The Skincare Treatment Top Harley Street Clinics Are Using

Walk into any high-end clinic on Harley Street right now and you’ll hear the same buzzword being whispered across treatment rooms: exosomes. Paired with microneedling, it’s become the go-to treatment for anyone serious about turning back the clock on their skin.

But what exactly are exosomes, and why are they generating so much attention across the medical aesthetics industry? More importantly, is this just another overhyped skincare fad, or is there actually something to it?

Let’s dig into what might be the most significant advancement in non-surgical skin rejuvenation we’ve seen in years.

What Actually Are Exosomes?

The science here is more detailed, but it is integral to understanding the treatment.

Exosomes are tiny vesicles (think of them as microscopic parcels) that cells naturally produce to communicate with each other. They carry growth factors, proteins and genetic material that tell your skin cells what to do.

In advanced skincare, exosome technology supports the skin’s natural repair processes, encouraging more youthful cellular behaviour. Exosomes contain numerous growth factors and proteins that kickstart your skin’s natural repair mechanisms. It’s like sending your skin cells a very detailed instruction manual on how to behave like they did when you were younger.

The game-changer? When you combine exosomes with microneedling, you’re not just hoping these powerful ingredients sit on top of your skin. You’re delivering them directly where they can actually do something.

Why Microneedling Makes All the Difference

Microneedling has been around for years, and for good reason. It works. By creating thousands of controlled micro-channels in the skin, it stimulates the body’s natural healing response. More collagen, more elastin, fresher-looking skin.

But here’s what’s changed: what you put on your skin immediately after microneedling matters enormously. Those channels aren’t just triggering healing, they’re also creating superhighways for active ingredients to penetrate far deeper than they ever could on intact skin.

Traditional microneedling uses hyaluronic acid or vitamin based serums. They’re fine, but they’re a bit like using a Ferrari to pop to the shops. You’ve created this incredible delivery system, so why not use it for something genuinely transformative?

Enter exosomes.

What We’re Seeing in Clinic

We’ve been offering microneedling with exosomes here in Leicester since 2024, and the results have been remarkable- not just in what we’re seeing in terms of the treatment outcome, but also in the speed of visible improvement.

Patients are reporting:

Visible improvements seen sooner: The downtime is similar to traditional microneedling (a bit of redness for 24-48 hours), but the glow appears faster.

Texture changes that actually last: We’re seeing improvements in acne scarring, fine lines and overall skin texture that continue to develop over the following months.

Calmer, more resilient skin: In addition to improved firmness and elasticity, the treatment helps reduce inflammation and visible redness, supporting a stronger, more balanced skin barrier.

Pigmentation Support: Helping to support a more even skin tone, with particular benefit for sun-induced pigmentation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as overall skin health improves.

Tighter, more resilient skin: That crepey texture that develops as we age? It responds beautifully demonstrating noticeable improvement as skin strength and elasticity improve.

Who’s It Actually For?

The honest answer? Most people over 30 who want to maintain or improve their skin quality.

It’s particularly effective if you’re dealing with:

• Fine lines and early signs of ageing
• Acne scarring or textural irregularities
• Uneven skin texture and roughness
• Dull, tired-looking skin
• Redness, inflammation and impaired skin barrier function
• Loss of firmness and elasticity and skin resilience
• Early sun damage and environmental skin stress
• Enlarged pores

It has also gained popularity as a preventative approach, with individuals in their late twenties and early thirties using it to preserve skin quality before significant signs of ageing develop.

What It’s Not

Let’s be clear about what this isn’t: it’s not a facelift. If you’re dealing with significant skin laxity, or deep wrinkles, you might need to consider other options (and we’ll tell you that honestly in your consultation).

It’s also not a one-and-done miracle. While visible improvements may be seen after one treatment, optimal and more sustained results are achieved through a course of treatments.

We typically recommend beginning with a course of five treatments, spaced approximately three to six weeks apart dependent on your concern, to achieve optimal and sustained results.

The Treatment Itself

Each appointment lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes a 20-minute Dermalux LED Tri Wave MD light therapy session. This medical-grade LED technology is used post-treatment to accelerate healing, calm redness, and enhance overall results.

A topical numbing cream may be applied for 20 minutes beforehand if required to ensure comfort. Yes, the treatment involves needles, but no, it’s not painful and is in fact generally well tolerated, with most individuals describing it as mildly uncomfortable at most.

The microneedling itself is carefully performed across the treatment area, with depth adjusted based on what we’re treating and where on your face we’re working.

Immediately after, whilst those micro-channels are still open, the exosome serum is applied. This is when the real magic happens; those growth factors, peptides, amino acids, co enzymes, vitamins and minerals flooding into your skin at a depth where they can actually influence cellular behaviour, meaningfully supporting cellular signalling and skin regeneration.

You can expect some redness afterwards – think mild sunburn. Most people return to normal activities the following day, although a little residual pinkness is common. We’ll send you home with specific aftercare instructions (short version: be gentle, consistent SPF use, avoid active ingredients for a few days).

The Science Behind the Hype

This isn’t just marketing fluff. The efficacy of exosomes is supported by a growing body of clinical research.

Studies have shown that exosomes can significantly enhance wound healing, reduce inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, modulate cellular communication, support collagen production, improve skin barrier function, and contribute to overall skin repair and resilience.

When combined with microneedling, the penetration and efficacy of these growth factors, peptides, amino acids, co enzymes, vitamins and minerals increases substantially. Research into exosomes in dermatology has been particularly robust, showing measurable improvements in collagen production, skin thickness and overall skin quality.

Are we still learning about exactly how exosomes work? Absolutely. However, the clinical results we’re seeing suggest this is far more than just another skincare trend.

Why We’re Offering It

We don’t jump on every new treatment that comes along. We’ve been in Leicester long enough to see plenty of “miracle” treatments come and go.

We introduced microneedling with exosomes because the underlying science made sense and early clinical data demonstrated results that genuinely stood out. Now, through treating our own patients, we are seeing those outcomes reflected in real clinical practice.

It has also addressed a clear gap for patients who want significant improvements but are not yet ready for injectables or more invasive procedures. This treatment sits comfortably between advanced skincare and more aggressive interventions.

The misuse of the Term “Exosome” in Aesthetic Medicine

Many products marketed as exosomes are derived from blood-based sources, animal tissue, or operate within poorly regulated frameworks. In addition, a significant number are not true exosomes at all, but exosome-like preparations with limited published clinical data.

Across the UK, there are numerous exosome and exosome-like products on the market that lack robust evidence, consistent purification processes, or predictable biological activity. These include blood-derived preparations such as PRP, animal-derived sources, synthetic mimics, conditioned media, and fruit-based extracts. Each presents limitations, including high impurity levels, inconsistent composition, and variable clinical outcomes, and, in some cases, ethical or safety considerations.

Blood-based and animal-derived products are particularly difficult to purify reliably and may lead to unpredictable results. Certain animal-derived sources have also raised concerns around immune response, allergenicity, and delayed healing. Conditioned media often contains only trace amounts of exosomes alongside inflammatory by-products, while fruit extracts and antioxidant blends are frequently mislabelled as exosomes despite not being exosomes at all.

What exosomes do we use?

At Leicester MediSpa, we have taken a different approach. We exclusively use ASCE+ exosomes derived from rose stem cells, not human or animal tissue.

This offers several important advantages:

• No ethical or safety concerns associated with human or animal-derived material
• No risk of immune rejection
• Suitable for all skin tones and skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin
• Supported by peer-reviewed research in wound healing, pigmentation modulation, and collagen synthesis

Published data demonstrates that rose-derived exosomes can stimulate collagen production at levels comparable to mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes, without the risks or regulatory complexities associated with human-origin materials.

We do not rely on assumptions. We rely on evidence.

That is why ASCE+ is the only exosome technology we choose to use at Leicester MediSpa.

ASCE+ exosomes function as biological messengers, delivering growth factors, peptides, and signalling molecules directly to skin cells, particularly fibroblasts. Fibroblasts play a critical role in collagen production, skin strength, and tissue repair. By supporting fibroblast activity, these exosomes help enhance collagen synthesis, improve skin elasticity, accelerate healing, and promote overall skin rejuvenation.

The technology behind ASCE+ is equally important. Using patented ExoSCRT™ purification, rose stem cell-derived exosomes are isolated to create highly concentrated, biologically active RSC-Exosomes with consistent purity and performance. The freeze-dried formulation preserves stability and efficacy, delivering growth factors and signalling molecules that support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, aid immune modulation and promote skin regeneration.

This is a carefully selected, evidence-led treatment, chosen to meet the standards of true medical led aesthetics.

What It Costs

Individual treatments starting at £450

Course of five treatments at £1,699

Yes, it is more expensive than traditional microneedling, reflecting both the use of the high quality exosomes – which are costly to produce,  and the expertise required to use them effectively in order to see the best results.

During your consultation, we will have an open and honest discussion about whether the additional benefits of exosomes justify the increased investment for your skin, or whether traditional microneedling may be a more suitable option for your concerns and budget.

The Bottom Line

Microneedling with exosomes represents a genuine advancement in what can be achieved with non-invasive skin treatments. It will not replace more aggressive procedures for everyone, but for the right patient, the results can be truly transformative.

Is it an investment? Yes. Does it require multiple treatments? Yes. Is it supported by solid science and delivering impressive clinical results? Also yes.

If you’re serious about improving your skin quality and you’ve been wondering whether there’s something more effective than your current routine but less invasive than surgery, this might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Interested in finding out if microneedling with exosomes is right for your skin?

Book a consultation and we will assess your skin in detail, discuss realistic outcomes, and design a personalised treatment plan aligned with your concerns and goals.

Call us on 0116 3032555 or book online.