You’ve probably heard of PRP and exosomes, but you may not be aware of the best ways to use them to optimize your skin. One of the most effective way is to apply them topically after in-office treatments like lasers, microneedling or hair restoration. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are frequently recommending these “add-ons” nowadays, but are they worth the added cost? For many patients, the answer is yes.
“In regenerative aesthetics, the conversation has shifted from quick fixes to biologically intelligent care: treatments that don’t just repair damage, but also teach the skin how to heal in a more youthful, more resilient way,” says New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD. “At the beginning of this journey came platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, but as we moved from treating younger patients with robust biology to older patients with more complex cases, we began to see the limits of PRP alone.” That’s where newer modalities like exosomes and secretomes come into play. All three of these can be utilized as “enhancements” in the treatment room, and there can be a long list of benefits, from quicker healing to better results. Here, the experts weigh in.
Featured Experts
- Julie Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Kimberly J. Lee, MD, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA
Should you get PRP after in-office treatments?
“The journey in regenerative aesthetics began with PRP,” says Dr. Russak. “Drawn from a patient’s own blood, it concentrates platelets and their cascade of growth factors: PDGF, VEGF, TGF-β and more. When applied to the skin or scalp after microneedling or laser treatments, these growth factors stimulate fibroblasts, improve angiogenesis and remodel the extracellular matrix. For younger patients with strong platelets and naturally abundant regenerative capacity, PRP has been a reliable workhorse. It is autologous, familiar, and remains one of the most elegant ways to enhance collagen induction and tissue quality. This is especially true for the under-eyes, scars and hair restoration.”
Should you get exosomes after in-office treatments?
Newer tools in a doctor’s armamentarium are exosomes and secretomes. “These nano-vesicles, released by stem cells, carry signaling molecules, microRNAs, peptides and lipids, and act like biological messages between cells,” says Dr. Russak. Like PRP, they can also be applied topically in serum form after lasers or microneedling. “When applied after energy-based treatments, exosomes reduce downtime, calm excessive inflammation and accelerate re-epithelialization [the healing of a wound with new skin],” explains Beverly Hills, CA facial plastic surgeon Kimberly J. Lee, MD. “Exosomes guide fibroblasts and keratinocytes toward regeneration rather than simple repair. Secretomes, which include a broader mix of growth factors, cytokines and extracellular vesicles, bring a similarly sophisticated profile.” The difference between these options and PRP is that platelet-rich plasma comes from your own blood and exosomes/secretomes come from a third-party source (for now; more on the future of this sourcing below).
Dr. Lee says exosomes are beneficial because they deliver powerful growth factors and signaling molecules directly to your skin or scalp. “They help to accelerate healing and enhance results by stimulating stronger collagen production and better tissue repair. And for hair treatments, high-quality exosomes improve follicle activity and improve safety and consistency, especially when sourced from reputable companies that undergo rigorous third-party testing.”
You can also combine PRP and exosomes, which Dr. Lee says is particularly effective for hair restoration, laser treatments and overall wound healing. “High-quality exosomes are worth it because they take your treatment results to the next level,” she adds. “Think of them as giving your body an extra boost to heal, regenerate and respond more effectively to the treatment you’re investing in. While they’re a splurge, the improved results and quicker recovery often make them well worth it.”
Are exosomes better than PRP?
It depends on the patient and the expert you ask. However, the doctors interviewed here agree on this: “PRP is great for younger, healthier patients and exosomes and secretomes are for great for more advanced regenerative signaling,” says Dr. Russak. “What ties them together is a philosophy of healing that prioritizes signaling quality, durability and foresight over simple correction. Regeneration is not about doing more, it’s about smarter, deeper and more personal.”
Dr. Lee says her patients “notice less redness, faster barrier recovery and a more even, luminous result” when adding exosomes to their treatments. “The value lies in their consistency,” she explains. “While PRP depends on the patient’s metabolic state, sleep, hydration, and even week-to-week physiology, exosomes offer standardized potency and a more predictable effect. They are particularly impactful for older patients or after procedures such as fractional lasers, radio-frequency microneedling or resurfacing. For those who value recovery speed and visible radiance, the investment has proven worthwhile.”
What do exosome treatments cost?
Dr. Russak, who is based in New York City, says the cost of these add-ons her area varies, but both PRP and exosome treatments reflect the science and preparation involved. “PRP is patient-derived and relatively consistent in pricing, while exosomes and secretomes often come at a higher investment because of their standardized potency and advanced signaling profiles.” Additionally, brand choice matters. “PRP remains autologous and trusted, while exosome and secretome products are valued for their reproducibility and predictable outcomes, particularly in patients where biology alone is less potent,” she adds.
In the Beverly Hills, CA area where Dr. Lee practices, high-quality exosomes typically range from $1,000 to $2,000 per treatment, depending on the amount used and their quality. “There are many types of exosomes available at varying price points, but I choose to use only top-tier exosomes with high concentrations, sourced from reputable companies that conduct third-party testing to ensure safety and efficacy,” she says. “While these premium exosomes are an investment, they can greatly amplify treatment outcomes.”
What the Future Holds
“The future is not only about choosing between PRP or exosomes, but about building personalized biobanks: collecting and storing your own stem cells today to unlock their regenerative potential tomorrow,” says Dr. Russak. “Companies are already pioneering this by banking cells, such as those taken from hair follicles, which can later be induced into pluripotent states and used to generate autologous exosomes and secretomes. That means your own perfectly matched biology, preserved at its healthiest state, ready to be reintroduced years down the line. Biobanking is for those who want to invest in tomorrow’s biology today.”
