Ever wish you could rejuvenate your skin without needles, lasers, or surgery? Enter exosomes—a skincare innovation shaking things up in the aesthetic world, and for good reason.
Sound like something straight from a sci-fi lab? That’s because they are. Well, kinda. Exosomes are tiny bubbles released by your body’s cells to carry messages to other “neighborhoods” in your body. Capturing all that cellular wisdom in a bottle is pretty advanced stuff.
If you’re wondering how exosomes are used in medspa treatments or as part of your skincare routine, you’re in the right place. Exosomes serums have been flying off the shelves in our clinics. But first, let’s go over the basics.
What Are Exosomes, Really?
Let’s get a bit scientific, because you deserve to know exactly what’s going on your skin. Exosomes are nano-sized particles packed with important instructions. They carry proteins, growth factors, lipids, and bits of genetic material called microRNA, all of which help cells heal, repair, and regenerate.
While many cells in the body produce exosomes (even unhealthy cells like cancer), the goal of advanced skincare is to source them from the good guys: healthy, regenerative cells. You want exosomes from cells that specifically say, “build more collagen,” “calm inflammation and reduce redness,” or “create new tissue to speed up healing.”
That’s why medical-grade exosomes are usually collected from stem cells or platelets that both have that regenerative power. Platelets, tiny fragments in your blood, naturally jump-start healing and help wounds close faster. They’re the body’s first responders, loaded with growth factors that quickly signal the skin to repair.
At The Luxe Room, we’re huge fans of Plated SkinScience, which uses platelet-derived exosomes. We love to use it as a topical add-on, as well as recommend it to our clients for at-home use. And we’ll get into all that inside this article.
What Do Exosomes Help With and Who Can Benefit?
Exosomes might sound futuristic, but their most impressive trait is that they can tackle multiple skin issues at once. Here’s who can especially benefit from exosomes:
Aging Skin. Exosomes help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by ramping up collagen production, helping with skin regeneration and promoting skin cells turnover.
Uneven tone or dark spots. Exosomes can fade pigmentation by regulating melanin production and triggering skin regeneration.
Acne scars. The same principles apply when reducing acne scars—exosomes contain growth factors and protein that speed up healing, helping fade those lingering marks.
Sensitive or reactive skin. Exosomes can moderate the immune response of reactive skin by reducing inflammation and calming skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Dry or dehydrated skin. While many hydrating serums work by plumping up the surface, exosomes deliver essential nutrients that help with moisture retention from within.
Loss of firmness. Firm, plump skin is the ultimate sign of youth and exosomes help improve this by ramping up collagen and elastin production, as well as remodelling the skin’s matrix that supports its structure.
Dullness or texture issues. Exosomes trigger accelerated skin turnover, which coupled with hydration and new cell production leads to better texture and more radiant skin.
Post-procedure skin. Our favorite way to use exosomes—perfect for accelerating recovery after microneedling, laser or chemical peels.
How Do Exosomes Compare to PRF, PRP, or PDGF?
You’ve probably heard of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or PRF (platelet-rich fibrin). Both use your own blood—spun in a centrifuge—to isolate and concentrate the platelets and growth factors that help skin heal and renew. These treatments have been around for years and are widely trusted for their results.
PDGF, or Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, is a bit different. It’s a lab-engineered protein that mimics the growth signals naturally found in your blood. One standout product using PDGF is Ariessence Pure PDGF+, a topical serum made using recombinant DNA technology. It’s completely synthetic (no human or animal components), sterile, and extremely potent—sometimes offering up to 300,000 times more growth factors than PRF or PRP. That potency doesn’t vary either; it’s consistent vial to vial, which is a big plus.
Exosomes are a bit more comprehensive. They don’t just deliver growth factors—they carry a full suite of healing instructions: proteins, RNA, lipids, and more. And they’re easy to use. No blood draw, no prep. Just a medical-grade serum you apply after cleansing or post-treatment.
That said, PRP and PRF still have one clear advantage: they come from your own body. For some people, that makes them feel safer and more personal. But if you’re looking for something potent, consistent, and easier to use, exosomes and synthetic PDGF serums offer an exciting option.
Are Exosomes Safe?
Exosomes are one of the most exciting developments in skincare—but like anything new, it’s smart to ask questions. When formulated and used correctly, exosomes are generally considered safe, especially in topical products like Plated.
The exosomes in skincare serums are harvested from carefully screened human stem cells or platelets, multiplied in lab settings, then purified through multiple lab-grade steps: centrifugation, filtration, freeze-drying, and strict quality control. Only the cleanest, most stable particles make it into the final product.
At The Luxe Room, we only use exosomes topically—never injected. That matters. Most of the reported side effects in dermatology circles come from injectable products, where risks like inflammation, infection, or granulomas (small lumps under the skin) are more common.
Topical use, especially after treatments like microneedling, avoids those risks while still delivering visible results. There are no reported side effects after topical use, but more studies need to be done to get the full picture.
Still, exosomes aren’t FDA-approved. That’s not unusual for skincare, but it does mean quality varies. Some unregulated products may skip the rigorous testing required to ensure safety and consistency, so it’s important to only get your exosomes from reputable brands.
Where to Get Exosomes—and What They Cost
You can find exosome serums like Plated online, but they’re primarily distributed through dermatology clinics and medspas (like us). And that’s intentional. These aren’t your average over-the-counter products—clients need to know exactly what they’re using and how to use it for best results. A professional setting ensures you get guidance, not just a bottle.
As for the price? Exosome skincare isn’t cheap. At the time of writing, Plated Intense Serum is officially priced around $258 for a 0.5 oz bottle—which typically lasts about 30 to 50 days. It’s definitely an investment, but considering it’s medical-grade and often delivers visible results within six weeks, it’s a great alternative to the cost of in-clinic procedures.
Should You Do Exosomes at Home or In Clinic?
Both—and they actually work best together.
In clinic, we love using exosomes right after microneedling. The treatment creates micro-channels in your skin, which means the exosomes can get deeper and go to work faster. You’ll heal quicker, see better results, and feel way less downtime. They also pair well with laser or chemical peels for the same reason.
Then there’s home use. A good exosome serum like Plated keeps the momentum going in between treatments. It helps your skin stay in that regenerative, glowy zone—and supports everything we’re doing in the clinic.
So you don’t have to choose. Come in for the big boost, then keep the results going at home. It’s a combo we recommend often, and clients love it.
How to Use Exosomes at Home
At-home exosome skincare doesn’t need to be complicated—but there’s a right way to get the most out of it.
Step 1: Start with clean skin.
Use a gentle cleanser to wash away impurities and prep your skin for absorption. Exosomes are tiny but potent, and they work best when there’s nothing in their way.
Step 2: Apply your exosome serum.
Use a pea-sized amount (or 1–2 pumps) of product and gently press it into your skin. Let it fully absorb before layering anything else—this usually takes about 10–15 minutes. You want those exosomes to reach your cells, not get blocked by another product.
Step 3: Layer on your moisturizer.
Once the serum is absorbed, follow with your go-to moisturizer to lock everything in and support hydration.
Step 4: Slot it into your routine.
You can use exosomes once or twice daily. If you’re also using actives like retinol, apply them first, let them settle, then follow with exosomes—or alternate evenings if your skin’s feeling sensitive.
Step 5: Exfoliate 2–3 times a week.
Exosomes speed up skin turnover. That’s a good thing—but you need to exfoliate. Otherwise, you might see a dull complexion forming, not to mention you won’t get the best of the products applied on your skin.
Pro Tip: To keep your glow, use a gentle exfoliant—like our favorite, Edit Antiox Microscrub—a couple of times a week. It helps the serum absorb better and keeps dullness away.
How Soon Can You See Results & How Long Should You Keep Using Exosomes?
Most people start noticing a subtle glow and smoother texture within just a few weeks—around two to four—not long after they begin using exosomes regularly. By around six weeks, changes become more evident: fine lines soften, elasticity improves, and skin tone evens out—just like the Plated clinical study found with visible results in six weeks.
If you get exosomes in a clinic setting—say after microneedling or laser—the effects will keep building for months. Many clinics report that results continue improving over six to eight months post-treatment.
How long to stick with it? Most professionals recommend committing to at least six weeks of daily use at home, then maintaining results with occasional clinic refreshers—maybe once or twice a year—depending on your skin goals and response.
Ready to give your skin the next-gen glow-up it deserves? At The Luxe Room, you can purchase Plated SkinScience directly from us and get expert guidance on how to use it for your skin goals. Don’t forget to pair it with our Edit Antiox Microscrub—our in-house exfoliant designed to enhance absorption and keep dullness at bay.
Want even better results? Ask about adding exosomes to your next microneedling or laser treatment. Whether you’re using it at home or in clinic, we’re here to help you get the most out of this powerful skincare breakthrough.
