# Injectable Particulated Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Booster for Skin Restoration: An Integrated Randomized, Split-Face, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial and Preclinical Study

**Authors:** Young In Lee, Nam Hao Chau, Ngoc Ha Nguyen, Seoyoon Ham, Yujin Baek, Jihee Kim, Ju Hee Lee

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27052193 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-02-26

## TL;DR

A new injectable skin booster made from human dermal matrix improves skin texture and structure more effectively than hyaluronic acid, with lasting results and minimal side effects.

## Contribution

The study introduces phADM as a novel injectable booster that promotes dermis remodeling and skin rejuvenation through biologically active extracellular matrix scaffolding.

## Key findings

- phADM-treated skin showed greater improvements in density, volume, elasticity, and hydration compared to hyaluronic acid.
- Ex vivo and in vivo studies confirmed phADM's ability to restore extracellular matrix architecture and stimulate neocollagenesis.
- In vitro assays showed reduced inflammation and melanogenesis, supporting phADM's safety and restorative properties.

## Abstract

Injectable skin boosters currently in use mainly provide short-lived volumization or depend on inflammation-mediated collagen stimulation, raising concerns regarding durability and safety. Injectable particulate human acellular dermal matrix (phADM) is a biologically derived extracellular matrix scaffold designed to support constructive dermis remodeling. This randomized, split-face, double-blinded clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of phADM as a facial skin booster in 20 adults with moderate cheek roughness. phADM was injected on one facial side, with hyaluronic acid serving as the contralateral control. Multiple skin parameters were assessed over 20 weeks using validated imaging and biophysical instruments. Mechanistic validation was conducted using complementary in vitro, ex vivo human skin, and in vivo rat models. Clinically, the phADM-treated side demonstrated greater improvements in skin density, volume, elasticity, wrinkle depth, pore area, hydration, and barrier-related parameters at multiple time points compared with HA. In ex vivo human skin, phADM showed homogeneous dermal distribution and preservation of extracellular matrix architecture, along with restoration of basement membrane-associated proteins following UVB irradiation. In vivo rat studies revealed fibroblast infiltration and localized neocollagenesis within the implanted matrix. In vitro assays further indicated enhanced fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis, increased hyaluronan production, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophages, and downregulation of melanogenesis-related genes in melanoma cells. No serious adverse events were observed during the clinical study. These findings indicate that phADM functions as a restorative skin booster that promotes durable dermis remodeling and functional rejuvenation with a favorable safety profile.

## Linked entities

- **Species:** Homo sapiens (taxon 9606), Rattus norvegicus (taxon 10116)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** melanoma (MESH:D008545), inflammation (MESH:D007249)
- **Chemicals:** hyaluronan (MESH:D006820)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116]

## Full text

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## Figures

13 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12985180/full.md

## References

44 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12985180/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12985180