Unlocking Youth

The Relationship Between Exosomes and Anti-Ageing

- Dr Jeanel Goh

Advancements in anti-ageing treatments are reshaping the field of medical aesthetics, with exosomes taking centre stage. Once dismissed as cellular waste, these nanosized vesicles are now recognised for their role in intercellular communication and skin tissue regeneration. As such, exosomes have been used in up-and-coming topical cosmetic products that boost patients’ youthfulness. Specifically, exosome treatments to rejuvenate the skin and hair are becoming increasingly popular in Singapore. Let us delve deeper into what exosomes are as well as their uses in anti-ageing aesthetic treatments.

UNDERSTANDING EXOSOMES

Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles measuring less than 200 nanometres. They are naturally produced by nearly all living cells. These vesicles are non-living and encapsulated by a lipid bilayer membrane, making them capable of carrying bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids and microRNA (miRNA). Their primary role is to act as a messenger cell to help facilitate cell-tocell communication, influencing the behaviour of recipient cells. Unlike stem cells, exosomes do not carry the risk of replication or rejection, thanks to their evolutionarily conserved structure. Exosomes can be derived from various sources, including:

Adipose Stem Cells (ASC-Exos): Commonly used in skin and hair rejuvenation.

Plant-derived Exosomes (PELNs): Effective in pigmentation control and production of collagen.

ANTI-AGEING POTENTIAL OF EXOSOMES

Deemed by a research paper in the established Prime Journal as “nature’s gift to your skin”, exosomes can significantly enhance the youthfulness of patients’ complexion. There are a number of ways in which they can be applied topically to reverse the signs of skin ageing in patients, including:

SKIN REGENERATION