Stem Cell-Enriched Treatments in Aesthetic Medicine: A Comprehensive Scientific Literature Review of Current Applications, Mechanisms, Outcomes, and Future Perspectives

Background: The field of regenerative medicine has significantly influenced aesthetic practices, offering innovative therapeutic options beyond traditional symptomatic treatments. Stem cell-enriched treatments leverage the regenerative and reparative capabilities of various cell populations, representing a frontier in addressing aging, tissue damage, and aesthetic imperfections. These treatments aim to provide durable, biologically integrated outcomes for conditions such as chronic wounds, severe scarring, and hair loss, which are challenging with conventional methods. However, challenges include a lack of standardized protocols, variability in methodologies, and evolving regulatory frameworks, raising concerns about efficacy, safety, and ethical considerations. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles published from 2015 to 2025. Keywords included "stem cells," "aesthetic medicine," "regenerative medicine," "skin rejuvenation," "hair restoration," "scar treatment," "fat grafting," "adipose-derived stem cells," "stromal vascular fraction," "mesenchymal stem cells," "exosomes," and "platelet-rich plasma." Studies, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, were prioritized based on scientific rigor and relevance to aesthetic applications. Data on clinical outcomes, safety, mechanisms, and regulatory considerations were extracted and critically analyzed. Results: Key modalities include adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), stromal vascular fraction (SVF), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), their conditioned media (CM), exosomes, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). These treatments show promising outcomes in facial and skin rejuvenation (improved density, texture, hydration, wrinkle reduction), hair restoration (increased density and thickness), scar revision (reduced hypertrophic and keloid scars), and enhanced fat graft survival. Therapeutic benefits stem from paracrine effects, involving growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles that promote angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory responses. Challenges include protocol variability, limited long-term data, and regulatory hurdles, with ethical concerns surrounding cell sourcing and unapproved products. Conclusions: Stem cell-enriched treatments hold transformative potential for aesthetic medicine by offering regenerative solutions beyond symptomatic correction. Future research must focus on standardizing protocols, conducting robust long-term clinical trials, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to navigate regulatory complexities. These steps are essential to translate the therapeutic potential into safe, effective, and accessible clinical practice, ensuring sustained advancements in aesthetic outcomes.