Medically reviewed by Mark Strehlow, MD, Medical Director — September 2026
If you searched for exosome microneedling or an exosome facial, this is the treatment you are looking for, with one honest correction. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle: tiny particles released by cells that carry proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The products we apply during microneedling are umbilical cord–derived tissue matrix products, an extracellular matrix product and a connective tissue matrix product, rich in collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin, from FDA-registered, AATB-accredited tissue banks. We do not call them exosomes, because their makers do not and because they are not exosome products; no exosome product is FDA approved for any use. What they are: screened, lot-tested tissue products that we pair with SkinPen microneedling to support your skin’s own repair process.
Who this is for
Microneedling is for adults who want to improve how their skin looks and are willing to do a short series of treatments. The concerns it is used for are cosmetic ones you can see:
- Uneven texture and rough or dull-looking skin
- Fine lines
- Acne scars and other depressed scars
- Enlarged-looking pores
- Uneven tone and the look of sun damage
- Mild laxity
It is not the right choice if you have active acne, an infection, cold sore or rash in the treatment area; if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; if you have taken isotretinoin in the past six months; or if you have a history of keloid scarring. If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, tell us; it does not always rule treatment out, but it changes the plan.
How microneedling works
We use SkinPen Precision, an FDA-cleared microneedling device. Its sterile, single-use cartridge stamps hair-thin needles into the skin thousands of times a minute, creating microscopic channels. Your skin responds to those channels the way it responds to any minor injury: with a repair process that produces new collagen and elastin over the following weeks. That is why results build gradually and why a series works better than a single session. The needle depth is adjusted region by region; the skin around the eyes and lips is treated more conservatively than the cheeks and forehead.
What the tissue matrix products add
The microchannels created by needling leave the skin unusually absorbent for a short time. During and immediately after treatment we apply the tissue matrix products topically, so that they reach the skin at the point where your own repair process is beginning. They are never injected. The connective tissue product is rich in high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, the same molecule most hydrating serums are built on, in its natural form, together with collagen and elastin.
We will be plain about the evidence: the science on tissue matrix products in aesthetic skin care is early, and we do not have a controlled trial to show you. What we can tell you is what the products are, how they are sourced and tested, and what we have observed in our own patients. We offer the treatment in two versions: with both products, or with the extracellular matrix product alone, which costs less.
Your visit, step by step
- Consultation. We examine your skin, take baseline photographs and agree on a plan: which areas, how many sessions, and what you can realistically expect. The consultation is free.
- Numbing. A topical anesthetic goes on for about 30 minutes. Most patients describe the treatment as pressure and a light scratching sensation, not pain.
- Treatment. Needling takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes for the full face, with the tissue matrix products applied as we go and again at the end.
- Aftercare. You leave with written instructions and a recommended post-treatment routine. Plan on no makeup for 24 hours, gentle cleansing only, no active ingredients (retinoids, acids) for about five days, and diligent sunscreen.
Recovery and risks
Expect your skin to look sunburned for one to three days, with some tightness, and possibly light flaking or dryness in the days after. Pinpoint bleeding during treatment is normal. Uncommon risks include infection, a flare of cold sores in people who get them, temporary darkening of the skin (more likely in deeper skin tones and with sun exposure), and a reaction to a topical product. Because the tissue matrix products are donated human tissue, there is a very small risk of an immune or allergic reaction and a screening-reduced but not zero risk of disease transmission. Long-term data on these products are limited.
Results and how many sessions
Most patients begin to notice smoother, brighter-looking skin within a couple of weeks of the first session, but collagen takes time: the visible changes from each session continue to develop over four to six weeks. For texture and tone, three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart is the usual plan; acne scars often take more. We photograph before each session so you can judge the change yourself. Results vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed; maintenance sessions once or twice a year are common.
Cost
Microneedling is cash-pay and not covered by insurance. We price it per session and as a series, in both versions, and give you the numbers in writing at your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an exosome facial?
It is what most clinics mean by that phrase. We use the accurate name for the product because we would rather you know exactly what is being applied to your skin.
Do you still offer microneedling with PRP?
No. We replaced PRP with umbilical cord–derived tissue matrix products, which do not require a blood draw and are the same lot-tested products every time. If you would prefer PRP, tell us and we will point you to a good option. Read more on our PRP alternatives page.
Does it hurt?
With numbing, most people rate it mild. The forehead and upper lip are the most sensitive areas.
Can I combine it with other treatments?
Often, yes. We commonly space microneedling at least two weeks from Botox and filler appointments. Ask at your consultation.
Next step
Call (913) 727-7700 or contact us to schedule a consultation, or see all of our regenerative treatments.
The products we use are umbilical cord–derived extracellular matrix and connective tissue products supplied by tissue banks that are FDA-registered and AATB-accredited. Registration is not approval. No exosome, extracellular vesicle or connective tissue product is FDA approved for any use, and we do not use these products to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. SkinPen Precision is FDA-cleared for microneedling. This page is educational and is not medical advice. Individual results vary.