Each country has its own regulations on cosmetic ingredients and, in some countries, it's not illegal to use exosomes of human origin. In the EU and the UK, exosomes of human origin are not approved for cosmetic applications and should not be used in aesthetic practice. Even so, “unfortunately, human exosomes are widely distributed in the UK today,” Shotter says. The legality of using exosomes of human origin for skin rejuvenation in the UK is subject of debate.
While some professionals argue that topical application of exosomes is allowed, concerns arise when exosomes are used topically in conjunction with procedures such as micropuncture, designed to improve skin care penetration. In addition, according to British and European regulations, the use of ingredients of human origin is strictly prohibited, making the use of exosomes of human origin illegal, even for topical applications. The ambiguity surrounding this topic underscores the importance of careful consideration before undergoing such treatments. For now, exosome treatment cannot be legally injected into the face in the UK.
Although experimental treatments have been carried out in some countries where exosome injections are used in facial aesthetics, regulatory bodies in the United Kingdom have not yet allowed this practice. Ingredients of human origin are not authorized for cosmetic use in the EU (rules followed by the United Kingdom). Therefore, currently, the only safe and approved sources come from plants that are also powerful enough to stimulate communication between human cells. Exosomes, or exosome therapy, are a new professional-grade skin treatment often used in conjunction with microneedle therapy or laser.
Microneedles create small channels in the skin, allowing exosomes to penetrate more effectively and stimulate natural skin repair mechanisms without the need for direct injections. While exosome injections are not currently an option, there are many other safe, regulated and effective treatments available in the UK to treat facial aging and skin rejuvenation. Exosomes are microscopic particles produced naturally by cells and are responsible for intercellular communication. Damree believes that once the use of the first exosome of human origin in medicine is approved, the regulations will begin to lean in favor of its topical application, but that it could be a long way away.
Many companies are making exosomes (they are relatively easy to manufacture), but the effectiveness of exosomes depends on the health of the cell they come from. Damree adds that biotechnology companies that have been dedicated to manufacturing human exosomes will be at the forefront of developing all exosomes, since they have the technology and manufacturing capacity needed to produce high-quality exosomes on a large scale. When combined with treatments such as microneedling and deep radiofrequency, exosome therapy can help produce smoother, smoother, firmer and more youthful-looking skin, as well as improving skin barrier function, improving hydration, reducing pores and controlling pigmentation. During this focus of activity, it will be important to analyze what companies sell, where they obtain their exosomes and the facilities in which they isolate them.
Companies from South Korea and the US The United States has begun to collect stem cells from human matter, such as umbilical cords, bone marrow and fat, and to extract exosomes from them for use in beauty. There is a real danger that, in their quest for commercial success, companies will damage the reputation of exosomes by using products before properly researching them. However, they also pose ethical problems due to UK regulations on ingredients of human origin and the potential risk of DNA contamination, since they usually come from babies or young people. Exosome treatments are an innovative approach to skin care that promotes youth by stimulating collagen production and improving cell renewal.
Until rigorous clinical trials demonstrate both the safety and efficacy of exosome-based injectables, their use in facial injections will remain banned.
