Microneedling with Exosomes vs PRP: Why I Recommend Exosomes

Last updated: 6 November 2026

Two treatments dominate the conversation about regenerative skin rejuvenation: PRP, the "vampire facial" made from your own blood, and microneedling with exosomes, which uses purified signalling particles instead. I offer the second and not the first, and this article explains why, with the evidence laid out rather than a sales pitch. The short version: the best current trial finds the two produce comparable results, exosomes have real practical advantages, and the honest caveat is that the exosome evidence is young and the products vary more than the marketing admits.

If you are weighing up PRP against exosomes in Hale, Altrincham, Bowdon, Wilmslow or anywhere in Cheshire, this should give you enough to decide, including the questions to ask any clinic offering either.

In this article:

• What is PRP for skin rejuvenation?
• What are exosomes, and what are they not?
• Which exosomes do I use, and where do they come from?
• Exosomes vs PRP: what does the evidence actually show?
• Side by side: the practical differences
• Why I offer exosomes rather than PRP
• Who is microneedling with exosomes suitable for?
• What does a course involve at my clinic in Hale?
• Questions to ask any clinic offering exosomes or PRP
• Frequently asked questions

What is PRP for skin rejuvenation?

Platelet rich plasma starts with a blood sample, usually 10 to 20 ml from your arm. It is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, the cell fragments responsible for clotting and the first stage of wound healing, which are packed with growth factors. The resulting plasma is applied to the skin during microneedling, or injected, so that those growth factors reach the dermis and encourage repair and collagen production.

PRP has been used in medicine for decades, in orthopaedics and dentistry before aesthetics, and it has a reasonable evidence base for skin texture, fine lines and acne scarring when combined with microneedling. Its weakness is built in: it is only as good as your blood on the day. Platelet count, hydration, age, medicines such as aspirin or anti inflammatories, and the preparation method all change what ends up in the syringe, so two people having the identical treatment can get quite different results.

What are exosomes, and what are they not?

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles: tiny membrane bound packages, around a thousandth of the width of a hair, that cells release to communicate with each other. They carry proteins, lipids and fragments of genetic code, and when a neighbouring cell takes one in, it receives an instruction: repair, calm down, make collagen, build a blood vessel. In regenerative medicine the interest is in harvesting exosomes from cells that are very good at repair and delivering them to tissue that is not.

Exosomes are	Exosomes are not
Acellular: there are no living cells in the product	Stem cells, whatever a clinic's social media says; no stem cells are injected or applied
Signalling particles that influence how your own skin cells behave	A filler, a volumiser or anything that adds structure
Derived from a defined source, which varies by product: human stem cell cultures, plants, or in the case of the product I use, bovine colostrum	All the same; the source, concentration and quality control differ enormously between brands
Applied topically in the UK, onto skin opened by microneedling	Licensed medicines; no exosome product is licensed as a medicine in the UK, and they should not be injected

That last row matters for safety. In the UK, exosome products are cosmetic preparations applied to the surface of the skin, where microneedling channels let them reach the dermis. Any clinic injecting exosomes is working outside the regulatory framework, and I would not have that done to my own face.

Which exosomes do I use, and where do they come from?

I use Purasomes, made by the Italian company Dermoaroma. The exosomes and growth factors are derived from certified organic bovine colostrum, the nutrient dense first milk that is naturally rich in growth factors and signalling vesicles. I chose it for three reasons: the source is standardised and traceable batch to batch, the product is manufactured under pharmaceutical style quality control rather than assembled from a patient's own tissue on the day, and it has been on the UK market long enough for a track record to exist.

I will also tell you what that choice means for the evidence. The best clinical trials of exosomes to date have used exosomes from human adipose derived stem cells, grown in laboratories, mostly in South Korea and the United States. Colostrum derived exosomes share the mechanism but not the trial data, and anyone who tells you otherwise is borrowing evidence from a different product. I think the practical advantages still justify the choice, but you should know where the line is.

Exosomes vs PRP: what does the evidence actually show?

The study that answers the question most directly was published in 2025 by Estupiñan, Ly and Goldberg: an investigator blinded, split face, non inferiority trial in adults with mild to moderate photoageing. Each participant had three sessions of radiofrequency microneedling; PRP made from their own blood was applied to one side of the face and topical exosomes from adipose derived stem cells to the other. Because each person was their own control, differences between individuals were removed from the comparison.

Measure	Exosome side	PRP side
Wrinkling, pigmentation, redness, texture, overall appearance	Improved	Improved to the same degree
New collagen type I on biopsy	Increased	Increased, no significant difference
Blood draw and centrifuge required	No	Yes
Authors' conclusion	A promising alternative to PRP, particularly for needle averse patients	Remains an effective option

Earlier work points the same way. A 2023 twelve week randomised split face study by Park and colleagues in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that microneedling plus an adipose stem cell exosome solution improved wrinkles, elasticity, hydration and pigmentation more than microneedling alone. Systematic reviews published in 2025 pool a growing number of small trials and reach a consistent, cautious verdict: exosomes improve the results of microneedling, the studies are short and small, the products are heterogeneous, and larger independent trials are needed.

"ASC exosomes are a promising alternative to PRP, particularly for needle-averse patients." Estupiñan B, Ly K, Goldberg DJ. Adipose mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes versus platelet rich plasma treatment for photoaged facial skin: an investigator blinded, split face, non inferiority trial, 2025.

So the fair summary is not "exosomes beat PRP". It is "exosomes match PRP in the only head to head trial, without the blood draw, and with a consistency PRP cannot offer". That is a good reason to prefer them. It is not a reason to believe the more extravagant claims made for them.

Side by side: the practical differences

Aspect	Microneedling with exosomes	PRP
What is applied	A manufactured preparation of exosomes and growth factors, identical every time	Your own concentrated platelets, different every time
Consistency	Batch controlled; your response still varies, the product does not	Depends on platelet count, hydration, age, medicines and the centrifuge protocol on the day
The appointment	Numbing cream, microneedling, exosomes applied; around 45 minutes	Blood draw, 10 to 15 minutes of centrifuging, then the same; around an hour
Needles	Microneedling only	Microneedling plus a venous blood draw, and sometimes injection of the plasma
Downtime	Redness for 24 to 48 hours; patients often report it settles faster than microneedling alone	Redness and sometimes more swelling for two to three days
Evidence	Young and growing; one head to head trial showing equivalence; product specific data limited	Longer established across many small trials, but results vary with preparation
Regulation in the UK	Cosmetic product, topical application only	Your own tissue; requires blood handling procedures and appropriate licensing of the clinic
Who it suits less well	Anyone who specifically wants only their own biological material used	Anyone needle averse, anaemic, on blood thinners or with a low platelet count

Why I offer exosomes rather than PRP

Four reasons, in order of how much they weigh with me.

Reason	Why it matters in practice
1. Predictability	As a GP I know how much blood results vary day to day in the same person. A treatment whose active ingredient depends on that variation is hard to plan and hard to explain when it disappoints. A manufactured product removes one of the two variables, leaving only your skin's response
2. Equivalent results in the best trial	If exosomes performed worse than PRP I would offer PRP despite the inconvenience. They do not, so the inconvenience decides it
3. A kinder appointment	Many patients who are perfectly happy with microneedling are not happy with a blood draw, and a surprising number faint. Removing it also removes the centrifuge, the waiting and the blood handling
4. Calmer recovery for reactive skin	Exosome signalling is associated with reduced inflammation, and in my experience patients with redness prone skin settle faster after exosomes than after plain microneedling. This is clinical observation rather than trial evidence, and I label it as such

None of this makes PRP a bad treatment. If you have a strong preference for using only your own tissue, a clinic that prepares PRP well will serve you perfectly well, and I will say so rather than argue.

Takeaway: exosomes and PRP produce comparable results in the only direct comparison; exosomes win on consistency, comfort and simplicity; PRP wins if you want nothing but your own biology. Choose on those grounds, not on which one has the better marketing.

Who is microneedling with exosomes suitable for?

Concern	What to expect	Honest caveat
Fine lines and early loss of firmness	Smoother texture and a firmer feel over a course, as new collagen forms	Deep static lines and sagging need structural treatment; this is a skin quality treatment
Dullness and uneven tone	The "glow" patients describe, usually visible from the second session	Melasma needs a prescription skincare programme first; microneedling alone can aggravate it
Enlarged pores and mild acne scarring	Microneedling remodels the scar collagen; exosomes support faster, calmer healing between sessions	Deep ice pick scars need more than any needling course will give. See the best treatments for acne scars
Redness prone or reactive skin, once settled	Generally well tolerated; many patients find recovery calmer than they expected	Rosacea is a medical condition managed by your GP; I treat skin quality alongside that care, never instead of it, and not during a flare
Perimenopausal skin changes	A sensible first clinic treatment when skin has become thinner, drier and duller	Pairs well with polynucleotides; see is microneedling good for menopause skin?
Not suitable	Active acne or infection, cold sores, open eczema, a tendency to keloid scarring, isotretinoin in the last six months, pregnancy or breastfeeding	Anything that looks like a skin lesion rather than skin quality goes to your GP before anything else

What does a course involve at my clinic in Hale?

Stage	What happens
Consultation	Around 45 minutes, £75 redeemable against treatment; skin assessment, medical history, photographs, and a frank conversation about whether this is the right treatment or whether skincare, polynucleotides or something structural would serve you better
Preparation	Retinoids paused five days before; no active breakouts or sunburn; SPF discipline for the fortnight before
The treatment	Topical anaesthetic for 20 to 30 minutes, medical microneedling at depths chosen for each area of the face, exosomes applied to the open channels and massaged in, a calming mask; about 45 minutes in total
Aftercare	Nothing on the skin for the first evening but the products I give you; bland moisturiser and SPF only for five days; no retinoids, acids, makeup for 24 hours, saunas or heavy exercise for 48 hours
The course	Three sessions, four to six weeks apart; results build over the course and continue for three months after the last session as collagen matures
Maintenance	One or two sessions a year, with a retinoid and SPF doing the daily work; current prices are on the price list

Questions to ask any clinic offering exosomes or PRP

Because exosomes are new and unregulated as medicines, the quality of what is on offer varies more than for almost any other treatment. These questions sort the careful clinics from the rest, including mine.

Ask	A good answer	My answer
"What are the exosomes derived from?"	A specific, named source with a manufacturer you can look up	Certified organic bovine colostrum, Purasomes by Dermoaroma
"Are they applied or injected?"	Applied topically after microneedling; injection is outside UK regulation	Applied only
"Are there stem cells in it?"	No, and a clinic that says yes is either wrong or doing something it should not	No
"What is the evidence for this product specifically?"	A straight answer that distinguishes the product's own data from the wider exosome literature	The head to head trial used stem cell derived exosomes; colostrum exosomes have mechanistic and manufacturer data, not independent trials
"Who does the microneedling, and to what depth?"	A named, regulated practitioner using a medical device with adjustable depth	Me, with a medical pen, depths varied by area. See should you bleed during microneedling?
For PRP: "How is the blood handled and which system do you use?"	A named closed system, trained phlebotomy, and the clinic's blood handling arrangements explained without hesitation	Not offered

Patients come to the clinic from Hale, Altrincham, Bowdon, Hale Barns, Timperley, Sale, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Knutsford and Didsbury, often having been offered exosomes elsewhere with claims that made me wince. The treatment is good. It does not need the exaggeration, and the clinics that exaggerate are usually the ones that cannot answer the questions above.

Takeaway: ask what the exosomes are made from, whether they are applied or injected, and what evidence exists for that product. A clinic that answers all three plainly is one you can trust with the rest.

Frequently asked questions about microneedling with exosomes and PRP

Is microneedling with exosomes better than PRP?

In the only direct comparison, a 2025 split face trial, the two produced equivalent improvements in wrinkles, pigmentation, redness and texture, with the same increase in collagen on biopsy. Exosomes avoid the blood draw and are consistent batch to batch, which is why I offer them; PRP is not inferior.

Are exosomes stem cells?

No. Exosomes are acellular signalling particles released by cells. Some products derive them from laboratory grown stem cells, others from plants or colostrum, but there are no living cells in any of them.

Where do the exosomes you use come from?

Purasomes, made by Dermoaroma, derived from certified organic bovine colostrum. The source is standardised and traceable, which is the main practical advantage over PRP.

Are exosomes regulated in the UK?

No exosome product is licensed as a medicine in the UK. They are cosmetic preparations applied to the skin after microneedling. They should not be injected, and I do not inject them.

Is microneedling with exosomes safe?

With a reputable product applied topically by a trained practitioner, yes. Expect redness for a day or two and occasionally minor pinpoint bruising. Allergy is rare; tell me about any dairy or bovine protein allergy at consultation given the colostrum source.

How many sessions do I need?

Three, four to six weeks apart, then one or two maintenance sessions a year. Results build through the course and for about three months afterwards.

Does it hurt?

Topical anaesthetic is applied for 20 to 30 minutes first; most patients describe warmth and vibration rather than pain. The absence of a blood draw is one reason patients find it easier than PRP.

Can I have it if I have rosacea?

Often, once any flare has settled, and many patients with redness prone skin tolerate it well. Rosacea itself is managed by your GP; I treat skin quality alongside that care, not instead of it.

How much does microneedling with exosomes cost in Hale and Altrincham?

Current prices for single sessions and courses are on the price list. The £75 consultation is redeemable against treatment.

Next steps

If you are weighing up PRP against exosomes, or have been offered exosomes elsewhere and want a second opinion on the claims, book a consultation at the clinic in Hale. I will tell you whether it is the right treatment for your skin, and if it is not, what is.

Learn more about Dr Caroline Warden Clinic

Click here for price list

Learn more about other treatments offered

Further reading

• Should You Bleed During Microneedling? What Actually Matters
• The Ultimate Guide to Microneedling With Exosomes
• Why I Do Not Recommend At Home Microneedling
• Why Collagen Declines and the Treatments That Actually Stimulate It
• Is Microneedling Good for Menopause Skin?
• Medical Microneedling at the clinic in Hale
• Polynucleotides in Hale, often combined with microneedling

Dr Caroline Warden (GMC 6157708) is an NHS GP with over 19 years of clinical experience, an independent prescriber, and holds a Level 7 postgraduate diploma in cosmetic injectables. She has practised aesthetic medicine since 2017 and is the sole practitioner at Dr Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, a female led, family run clinic she runs with her sister Louise at 2 Crown Passages, Hale, Cheshire, WA15 9GN, awarded Best Doctor Led Aesthetic Clinic in Cheshire 2026 by GHP. The clinic serves patients from Hale, Altrincham, Bowdon, Hale Barns, Timperley, Sale, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Knutsford, Didsbury and across Cheshire and South Manchester. The clinic does not diagnose or treat medical conditions; rosacea, acne and any skin lesion are directed to your own GP. This article provides general educational information and does not replace an individual consultation.

References

1. Estupiñan B, Ly K, Goldberg DJ. Adipose mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes versus platelet rich plasma treatment for photoaged facial skin: an investigator blinded, split face, non inferiority trial. 2025. Read the study
2. Park GH, Kwon HH, Seok J, et al. Efficacy of combined treatment with human adipose tissue stem cell derived exosome containing solution and microneedling for facial skin ageing: a 12 week prospective, randomised, split face study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023. Read the study
3. Exosomes in skin rejuvenation: systematic review of anti ageing effects and clinical applications. Dermatology Practical and Conceptual, 2025. Read the review
4. Clinical advances in exosome based therapies for aesthetic medicine: a systematic review and meta analysis of human clinical trials. 2025. Read the review
5. Aesthetics Journal. Regenerative Purasomes treatment launches in the UK. Read the article
6. El-Domyati M, Barakat M, Awad S, et al. Multiple microneedling sessions for minimally invasive facial rejuvenation: an objective assessment. International Journal of Dermatology 2015;54(12): pages 1361 to 1369. Read the abstract