If you’ve looked at the microneedling page on Kent Laser’s site recently, you’ll have spotted something newer than the standard Dermapen treatment: microneedling combined with exosomes. It’s being talked about across the aesthetics industry as the next step beyond standard collagen induction, but what does it actually do, and is the science there yet?
What Exosomes Actually Are
Exosomes are tiny particles released by cells that act as messengers, carrying growth factors, proteins, and genetic material between cells. In skincare, exosome-based products are typically derived from stem cells and applied to the skin to support cellular repair and communication.
On their own, exosomes can’t get past the skin’s surface in any meaningful way. That’s where microneedling comes in.
Why Are The Two Paired Together?
Standard microneedling creates thousands of microscopic channels in the skin using fine needles. This triggers the body’s natural wound-healing response, encouraging collagen and elastin production. Pairing this with an exosome-based serum, used as the needling solution instead of a standard meso-glide, means the exosomes are delivered directly into those freshly created channels rather than sitting on the surface.
What The Evidence Actually Says
This is where it’s worth being honest rather than enthusiastic. A systematic review of microneedling combined with exosome therapy, covering eight studies across conditions including skin ageing, pigmentation, and hair loss, found encouraging early results with a good safety profile and no patients discontinuing treatment due to side effects. Reported reactions were mild and short-lived, including some redness, swelling, and tingling that settled within a few days.
The same review was clear about its limitations: small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and considerable variation between studies. A separate pilot study looking specifically at pore size and skin texture reached a similar conclusion: promising signals, but not yet enough evidence to call it definitive.
In short, this is a treatment with genuinely interesting early research behind it, not one with years of large-scale clinical trials. It’s reasonable to expect a boost to standard microneedling’s effects, but it’s not yet something that can be promised to outperform established treatments for every skin concern.
What it’s Generally Used For
Based on current research and clinical use, exosome-enhanced microneedling is most often considered for:
- Supporting the skin’s natural repair process alongside standard microneedling
- General hydration and skin texture improvement
- Use alongside anti-ageing or rejuvenation-focused treatment plans
It is not a replacement for medical treatment of any diagnosed skin condition, and a consultation is the only way to know whether it’s appropriate for your skin.
What to Expect During and After Treatment
The procedure itself follows the same format as standard microneedling: cleansing, numbing if needed, the needling pass, and then the exosome serum is applied directly into the channels created. Most people are advised to avoid applying other products to the treated area for the following 24 hours, allowing the serum time to do its work without interference.
Worth Considering?
If you’re already a good candidate for microneedling and you’re curious about an add-on with a genuinely newer research base behind it, this is reasonable to discuss at your next consultation. Worth going in with realistic expectations rather than treating it as a guaranteed upgrade.
Want to know if exosome-enhanced microneedling fits your skin goals? Contact the team at Kent Laser & Aesthetic Clinic in Gravesend to book your consultation.
