Exosomes Vs. PRP: What Treatment Is Right for Your Aesthetics Practice?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and exosomes both offer effective and innovative solutions for tissue repair, facial rejuvenation, and hair restoration. 

Understanding the fundamental differences and similarities between exosomes and PRP treatments is essential for practitioners striving to provide the most efficacious and tailored cosmetic solutions.

What Are These Treatments?

PRP therapy utilizes the regenerative potential of growth factors sourced from a patient's blood to expedite the healing process and enhance outcomes following various cosmetic treatments. 

This therapy involves drawing a small amount of the patient's blood, which is then centrifuged to separate and isolate a plasma solution rich in platelets. This PRP, containing concentrated growth factors, is applied to targeted areas, stimulating tissue repair, collagen production, and new blood vessel formation. The minimally invasive procedure has numerous medical and cosmetic applications. 

According to a 2021 clinical trial and study published on the National Library of Medicine, more than 82 percent of patients showed moderate to excellent improvement for dark eye cycles, periorbital wrinkles, nasolabial folds and skin stiffness with three to six months of PRP treatment. 

Exosomes are small, membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells that play a pivotal role in intercellular communication by transferring bioactive molecules between cells. According to a 2023 study from open access publishing company MDPI, their unique ability to regulate cellular processes and promote tissue repair by transporting proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular components can be used to influence the behavior of target cells to reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture, enhance skin elasticity, promote tissue regeneration in skin wounds, and to treat several dermatological diseases. 

Exosomes are applied topically after aesthetic treatments, penetrating the skin to stimulate regeneration, enhance collagen production, and promote various cosmetic benefits.

What Are These Treatments Used For?

PRP treatment has long been used to help support wound healing in soft tissue injuries and is utilized in aesthetic medicine for facial restoration and to stimulate hair growth. 

By comparison, exosomes treatments have emerged as a more multifaceted solution, effectively addressing a broader spectrum of aesthetic concerns.

Unlike PRP, which primarily relies on growth factors derived from the patient's blood, exosomes are nano-sized particles carrying a diverse range of bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, enabling them to exert more precise and targeted effects on cellular communication and tissue regeneration. 

What Are The Advantages of Each?

PRP therapy has long been used in medical and aesthetic practices, resulting in a robust body of research, and a well-documented track record of safety and efficacy. PRP treatment can be a more budget-friendly option for patients seeking regenerative treatments, however, it can be costly for practices as they need to invest in the centrifuge equipment and may require some practices to hire a phlebotomist to draw and process the patient’s blood. 

The fact that PRP is derived from the patient’s blood minimizes the chances of allergic reactions, infections, or immune system responses, further enhancing its safety profile. Similarly, properly processed exosome products are acellular, not using actual cells but vesicles secreted by cells, making it also a safe option for patients.

While exosomes are still being researched, treatments introduce unique advantages for regenerative aesthetics. Application is a much more streamlined process since they don’t require drawing blood and eliminates waiting for the processing of blood-derived plasma. 

Overall, PRP’s reliance on the patient's own blood and growth factors means that depending on the patient's age and health, their blood/plasma may contain various amounts of growth factors, which directly impacts the efficacy of their PRP treatment. Exosomes, on the other hand, can be derived from a variety of sources and are not dependent on the patient. If exosomes are derived from perinatal tissue, for example, the exosome product comes from young, "age zero," undamaged cells that have the highest regenerative properties.

Exosomes also provide a more versatile and targeted approach, delivering potent effects, a simplified application process, and the ability to address a broader range of cosmetic concerns. Additionally, administering exosomes topically significantly reduces patient downtime, providing practitioners with an advanced and patient-friendly alternative. 

While exosomes offer greater versatility and a more refined application process, deciding on the appropriate option often hinges on specific treatment goals, practitioner preferences, and patient considerations.

Why Have Exosomes Risen in Popularity?

Exosomes represent a paradigm shift in the aesthetic landscape, gaining prominence by exceeding modern patient expectations. 

Their simplicity, reduced discomfort, and superior outcomes contribute to the treatment’s heightened popularity, offering aestheticians a tool to stay at the forefront of innovation in patient-centric treatments. 

According to a 2024 study published by ScienceDirect, a peer-reviewed scientific publishing company, exosomes have demonstrated efficacy in diminishing wrinkles, refining skin texture, and augmenting skin elasticity. Additionally, their application extends to mitigating inflammation and counteracting damage induced by UV radiation. Notably, they have proven beneficial in fostering tissue regeneration for skin wounds and have shown promise in the treatment of various dermatological diseases.

As the field evolves, exosomes have emerged as a valuable asset for meeting the growing demand for advanced and effective regenerative aesthetic solutions.

How Can You Incorporate Exosome Treatments Into Your Practice?

Integrating these treatments into your aesthetic practice can be a seamless addition to your services. 

A popular and effective method is to combine them with microneedling treatments, a minimally invasive procedure that creates microchannels on the skin's surface. This enhances absorption and penetration, maximizing their regenerative effects and resulting in better cosmetic outcomes and little to no recovery process. Exosomes can also be combined with laser resurfacing facials, radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN), microdermabrasion, and other aesthetic treatments that create a controlled injury.

Before incorporating treatments into your practice, it is crucial to source high-quality exosome products from reputable suppliers or collaborate with certified laboratories for extraction.

Take Your Practice to the Next Level with Cartessa’s Cutting-Edge Aesthetic Solutions 

When it comes to elevating your practice, Cartessa Aesthetics’ is proud to offer its revolutionary new Chronos line, the cutting-edge brand in advanced biologics. 

Chronos products stand as the epitome of traceability, purity, and potency. Our FDA-compliant, ISO 7, cGMP-certified lab ensures the highest standards for safety and efficacy, providing your patients with an unparalleled solution.

ExoCR, the flagship product of Chronos, is a single-source, non-lyophilized, and highly active biologic meticulously formulated to target dermal fibroblasts. Derived and purified from Wharton’s Jelly, found within the umbilical cord, ExoCR is validated to contain more than 50 billion particulates, 10 billion intact exosomes, and over 1000 growth factors and cytokines. 

Elevate your practice with Cartessa's state-of-the-art aesthetic and cosmetic solutions. Contact us today to get started!