Until I embarked on exosome therapy last fall, I never received compliments on my skin. A few months prior, upon the recommendation of a former editor of Vogue.com and current head of editorial content at British Vogue, I consulted with a renowned skincare practitioner. Determined to address my hyperpigmentation, I embarked on a journey that would encompass alleviating breakouts, balancing my skin’s oil production, and reducing pore size. Our first session consisted of an in-office chemical peel followed by a stem cell microneedling treatment. Days after our initial visit, the practitioner reached out with an intriguing proposition: Would I be interested in participating in an exclusive skin study utilizing skincare’s next big ingredient – exosomes? I was intrigued. ‘Exosomes are tiny messengers released by all cells, including stem cells,’ the practitioner explained. ‘They carry essential information and factors from one cell to another, enhancing the skin’s regenerative processes.’ By delivering these nanoparticles directly to the skin, I could potentially achieve better results. As the practitioner elaborated, ‘Exosomes are preferred over actual stem cell applications because they mitigate concerns of potential rejection or complications.’ Exosomes, he explained, hold immense promise in the aesthetic realm. They enhance the skin’s regenerative processes, resulting in a more youthful appearance and improved post-treatment outcomes. Their benefits extend to combating wrinkles, skin laxity, uneven skin tone, and textural irregularities, and they may also prevent scarring, improve the appearance of old scars, and potentially treat inflammatory skin conditions. Ongoing studies even suggest their potential in hair restoration. A breakthrough in 2020 by Resiliélle enabled the harvesting of multiple exosomes from a single umbilical cord per batch. Their Age Zero exosomes, as they’re被称为, are derived from Wharton Jelly stem cells, known for their regenerative properties, and are primed to enhance skin texture, firmness, pore size, and radiance, according to Resiliélle CEO Erin Crowley. This innovation has made exosomes readily available for aesthetic treatments. Exosomes are typically delivered to the skin topically following a medical device treatment. In my case, we employed the SkinPen, an FDA-cleared microneedling tool similar to the one used in my previous stem cell treatment. Microneedling alone stimulates the skin’s natural healing process, while the subsequent application of exosomes allows the ingredient to penetrate deep into the dermis. In his Upper East Side clinic, the practitioner numbed my face and proceeded to make several passes along my face and neck with the SkinPen, followed by applying a clear serum containing the exosomes. It was a simple and straightforward procedure. As with my previous microneedling session, my skin felt hot and red for about an hour, but the redness subsided by bedtime. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly my skin recovered this time; my previous stem cell treatment required over 24 hours of downtime. The next day, I resumed my skincare routine (hyaluronic acid, ceramide-rich face cream, and SPF), donned a hat for sun protection, and went about my day. By day three, I felt confident enough to wear makeup and be photographed. I was advised to avoid exfoliants and retinol for the following week. The real allure of exosome therapy became evident in the weeks following the procedure. As I approached the two-week mark post-microneedling, I couldn’t help but marvel at my glowing, seemingly poreless complexion. My skin had never looked so smooth and radiant. It was as if I had achieved the elusive ‘glass skin’ that everyone raved about. According to Dr. Lubna Khan-Salim, aesthetic surgeon and founder of a renowned clinic, this is a common experience for those undergoing similar treatments. ‘Cell signaling takes time to take effect,’ she explains. ‘Patients usually notice improvement in skin appearance and texture after about two weeks, but the full effect typically takes about six to eight weeks,’ with continued gradual improvement in the following months. As part of Resiliélle’s study, I completed two additional exosome therapy treatments (each four weeks apart) and witnessed firsthand the cumulative benefits. The results of each treatment built upon the previous one, leaving me with baby-smooth skin that I had never thought possible. Five months since my last exosome therapy appointment, the results have been remarkably consistent. While I previously relied on a combination of exfoliating and retexturing products, I now maintain my complexion with a simple skincare routine. Despite my playful self-proclaimed resemblance to my 20-year-old self, the practitioner reminded me that natural aging will continue, suggesting regular treatments to maintain or enhance my results. For those considering exosome therapy, whether in conjunction with microneedling like myself or with laser, the cost can range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on factors such as the provider, location, and extent of treatment. ‘It is crucial to be discerning about the source of exosomes, their third-party testing, integrity (i.e., non-lyophilized), and to request a Certificate of Conformance to avoid unsuitable products,’ he emphasizes. Exosomes are also making their way into skincare products, a category that is gaining recognition, although Khan-Salim clarifies that their effectiveness will be limited compared to in-clinic treatments. ‘It is important to note that we are still in the early stages of understanding the full potential of exosomes and how they function,’ says Khan-Salim. ‘More robust studies and clinical data are needed, but the data so far looks highly promising.’ Through exosomes, ‘we are now in the era of being able to truly treat aging. Imagine if you could program your skin to behave like its younger self.’
The Skin Care Miracle I Never Expected: Exosomes
