Regenerative aesthetics is a burgeoning field for skin rejuvenation and skin health restoration. Exosomes, or extracellular vesicles, represent a new and minimally invasive addition to the regenerative aesthetic toolbox. These nano-sized vesicles contain bioactive cargo with crucial roles in intercellular communication. Exosome technology, while still in its infancy, is now leveraged in regenerative aesthetic medicine due to its multifaceted role in targeting root causes of skin aging and improving overall tissue homeostasis. The main considerations for practice utilization include variation in exosome purification, isolation, storage, scalability and reproducibility. This review aims at highlighting the current and emerging landscape of exosomes in aesthetic medicine including skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.
Keywords: exosomes; extracellular vesicles; hair restoration; skin rejuvenation.
What is this article about? The purpose of this paper is to review available studies that look at the effects of exosomes in aesthetic medicine and cosmetic surgery. A thorough literature search of all available studies was performed. What were the results? Topical exosomes, although variable in source and method of isolation, are generally considered safe in humans on intact skin. The current published research literature does not yet provide a clear consensus on long-term use for skin rejuvenation or hair restoration, nor does it delineate which patients would benefit most from this technology. There are no currently US FDA-approved exosome products on the market for medical indications. What do the results of this literature review mean? More clinical studies with proper regulatory oversight are needed.