What is Re2O?
Re2O (Elravie Re2O, 리투오, ECM skin booster, hADM skin booster) is an injectable made from human dermis that has had its cells removed, leaving the extracellular matrix (ECM, the mesh of collagen and elastin that gives skin its structure). The matrix is processed into fine particles and injected into the dermis. One 5 mL syringe contains 150 mg of particulated human acellular dermal matrix.
Other skin boosters either stimulate the skin to make collagen (Rejuran, Juvelook) or add hydration (hyaluronic acid). Re2O differs in that it supplies the structural material itself.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Intradermal injection (skin booster) |
| How it works | Supplies ECM directly to the dermis and gives fibroblasts a structure to settle into |
| Treatment time | About 10–20 minutes of injection, plus numbing cream time |
| Anesthesia | Numbing cream |
| Downtime | Injection marks and swelling for a few days |
| Pain | Mild to moderate with numbing cream; varies by person |
| Onset | Gradual, building over several weeks |
| Duration | Confirmed up to week 20 in the clinical trial |
| Sessions | Possible as a single session; at least 1 month apart if repeated |
| Good for | Skin texture, pores, fine lines, loss of elasticity, thinning skin |
| Not suitable for | Pregnancy or breastfeeding; infection or inflammation at the treatment site |
Mechanism and clinical evidence
Lee et al. (2026, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27(5):2193) ran a double-blinded, split-face trial in 20 adults aged 30–65 with rough cheek skin. One side of the face received Re2O with hyaluronic acid and the other side received hyaluronic acid alone. After three sessions one month apart and follow-up to week 20, the Re2O side showed greater improvement in skin density, volume, elasticity, wrinkle depth, pore area, hydration and skin barrier measures. No serious adverse events occurred.
In the animal part of the same study, fibroblasts (the cells that make collagen) moved into the injected matrix and new collagen formed at the boundary. Source: DOI 10.3390/ijms27052193
Which skin concerns does it suit?
A good fit
- Enlarged pores and rough texture: pore area and skin roughness measures improved in the trial.
- Fine lines: wrinkle depth decreased more than with hyaluronic acid alone.
- Thin skin with reduced elasticity: skin density and elasticity measures rose together.
- Dehydrated, sensitized skin: hydration and skin barrier measures improved.
Where another treatment leads
- Deep acne scars and lost volume: Re2O is not a volumizing filler. Scar-specific or volume treatments lead, and Re2O supports the surrounding skin.
- Sagging jawline and cheeks: this is the role of lifting devices, which can be done on the same day as Re2O.
- Melasma and dark spots: laser treatment matched to the type of pigment leads.
Why get it in Korea?
- Korea is where it is developed and made. Re2O is developed and manufactured by L&C Bio in Korea and supplied domestically by Humedix. It launched in Korea in 2024, so Korea has the most treatment experience.
- It is not yet available in the US. Re2O is not a US FDA-approved product, and the manufacturer is aiming for US entry in 2027. As of 2026 it is officially used in Korea, Singapore and Japan.
- It fits into a single visit. The treatment is short and can be done on the same day as lifting devices, which makes it easy to fit into a trip.
It comes from human skin. Is it safe?
The raw material is donated human skin tissue. A decellularization process removes cells and DNA, leaving only the ECM structure. Acellular dermal matrix has been used as a graft material in burn care and reconstructive surgery for decades. In Korea it is classified as human tissue, and donor screening, processing and traceability are handled under the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety tissue bank system.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Can I get Re2O in the US or Europe?
Not through official channels in the US, where it is not FDA approved. As of 2026 it is officially used in Korea, Singapore and Japan, and Korea, where it is developed and manufactured, has the most experience with it.
Q2. Does Re2O work for acne scars?
It helps rough texture where shallow scars and enlarged pores are mixed. For deep, indented scars a scar-specific treatment leads, and Re2O is added to support the density of the surrounding skin.
Q3. I have had Rejuran. How is Re2O different?
Rejuran uses PN to stimulate the skin's repair response, while Re2O places ECM material directly. If your skin is thin and lacks elasticity and Rejuran gave less change than you hoped, Re2O takes a different approach worth considering.
Q4. Can people with darker skin tones have Re2O?
Yes. Re2O is an injection, so there is no energy setting to limit by skin tone as with lasers. Sun protection is needed while the injection marks settle.
Summary
Re2O suits people whose main concern is the skin itself: texture, pores, fine lines and thinning skin. It is currently most widely performed in Korea. Related reading: Rejuran, Juvelook, Re2O: Why There's No Winner, Potenza: The Answer to Pore and Skin Texture Concerns?.
ℹ️ This content is general medical information and does not replace an individual consultation. Results vary with each person's skin, and an accurate assessment should be made with an aesthetic medicine specialist.
References
- Lee YI, Chau NH, Nguyen NH, Ham S, Baek Y, Kim J, Lee JH. Injectable Particulated Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Booster for Skin Restoration: An Integrated Randomized, Split-Face, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial and Preclinical Study. Int J Mol Sci. 2026;27(5):2193.