Exosomes vs. PRP

As we age, the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin decreases, leading to higher skin laxity, which emphasizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture. Hair thinning and hair loss are other concerns that affect both men and women, causing many patients to seek a solution. Luckily, there are treatment options that can be used to promote full facial rejuvenation and new hair growth: exosome therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. It can be challenging to know which treatment option is the best to meet your needs, which is why the best first step for treatment is to schedule an appointment with expert board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.

Many patients wonder: What are exosome treatments and PRP therapy, and how are they different? Both exosomes and platelet-rich plasma are found naturally in the body and can boost collagen production and tissue repair when applied to the skin or injected into the scalp. They differ in the concentration of growth factors present in the solution and how they are acquired for use. Exosomes may contain a higher concentration of growth factors than PRP and have anti-inflammatory properties for tissue repair. Additionally, exosome solutions are prepared in a lab prior to treatment, whereas PRP treatment begins with a blood draw of the patient’s own blood. Neither treatment option is inherently better than the other, and each has its unique advantages.

Dr. Michele Green in New York City is an expert board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over 25 years of experience providing her patients from around the world with the best in non-invasive cosmetic treatment options like Microneedling with PRP, PRP injections, cosmetic injectables like Botox, dermal fillers, and laser skin resurfacing treatments. In her private, boutique dermatology office located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, Dr. Green works with each of her patients to create a customized treatment plan that is specifically catered to their unique skin needs and achieves their personal aesthetic goals. Her dedication to her patients and her practice is well reflected by the fact that she is consistently voted as one of New York’s top dermatologists by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.

What is Exosome treatment?

Exosomes are tiny vesicles, meaning they are small structures encased in a lipid bilayer that can be found both inside and outside of cells in the body. They occur naturally in the body and function as “messenger molecules” for cell-to-cell communication, meaning they transport growth factors, cytokines, proteins, mRNA, RNA, and DNA to other cells in the body. In recent years, clinical studies have begun to examine the benefits of exosomes in tissue regeneration, anti-aging treatments, hair loss prevention, and other regenerative medicine. Clinical trials have demonstrated that topical exosome treatment has anti-inflammatory properties for wound care and tissue repair, stimulates collagen and elastin production for anti-aging effects, helps to increase hair growth, and works to improve skin texture and skin elasticity. Increasingly used in conjunction with Microneedling treatment, exosome treatment is an excellent option for addressing signs of aging and improving overall skin health.

What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment?

PRP treatment uses the platelet-rich plasma found in the patient’s own blood for facial rejuvenation and hair restoration. These platelets in the blood contain growth factors that help to heal tissue in the body, including hair follicles, to promote increased hair growth. PRP therapy can also be used in combination with Microneedling to improve treatment results, helping to address fine lines, acne scars, and uneven skin texture and tone. When injected into the scalp, platelet-rich plasma encourages cell growth to prevent hair loss and strengthen hair follicles for thicker growth. Medically, PRP treatment can be used to aid in post-surgical recovery, musculoskeletal injuries, and osteoarthritis.

Where are Exosomes derived from?

Exosomes, which are extracellular vesicles, are derived from mesenchymal stem cells. These cells are donated to a lab, which sterilizes them and prepares them for use in skin care products and skin rejuvenation procedures. Before exosomes are available for aesthetic and medical use, they are carefully screened for harmful pathogens. To receive the best possible product, you must seek exosome treatment from a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green.

How does Exosome therapy work?

Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles that function in the body as messenger molecules for cell-to-cell communication. With a lipid bilayer, they can pass through tissue barriers while containing proteins, growth factors, RNA, and DNA. When used for medical or aesthetic purposes, dermal fibroblast exosomes help boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin, and decrease the appearance of hyperpigmentation related to age spots or sun exposure. Most commonly, exosomes are applied topically to the skin.

How does PRP work for skin rejuvenation?

PRP treatment works in three steps for skin rejuvenation:

Step 1: Blood Draw

Your healthcare practitioner will begin by drawing a blood sample and placing it in a centrifuge. All of the materials necessary for the preparation of PRP have been FDA-approved for cosmetic and medical use. PRP itself is not considered a drug since it is derived from the patient’s own blood.

Step 2: Separate the platelet-rich plasma

The centrifuge separates the platelet-rich plasma from the red blood cells. The isolated plasma is rich in growth factors.

Step 3: Injection or application

Once the plasma has been separated, the solution can be injected into the scalp or applied to the face following a microneedling treatment. Patients may experience minor side effects from the injections, such as some bruising and redness at the injection site. However, there is no downtime necessary, and these side effects should be resolved within one to two days.

What is the difference between PRP and Exosomes?

PRP treatment and exosome therapy are similar in that they can both be used for facial rejuvenation. These treatments provide patients with anti-aging effects, such as improved skin texture, tissue repair, and increased collagen production. Several key differences exist between the two treatment options:

• How invasive: PRP treatment requires extraction of the patient’s own blood to work, which also requires more preparation time. Exosomes are prepared in a separate lab, meaning they are ready for use when patients arrive for treatment
• Number of treatments necessary: Typically, patients only require 1-2 exosome treatments for optimal results, whereas patients will require 3-6 PRP treatments for the best results.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: Exosome therapy has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be highly effective for tissue regeneration treatment and wound healing. In contrast, PRP does not provide the same anti-inflammatory effects.
• Concentration of growth factors: Exosome treatment delivers a higher concentration and diversity of growth factors than PRP treatment. Additionally, the concentration of growth factors can depend on age because the number of growth factors found in the plasma decreases as we age.

Which is better, PRP or Exosomes?

PRP treatment is a safe and effective treatment for improving hair growth and decreasing signs of the natural aging process, such as fine lines, uneven skin texture, and decreased skin elasticity. Both PRP and exosome treatments are derived from naturally occurring molecules in the body, meaning that there is a very low risk of serious adverse events or allergic reactions. However, PRP is 100% safe as it is derived from the patient’s own blood. Currently, few clinical studies have been done to look at the risks or side effects of exosome treatment, and more research will need to be performed to understand its safety and efficacy. The best treatment option depends on each patient’s individual needs and aesthetic goals. During your initial consultation with board-certified expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, she will examine the treatment area and discuss your goals to develop the ideal treatment to meet your needs.

Do Exosomes work for hair loss?

Hair loss can occur for a number of reasons, including genetic predisposition, autoimmune disorders, stress, fluctuating hormone levels, medication, and malnutrition, and can be very distressing for patients. Additionally, hair follicles may become damaged or dormant for many reasons. Exosomes may be an effective treatment to address hair loss when applied to the scalp, as exosome therapy helps to trigger dormant hair follicles into reactivating, promoting new hair growth. Further studies as to the efficacy of exosomes for hair loss are still pending. PRP is a well-researched treatment for hair loss, and its effects have been widely studied. When injected into the scalp, PRP has been shown to promote tissue growth and regeneration to strengthen, thicken, and grow hair.

Is microneedling with Exosomes better than PRP?

Microneedling is a process in which small surgical-grade needles are applied to the skin’s surface, penetrating the outer layer and triggering the body’s natural wound-healing process. This boosts collagen production, which helps to improve the skin texture, reduce signs of hyperpigmentation, eliminate acne scars, and decrease the appearance of fine lines for facial rejuvenation. Various clinical studies have found that the results of microneedling can be improved with PRP treatments, which can enhance the wound-healing process for smoother, more youthful-looking skin. The effects of exosomes on microneedling treatment are still being investigated. Currently, PRP has been proven to increase hair growth safely and effectively.

Are Exosomes safer than PRP?

As both exosome and PRP treatments involve the injection or application of naturally occurring molecules from the body, there is a very low risk of any allergic reaction or adverse events. However, PRP has been studied in depth for its efficacy and safety more than exosomes. Additionally, since PRP is derived from a patient’s blood sample, it is deemed extremely safe. More studies are needed to determine the safety and any risks of adverse side effects of exosome treatment in cosmetic dermatology. With both procedures, the safest way to receive treatment is from an expert board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, who will ensure that all equipment is sterile, single-use, and derived from a lab with strict purification processes.

Does PRP contain Exosomes?

No. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) does contain exosomes, which are molecules that are naturally occurring in the body. In recent years, researchers have started to study the effects of exosomes derived from platelet-rich plasma and have discovered that these exosomes, in particular, are effective at improving recovery for broken bones. Clinical studies have demonstrated that PRP-derived exosomes may be helpful in reducing osteoarthritis in the knees. Research on the function of these exosomes is ongoing.

Can Exosomes cause cancer?

The application of exosomes for cosmetic or medical use has not been demonstrated to cause cancer or increase the risk of developing cancer. Exosomes naturally occur in the body and function as cell-to-cell messengers, carrying various proteins, lipids, DNA, and RNA to different cells. In our bodies, exosomes serve an important function but can also carry molecules associated with disease from cell to cell. However, this is not a concern with the aesthetic or medical application of exosomes, as any donated exosomes are purified in a lab and rigorously screened for disease before being sent for use.

Is Exosomes better than PRP?

Exosome treatment is not inherently better than PRP. An advantage to exosome treatment is that it doesn’t require a blood draw, which can be uncomfortable for some patients. The blood draw and centrifuge process for PRP treatment can also take time to prepare, whereas exosome therapy is ready for patients when they arrive. However, since the PRP is drawn from the patient’s own blood, patients can be 100% sure that the PRP treatment is safe. However, clinical studies regarding exosome treatment are still ongoing to determine the safety and efficacy of exosome treatment. In contrast, PRP has been widely studied for facial and hair rejuvenation and is safe and effective.

How long does it take for Exosomes to work?

Exosome therapy relies on the body’s natural processes to promote new hair growth. The full results can take up to four months to evaluate. Repeated maintenance treatments would be needed as well.

When were Exosomes discovered?

Researchers first published papers describing exosomes in the early 1980s, but the term was not coined until 1987. At first, researchers believed that exosomes were excreted from the cells as waste. It wasn’t until the late 80s that molecular biologists realized that exosomes actually functioned as cell-to-cell communicators, carrying proteins, DNA, RNA, and growth factors from one cell to another.

How can I get started with Exosome and PRP treatment today?

As we age, elastin and collagen production decreases, emphasizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, contributing to decreased skin elasticity, and resulting in uneven skin texture. Hair loss is also a common concern as we age, with male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness affecting as many as 1 in 5 men in their 20s, 1 in 3 men in their 30s, and 1 in 2 men in their 40s. While these signs of aging can be distressing, many treatment options are available at expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green’s New York City dermatology office. Both exosome therapy and PRP treatment are effective at improving skin texture, promoting hair growth, and boosting collagen production for a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients with the best non-invasive treatment options for skin and hair. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less-is-more philosophy, creating customized skincare routines and treatment plans that cater to the unique concerns and aesthetic goals of her patients. Dr. Green has been voted one of the best hair loss doctors on the Upper East Side of NYC for her consistent care and results. She is recognized as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Please call us at 212-535-3088 or email our New York City-based office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green and learn more about how PRP treatment and exosome therapy may be right for you.