Parinama-November 2023

Director's Message

“Every once in a while, a new technology, an old problem, and a big idea turn into an innovation.” - Dean Kamen?

Ever wondered if the long-lasting scar you had could vanish one day? It is all a possibility today with the advancement of medical science and research. Regenerative medicine is one such field of medicine that helps in repairing and replacing cells and tissues that have been damaged by disease, injury or old age. Cells called stem cells can produce new cells and help with tissue and organ repair. The common PRP or platelet-rich plasma therapy is a form of regenerative treatment.?

Regenerative medical treatments are always on the path of constant research and innovation. The current limitations are bridged by the latest technology, new medical treatments and advanced scientific outcomes. One such treatment that is gaining immense popularity is the exosome treatment. Exosomes, called Extracellular Vesicles (EcVs) help in regenerative outcomes and repair cells damaged by injury or disease. Exosome treatment is used for rejuvenation and repair of the skin, as a solution for hair loss and in fields such as orthopaedics.?

Exosome treatments for the skin can repair and rebuild cells and tissues in a natural manner. It can increase the production of collagen by upto six times and elastin fibres by upto 300%. Exosomes called adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells can provide good results for hair loss conditions due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Exosomes called mesenchymal stem cells help with anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory benefits by promoting overall health.?

From using exosome treatments in the field of aesthetic medicine to treating various autoimmune conditions, it is being explored for holistic health, rejuvenation and repair. From making the skin brighter and youthful to treating painful and inflammatory joint and muscle issues, the benefits of the treatment are multifold. I believe that making healthcare results better each day is the need of the hour. With the increase in lifestyle, autoimmune and chronic health issues, it is important to strive for better treatment results and exosome treatment aids it.?

Procedure for the Month

Exosome treatment?

The exosomes derived from laboratory stem cells exhibit anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and therapeutic properties. Thus, cosmetologists prefer these exosomes to repair damaged cells and stimulate collagen and elastin production. With these advantages, this therapy is highly recommended to treat facial skin and hair follicles.?

Patients with acne or wrinkled skin can undergo this exosome therapy to repair and rejuvenate their skin. As a result, their skin gets toned and gets a perfect glow and youthfulness. On the other side, when a patient with poor hair growth takes this therapy, their hair follicles resume growth by regenerating the growth cells in the hair follicles.????

So far, this therapy involves exosomes as injectables or topical applications—serum, cream, and masks. The choice solely depends on various factors, such as the physician’s expertise, the country’s legal terms, the patient’s risk levels, and, most importantly, the need for the underlying problem. For example, 1-2 injections suffice for moderate skin damage.

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The pros of using this therapy are immediate results, no considerable side effects, and the fact that it can be combined with other treatments like filling and microneedling. Another advantage is that the patients need to repeat the therapy for at least a few years, as the results are quite long-lasting.

The notable fact that hinders the wide reach of this therapy is that it is not yet FDA-approved. Also, the research and review studies revolving around this exosome application in aesthetic medicine are still in their infancy stage. Thus, these two aspects are considered the major cons of this exosome treatment.?

In the United States, the cost of this therapy ranges between USD 3,500 and USD 10,000. In India, the cost for exosome treatment is 40k plus tax for one session.?

Procedures in Demand

Exosome Treatment for Hair and Skin

Exosomes are the extracellular vesicles excreted by the cells. It comprises nucleic acids, proteins, cytokines, lipids, and other bioactive compounds that help in cosmetic healing. Directly, these compounds help in healing, repairing, and producing collagen. Indirectly, these compounds help in hydration and elastin production. While the biocompounds exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, the growth factors in these exosomes exhibit regenerative properties.?

As the therapy is in its initial phases of development, the aestheticians are primarily focusing on treating skin and hair for now.?

Exosome therapy for Hair

Firstly, the exosomes help in the proliferation of dermal papilla and outer root sheath (ORS) cells. Secondly, they control the NF-α pathways of hair growth. Thirdly, they influence the activity of follicular dermal and epidermal cells and thereby help in hair shaft elongation. With these mechanisms, exosome therapy can be considered a great choice for hair loss treatments.??

In this therapy, the exosomes along with the required growth factors are injected, and they may last up to six to eight months in the body, helping in hair growth restoration.

Exosome Therapy for Skin

Patients with sun-exposed skin, acne, scars, pigments, wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, and similar skin issues can choose this exosome therapy for healing. Not only does this therapy heal, but it also rejuvenates the skin by hydrating and plumping the skin. As a result, the skin gets quickly treated, improving its overall appearance.?

Notably, renowned aesthetic healthcare centers have been using this therapy as one of the most powerful therapies for anti-aging skin treatments. In this treatment, when the skin is injected with the exosomes, reactive oxygen species production in the body decreases, and TGF-β collagen production increases. This, in turn, increases the elastin and gives the skin a younger look, feel, and texture.

4. Product Reviews

Bee Venom Serum

This is a perfect serum that helps to rejuvenate the skin. The key ingredients are P-CELL (skin toning and revitalization), JUVINITY (gives hydration and reduces visible wrinkles), PROTURON (gives a plumping effect), and VCIP (induces collagen and elastin production).?

A few brands provide bee venom serum along with manuka honey, which helps nourish the skin in addition to healing cell damage.???

• Dosage: Use only two to three times a week and as per the prescription.
• Precaution: Avoid using it around the eye regions.
• Instructions for use: Wash the face and apply a pinch of the serum all over the face in an upward direction.

Jelly Fish Serum

Jellyfish serum is an amazing anti-aging skincare solution. It mainly contains the DBS (Deep Blue Sea) complex extracted from jellyfish venom and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin. Also, it gives radiance to the skin after continuous use.

• Dosage: Apply two or three times every day (can be used during the day and night)
• Precaution: Keep it out of the reach of children. Do not keep them in direct sunlight. Avoid contact with the eyes. For external use only.?
• Instructions for use: Cleanse and dry the skin before application. Apply it to the face and neck regions and massage until it gets absorbed.

5. Industry News

Everything you need to know about the game changer (exosome treatment) and its benefits

Around five to six years ago, aestheticians might have heard about “exosomes” at conferences. Today, they are more than what researchers and doctors might have dreamed of. Steven, the president of ASPS (the American Society of Plastic Surgeons), said, “Exosomes could be bigger than Botox and the Holy Grail in anti-aging.”

Until July 2020, exosomes and other stemcell-derived products did not receive the FDA’s approval. But that did not stop many physicians and aestheticians from using them. After getting to know exosomes’ benefits in terms of skin or hair regeneration or repair, aestheticians began using them. And surprisingly, the patients were able to see promising results sooner than expected.?

Experts claim that exosomes, in a way, act like the cousin of PRP (platelet-rich plasma). In fact, exosomes showcase more advantages than PRP. When a PRP can be obtained from the patient’s own blood, an exosome can be obtained from plants, animals, or even from donated fat cells or blood cells. In addition, the PRP contains only a few growth factors, whereas exosomes contain more growth factors. Moreover, a PRP may be of low quality as it depends on the patient's age. However, exosomes can be considered ageless.?????

Apart from exosomes’ regenerative benefits, they also help in cell signaling. Certainly, scientists have not studied this aspect in detail so far with regard to its impact on skin repair. Once done, the physicians will know where to draw a line when using the exosomes for antiaging treatments, skin rejuvenation, etc.??

Above and beyond, the aesthetic medicine industry has begun using exosomes for improving skin quality and texture, more than other medical doctors using them for repairing cartilage or joints. Lately, we have seen many aesthetic surgeons combine exosome therapy with microneedling treatments or fillers to witness immediate and long-lasting results on the skin.?