Best face forward
Vicky Eldridge visits the Dr Raquel Skin and Medical Cosmetics clinic in West Malling, Kent, to try exosomes
My skin had been feeling a bit dull and tired, and having spent most of 2024 writing about the exciting possibilities of regenerative treatments like exosomes; I was keen to test some out for myself.
So off I went to see Dr Raquel Amado at the Dr Raquel Skin and Medical Cosmetics in West Malling in my home county of Kent.
I had been to Dr Raquel for some microtoxin previously and was really happy with the results, so she suggested we take my skin journey a step further with exosomes alongside a comprehensive skincare regime.
After an initial comprehensive consultation, including looking at my skin under the Observ 3D camera, Dr Raquel suggested a course of three treatments using Purasomes spaced three months apart. For home care, I would be using Alumier MD’s products.
The first thing I will say about Raquel is that she absolutely never makes you feel rushed. She gave me her full time and attention at each appointment, and I never felt like I was being ushered out of the door.
The second thing is she is the absolute queen of pain management. The exosomes were to be delivered via SkinPen, and having had microneedling before, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I’d also tried polynucleotides and found them painful, so I was worried exosomes would be the same. I need not have feared. I was giving numbing at each visit and didn’t feel A THING. Raquel regularly checked in to make sure I was experiencing any discomfort. Honestly, I could have taken a nap!
The first treatment was on June 25, 2024, when I had microneedling at a depth of 1mm, with the exception of around the eyes, forehead and upper lip line where Dr Raquel used 0.5mm depth. I had a total of 3ml of the DermaFocus Purasomes SGC100+ Skin Glow Complex.
Purasomes SGC100+ Skin Glow Complex decreases the formation of pigmentation, revitalises skin for radiance and vitality, reduces free radicals and creates a long-lasting protective barrier against sun radiation by promoting cell turnover, accelerating blood vessel formation, facilitating skin healing and decreasing inflammation.
My second treatment wasn’t until September 16, 2024, due to me having Covid and summer holidays. I once again had the Purasomes SGC100+ Skin Glow Complex with microneedling at a depth of 1mm, with the exception of around the eyes, forehead and upper lip line, where Dr Raquel used 0.75mm depth this time.
My final treatment was on October 15. I had microneedling at a depth of 0.5mm everywhere due to how hormonally spotty I was.
The thing about regenerative procedures is you usually have to wait to see results, so there is not the instant “wow factor” there is with other procedures. However, that being said, having come in for my third appointment with particularly hormonal spotty skin, I was blown away by the overnight difference in my skin so much so that I took pictures to show Raquel, who noted how exosomes can help to calm really inflammed skin.
The downtime from the treatment was really manageable. My skin was quite red for two or three days afterwards and stung slightly like a sunburn. But the recovery was pretty quick and didn’t interfere with my daily activities.
In terms of skincare, we kept it simple while I had the exosomes treatment, keeping the vitamin C and retinol on hold until I had completed my last treatment.
Raquel prescribed a routine of:
- SensiCalm: A gentle cream cleanser which smells divine. It purifies and cleanses while easing redness and irritation, leaving the skin feeling nourished, balanced and refreshed.
- Bright & Clear: A refining, refreshing skin-conditioning solution both invigorates the complexion and champions the skin’s natural balance and cell renewal.
- Ultimate Boost Serum: A rejuvenating, hydrating serum that boosts radiance and rejuvenation. It contains Sodium Hyaluronate and LMWHA, which work synergistically by binding water up to 1,000 times to skin cells, providing comprehensive hydration and repairing the skin both internally and externally. “Ultimate Boost Serum deeply hydrates the skin, replenishing moisture levels for intense and lasting multi-level hydration, helping to plump and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles whilst restoring the skin’s natural moisture barrier”, says Dr Raquel.
- Alumience AGE: An advanced age defence serum formulated with potent antioxidants that protect the skin from premature ageing and oxidative stress triggered by pollution, free radicals, and AGEs (advanced glycation end products).
Refining Clay Mask: An innovative skin-refining mask with natural clays to absorb excess oil, deeply cleanse and banish shine without drying skin. - And of course, SPF. I used Alumier’s Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 30, which is a gorgeous, silky product that didn’t feel at all cakey on my skin, which meant I didn’t miss having a moisturiser in my routine.
After my final exosome treatment, I started on the retinol. I used Retinol Resurfacing Serum 1.0, and I have to say this is the best retinol product I have ever used. I have used really effective retinol products before, especially when my acne has been bad, but I have always really suffered from redness and dryness. With this product, I didn’t get that at all. The overnight impact of it was immediately visible from the first application. What’s special about it is its time-released formula that ensures continuous rejuvenation while you sleep, while niacinamide strengthens the skin’s tolerance, and a clinically-proven peptide unveils a smoother, firmer, more youthful complexion.
I also started using Alumier’s EverActive C&E + Peptide. Unlike other vitamin Cs I have used this didn’t oxidise and go brown. There’s a reason this product has won awards. It is uniquely packaged to ensure optimal freshness and efficacy. This high-strength serum features a blend of 15% Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and MATRIXYL® Synthe’6®, a powerful peptide, to target signs of ageing and revitalise the skin.
It is clinically proven to reduce the depth and volume of wrinkles, improve surface homogeneity, and even out complexion within 56 days.
Following my course of treatment and using the products at home, I felt like my complexion was smoother and much more even. I was able to go makeup-free again, which I prefer most of the time but hadn’t been doing due to feeling my skin looked “blotchy”. Imaging showed a reduction in pigmentation and pore size. As someone who hasn’t wanted to go down the fillers route in my 40s,
I love the prospect of regenerative injectables. It was also really nice, after 20 years in the industry, to commit myself to one product range rather than mixing and matching products from multiple ranges. I was really pleased with how my skin improved over the course of the treatment. It has continued to do so, and people have commented on how well I look, which is the ultimate Litmas test.