Can stem cell serum give you younger skin? tiny study tests it
NCT ID NCT07620158
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This small study tested a topical serum made from stem cell exosomes (tiny particles from umbilical cord cells) combined with microneedling to see if it improves skin appearance. Seven adults over 30 with mild to moderate wrinkles received the serum on one side of the face and a placebo on the other. The goal was to check safety and whether the serum reduces wrinkles better than microneedling alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Exosome serum (extracellular vesicles from umbilical cord stem cells)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a cosmetic treatment to reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early proof-of-concept study with only 7 participants. It tests a cosmetic product, not a medical treatment, so any benefits are likely modest and may not apply to everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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7 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2024
- Finished
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Jan 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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30 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female subjects over 30 years of age * Non-smoker * Fitzpatrick scale II-IV * Mild to moderate skin wrinkles or fine lines around the eyes (periorbital) and/or radial cheek * Subject agrees to maintain their weight (i.e. within 5%) by not making any major changes in diet of lifestyle during study * Able to provide written informed consent, understand and willing to comply with study related procedures and follow-up * Willing to undergo facial microneedling treatment * Willing to sign photo release (For study purposes and potential publication) Exclusion Criteria: * Prior trauma, surgical procedure or invasive cosmetic procedure in the area of intended treatment * Fat reduction/removal procedure in or around the area of intended treatment up to 1 year prior to enrollment * Cosmetic injections into the area of intended treatment including botulinum toxin injections up to 6 months prior or filler injections up to 1 year prior to enrollment * Ablative or non-ablative dermal resurfacing procedures within 6 months of screening * Skin tightening procedures on the face within the past 3 months * Currently using prescription facial wrinkle therapies * History of bleeding disorder, or is taking any medication that may increase risk of bruising * Dermatological conditions in the location of the treatment sites that may interfere with treatment * Subject has an active infection * Subject has a known metal allergy * Pre-existing scars, tattoos, birthmarks or other physical features in the area of treatment that may confound the outcome in the investigators opinion * Active implanted device such as pacemaker, defibrillator, drug delivery system * Pregnant or intending to become pregnant * Lactating or has been lactating in the last 6 months * History of coagulopathy, or taking anticoagulants * Taking daily oral aspirin * Immunocompromised or immunosuppressed * Active, chronic or recurrent infection * Hypersensitivity to analgesic agents * History of keloid scar formation * Chronic disease such as diabetes, hepatitis, etc. * Oral corticosteroids or topical steroids in the treatment area * Prescription or over the counter (OTC) medication or cosmetics applied to treatment area containing: retinoids, glycol acid, salicylic acid or any other remedies that might affect the healing process. * Co-morbid condition that could limit ability to participate in the study or comply with follow-up requirements * Untreated drug and/or alcohol abuse * Unable or unwilling to comply with the study requirements * Enrolled in another clinical study or taking any unknown or not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications * Any other condition or presentation that in the opinion of the Investigator might exclude the subject * Intends to begin any new skin medications in the treatment areas * Intends to change their daily skincare routine before or during the study
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Skincare Physicians
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 02467, United States