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Review
. 2025 Jan;24(1):e16766.
doi: 10.1111/jocd.16766.

Exosomes for Aesthetic Dermatology: A Comprehensive Literature Review and Update

Milaan Shah, Victoria Dukharan, Luke Broughton, Carol Stegura, Nina Schur, Luna Samman, Todd Schlesinger
Review

Exosomes for Aesthetic Dermatology: A Comprehensive Literature Review and Update

Milaan Shah et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles derived from various cell types and tissues that have many potential applications, generating great interest from researchers. One particularly intriguing application of exosomes is their use as a direct therapeutic for aesthetic indications. Several studies and case reports have explored the impact of exosomes for numerous cosmetic concerns but a consensus on the outcomes of these studies has not been established.

Aims: In this review, we summarize the proposed mechanism of action, application, and efficacy of treatments with exosomes for alopecia and hair rejuvenation, facial rejuvenation, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review on the use of exosomes for the treatment of alopecia and hair rejuvenation, facial rejuvenation, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. Additionally, several practical clinical cases where exosomes were applied for these indications were included.

Results: The general consensus from the literature review showed that the early evidence supports the efficacy of exosomes for the treatment of alopecia, facial rejuvenation, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. The clinical cases included demonstrated promising improvements in the patients that received treatment. Several limitations regarding the lack of standardization in the production and application of exosomes may limit their current use until more studies are conducted.

Conclusions: Exosomes may serve as a potentially beneficial therapeutic option for several aesthetic dermatologic indications but further investigation is required to fully characterize the scope of their application.

Keywords: aesthetics; alopecia; exosomes; facial rejuvenation; hair rejuvenation; hyperpigmentation; scar remodeling; scarring; stem cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

Todd Schlesinger serves as a consultant, investigator, speaker, and/or advisor for Abbvie, Almirall, Allergan (An Abbvie company), ASLAN Pharma, Arcutis, Biofrontera, Beirsdorf, Benev, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Castle Biosciences, Galderma, Eli Lilly, ExoCoBio, Incyte, Janssen, LEO, L'Oreal, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, Takeda, UCB Pharma, and Verrica. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Images of the frontal scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Tomoharu Nakano.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Left frontal view of the scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Tomoharu Nakano.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Right frontal view of the scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Tomoharu Nakano.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Images of the vertex scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Tomoharu Nakano.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Left frontal view of the scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Carlos Alberto Garcia Meraz.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Images of the frontal scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Carlos Alberto Garcia Meraz.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Images of the vertex scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Carlos Alberto Garcia Meraz.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Top view of the scalp before and after exosome treatment. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Carlos Alberto Garcia Meraz.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
The patient's areola is hyperpigmented and edematous following lumpectomy and radiation therapy to treat invasive breast carcinoma. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Jona Louise Macaraeg‐Jimenez.
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 10
The patient's areola with less hyperpigmentation and edema 2 weeks after completing treatment with twice a day topical exosomes for 3 weeks. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Jona Louise Macaraeg‐Jimenez.
FIGURE 11
FIGURE 11
Top Left: Patient's scar before treatment. Top Right: The scar 1 day after the initial treatment. Bottom Left: The scar 10 days after the first treatment. Bottom Right: The patient's scar at day 13 following two microneedling treatments. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Lidia Majewska.
FIGURE 12
FIGURE 12
Images of the umbilical scar prior to therapy. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Gabriela Cedillo Garcia.
FIGURE 13
FIGURE 13
The umbilical scar 8 days after the initial treatment session. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Gabriela Cedillo Garcia.
FIGURE 14
FIGURE 14
The umbilical scar 7 days after the second treatment session. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Gabriela Cedillo Garcia.
FIGURE 15
FIGURE 15
The umbilical scar 7 days after the third treatment session. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Gabriela Cedillo Garcia.
FIGURE 16
FIGURE 16
Front‐facing view of the patient before and after exosome treatment. Images courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Roslyn S. De Leon.
FIGURE 17
FIGURE 17
Angled view of the right side of the patient's face before and after exosome treatment, highlighting the cheek area. Images courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Roslyn S. De Leon.
FIGURE 18
FIGURE 18
Angled view of the left side of the patient's face before and after exosome treatment, highlighting the cheek area. Images courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Roslyn S. De Leon.
FIGURE 19
FIGURE 19
Front‐facing view of the patient before and after exosome treatment. Images courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Roslyn S. De Leon.
FIGURE 20
FIGURE 20
Close up front facing view before and after exosome treatment. Images courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Roslyn S. De Leon.
FIGURE 21
FIGURE 21
Left side profile before and after exosome treatment. Images courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Roslyn S. De Leon.
FIGURE 22
FIGURE 22
Right side profile view before and after exosome treatment. Images courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Roslyn S. De Leon.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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