Introduction

If you've ever wondered whether placenta IV therapy lives up to the glowing promises—you're not alone. In aesthetic circles, especially across Korea and Japan, this treatment has gained a reputation for its supposed skin-renewing, anti-aging benefits. But what exactly is in placenta extract, and does it actually work?

At Gumdan Ewha Hospital, located in Incheon’s Geomdan district, we believe in transparency and evidence-based care. Our patients often ask us about emerging treatments that claim to restore youthfulness without surgery. Placenta IV therapy is one of them—and while it’s not a magic bullet, it does offer intriguing possibilities for skin and systemic rejuvenation. Here's what we want our patients to know.

What Is Placenta IV Therapy?

Placenta IV therapy involves delivering purified placenta extract directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous drip. This extract is typically sourced from human placenta (with ethical, regulated sourcing), then filtered and processed to retain bioactive nutrients while removing immunogenic components.

In clinical settings, this treatment is offered for a variety of reasons—skin brightening, fatigue recovery, immune support, and general anti-aging. In Korea and Japan, placenta-based therapies have been in use for decades, supported by traditional and modern medical frameworks. The placenta itself is rich in regenerative factors, which is why it's long been valued in postnatal recovery and aesthetic medicine alike.

This therapy is also available via injection or topical application, but IV delivery is thought to provide broader, systemic benefits—not only for skin but also for energy, metabolism, and overall cellular health. By bypassing the digestive system, IV therapy ensures that the nutrients are absorbed quickly and efficiently.

What’s Inside Placenta Extract?

Placenta extract is biologically rich and includes:

• Growth Factors: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-β1), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). These compounds are known to stimulate cellular regeneration, improve skin elasticity, and encourage tissue repair.

• Amino Acids & Peptides: Including glycine, proline, lysine, and others that serve as the foundation for collagen production and skin hydration.

• Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamin A (for skin renewal), B-complex (for energy and cell health), C (for collagen synthesis), and E (for antioxidant protection). Minerals such as zinc and iron support skin barrier repair and oxygen delivery.

• Hyaluronic Acid: A natural molecule that helps retain moisture, improving skin plumpness and reducing fine lines.

• Antioxidants & Enzymes: Help reduce inflammation, support detoxification, and combat oxidative stress that contributes to skin aging.

This unique cocktail of compounds mimics the natural environment that supports fetal development—making it a potent, if complex, resource for regenerative medicine.

How Does It Work for Skin?

Here's what placenta IV is believed to do based on both clinical observations and biochemical logic:

1. Stimulates Collagen Production

The growth factors in placenta extract activate dermal fibroblasts—the cells responsible for making collagen and elastin. As we age, these cells become less active, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and loss of volume. By signaling these cells back into action, placenta therapy may help restore skin firmness and elasticity.

Clinical anecdotal evidence from aesthetic dermatology practices suggests improved skin density and fewer visible wrinkles after several sessions. While results vary, patients often report a “tighter” feel and a more even texture.

2. Enhances Hydration & Texture

With its amino acids and hyaluronic acid, placenta extract supports the skin's natural moisturizing factors. This leads to better hydration, which is key for improving rough texture, flakiness, and dullness. Hydrated skin not only looks more luminous but is also more resilient to environmental damage.

3. Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Protection

Free radicals from pollution, UV rays, and stress accelerate skin aging. The antioxidant content in placenta helps neutralize these effects. Additionally, anti-inflammatory peptides can calm redness, reduce flare-ups, and improve conditions like sensitivity or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

This makes placenta therapy appealing not only for aging skin but also for individuals dealing with adult acne, rosacea, or inflammation-prone skin types.

4. Promotes Cellular Turnover

Skin regeneration relies on a healthy turnover cycle—new skin cells rising to the surface while older ones shed. Placenta extract supports this process by nourishing the basal layer of the epidermis, which houses stem-like cells. Enhanced turnover means brighter tone, smoother surface, and improved pigmentation.

In essence, it helps the skin “act younger,” even if the calendar says otherwise.

What the Research Shows

The science is promising but still developing:

• Small human studies and case reports have shown improvements in skin elasticity, tone, and hydration after mesotherapy with placenta extract. A 2020 study involving Korean women aged 40-60 noted a statistically significant increase in skin firmness and brightness after 8 weeks of placenta-based treatment.

• Animal studies indicate enhanced wound healing, reduced inflammation, and improved dermal thickness when placenta extract is applied.

• Combination therapies (e.g., placenta with collagen, elastin, or vitamin C) show synergistic effects, though it’s difficult to isolate the exact role of each component.

It's important to note that while clinical data is still limited, the growing use of placenta extract in functional and aesthetic medicine supports its perceived benefits.

What we’ve seen in our clinic is that patients often delay regenerative treatments until visible aging sets in—but earlier intervention usually leads to better outcomes.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While generally safe when administered by a licensed provider, placenta IV therapy does come with important considerations:

• Regulatory variation: The quality and purity of placenta products can vary by manufacturer and country. In some regions, these therapies are tightly regulated, while in others they may be offered without clinical oversight.

• Immune reactions: Although rare, allergic or immune responses can occur, especially if the extract is improperly filtered or contains trace hormones.

• Ethical concerns: Sourcing of human placenta must follow strict ethical guidelines, including informed consent and traceability.

• Limited long-term data: Most available studies cover short durations, and long-term safety or efficacy remains unclear.

At Gumdan Ewha Hospital, all regenerative therapies are sourced from KFDA-approved, sterilized, and hormone-free placenta products. Our medical team carefully screens patients to determine if placenta IV is appropriate for their health profile.

Are There Better Alternatives?

Placenta IV is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, for many patients, it works best when used alongside other evidence-based aesthetic treatments:

• Laser therapy: For skin tightening, pigmentation, and resurfacing

• Microneedling: To stimulate collagen production and improve texture

• Stem cell IV or PRP (platelet-rich plasma): For more targeted regenerative effects

• Medical-grade skincare: Including retinoids, peptides, and vitamin C

Placenta extract offers a gentler, non-invasive option—especially for those who aren’t ready for lasers or injectables. In Korean aesthetic medicine, it’s often used in combination protocols, providing cumulative benefits over time.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try Placenta IV?

If you're curious about placenta IV therapy, the first step is understanding your skin's needs and overall health. At Gumdan Ewha Hospital, we don’t push trends—we build custom plans that align with your goals, timeline, and tolerance for intervention.

Placenta IV isn’t a miracle cure, but it can be a meaningful part of a broader anti-aging or skin renewal strategy—especially for those seeking natural regeneration without surgery. Whether you’re recovering from stress, noticing signs of aging, or simply want to look more refreshed, a personalized approach makes all the difference.

If you’re considering non-surgical rejuvenation, schedule a consultation at a clinic like Gumdan Ewha , where your care plan is as unique as your skin.