Great skin is a journey, not a
destination
Dr Eckstein
Exosome Therapy
Exosome therapy is a regenerative injectable treatment designed to repair, restore and optimise skin health using extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells. Exosomes are microscopic messengers naturally found in the body that carry growth factors, proteins, peptides, and RNA. They play a key role in cell-to-cell communication, triggering tissue regeneration, reducing inflammation, and stimulating collagen and elastin production.
At Dr Melanin, we use SkinPen® to administer exosome therapy. SkinPen® is the first FDA-cleared microneedling device clinically proven to improve skin texture, tone, and scarring, safely and effectively across all skin tones, including skin of colour. Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses tiny, fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These micro-injuries stimulate your body’s natural healing process, encouraging collagen and elastin production, which helps improve skin texture, firmness, and elasticity. When performed in combination with exosome therapy, this can be a powerful treatment combination.
Exosomes at a Glance
Areas treated
Any except for lips and intimate areas
Number of treatments
Procedure time
30 – 45 minutes depending on areas treated
Discomfort level
Minimal to slightly uncomfortable
Downtime
Usually 24 – 72 hours, but varies between individuals and skin type
Results
You may start to see some results after 2 – 3 sessions but full results are seen upon completion of the course
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many benefits of treatment with exosomes. Some of these include smoother, more even skin texture, reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, improved appearance of acne scarring and enlarged pores, fading of pigmentation, firmer, plumper, and more radiant skin and brighter, more even and luminous skin and calming of acne, rosacea, or inflammatory skin conditions.
There are 4 different origins of exosomes of plant origin (derived from plant stem cells), exosomes of animal origin (usually derived from bovine colostrum), exosomes of synthetic origin (created in a lab) and exosomes of human origin (derived from discarded umbilical cords). Different types exosomes have different benefits, risks and ethical considerations. These will be discussed with you during your consultation.
Exosomes delivered with microneedling is very safe for skin of colour when done correctly, by the right practitioner, at the right time and with the right skin preparation.
Skin changes on skin of colour appear differently when microneedling is performed. Specialist training is required to identify these differences in skin of colour so they can be identified. Our clinic specialises in monitoring these changes, tailoring the treatment to the skin tone and type as well as managing complications that are more likely to occur in skin of colour.
Exosome therapy delivered with microneedling is generally well-tolerated, though some clients may feel mild discomfort or a slight stinging or light scratching sensation during the procedure.
The level of sensation depends on the area being treated and your individual pain tolerance. To make the treatment more comfortable, a topical numbing cream (such as EMLA®) is usually applied beforehand.
Most treatments require at least 2 to 3 sessions to see any visible improvement. The normal skin cycle (i.e. the time it takes for old skin cells to be replaced by new skin cells) is between 4 and 6 weeks. The older we get, the longer it takes for skin cells to be replaced. Most skin treatments need at least 2 skin cycles for any improvement to be visible.
It is normal to see pinpoint bleeding and redness during and immediately after the procedure. This usually settles within a few days. In the first 24 hours, the skin can look tight, dry and loose or saggy. This is usually due to the product applied during and after the procedure and usually improves once you cleanse your skin after 24 hours.
A topical numbing cream is applied first to bare, clean skin for 20–30 minutes to reduce discomfort. The skin is cleansed. The clinician then uses the exosomes as a glide and topically applies the product during or after performing microneedling with the SkinPen® device to create tiny, controlled punctures in the skin and allow the exosomes to penetrate the layers of the skin. You may feel mild pressure, pricking, stinging, vibration, or scratching, but the procedure is generally well tolerated. Treatments usually take 30–60 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated.
Like any procedure, there are possible risks which will be discussed with you in detail during your consultation as these vary between individuals.
Some of the common sequelae are redness, tightness, warmth, crusting or scabbing, sensitivity or mild swelling, dryness, flaking, or rough texture, pinpoint bleeding and bruising, temporary breakouts and temporary pigmentation which is often seen in skin of colour and usually resolves within a week.
Exosomes with microneedling enhance the quality and health of your own skin over time. Visible results are not immediate and can take up to 6 months or more.
We do not recommend a single treatment as you are unlikely to see any results without receiving a full course. Treatment effectiveness with exosome therapy requires consistency and a multi-session protocol. Combining exosome therapy with microneedling and other treatment modalities provides optimum results. Results also depend on age, skin quality, lifestyle factors and cannot be guaranteed.