Experts warn of serious health risks of using exosome products that are harvested from human donors.
Banned biological products harvested from human cells are being used in UK beauty clinics, according to experts who warn that the luxury treatments could carry serious health risks.
Exosomes have been touted as the latest “miracle” skincare treatment, with A-list celebrities such as Kim Kardashian seeking their rejuvenating effects and cosmetic clinics offering exosome facials and microneedling for hundreds of pounds a session.
“I’m really appalled and shocked. You shouldn’t be having human cell-derived products and [using them] on other humans,” said Dr James Edgar, a cell biologist at the University of Cambridge, who is seeking tighter regulation of the products. “These are human biologics and there’s a risk for disease transmission. It’s not in the public’s interest of safety to have this stuff washing around.”
Edgar, whose research focuses on exosomes, became aware of the issue when his wife was offered an exosome treatment at a hair salon. While exosomes are being widely marketed as a cosmetic remedy for hair loss, acne, eczema and ageing skin, scientists remain uncertain of their primary biological function or exactly what these packages contain. “These things are claimed to have loads of growth factors,” said Edgar. “If you’ve got a melanoma on your face that could be pouring petrol on the fire.”
There is also no reliable way to isolate exosomes from viruses, according to scientists.
Read The Guardian article in full here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/29/beauty-clinics-uk-offering-banned-exosome-treatments-derived-human-cells