Are exosome facials legal in the UK?
A clear answer to one of the most asked, and most misunderstood, questions in regenerative aesthetics.
It is the question we are asked more than any other, usually by clients who have read something alarming. The honest answer has two halves, and the distinction between them matters.
Topical, plant-derived exosomes: permitted
Exosome formulations that are plant-derived and applied topically, including after microneedling, are permitted in the UK as cosmetic procedures. This is the category we work in. The products are characterised, the application is external, and the regulatory position is settled.
Injected, human-derived exosomes: a serious concern
Injecting exosomes, particularly human-derived ones, is a different matter entirely, and it is the practice that has drawn regulatory scrutiny and media attention. We do not inject exosomes. We have never injected exosomes. We consider the marketing that surrounds injectable exosome treatments to run well ahead of both the evidence and the regulation.
How to ask the right question
If you are considering an exosome treatment anywhere, ask two things: is the product plant-derived, and is it applied topically rather than injected. A clinic that cannot answer both clearly is not the right clinic. Our full position, with the products we use and why, is set out on our Sources & Regulation page.
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