Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article highlights the Ministry of Public Health’s recent ban on exosome injections in cosmetic procedures, as supported by dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons. The decision underscores a precautionary approach to patient safety, emphasizing the need for further research before such treatments are widely adopted.
Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons emphasized that the Ministry of Public Health’s circular banning the use of exosome preparations via injection in cosmetic procedures is based on scientific and regulatory considerations aimed at ensuring patient safety. They affirmed that this technology, despite its promising potential in regenerative medicine, still requires broader studies to conclusively prove its efficacy before being adopted as a therapeutic or cosmetic option.
In a survey conducted by Al-Sharq, they added that exosomes are among the most researched areas that have attracted scientists’ attention in recent years due to their potential role in stimulating tissue regeneration and enhancing cellular repair processes. However, the limited long-term clinical evidence, along with the variability in product quality and differences in their sources and manufacturing methods, necessitate cautious handling.
They stressed that regulatory decisions regarding these preparations come within the framework of applying the precautionary principle and protecting patients until necessary scientific studies are completed and clear standards are established to ensure their safe and effective use.
Dr. Ali Sweid, a plastic surgeon, explained that exosomes are tiny particles naturally secreted by cells, acting as a means of communication between them by transferring signals and bioactive materials that contribute to wound healing and tissue regeneration. This has made them a focus of research in regenerative medicine fields, including treating certain skin and hair issues.
Dr. Sweid added that while initial results appear promising, the use of exosomes as cosmetic injections still requires extensive, long-term clinical studies to conclusively prove their efficacy and safety. He noted that the decision to restrict their use via injections came because they are complex biological products, not traditional cosmetic preparations.
Dr. Sweid pointed out that among the most prominent challenges are the limited scientific evidence available to date, along with the variability in product quality depending on their sources and methods of manufacturing and purification, which may affect their content and effects. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of exosomes, based on influencing cell activity, requires further studies to ensure no undesirable effects occur when used for cosmetic purposes.
Dr. Sweid affirmed that this restriction does not mean all regenerative medicine treatments are unsafe, as there are techniques with greater clinical experience and scientific evidence, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy in appropriate cases. He stressed the need to evaluate each technique according to its own scientific evidence.
Dr. Sweid indicated that exosomes represent a promising research field and may have an important future in medical applications after completing necessary studies and establishing clear standards for their manufacturing and use. He urged patients to ensure that any cosmetic procedure is approved by regulatory authorities, performed by a specialist doctor, and based on scientific evidence proving its efficacy and safety.
Dr. Samer Hajjareen, Consultant in Dermatology and Cosmetology, said, “Exosomes are among the latest technologies used in medicine and cosmetic treatments. They are tiny vesicles that act as carriers of bioactive materials between cells, contributing to supporting tissue repair and regeneration.”
Dr. Hajjareen affirmed that currently approved use in dermatology and cosmetology is limited to topical applications or through techniques such as Derma Pen and Morpheus, while their use via injection is not permitted. He noted that exosomes are a promising technology, but the final judgment on their benefits requires more time and scientific studies to prove their long-term efficacy and safety.
Dr. Samer Al-Yassin, Specialist in Dermatology and Cosmetology, commented on the Ministry of Public Health’s circular banning the use of exosome preparations via injection in cosmetic procedures, explaining that exosomes are still a relatively new technology, and sufficient studies proving their long-term safety and efficacy, whether regarding their effect on the skin or the body in general, are not yet available.
Dr. Al-Yassin added that exosomes may be extracted from multiple sources, including human or plant sources, noting that the difference in their source and preparation method raises scientific questions that require further research and study before their widespread adoption.
Dr. Al-Yassin affirmed that since these preparations were introduced to the market, he has not supported their use via injection and has only used topical preparations, considering them safer for patients. He noted that despite this, allergic reactions have been recorded in some patients even with topical use, which reinforces the need for more scientific studies and research, and waiting for evaluations and approvals from competent health and scientific bodies, foremost among them the World Health Organization, before expanding their use.