Resumen

Objectives: To date, there are no studies comparing delivery approach of exosome, with micro-needling vs. fractional CO2 laser. This study compared the clinical efficacy of human umbilical cord stem cell-derived exosome delivered through MN versus fractional CO2 laser. Introduction: Recent studies on exosomes, stem cell-derived nano vesicles, have established therapeutic efficacy in wound healing, scar revision, skin aging, and hair pathology through a complex orchestra of anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and rejuvenating process. Drug delivery, through micro-needling (MN) or fractional CO2 laser, has demonstrated therapeutic success in melasma, alopecia, skin rejuvenation, and other cutaneous diseases. To date, there are no studies comparing delivery approach of exosome, with MN vs. fractional CO2 laser. Materials / method: Twenty volunteers with mild to moderate skin aging were recruited for a split-face study. Fractional CO2 laser (1 pass) was performed to half face, while a 0.75 – 1.5mm depth automated MN was performed on the other half. The entire face, for each patient, was then treated with exosome solution. Patients were then follow-up at 2 and 4-week, with computerized clinical photographs taken, subsequently evaluated independently by a dermatologist and an aesthetic physician. A patient satisfaction score was recorded within 2-week following treatment. Results: Physician’s global assessment, respective to skin tone, texture, erythema, and wrinkles, revealed significant and comparable effect in MN- or fractional CO2 laser- treated side, as early as 2-week post-treatment. Treatment-related erythema, pain, and post-treatment downtime were significantly milder and shorter on the MN-treated side. No adverse events were reported on either modality. Conclusion: In conclusion, significant and comparable improvement in skin tone, texture, erythema, and fine wrinkles, was demonstrated with both MN and fractional CO2 laser approach in the delivery of umbilical cord stem cell-derived exosomes. Yet MN has a much shorter down time, better pain tolerance, and hence patient overall satisfaction.