Exposure to the external environment may cause instability and dysfunction in the skin, leading to refractory wounds, skin aging, pigmented dermatosis, hair loss, some immune-mediated dermatoses and connective tissue diseases. It has been observed that many skin treatments do not achieve an admirable balance between medical recovery and cosmetic needs.

Exosomes are cell-derived nanoscale vesicles harboring diverse biomolecules, like proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, which can communicate with adjacent or distant cells. Evidence suggests that endogenic multiple kinds of exosomes are essential instructors that guide physiological and pathological development of the skin. Additionally, these exogenous exosomes like stem cell exosomes can act as a novel treatment option to repair, regenerate and rejuvenate skin tissue.

Endogenous exosomes can also be used as diagnostic biomarkers, due to their sensitivity and specificity of expression levels in some immune-mediated dermatoses like systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and systemic sclerosis. They also have regenerative and reconstructive potential. Some exogenous exosomes have also displayed excellent properties to effectively repair skin or cosmetic problems. Particular exosomes derived from specific skin tissue cells or stem cells, along with treating various skin abnormalities, can also regulate skin homeostasis positively.

Further, there are still many challenges in executing all the known benefits of exosomes, thus extensive clinical trials are warranted to ease their use in dermatology and cutaneous medical esthetics.

Source: Xiong M, Zhang Q, Hu W, et al. The novel mechanisms and applications of exosomes in dermatology and cutaneous medical aesthetics. Pharmacol Res. 2021;166:105490.