Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article examines the growing controversy surrounding a new anti-aging treatment in South Korea that uses human skin extracts from deceased donors. While some influencers praise its “newborn-like” results, the procedure raises significant ethical and safety questions. We present the facts and reactions to help readers understand the debate.
Published: 2026-Jul-23 12:28
Updated: 2026-Jul-23 12:28
Cadaver skin anti-aging, influencers praise ‘newborn-like’ results, aesthetic ‘black tech’ sparks controversy. (X)
South Korea’s aesthetic medicine industry has recently introduced an anti-aging injectable, dubbed the ‘cadaver skin anti-aging shot’ by the public. The treatment directly uses human skin extracts from deceased donors in the United States, injected into the face and neck for rejuvenation, sparking global discussion in the aesthetic medicine community. Recently, an influencer praised the treatment, saying her skin quality was ‘as good as a newborn baby’s’.
According to reports, this injectable hyaluronic acid booster, named ‘Elravie Re2O’ (meaning ‘return to 20’), was developed by South Korean biotech company L&C Bio Co. The raw material originates from skin donated by deceased donors in the U.S. Through laboratory technology, all cellular material is completely removed, leaving only purified ‘extracellular matrix (ECM)’. The company claims the product contains well-preserved natural collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Dr. Kim Han-saem, a dermatologist at a Seoul clinic, stated that this injectable booster directly provides the skin with a ‘physical structural scaffold’ for the patient’s own skin cells to attach and grow, achieving effects such as pore reduction, fine line fading, and rebuilding skin elasticity.
Just the ingredients alone are highly impactful, but the treatment has already sparked intense discussion in the aesthetic medicine community. Many South Korean influencers have already shared their unboxing experiences. Creator Sara Yoon claims the product is particularly suitable for mature skin that is thinner and shows signs of aging. Famous makeup artist NamVo shared on TikTok that although the injection process was ‘so painful I wished I had taken a sedative’, by the third day, seeing herself in the mirror made it all worth it, saying she ‘looked like a newborn baby’.
Despite positive user reviews, some have raised concerns. The skin resources obtained from deceased donors are extremely precious and were originally intended for life-saving and medical purposes such as breast reconstruction and severe burns. Diverting them for purely commercial aesthetic medicine could strain medical resources. Additionally, the treatment has not yet received official approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and its long-term safety and duration still require further clinical testing. However, the developing company has revealed plans to formally enter the U.S. market in 2027. Currently, besides South Korea, the treatment has also launched in Singapore and Japan, and some aesthetic medicine centers in New York have already introduced it ahead of schedule.