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What Are Exosomes, and How Do They Work?

Learn More About Exosome Treatments for Hair Loss and More.

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Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles released by different types of cells, and they play a key role in how cells communicate with each other. These little messengers carry important materials like proteins, lipids, genetic material, and other metabolites that help transmit signals between cells.

The journey of exosomes began back in 1983 when researchers first noticed them while studying red blood cells. The name “exosomes” was officially coined in 1987.

In the last few decades, interest in exosomes has grown significantly, particularly for their potential to serve as immune modulators, disease biomarkers, and delivery vehicles for medications. Yet, there’s still a lot of exciting research being done to explore their other  applications.

Recently, exosomes have been making waves in the world of medical aesthetics!

They are being looked at as promising topical agents to help reduce signs of aging—think wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of skin elasticity—as well as to repair damaged skin, tackle pigmentation issues, and even promote hair growth.

There’s a difference between plant-based and mammalian-derived exosomes, each offering unique benefits. Plant-based exosomes are packed with phytosterols, phospholipids, proteins, and special plant RNAs that can influence gene expression in target cells and other beneficial compounds.

On the other hand, mammalian exosomes, which come from stem cells, are rich in important marker proteins, specific lipids, growth factors, and nucleic acids. Studies have shown that these exosomes can help reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, minimize scarring, and stimulate the growth of dermal fibroblasts, which leads to increased collagen and elastin production.

Exosome therapy is also a commonly used complementary treatment after procedures like radiofrequency microneedling or fractional CO2 laser therapy to boost skin healing and lower inflammation, redness, and discomfort.

Additionally, there’s exciting research around using exosomes for hair growth and rejuvenation. Evidence suggests that exosomes derived from stem cells can help spur hair follicle growth, shorten the resting phase of hair follicles, and lengthen the active growing phase. Some small studies on humans have shown that exosome treatments, especially those from mesenchymal or adipose-derived stem cells, may increase hair density and thickness.

We still don’t fully understand the potential risks and side effects of exosome treatments, and there’s a need for more standardized methods to isolate and analyze them. Because of this, exosome therapy is not yet FDA-approved for medical or cosmetic use. But the potential is definitely intriguing, and research is paving the way for future breakthroughs!

Want to learn more about Exosomes and how we’re using this innovative treatment for Hair Restoration at Radiance Medispa? Schedule a consultation today!

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