Dr. Teri Fisher:  Hello, and welcome to this week’s episode of the podcast. It’s great to have you along as always. Thank you to all of you that have been giving us some fantastic feedback on the podcast. It’s really appreciated, and it’s a lot of fun bringing these to you.

Today, we’re talking about a topic that is very, very hot right now in social media. It is a very topical issue right now when it comes to dermatologic anesthetic treatments, and that is the whole topic of exosomes. You may have seen these on social media. People are sharing posts about having treatments with exosomes, but the truth is I don’t think that there’s a very good understanding about what these actually are and how these work. So today we’re going to tackle this. We’re going to talk about what exosomes are. We’re going to talk about how they’re created, and of course what they do. How do they function? How can they help when it comes to medicine and your skin, dermatological procedures, treatments, and aesthetic medicine treatments as well?

Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles released by various cell types. They act as small containers carrying proteins and other biological materials to facilitate communication between cells. These vesicles can be considered as microscopic “delivery guys” that transport important proteins from one cell to another. Exosomes are outside the cells, meaning they have been released and can move to different locations. They are extremely small, ranging from 30 to 200 nanometers, smaller than the cells themselves.

The ability to isolate, purify, and concentrate exosomes makes them valuable for medical purposes. They can be obtained from different living organisms, such as animals or plant cells. While exosomes are derived from living cells, they are not living organisms themselves. This characteristic allows exosomes to be manipulated, stored, and transported for clinical use.

Exosomes have diverse clinical applications. In the field of dermatology and aesthetics, they show promise in treating various conditions. Here are some specific examples:

1. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Exosomes can decrease the immune response and inflammation associated with eczema. They also improve the skin barrier function, providing relief from redness, itching, and flaking.

2. Scarring: Exosomes promote the migration and proliferation of cells involved in tissue repair, such as fibroblasts. They facilitate collagen deposition and wound healing, leading to reduced scarring. When used in conjunction with treatments like CO2 lasers, exosomes can enhance recovery and minimize side effects.

3. Hair Loss: Early studies suggest that exosomes stimulate hair follicle proliferation and accelerate the growth phase (anagen) of hair. They may have a role in improving hair thickness and addressing hair loss when used in combination with other treatments like microneedling or PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma).

4. Pigmentation Disorders: Exosomes have shown potential in treating hyperpigmentation disorders like melasma. They contain proteins that affect the function of keratinocytes and melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin coloration. Exosomes may help regulate and improve irregular pigmentation.

5. Skin Aging: Exosomes may contribute to collagen synthesis, promoting more youthful and elastic skin. They also show potential in reducing damage caused by UV exposure, a major factor in skin aging.

It’s important to note that while these findings are promising, further research is still needed to fully understand and validate the efficacy of exosomes in these applications. However, their potential benefits make them an exciting area of study and development in the field of aesthetic medicine.

If you’re interested in learning more about exosomes or exploring treatments incorporating exosomes, it’s recommended to contact a reputable clinic or medical professional experienced in this area.

Thank you once again for tuning into the podcast. I hope this was fun for you. I hope it was nice to be able to learn a little bit more about exosomes. As always, feel free to reach out to me. I’m only too happy to have a chat with you, about anything that you’ve heard about on the podcast. On Instagram I am Dr. Teri Fisher, D R T E R I F I S H E R. Feel free to reach out to me at Anti-Aging Vancouver as well, at antiagingvancouver.com or on my personal website at DrTeriFisher.Com. Until next time, be well, and talk to you soon.