Exosomes are not stem cells, but they can be produced by stem cells. Exosomes are tiny message-containing “pouches” that enable communication between cells. Like a “message in a bottle”. As Dr. Ed Park explains, at first, when scientists saw these “bubbles” through very powerful microscopes, they thought they were cellular “poop”. Wrong!!
What makes them special?
Exosomes communicate information via the contents of the “pouch” to other cells and thus play a critical role in regulating many cellular functions.
There are many kinds of exosomes, depending on the cell of origin. In aesthetics, mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (MSCs – embryonic tissue that gives rise to most tissue – skin, blood, bone) are of particular interest.
Exosomes secreted by MSCs can promote immunomodulation, tissue repair and generate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in other cells. They can promote wound healing, hasten the death of cancer cells, improve cartilage in osteoarthritis, reduce neurological damage and edema, and re-start hair follicle growth in Androgenetic alopecia (male hair loss).
Exosome therapy is not currently FDA approved. However, because current research suggests they have very significant benefits in a variety of clinical settings, and they have a low immunogenic potential (unlikely to cause an allergic reaction) some physicians are using them off-label to improve outcomes in general medicine and, of course, aesthetics.
