Exosomes, the alternative to “punctures” in aesthetic medicine?

Technological advances put on the table a new possibility to combat wrinkles and other signs of aging. We talk about the exosomes: «Many of the products that use exosomes are in the development phase investigation, but there are already many others that have been incorporated into advanced aesthetic medicine, such as those related to skin aging,” explains Dr. Bartosz Kosmecki, director of Clínica Verkomed, one of the centers specialized in this and other aesthetic treatments. aesthetic medicine. From his consultation, Kosmecki explains which treatments he advises or advises against and which are his references in everything that has to do with facial aesthetic medicine treatments.

What are exosomes and what are they for?

The exosomes are small vesicles released by stem cells containing a wide variety of biologically active molecules, such as lipids, proteins, RNA acids, DNA, growth factors, enzymes and others that, when discovered, were thought to be waste vesicles, but later it was seen that they had a very important role biologically, since they are excellent messengers between cells, having the ability to transfer information between different cells and in this way modulate the functions of the recipient cells. The curious and interesting thing about these vesicles is that they can be loaded with certain molecules, and in this way be specialized or in charge of activating the mechanisms that really interest us.

In the case of aesthetic medicine treatments it would be a regenerative, reparative function and increased fibroblast activity (cells responsible for the production of collagen and elastin), the cells that stop producing the main material of our skin and cause aging. It must also be added that they can produce a decrease in the inflammatory reaction in the skin due to their antioxidant and healing power (skin with atopic dermatitis, inflammatory acne, rosacea and couperose, hormonal spots like melasma) and antiagingwithout forgetting its power to improve the appearance and follicle qualitywhich also opens up another area of work at the level of hair treatments.

Does that mean it is possible to improve the appearance of our skin without needles?

This was already possible long before the development of exosomes, now they are going to be another ally of our work. Until today, patients who wanted to obtain results without injectables were offered treatments in my clinic with collagen production stimulators such as fractional lasers, CO2 lasers, thermofrequency radio or focused ultrasound. We have even developed a protocol called Face Nutrition System, which consists of 5 different treatments with advanced aesthetic machinery and protocols for progressive rejuvenation and obtaining the luminosity that our patients so desire with injectable vitamin protocols, but without the need for injections.

Now, thanks to the use of exosomes, these protocols will be even more effective, since the application of exosomes by itself would not make much sense if we did not previously prepare the skin for their adequate absorption. Therefore, since in my clinic the most important thing is the effectiveness of the treatment, exosomes are only applied with three treatments that already exist and increase permeability (penetration of the active ingredient into the skin).

They are two non-invasive techniques, first the fractional laser (does not cause scabs or scabs, suitable for all skin types and all times of the year), an ideal treatment to combat facial and body sagging, especially effective for neck and décolleté sagging, which produces microchannels in the skin through which can penetrate exosomes. The second treatment: Face Nutrition System which, thanks to cryoshock techniques and liposome peels, will increase the penetration of the exosomes applied at the end of the procedure.

Another injectable option is microneedling, treatment to increase luminosity and perfect the skin, ideal for treating pores, marks and scars. Now it is even more effective thanks to the use of exosomes, since these, due to their regenerating power, make it the ideal treatment to reduce or eliminate marks, scars, stretch marks, etc.

Does this mean that the era of injectable treatments and facial fillers is over?

No not at all. These treatments will improve the appearance of the skin. It may be that, over time, when they are combined with other injectables, they will be important competition for typical aesthetic medicine treatments, but there is still a very long way to go. However, exosomes will update several protocols, they will increase the effectiveness of the treatments we already use, they are perfect preventive treatments for those who do not want to go to the needle, but they are in no way a substitute for global facial rejuvenation techniques such as my global facial rejuvenation treatment with the 4×9 technique, the famous fullface, anchoring techniques, MLT techniques and many more that turn out to be much more effective and long-lasting. if they are performed by an experienced specialist and always using the best injectable products. Of course, once facial rejuvenation has been achieved, using them as support or preventive techniques for aging will surely be one of the most in demand in the coming years.

On an economic level, are the treatments accessible to the majority of patients?

For now they are not treatments in themselves, but rather adjacent treatments added to other treatments. They are a plus, and for now quite expensive, since there are still few laboratories that market them. To give you some clue, the base version of this type of treatment with microneedling, vitamin complexes and hyaluronic acid for the treatment of the face can be between €350-500, reaching €550-750 for treatments that include the full face, neck and neckline.