Cadaver collagen is the latest controversial beauty treatment, involving injections of substances harvested from deceased humans. Popular in South Korea and southeast Asia, it is marketed as a regenerative skin treatment aimed at rebuilding the skin's extracellular matrix.
What Is Cadaver Collagen?
Former A&E doctor turned aesthetician Ben Taylor-Davies explains that cadaver collagen is intended to 'rebuild the skin's extracellular matrix (the “scaffolding” of the skin) rather than simply adding hydration or volume.' The promise is firmer, smoother, and more elastic skin, with reduced fine lines and pores.
How Is It Harvested?
According to Dr. Taylor-Davies, the process requires donated skin from a deceased donor who has consented to its use. 'The tissue is processed to remove the donor’s cells and genetic material, while preserving structural proteins such as collagen and elastin. It’s then purified, sterilised and made into tiny injectable particles.' This material is called 'processed human dermal matrix' and is injected under brand names like Elravie Re20 in South Korea.
Is It Legal in the UK?
Cadaver collagen is illegal in the UK. Dr. Taylor-Davies notes, 'It’s not legal here to inject human-derived products and I don’t think it’s likely to get to that point any time soon. When we inject cellular material they’re currently plant or animal derived — polynucleotides, for example, are derived from fish.' While skin donors are used for reconstructive surgery and wound care in Britain, cosmetic treatments face tight regulations due to ethical considerations.
Safety Concerns
Dr. Taylor-Davies highlights the risks: 'Any injectable — plant, animal or human derived — needs to be cultured and manufactured in an incredibly controlled, sterile environment. That’s especially true for human-derived products, where we need absolute certainty they’re sterile, disease-free and of known provenance.' He adds, 'I don’t think it will ever be safe to offer these treatments in the UK unless they sit under a proper regulatory umbrella and I can’t currently see the MHRA approving the use of human-derived tissue.'
Pros and Cons
Risks include bruising, swelling, infection, inflammation, lumps, and accidental injection into a blood vessel. Because the material is human-derived, there are also theoretical risks of immune reactions, contamination, or infection if donor screening fails. However, initial evidence shows improvements in skin density, elasticity, wrinkles, pores, and hydration after treatment. 'Because the material comes from human skin, it may more closely resemble our own dermal structure than animal-derived collagen,' Dr. Taylor-Davies says. But the study only lasted 20 weeks, was small, and conducted by those involved in the product’s development. He concludes the science is plausible but products are being marketed more than tested.
