EXOSOMES
Cell-signalling technology used to accelerate healing and enhance the skin's own repair response. Applied to the skin during medical microneedling — never injected.
An add-on to microneedling, not a treatment in its own right.
EXOSOMES — WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO KNOW
Exosomes are one of the most talked-about things in aesthetics and one of the least well explained. There is genuine science here, and there is also a great deal of marketing built on top of it. This page sets out what they are, what they can realistically do for your skin, how we use them, and — importantly — how a lot of clinics are using them unlawfully.
30 min
From 299 British pounds
WHAT ARE EXOSOMES?
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles — microscopic packages released by cells as a way of communicating with one another. Each one carries a payload of growth factors, proteins, lipids and signalling molecules.
Their function in the body is instruction. When tissue is damaged, exosomes carry the messages that tell surrounding cells to switch into repair mode: produce collagen, calm inflammation, build new blood supply, regenerate.
In aesthetics, that signalling capacity is used to amplify the skin's response to a controlled injury — which is exactly what medical microneedling creates. The needling opens the channels and triggers the healing cascade; the exosomes intensify the instructions the skin receives while it heals.
What that means in practice: exosomes do not replace microneedling. They make it work harder.
HOW WE USE THEM — AND WHY IT MATTERS
We apply exosomes topically, during and immediately after your microneedling treatment. We do not inject them, and neither should anyone else.
In the UK, injecting exosomes — into the skin, under the skin, or intravenously — is not lawful. The MHRA treats injected exosomes as a medicinal product, and no exosome-based injectable holds a UK marketing authorisation. There is no exception for aesthetic clinics.
Applied to freshly needled skin, exosomes absorb far more effectively than they would through an intact surface. The micro-channels created during treatment remain open for 24 to 48 hours, which is why the product is applied at the point of maximum absorption and why what you put on your skin afterwards matters so much.
Three questions worth asking any clinic offering exosomes:
Are they injected?
If yes, walk away. It is not lawful, and any practitioner doing it is either unaware of the regulations or ignoring them. Neither is reassuring.
Are they human or donor-derived? Products described as "stem cell exosomes from donor tissue" or human-derived fall outside what can lawfully be used in a cosmetic treatment. We do not use them.
Are they CE marked?
Non-CE-marked exosome products sit outside regulatory oversight entirely, and using them voids most practitioner insurance.
At Sebastian Rose we use CE-marked products sourced through verified UK suppliers, applied topically, by GMC and NMC-registered practitioners. We will tell you exactly which product we are using and show you the packaging if you would like to see it.
WHAT EXOSOMES CAN REALISTICALLY DO
Faster recovery. The most consistently reported benefit. Redness and irritation after microneedling tend to settle more quickly, and the skin feels more comfortable during healing.
Better skin quality. Improvements in texture, hydration, radiance and tone, developing over the weeks after treatment alongside the collagen response from the needling itself.
Support for inflammatory skin. Exosomes have anti-inflammatory signalling properties, which can help where redness and reactivity are part of the picture.
Enhanced results from the microneedling. The most honest way to describe exosomes is as an amplifier. They make a good treatment better; they do not make a treatment out of nothing.
And what they will not do
They will not replace a course of treatments with a single session. They will not fill lines, restore volume or lift descended tissue. They will not deliver a transformation, and any before-and-after suggesting otherwise is showing you the microneedling, the lighting, or both.
THE EVIDENCE — HONESTLY
Exosome research is genuinely promising and genuinely early.
There is a growing body of published work, including split-face studies showing improvements in texture, hydration, elasticity and pigmentation when exosomes are combined with microneedling or laser. The underlying cell biology is well established and has been studied for years in regenerative medicine.
But the evidence base in aesthetics is emerging rather than settled, and no exosome product is approved as a medicine by the MHRA or the FDA anywhere in the world.
Study sizes are small.
Follow-up periods are short.
Products vary enormously in what they actually contain, and there is no standardised measure of potency across brands.
We offer exosomes because we think they add something worthwhile for the right patient.
We are not going to tell you they are proven, because they are not yet — and a clinic that tells you otherwise is either not reading the literature or hoping you have not.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Worth considering if you are already having medical microneedling and want to get more from it; your skin is dull, textured or lacking radiance; you are prone to prolonged redness and want a smoother recovery; your skin is reactive or inflamed; or you are treating acne scarring and want to support the healing response.
Probably not worth it if your concern is volume loss, lines that need filling, or laxity — none of which exosomes address. It is also not the place to start if you have not yet got a sensible skincare routine and daily sun protection in place, because those will do more for you than any add-on.
Not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, where you have an active skin infection in the area, or where microneedling itself is not appropriate for you.
A note on cost. Exosomes are an add-on and charged in addition to your microneedling. They are not cheap. If your budget is limited, a full course of microneedling on its own will do more for your skin than one session with an expensive add-on — and we would rather tell you that than sell you the upgrade.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are exosomes legal in the UK?
Topically, yes. By injection, no. The MHRA considers injected exosomes to be a medicinal product, and none holds a UK marketing authorisation. We apply exosomes to the surface of the skin during microneedling, which is lawful and is how they are used properly.
Can I have exosomes injected?
Not here, and not anywhere in the UK lawfully. If a clinic offers to inject them, that tells you something about the rest of their practice.
Are exosomes derived from stem cells? Exosome products vary in origin. We use only CE-marked products and do not use human or donor tissue-derived exosomes, which fall outside what can lawfully be used in cosmetic treatment. Your practitioner will tell you exactly what we are using.
Do exosomes hurt?
No. The exosomes themselves are simply applied to the skin. Any discomfort comes from the microneedling, and numbing cream is applied beforehand where we are working deeper.
How long is the downtime?
The same as your microneedling — redness for 12 to 24 hours at lighter depths, up to 72 hours at deeper settings. Many people find recovery is a little faster with exosomes rather than slower.
When will I see results?
Skin often looks better within the first week. The fuller effect develops over four to twelve weeks as new collagen forms, and continues building for up to six months after a completed course.
How many treatments will I need?
Exosomes follow the microneedling protocol — typically three to six sessions, four to six weeks apart, depending on what we are treating. A single session gives a genuine glow, but it will not resolve scarring or laxity.
Can I have exosomes without microneedling?
Not meaningfully. Applied to intact skin, exosome molecules are far too large to penetrate usefully. The micro-channels are what make the treatment work, so anyone selling exosomes as a stand-alone facial is selling you an expensive serum.
Are exosomes better than PRP?
Different, not better. PRP uses your own blood and its growth factors, which some people prefer for that reason, and it has a longer track record. Exosomes are more concentrated in signalling molecules and do not require a blood draw. Your practitioner will discuss which suits you.
Can I combine exosomes with polynucleotides?
Yes, and they work well together — they act through different mechanisms. Polynucleotides are injected and regenerate over months; exosomes are applied topically and support the immediate healing response.
Can I use my normal skincare afterwards?
Not for 48 hours. The micro-channels stay open, so anything applied penetrates far deeper than usual. Vitamin C, retinoids, acids and fragranced products are all perfectly safe on intact skin but were never designed for delivery at that level. Please use only what we give you.
Are there any risks?
The main risks are those of microneedling itself. Specific to the exosome component, there is a small chance of irritation, prolonged redness or an allergic reaction to a component of the product. Your practitioner will go through all of it before you consent.
Do you treat under-18s?
No. All treatments at Sebastian Rose are for adults only, without exception.
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION
We will assess your skin properly and tell you honestly whether exosomes are worth adding to your treatment — or whether your money would be better spent elsewhere.
Consultations are face to face, in clinic, in Cardiff.
0800 772 0137 · 39 Charles Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GB
ARE EXOSOMES RIGHT FOR ME?
Purasomes are ideal if you have mature, dry, or aging skin seeking intensive rejuvenation and clinically proven results. Perfect for those wanting advanced exosome therapy for firmness, hydration, and visible skin repair.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?
Visible improvements in skin firmness, hydration, and radiance within just 4 weeks. Expect reduced fine lines, improved texture, enhanced elasticity, and a more youthful, nourished complexion with continued use.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS/ SIDE-EFFECTS?
Purasomes are generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. Some patients may experience temporary mild redness, tingling, or sensitivity at application site, which typically resolves quickly.
