You may have seen it in the media, from Kim Kardashian to Time Magazine’s list of 2024’s best innovations in skin and hair care. What is it? Exosomes. South Korea’s ExoCoBio company and the US-based Mayo Clinic’s Rion were among the pioneers in exosomes nearly a decade ago. In the Philippines, it was only in 2022 when the concept of exosomes began to go mainstream.
Stem cells are more familiar. At this time of writing, sharing or transplanting stem cells between patients will surely result in rejection complications. Exosomes are different. These nanosized non-living vesicles have a lipid bi-layer membrane that is evolutionarily conserved across almost all species. Thus, the main strength of exosomes is in its ability to cross biologic barriers and be accepted by all cells. Exosomes are an inflammatory messenger, carrying in its membrane and inside of it, bioactive materials such as miRNAs, proteins, nucleic acids. In other words, almost all living healthy cells produce exosomes to communicate with each other.
Exosomes have clinical applications. One real-life example of this was when a 30year-old man was referred to Centre Medicale Internationale (CMI) for a painful, non-healing leg wound, almost a month’s duration. The patient had undergone unsuccessful treatments such as surgical debridement, anti-biotics, different types of wound dressings, light emitting diode (LED) sessions. As soon as CMI made sure there was no infection or other co-morbids affecting him, and the patient understood the necessity of stopping cigarette smoking, vaping and e-cigarette use, just one week of exosomes applied topically thrice a day closed the wound. It was the same for patients with non-infected painful bed sores seen at CMI. Other medical dermatological uses of topical exosomes are in atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczemas.
Regenerative dermatologic options are offered, such as exosomes, biostimulators, autologous micrografting for hair restoration (Regenera) and the Meta Cell Technology device which can amplify the patient’s own cells to produce autologous exosomes. Patients are examined by the doctors themselves and should any tests be needed, CMI can provide these conveniently in the same center.
Nothing beats common sense: make healthy food choices, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, be mindful of mental health, apply sunscreen correctly, lessen alcohol intake and stop smoking/vaping/using e-cigarettes habits. Only then can a patient get the most benefit from exosomes and other regenerative dermatological procedures offered in CMI.
Centre Medicale Internationale is located in the 2/F, Ore Central Building, 31st St. corner 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For appointments, contact the Patient Services Team tel. (02) 8812-1264 and +639176252009 (WhatsApp) and +639221200859 (SMS).
Clinical photos are provided with patients’ consent for educational purposes only, courtesy of Dr. Rosario Abaya Blas, FPDS, FAAD. Not for reproduction. Treatments are individualized and results vary from patient-to-patient. Consult with your board-certified dermatologist.
To know more about Dr. Rosario Salud Ramona Blas, please visit this link: https://cmi.care/doctors/blas/
