmetic treatment?
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosomes are considered high-quality in the aesthetic field. Here’s why:
- They possess the stem cell-derived regenerative potential that stimulates skin rejuvenation.
- Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosomes have additional properties like antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, and angiogenic, enabling them to tackle a wide variety of aesthetic issues.
- Umbilical cord-derived MSCs are the “Age 0” cells, that is, age-induced effects are absent in these cells. They impart higher regeneration capacity to their exosomes in comparison to MSCs extracted from other sources.
Do Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosomes contain cells?
No, exosomes from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) or any other exosomes are completely cell-free– their key advantage. While treatments with intact cells might come with risks, exosome treatment delivers the same benefits as cells without the complications associated with cells.
Are hUC-MSCs exosomes cancerous?
There is a misconception that stem cell products, especially hUC-MSCs exosomes cause cancer. But it could not be far from the truth. Early clinical trials have demonstrated that treatment with hUC-MSCs do not cause cancer. Additionally, the cancer formation ability depends on the replication of stem cells. Since, they cannot divide or replicate, hUC-MSCs exosomes could not cause cancer . On the contrary, scientists are finding a cure for cancer in exosome therapy. Recent studies suggest that exosomes, especially those derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), may induce cancer cell death. However, their impact in cancer research is complex and highly context-dependent.
Do hUC-MSCs exosomes have side effects?
Due to the apparent novelty of the exosome therapy, a common misunderstanding is that exosomes from hUC-MSCs might cause some side effects. However, clinical studies on humans have shown that hUC-MSCs exosome treatment do not cause any adverse effects (NCT05523011). In fact, exosome application considerably reduces the redness and swelling resulting from microneedling or laser therapies. They even accelerate recovery, leading to shorter treatment downtime.
Are hUC-MSCs exosomes effective?
The innovative exosome treatment has prompted some doubts regarding its effectiveness. Many studies have shown visible results with exosome application. For instance, a study in Korea demonstrated reduction in acne scars after applying needle radiofrequency in combination with exosome treatment. The skin texture also improved and the exosome treatment alleviated the redness due to needling within 45 minutes.
Are hUC-MSCs exosomes only applicable for skincare?
Exosome therapy has been used for skincare as well as hair restoration. It has shown noticeable improvements like increased hair density, new hair growth, longer and thicker hair in people suffering from hair loss and hair thinning.
Is exosome therapy painful?
Exosome therapy is gentle with minimal pain or discomfort. The topical application of the exosome treatment causes no pain. Injecting the exosome solution into the scalp for hair restoration is also done by a fine needle, involving minimal pain. Additionally, a numbing cream is applied before the procedure, which makes the procedure comfortable.
Are there any risks with exosome therapy?
Exosome therapy has shown satisfactory outcomes in aesthetics. They have a favorable safety profile as per the clinical studies, but complications can arise due to improper procedure. If the procedure is not conducted in a sterile manner or substandard exosome formulations are used in the treatment, then it can cause infection.
What precautions should be taken regarding the exosome therapy?
The key to safe and effective exosome therapy is the selection of the right dermatologist and exosome provider. It is preferable to choose a licensed healthcare professional to perform the treatment. Their experience in exosome treatment is an added benefit. Moreover, ensure the high quality of the exosome formulation by verifying that the provider has certificates for following high manufacturing standards such as GMP, ISO, etc.
The Key Takeaways
Exosome treatment for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration has piqued the interest of many. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosomes are safe to use and do not bear any side effects, as people are speculating. Instead, their high regenerative potential has prompted their use in cosmetic treatments. The clinical studies have even shown their potential, as visible results were noticeable in a few weeks without posing any side effects.
Therefore, Advancexo is making the potential of exosomes available in India through their specialized kits- Skin Rejuve and Hair Rejuve that address skin and hair concerns, respectively. It’s time to stop hesitating and opt for remarkable exosome therapy with Advancexo kits.
FAQs
Exosomes can be prepared from human cells and plant cells. However, due to the regenerative potential of stem cells, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosomes are considered to be high-quality in the cosmetic field.
No, they do not replicate like MSCs, therefore they do not have the ability to cause cancer.
Clinical studies have provided evidence that exosome therapy is effective in hair and skin issues and it does not cause any adverse effects.
Yes, exosome treatment can work on diverse skin types. It also works on a variety of skin problems ranging from medical conditions (like psoriasis, dermatitis) to normal skin rejuvenation (dryness, pigmentation, acne scars).
