Stem cells and their derivatives are increasingly used in dermatology, with the strongest evidence in wound healing. Systematic reviews show that mesenchymal and especially adipose-derived stem cells (AD MSCs/ADSCs) accelerate closure of chronic wounds, reduce pain, and improve cosmetic outcomes when combined with good local wound care (Farabi et al., 2024; Mazini et al., 2020; Gentile & Garcovich, 2021; Sierra-Sánchez et al., 2021).
These cells can be applied topically, injected, or delivered within scaffolds and dermal substitutes. They act both by differentiating into skin cells and by releasing growth factors and cytokines that drive angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization. Preclinical meta-analyses in skin flaps also show markedly reduced flap necrosis and higher blood vessel density, particularly with MSCs/ADSCs and intra-arterial delivery (Li et al., 2021).
In inflammatory and immune-mediated skin diseases, adipose-derived MSCs and their extracellular vesicles (exosomes) show promising immunomodulatory and barrier repair effects. Clinical and preclinical studies report improvements in:
More broadly, MSCs from adipose tissue, bone marrow, and umbilical cord have been investigated for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, systemic sclerosis, lupus, graft-versus-host disease, and contact dermatitis. Many studies demonstrate reduced inflammatory scores and improved clinical indices, though trial designs remain heterogeneous (Khandpur et al., 2021; Sierra-Sánchez et al., 2021; Matwiejuk et al., 2025; Kuang et al., 2024; Legiawati et al., 2022).
A major development in dermatology is the shift toward cell-free therapies using MSC-conditioned media or exosomes. These approaches have shown benefits in:
AD MSC exosomes, particularly when combined with biomaterial hydrogels, provide controlled local release and have been shown to:
Across indications, good practice emphasizes:
Current clinical data suggest high short-term safety, mostly mild local adverse effects, but further randomized controlled trials, standardized dosing and routes, and long-term follow-up are needed, particularly for aesthetic indications (Khandpur et al., 2021; Gentile & Garcovich, 2021; Chakraborty & De, 2024; Sierra-Sánchez et al., 2021; Kuang et al., 2024; Legiawati et al., 2022).
Farabi, B., Roster, K., Hirani, R., Tepper, K., Atak, M., & Safai, B. (2024). The Efficacy of Stem Cells in Wound Healing: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25053006
Matwiejuk, M., Mikłosz, A., Myśliwiec, H., Chabowski, A., & Flisiak, I. (2025). Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives in inflammatory skin diseases: a systematic review. Frontiers in Immunology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1617157
Bellei, B., Migliano, E., & Picardo, M. (2022). Therapeutic potential of adipose tissue‐derivatives in modern dermatology. Experimental Dermatology, 31, 1837 - 1852. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.14532
Khandpur, S., Gupta, S., & Gunaabalaji, D. (2021). Stem cell therapy in dermatology. Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.25259/ijdvl_19_20
Mazini, L., Rochette, L., Admou, B., Amal, S., & Malka, G. (2020). Hopes and Limits of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in Wound Healing. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041306
Li, Y., Jiang, Q., Van Der Merwe, L., Lou, D., & Lin, C. (2021). Preclinical efficacy of stem cell therapy for skin flap: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-020-02103-w
Zare, S., Jafarzadeh, A., Zare, S., & Shamloo, A. (2025). Exploring the dermatological applications of human mesenchymal stem cell secretome: a comprehensive review. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04311-8
Gentile, P., & Garcovich, S. (2021). Systematic Review: Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Platelet-Rich Plasma and Biomaterials as New Regenerative Strategies in Chronic Skin Wounds and Soft Tissue Defects. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041538
Chakraborty, D., & De, A. (2024). Stem-cell therapy in dermatology – Challenges and opportunities. Indian Journal of Skin Allergy. https://doi.org/10.25259/ijsa_50_2023
Zhou, C., Zhang, B., Yang, Y., Jiang, Q., Li, T., Gong, J., Tang, H., & Zhang, Q. (2023). Stem cell-derived exosomes: emerging therapeutic opportunities for wound healing. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-023-03345-0
Sierra-Sánchez, Á., Montero‐Vílchez, T., Quiñones-Vico, M., Sánchez-Díaz, M., & Arias-Santiago, S. (2021). Current Advanced Therapies Based on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Skin Diseases. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.643125
Pomatto, M., Gai, C., Negro, F., Cedrino, M., Grange, C., Ceccotti, E., Togliatto, G., Collino, F., Tapparo, M., Figliolini, F., Lopatina, T., Brizzi, M., & Camussi, G. (2021). Differential Therapeutic Effect of Extracellular Vesicles Derived by Bone Marrow and Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Wound Healing of Diabetic Ulcers and Correlation to Their Cargoes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22083851
Matwiejuk, M., Mikłosz, A., Myśliwiec, H., Chabowski, A., & Flisiak, I. (2025). The therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles in the treatment of diverse skin diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1626066
Wang, Y., Ding, H., Bai, R., Li, Q., Ren, B., Lin, P., Li, C., Chen, M., & Xu, X. (2025). Exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells accelerate wound healing by increasing the release of IL-33 from macrophages. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04203-x
Song, Y., You, Y., Xu, X., Lu, J., Huang, X., Zhang, J., Zhu, L., Hu, J., Wu, X., Xu, X., Tan, W., & Du, Y. (2023). Adipose‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell‐Derived Exosomes Biopotentiated Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels Accelerate Diabetic Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration. Advanced Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202304023
Kuang, Y., Zhu, W., Lin, G., Cheng, L., Qin, Q., Huang, Z., Shi, Y., Zhang, C., Xu, J., Yan, K., Lv, C., Li, W., Han, Q., Stambler, I., Lim, L., Chakrabarti, S., Ulfhake, B., Min, K., Ellison-Hughes, G., Cho, W., Jin, K., Yao, D., Lu, C., Zhao, R., & Chen, X. (2024). Expert Consensus on the Application of Stem Cells in Psoriasis Research and Clinical Trials. Aging and Disease, 16, 1363 - 1377. https://doi.org/10.14336/ad.2024.0012
Zhou, Y., Zhao, B., Zhang, L., Lu, J., Lu, T., Cheng, J., Fu, Y., Lin, L., Zhang, Y., Li, X., Zhang, J., & Zhang, J. (2020). Combined topical and systemic administration with human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSC) and hADSC-derived exosomes markedly promoted cutaneous wound healing and regeneration. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-021-02287-9
Legiawati, L., Suseno, L., Sitohang, I., Yusharyahya, S., Ardelia, A., & Paramastri, K. (2022). Stem cells as a therapeutic choice in dermatological disorders. Current stem cell research & therapy. https://doi.org/10.2174/1574888x17666220930142513