Korean 'Corpse Skin' Dermal Filler Re2O Draws Beauty Seekers Despite Genetic Disease Warnings
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
South Korean biotech firm L&C BIO has launched Elravie Re2O, a dermal filler made from deceased donors' skin tissue, marketed as a anti-aging solution. The product, nicknamed 'corpse skin needle,' has gained popularity among mainland Chinese women willing to travel to Korea for injections costing approximately 4,400 Hong Kong dollars per session. Medical experts warn the decellularization technology cannot completely remove cellular material, potentially exposing users to genetic diseases from donors.
Key Points
- Elravie Re2O, produced by South Korean company L&C BIO, contains allogeneic skin tissue from deceased donors
- The product launched in South Korea in November 2023 and is sold in South Korea, Japan, and Singapore
- Mainland users pay approximately 3,750 yuan (about 4,400 HKD) per injection, with reported benefits including smoother skin and reduced dullness
- Chen Youbai from the China Plastic Surgery Association warns that residual cells may carry genetic disease risk if donors had hereditary conditions
- Due to China's ban on commercial trading of human tissue, Re2O cannot legally enter the mainland market
- Xue Ke from Shanghai Pudong New Area Gongli Hospital states clinical data for this application is lacking, requiring 5-10 years of observation
Why It Matters
The controversy highlights the tension between aggressive anti-aging marketing and regulatory safeguards in the medical aesthetics industry. As Hong Kong residents frequently travel to Korea for cosmetic procedures, this case underscores the importance of verifying product safety and understanding the ethical implications of tissue-based treatments before undergoing injections abroad. The lack of long-term clinical data means consumers are essentially participating in an uncontrolled experiment with their appearance and health.
The controversy highlights the tension between aggressive anti-aging marketing and regulatory safeguards in the medical aesthetics industry. As Hong Kong residents frequently travel to Korea for cosmetic procedures, this case underscores the importance of verifying product safety and understanding the ethical implications of tissue-based treatments before undergoing injections abroad. The lack of long-term clinical data means consumers are essentially participating in an uncontrolled experiment with their appearance and health.