Exosomes for acne scars

A small randomized split-face trial found exosomes improved acne scars more than laser alone over 12 weeks. A single case report adds little.

No exosome product is FDA-approved for this or any other condition.

2 studies, strongest design first

How to read the bars and marks

More filled bars means a design that can tell more reliably whether the treatment caused the result.

Single case or case seriesOne patient or a handful, described without a comparison. It can raise an idea; it cannot show that a treatment works.
Study without a control groupA group was treated and followed, but nobody was left untreated for comparison. Improvement may come from time, other care, or the placebo effect.
Controlled trialTreated patients were compared with a control: placebo, another treatment, or the untreated side of the face. Most exosome trials at this level are small and short.
Phase 3 resultsA large trial designed to prove a treatment works, the kind regulators usually require. No exosome product has published phase 3 results.
FDA approvedThe FDA has reviewed the evidence and approved the product for that use. No exosome product is approved for any use.

A solid mark means a benefit over the comparison. Hollow or partly filled marks mean less.

Better than controlThe treated group did better than the comparison group on the main measures.
Mixed or short-lived resultSome benefit, but only on some measures, in a subgroup, or for a short time.
Similar to comparison treatmentAbout the same as another treatment, such as PRP, which may itself be unproven.
No benefit over controlThe treated group did no better than placebo or the comparison.
Improvement reported, no control groupPatients improved, but without a comparison group there is no way to tell whether the treatment caused it.
Safety onlyThe study looked for harms. It was not designed to show whether the treatment works.
Stopped for a safety eventThe study was halted after a serious problem in a participant.