Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 12-05-2025 Origin: Site
Microneedling with exosomes represents a promising, minimally invasive approach to structural skin rejuvenation that targets both the dermis and the often-overlooked epidermis. While conventional anti‑aging strategies typically emphasize dermal collagen remodelling, this combined approach aims to restore the epidermal–dermal interface and surface architecture that determine skin texture, tone and barrier function. In this report we summarize a controlled eight‑week case evaluation of microneedling with exosomes and present the principal histologic outcomes, safety profile and clinical implications.
Figure 1. (A) Schematic of the interdigitated dermal–epidermal junction in young skin, showing prominent rete ridges and dermal papillae. (B) Schematic of the flattened dermal–epidermal junction in aged skin, showing reduced interfacial complexity. (C) Baseline histology demonstrating epidermal thinning, flattening of the dermal–epidermal junction and reduced dermal collagen density (H&E, original magnification ×100; scale bar = 100 µm). (D) Histology after microneedling‑assisted topical exosome therapy showing restoration of dermal–epidermal complexity, increased epidermal thickness and improved collagen density (H&E, ×100; scale bar = 100 µm).
Age‑related skin changes are not limited to the dermis. Progressive flattening of the dermal–epidermal junction, losses of anchoring proteins (e.g., type IV and VII collagen, laminin‑332, integrins), and a decline in basal keratinocyte proliferation combine to thin the epidermis, weaken barrier function and reduce regenerative capacity. These changes reduce the surface area available for nutrient and signal exchange and contribute to increased transepidermal water loss, dullness and fragility.
Restoring the structure and function of the dermal–epidermal junction is therefore a therapeutic objective with direct consequences for texture, hydration and resilience — outcomes that matter to both clinicians and patients.
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that carry proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and serve as potent mediators of intercellular communication. When applied topically, their ability to reach viable epidermal and superficial dermal targets is limited by the stratum corneum. Microneedling creates reproducible microchannels in the stratum corneum and epidermis, facilitating penetration and cellular uptake of biologically active cargo. In this context, the combination — often described in practice as exosomes microneedling or exosomes with microneedling — can amplify regenerative signalling in keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts and enhance extracellular matrix remodelling.
Figure 2. Structure and putative mechanism of microneedling‑assisted topical exosome delivery. Exosomes possess a lipid bilayer and surface proteins (CD9, CD63, CD81), receptors, ligands, proteins, RNA and lipids. Microneedling transiently disrupts the stratum corneum to create microchannels that enable exosome penetration into keratinocytes and fibroblasts; the biological cargo then promotes epidermal and dermal regeneration.
Design and participant. Single‑subject case evaluation over eight weeks. A 63‑year‑old male without concurrent dermatologic disease or confounding procedures in the prior six months was selected. Baseline and eight‑week 3 mm punch biopsies were taken from adjacent sites in the postauricular region (chosen to minimize sun and mechanical exposure).
Treatment protocol. After antisepsis, an automated microneedling device with a sterile 42‑needle cartridge (0.3 mm depth) was applied using a four‑direction technique (vertical, horizontal and the two diagonals) to create uniform microchannels. Immediately following microneedling, a topical exosome preparation (E‑50 Skin Booster, marine origin) was applied to the treated area. Patients were advised to avoid washing or touching the site for 12 hours.
Histology and quantification. Samples were formalin‑fixed, paraffin‑embedded, sectioned at 5 µm and stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E). Quantitative image analysis was performed using high‑resolution scanning and AI‑assisted segmentation. Measured endpoints included rete ridge (epidermal ridge) count per millimetre, ridge amplitude (µm), mean and maximum epidermal thickness (µm), basal keratinocyte density (cells/mm²) and upper dermal collagen fiber density (area %). Five random fields per section were analysed and group comparisons were performed using paired two‑tailed t‑tests (statistical significance defined as p < 0.05).
The combined microneedling plus topical exosome regimen produced consistent and quantifiable improvements across the measured parameters. Notable findings included restoration of interfacial complexity, increased epidermal thickness and greater collagen density in the upper dermis.
Table 1. Quantitative histologic changes after 8 weeks of E‑50 Skin Booster treatment (mean ± SD where available).
Parameter | Baseline | 8 weeks | Absolute change | % change |
Rete ridge count (peaks/mm) | 2681 | 3139 | +458 | +17.08% |
Ridge amplitude (µm) | 671 | 723 | +52 | +7.75% |
Mean epidermal thickness (µm) | 12.70 | 19.34 | +6.64 | +52.33% |
Maximum epidermal thickness (µm) | 377.0 | 624.0 | +247.0 | +65.52% |
Basal keratinocyte density (cells/mm²) | 1464.77 | 2356.84 | +892.07 | +60.90% |
Upper dermal collagen density (area %) | 12.44% | 13.15% | +0.71% | +5.77% |
Table 1. Quantified improvements in dermal–epidermal junction structure, epidermal thickness and basal keratinocyte density after eight weeks of treatment.
All reported increases were statistically significant by paired analysis at the defined threshold (p < 0.05) for the principal endpoints reported in this case evaluation.
No adverse events (erythema beyond the expected acute response, persistent irritation, or delayed hypersensitivity) were reported during the follow‑up period. Histologic evaluation showed no evidence of abnormal inflammation or fibrosis, supporting a favourable short‑term safety profile for microneedling exosomes in this protocol.
This case evaluation demonstrates that microneedling in combination with topical exosomes can produce rapid and meaningful histologic changes in ageing skin, with particular improvement in epidermal thickness and basal keratinocyte density. The observed increases in rete ridge density and amplitude indicate partial reversal of age‑associated flattening at the dermal–epidermal junction, which is likely to enhance mechanical stability and nutrient exchange between dermis and epidermis.
The modest increase in collagen density observed in the upper dermis suggests fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix remodelling, consistent with previously described mechanisms of microneedling and biologic stimulation. Importantly, observed benefits concentrated in the epidermis (rather than only the dermis) are clinically relevant because epidermal integrity governs surface quality, barrier function and perceived skin youthfulness.
This single‑subject design cannot separate the independent contributions of the microneedling device and the exosome preparation; however, preclinical data and mechanistic reasoning support synergistic activity when the two modalities are combined. In practice, the terminology microneedling exosomes has come into use to describe this combined approach.
1. Targeting epidermal renewal: Clinicians seeking to improve texture, tone and barrier properties should consider protocols that explicitly target epidermal regeneration in addition to dermal remodelling.
2. Product selection and sourcing: Exosome formulations vary by biological source (plant, animal, human cell culture, marine) and manufacturing processes. These variables may influence cargo composition and clinical effects. Standardization, batch testing and demonstrated manufacturing controls are critical for reproducible outcomes.
3. Delivery method: The data summarized here apply specifically to microneedling‑assisted topical delivery and should not be extrapolated to injectable exosome protocols without separate evidence. Exosomes for microneedling — as applied topically after microchannel creation — are biologically plausible and may offer a favourable risk profile compared with other delivery strategies.
4. Treatment cadence and durability: This evaluation reports an eight‑week outcome after a single microneedling plus exosome application. Further work is required to define optimal frequency, maintenance intervals and the durability of histologic and clinical benefits.
Key limitations include the single‑subject design, absence of a control arm or sham microneedling group, and the inability to disaggregate the effects of microneedling from the topical exosome preparation. Larger, randomized studies with objective clinical endpoints (e.g., validated wrinkle scales, barrier function tests, patient‑reported outcomes, and longitudinal durability) are necessary to confirm and extend these findings.
Microneedling combined with a topical exosome preparation produced marked histologic improvements in a single‑subject eight‑week evaluation, including restoration of dermal–epidermal complexity, increased epidermal thickness and a substantial rise in basal keratinocyte density. These observations position microneedling with exosomes as a promising approach to structural epidermal rejuvenation. Broader clinical validation is warranted to establish standardized protocols, dosing and long‑term safety.
