PRP vs. Autologous Exosomes (Exomine) – What I’ve Learned After 22 Years of UK Aesthetics
I’ll be honest with you.
When I first heard about “exosome therapy” a few years ago, I was sceptical. A lot of the products out there come from plants, animals, or synthetic sources. And in the UK, the rules around those are… complicated.
But then I met the team at Hawksley. And they showed me something different. Something that actually works and is completely patientderived.
That’s the Exomine system (TLab). And it’s changed how I think about regenerative aesthetics.
Let me explain why and why I’m now training my own students at Dermaskills Academy on both PRP and autologous exosomes.
First, a quick story from my clinic (Rejuven8 Skin Clinic, Birmingham)
About six months ago, a woman in her late 40s came to see me. She’d already tried three rounds of standard PRP for her thinning crown. She saw some improvement, but not enough. She was frustrated.
We talked about Exomine. I explained that it’s still her blood we just process it differently using the Hawksley Microlyzer kit. No foreign material. No animal cells. Just a much higher concentration of her own signalling particles over 20 billion exosomes per treatment.
She agreed.
After two sessions (spaced six weeks apart), her hairdresser was the first to notice. “You’ve got new growth,” she said. By the third session, she could see it too.
That’s when I knew: PRP is good. But autologous exosomes are the next level.
So what’s the real difference between PRP and Exomine?
I’ll keep it simple this is how I explain it to my patients and students.
PRP uses your patient’s platelets. We spin the blood, concentrate the platelets, and inject them back. Those platelets release growth factors. It works. I’ve done thousands of PRP treatments.
Exomine (autologous exosomes) goes deeper. We still draw blood. But instead of just using the platelets, we activate them using the Hawksley Microlyzer cutting tool and their specific PRF tubes. That process triggers the platelets to release billions of exosomes the tiny messengers that tell cells exactly how to repair themselves.
Think of PRP as sending a letter. Exomine is sending a video call with detailed instructions.
But isn’t that just better PRP?
Yes and no.
It’s still autologous that’s the key. I will not train my students on animal or plant exosomes. I don’t trust the regulation, and I don’t want my patients to be guinea pigs.
With Exomine (via our Hawksley partnership), you get:
100% patientderived no foreign biological material
2025 billion+ exosomes per treatment far more than any standard PRP can offer
Legal clarity because it’s the patient’s own blood, UK compliance is straightforward (we cover all of this in the training)
Real results especially for stubborn hair loss, deep acne scars, and sundamaged skin that didn’t respond to PRP alone
What we actually teach at Dermaskills Academy
I don’t do theoryonly courses. My students walk into my real CQCregulated clinic in Birmingham. They see real patients. They handle real Hawksley Exomine kits.
Oneday CPDaccredited course topics we cover:
Blood draw (you must be phlebotomy trained no exceptions)
Centrifuge protocols for both PRP and Exomine (they’re not the same)
Using the Hawksley Microlyzer handson, not just a demo
Injection and microneedling techniques for scalp and face
Combining Exomine with laser, microneedling, or PRP
Legal stuff: consent, insurance, and what to tell patients
Business bit (because you’re not doing this for charity):
How to price Exomine vs PRP (hint: premium)
Scripts for explaining “why this is different”
Realistic session plans usually 2 to 4 treatments, 68 weeks apart
Who is this course for?
Nurses, doctors, dentists anyone with existing injection skills
Clinic owners who already offer PRP and want to upgrade
Anyone tired of “me too” treatments and wants something genuinely advanced
You must be phlebotomy trained before you attend. If you’re not, contact us first we can point you to a foundation course.
Why Hawksley? And why now?
I’ve worked with several suppliers over the years. Hawksley has been in this space for 30 years they’re not a flashinthepan. They’re a UK company, which matters for compliance and support.
When they offered Dermaskills Academy an official partnership, I said yes immediately. Why? Because I want my students to access the real kit, not a knockoff. And I want Hawksley’s technical team behind them after they qualify.
That’s the difference between a course and a proper training partnership.
One thing I’m often asked “Is this safe?”
Yes but only if you train properly.
I’ve been doing aesthetics since 2002. I’m the CQC Registered Manager for Rejuven8 Skin Clinic. I don’t cut corners on safety.
Autologous exosomes are safe because they come from the patient. But the processing equipment (centrifuge, Microlyzer, sterile tubes) must be used correctly. That’s what we drill into you on the day.
No mannequins. No “watch me do it once.” You will practice on a live model under my supervision until I’m confident you’ve got it.
Ready to train? A few practical things
Next course dates limited to one to one to 4 people maximum. Check the link below.
Cost varies by group size. Contact us for current pricing.
Deposit secures your kit and model.
Postcourse support I’m available for followup calls. You also get consent forms, price guides, and a direct intro to Hawksley if you need kit.
Final thought
PRP is a great foundation. Every aesthetic practitioner should know it.
But if you want to offer something genuinely advanced something that separates you from the clinic down the road train in autologous exosomes.
And do it somewhere that actually uses the kit every day. Not a hotel conference room. A real clinic. With a real trainer who’s done thousands of these.
That’s what Dermaskills Academy offers.
Come see for yourself.
Saima Rehman Ahmed
Director, Dermaskills Academy | CQC Registered Manager, Rejuven8 Skin Clinic
Birmingham, UK