Combining topical dermal infused exosomes with injected calcium hydroxylapatite for enhanced tissue biostimulation
Authors: Chernoff Greg 
Published: March 2023

Background

Exosome research continues to flourish. Subsequent knowledge surrounding indications, dose–response, safety, efficacy, and the ability to combine exosome treatment as a “skin primer”—for biostimulation modalities such as calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), and platelet‐rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) is growing rapidly. The objective of this study was to develop safe, reproducible methods of improving topical exosome absorption to enhance the quality of skin either by themselves, or in combination with injectable CaHA.

Methods

Under IRB Approval (International Cell Surgical Society: ICSS‐2022‐007), 40 patients were enrolled in this study. Twenty patients underwent facial biostimulatory dermal infusion alone, to determine if this method allowed adequate exosome absorption. Five patients underwent facial biostimulatory infusion followed immediately by Dilute CaHA injection (1:1 dilution) to the face. Five patients underwent exosome biostimulatory dermal infusion followed immediately by hyperdilute CaHA (dilution 1:4) injection to the neck. Five patients underwent Facial Dilute CaHA injection (1:1 dilution) alone, without dermal infusion. Five patients underwent neck hyperdilute CaHA injection (1:4 dilution) alone, without dermal infusion. All patients had pretreatment Quantificare 3‐D photo‐documentation and skin analysis (Quantificare, France). In all patients, the skin was first cleansed with a gentle glycolic acid facial wash (Gregory MD). To induce a “homing inflammatory environment” for the exosomes, sea salt exfoliation was performed (SaltFacial®, SaltMed, Cardiff, CA). A nitric oxide—generating serum (N101 Pneuma Nitric Oxide, Austin, TX) was then applied to act as an enhanced vehicle for absorption. A 3 MHz ultrasound (SaltFacial®, SaltMed, Cardiff, CA) was then utilized to further deepen the absorption of the nitric oxide serum. A topical emulsion containing equal volumes (1.0 cc containing 1 million) of exosomes (Kimera Labs, Miramar, FL), 25 units of botulinum toxin (Xeomin, Merz Aesthetics, Raleigh, NC) and hyaluronic acid (Belatero, Merz Aesthetics, Raleigh, NC) was mixed via back‐and‐forth propulsion in a 3‐cc syringe. When adequately mixed, the emulsion was then applied to the treatment areas. The cavitating ultrasound was then used to aid in the absorption of the emulsion. The patients were then treated with high‐intensity LED therapy (SaltFacial®, SaltMed, Cardiff, CA), utilizing the collagen restoration preset program of combination red (660 nm) near‐infrared (930 nm) wavelength for 20 min. Post‐treatment Quantificare analysis was performed at 15 and 30 days after treatment.

Results

Without exception, all dermal infusion alone and CaHA injection alone patients showed an improvement in the tone, quality, and texture of their skin. Quantificare results showed consistent improvement in wrinkles, pores, skin evenness, improved vascularity, and a reduction in oiliness and unwanted pigment. When employed as a skin primer prior to injections (CaHA), enhanced and more rapid results were seen.

Conclusions

Biostimulatory dermal infusion can be achieved utilizing topical placental mesenchymal stem cell‐derived exosomes. These exosomes can be used alone, or mixed with ancillary ingredients such as botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid dermal filler, and CaHA to customize and personalize treatments based upon individual patient needs. Topical absorption is enhanced with sea salt exfoliation, a topical nitric oxide‐generating serum, and 3 MHz cavitating ultrasound. Post‐absorption activity is enhanced with high‐intensity LED treatment. The addition of CaHA injections after the topical exosome “priming of the skin” yielded enhanced skin quality faster than exosomes or CaHA alone.