What 'Regenerative' Means in Aesthetic Medicine: A Narrative Literature Review Attempting to Demystify the Core Essence of Regenerative Aesthetics

February 2026 in “ Plastic and Aesthetic Research ”

Maurizio Cavallini, Emanuele Chittano Congedo, Barbara Claysset, George Christopoulos, Ting Song Lim, Josè Ramon Saucillo Gibert, Hema Sundaram, Francesca Arrigoni, Valentina Merenda

regenerative aesthetic medicine platelet-rich plasma polynucleotides exosomes stromal vascular fraction poly-L-lactic acid calcium hydroxylapatite inflammation modulation fibroblast activation PRP SVF PLLA CaHA

TLDR Regenerative aesthetic medicine aims to restore tissue function, but needs more consistent evidence and standardized practices.

Regenerative aesthetic medicine has shifted from a corrective approach to a focus on biologically restoring tissue function and homeostasis. This review explores the biological and clinical evidence for injectable regenerative modalities like PRP, polynucleotides, exosomes, SVF, PLLA, and CaHA, which work through mechanisms such as inflammation modulation and fibroblast activation. While clinical studies show improvements in skin and hair parameters, the evidence is inconsistent due to variability in methods and outcomes. The field requires more robust trials, standardized practices, and clearer regulations to solidify its place in evidence-based medicine.

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Research cited in this study

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research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Aesthetic Dermatology: Current Evidence and Future Directions

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PRP is promising for skin, hair, and wound treatments but needs standardized methods and more research.

research Advancements in Regenerative Medicine for Aesthetic Dermatology: A Comprehensive Review and Future Trends

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New regenerative techniques show promise for improving skin, healing wounds, and growing hair.

research Exosomes: The Latest in Regenerative Aesthetics

3 citations , January 2023 in “Regenerative Medicine”

Exosomes show promise for skin and hair rejuvenation, but more research and regulation are needed before they can be widely used.

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4 citations , December 2022 in “Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology”

Exosomes show promise for improving wound healing, reducing aging signs, preventing hair loss, and lightening skin but require more research and better production methods.

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Exosomes could help with skin and hair, but more research and better methods are needed.

research The Novel Mechanisms and Applications of Exosomes in Dermatology and Cutaneous Medical Aesthetics

47 citations , February 2021 in “Pharmacological research”

Exosomes can improve skin health and offer new treatments for skin repair and rejuvenation.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma: New Performance Understandings and Therapeutic Considerations in 2020

848 citations , October 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

PRP shows promise in treating joint and spine issues, but translating lab results to humans is challenging.

research Consensus Report on the Use of PN-HPT (Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology) in Aesthetic Medicine

14 citations , August 2020 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Experts recommend using PN-HPT™ for skin rejuvenation in various body areas but have less agreement on initial facial treatment cycles.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hair Restoration

16 citations , March 2020 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America”

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), a substance from a patient's own blood, can stimulate hair regrowth in people with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) who haven't had success with other treatments, but more research is needed to optimize its use.

research The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine: A Comprehensive Review

76 citations , December 2018 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma may help in skin and hair treatments, and with muscle and joint healing, but more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and limitations.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma: The Ultimate Secret for Youthful Skin Elixir and Hair Growth Triggering

55 citations , September 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Platelet-rich plasma, taken from a person's own blood, can help rejuvenate skin, stimulate hair growth, and treat hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.

research Systematic Review of the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Aesthetic Dermatology

113 citations , July 2015 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Platelet-rich plasma may help with hair growth and skin quality but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

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research The Efficacy and Safety of BM-PHA for the Correction of Nasolabial Folds: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Face Clinical Trial

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research Applications of Marine Organism-Derived Polydeoxyribonucleotide: Its Potential in Biomedical Engineering

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