Retinoids, Botox, Ultherapy… each passing year brings a new contender promising healthier, more resilient skin. But now, longevity scientists and aesthetics experts alike have locked in on a particularly exciting ingredient: you.

Regenerative therapies like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) facials have shown what’s possible when we harness the body’s own biology. Yet researchers are zeroing in on the real driver of those effects: secretome, a natural cocktail of signaling molecules your cells already produce.  Far from a passing trend, it represents a shift toward therapies that target the root causes of aging skin rather than the surface signs.

So how does secretome actually work? And what gives it the edge over other buzzy treatments? Let’s dig in.

What Is Secretome?

Every cell in your body communicates constantly with its neighbors. To do so, cells release a wide range of bioactive molecules—proteins, peptides, lipids, growth factors, enzymes, hormones and extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. Collectively, this collection of signals is known as secretome.

Think of secretome as your body’s internal comms system. When tissue is injured, it directs repair. When inflammation needs to be resolved, it coordinates the immune response. It’s the language cells use to maintain balance and regeneration.

But here’s the thing. As we age, our cells become less efficient at sending and receiving these signals. That slowdown contributes to the visible hallmarks of aging: fine lines, loss of elasticity, and slower healing. But by delivering concentrated doses of secretome, aesthetic medicine is now finding ways to restore that youthful communication network.

Topicals vs. PRP vs. Exosomes: How does secretome compare?

“How do we encourage the skin to behave more like it did when it was young?” That’s the central question driving aesthetics and skincare. 

Topicals like retinoids and antioxidants stimulate repair from the outside in. They’re valuable, but limited by the skin barrier—not to mention the commitment (and expense) of diligently applying your creams and serums every day.

PRP goes deeper, using a patient’s own plasma to deliver growth factors that awaken fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen and elastin. While effective, PRP requires blood collection and reinjection—it’s not nicknamed the “vampire facial” for nothing. Plus, results can vary based on health and age.

Exosome therapy has refined the approach further by isolating exosomes: the nano-sized vesicles inside secretome that carry regenerative instructions between cells. By isolating and concentrating these messengers, practitioners can achieve improved physiological effects without the requirement of cell transplants or PRP injection—including more targeted approaches to challenges like hair regrowth.

Secretome therapy is the next frontier. While exosomes are powerful, they’re just one part of the puzzle; just one component of secretome. In fact, secretome boasts a whole roster of MVPs that work together:

• • Exosomes carry repair signals, accelerating skin renewal, balancing skin tone, and calming inflammation.¹
  • Growth factors are proteins that trigger collagen and build elasticity.²
  • Cytokines are immune balancers, reducing redness and supporting skin regeneration.³
  • Peptides strengthen the skin barrier and boost hydration.⁴

All Stem Cells Aren’t Created Equal

Many secretome products and treatments source from donors—and that’s where Acorn does things a little differently. Acorn YOU^TM is the first regenerative secretome product made from your own stem cells, innovatively banked from hair follicles. (No painful injections necessary.)

By bypassing potential issues like incompatibility and immune rejection, Acorn essentially helps your skin do what it does best, naturally.

Who Is the Best Candidate for a Secretome Treatment?

In short: Anyone who is looking to unlock their skin’s natural radiance.

Clinical results show that Acorn’s process preserves up to 85% of key regenerative proteins from both younger and older donors, with 84% of patients showing skin improvement by Day 30.*

And the impact goes beyond skin: Acorn YOU has demonstrated visible improvements in hair quality and density within 90 days.*

How It Works

So, what does the treatment process actually look like? Let’s break it down.

1. Banking: First, you’ll need to find a clinic that offers a secretome-based treatment. During an initial appointment, you’ll consult with your practitioner about your goals, and potentially harvest your stem cells. (If you’re opting for an Acorn YOU^TM treatment, you’ll start by banking your hair follicles—a minimally invasive procedure that takes less than an hour.) 
2. Processing: Your stem cells are sent to a lab, and processed into a personalized solution over a matter of weeks.
3. Application: Your serum is paired with microneedling or laser treatments to amplify their impact, maximize penetration, and accelerate healing.

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface?

Secretome therapies reprogram skin at the cellular level:

1. Collagen + Elastin Production: Exosomes activate fibroblasts, restoring the machinery that keeps skin firm and resilient—a direct counter to age-related collagen loss.⁵
   
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Many chronic skin concerns like acne, rosacea, and pigmentation are fueled by inflammation. Secretome signals help quiet overactive immune responses, reducing one of the hidden accelerators of aging.⁶
   
3. Accelerated Healing: When applied after procedures such as microneedling or laser, exosome formulations reduce downtime and speed tissue repair. Again, this makes them especially appealing for patients seeking aggressive rejuvenation without extended recovery.³
   
4. Cellular Rejuvenation: Believe it or not, exosomes can reprogram older or stressed cells to behave more like younger ones, addressing aging at its root rather than treating symptoms.⁷

The Future of Regenerative Aesthetics

Aging is inevitable. But how we age—and how visibly those changes appear in the skin—is increasingly within our influence. Secretome offers a way to work with the body’s own biology, restoring the signals that decline with time.

Whether through aesthetic treatments, hair restoration, or advanced formulations still in development, secretome is poised to redefine how we approach aging skin.

We’ve spent decades chasing down trends and buzzy ingredients. But it turns out the secret was within us the entire time.

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FAQ

Q: What exactly is secretome made of?
A: Secretome is a mix of signaling molecules naturally released by stem cells, including proteins, peptides, exosomes, and growth factors. Together, they guide your body’s repair and regeneration processes.

Q: How is secretome different from PRP or exosome therapy?
A: PRP uses blood-derived growth factors; exosome therapy isolates one component of the regenerative process. Secretome includes all of these signals, making it more complete and potent.

Q: Is secretome treatment safe?
A: Yes. When created from your own cells (as with Acorn YOU), the treatment is fully biocompatible, minimizing risk of immune response or rejection.

Q: How soon will I see results?
A: Clinical studies show visible improvement in skin texture, tone, and elasticity within 30 days, with continued benefits over time.

Q: Can secretome treatments help with hair as well as skin?
A: Absolutely. Secretome’s regenerative signals also support follicle health, density, and growth.

Q: Where can I get a secretome-based treatment?
A: Acorn partners with leading clinics across North America.

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References:

1. Tienda-Vázquez, Mario Adrián et al. “Exosomes: A Promising Strategy for Repair, Regeneration and Treatment of Skin Disorders.” Cells vol. 12,12 1625. 14 Jun. 2023, doi:10.3390/cells12121625
2. He, Xin et al. “Research Progress on Bioactive Factors against Skin Aging.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 25,7 3797. 28 Mar. 2024, doi:10.3390/ijms25073797
3. Wong RSY, Tan T, Pang ASR, Srinivasan DK. The role of cytokines in wound healing: from mechanistic insights to therapeutic applications. Explor Immunol. 2025;5:1003183. https://doi.org/10.37349/ei.2025.1003183
4. Pintea, Andrada et al. “Peptides: Emerging Candidates for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Senescence: A Review.” Biomolecules vol. 15,1 88. 9 Jan. 2025, doi:10.3390/biom15010088
5. Liang, Chen et al. “Unveiling exosomes in combating skin aging: insights into resources, mechanisms and challenges.” Stem cell research & therapy vol. 16,1 474. 29 Aug. 2025, doi:10.1186/s13287-025-04620-y
6. Zare, S., Jafarzadeh, A., Zare, S. et al. Exploring the dermatological applications of human mesenchymal stem cell secretome: a comprehensive review. Stem Cell Res Ther 16, 177 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04311-8
7. Chen, X., Luo, Y., Zhu, Q. et al. Small extracellular vesicles from young plasma reverse age-related functional declines by improving mitochondrial energy metabolism. Nat Aging 4, 814–838 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-00612-4

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This article has been medically reviewed by: