Exosomes vs. Platelet Rich Plasma
Exosomes vs. Platelet Rich Plasma
Many of our patients want to know about the latest treatments with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, and Exosomes. Read on to learn more about how these revolutionary new treatments can be used to address a variety of cosmetic concerns, from hair loss to aging skin.
At Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, Dr. Olga Bachilo stays on the cutting edge of technology to provide her Houston-area patients with the most advanced cosmetic treatments available in the world. We provide PRP therapy for such concerns as hair loss, as it can stimulate new hair growth; we also use it to rejuvenate the face in treatments that are popularly known as “Vampire facials.”
Exosome therapy is among the newest treatments we offer, and we are seeing great success in treating our patients for hair loss with this treatment.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP is produced from plasma drawn from your own blood that contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and active proteins. All of these components contribute to healing and tissue regeneration.
What are Exosomes?
Exosome therapy is an advanced treatment that is being heralded as the newest frontier in the field of cell therapy. Exosomes are described as extracellular vesicles or microscopic bubbles that are released by stem cells that may be derived from human bone marrow, or from PRP.
Exosomes transport genetic information and proteins to other cells and are believed to be a medium for communication between cells. In recent years, clinical studies of exosomes have found that they carry out an important function in the transportation of essential nutrients, such as proteins, lipids, mRNAs, miRNAs, and DNA. Exosome therapy is now being used to treat a variety of medical conditions.
What is the relationship between PRP and Exosomes?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has recently gained widespread acceptance among doctors, and is now being used extensively across the medical field to treat such conditions as chronic wounds, thanks to an abundance of growth factors and exosomes that are secreted by the platelets found in PRO. These exosomes derived from PRP are known as PRP-Exos, which encapsulate and deliver essential growth factors from platelets to other cells.
What are PRP and Exosomes therapies used for?
PRP/Exosomes Therapy has been used medically for years to accelerate healing of wounds following surgery; as well as repairing connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments, and restoring damaged joints. PRP/Exosome therapy has been proven effective in healing wounds and it also helps to regenerate muscle and bone. Exosomes are ideal for use during facial reguvenating treatmetns such as Microneedling with and without Radiofrequency energy.
How does PRP work?
When PRP is injected into the skin directly it triggers a local response at the cellular level. Over the course of several weeks following the treatment, these stem cells begin to build new collagen, as well as and blood vessels, which repair and regenerate damaged skin and/or hair follicles, helping to slow and reverse the visible signs of aging, while producing healthy, glowing skin as well as increased hair growth in target treatment areas.
How does Exosome therapy work?
Exosomes, like PRP, are delivered by injection directly into the treatment site. While the exact mechanism detailing how exosomes work is still a mystery that doctors are trying to solve, many believe that exosomes target existing stem cells in your skin and/or scalp, providing key nutrients to these cells, and thus stimulating hair growth. Overall, Exosome therapy has proven very successful in reversing hair loss and encouraging hair re-growth.
Are there any risks?
The risks are very minimal, since PRP and Exosomes are normally extracted from the patient’s own blood, so there is very little possibility of an adverse reaction to the injections. Most patients experience minor irritation and redness at the injection sites upon completion of the treatment, while a smaller number may experience minor swelling and/or bruising at the injection sites that may last up to a week. Since the PRP is extracted from your own blood, there is no danger of disease transmission, allergic or immune reaction. As with all cosmetic treatments, you must go a thorough evaluation to determine if you have any health conditions that may exclude you from this treatment.
