You hear the phrase "stem cell injection" often, yet it is rarely clear what is actually being injected, or how. This article walks through how stem cells relate to skin regeneration, and how the SQ-Cell stem cell injection program at SKINIQUE Clinic is carried out, step by step.
Stem cells, the body's repair crew
Stem cells are cells already present in the body whose role has not yet been assigned, which means they can differentiate into muscle, skin, nerve, or vascular cells as needed. They can be thought of as a repair crew that seeks out damaged areas and rebuilds them. The difficulty is that both the number and the activity of this crew decline with age. The basic idea behind stem cell injection is to replenish activated stem cells so that the body's own regenerative capacity can be brought back up.
Skin ages under daily irritation and damage, but it also holds the ability to recover on its own. The SQ-Cell program focuses on helping that natural recovery capacity get back on its feet.
How the SQ-Cell program is structured: skin injection and IV therapy
SQ-Cell is an autologous blood-based treatment: your own blood is drawn, the stem cells within it are separated and activated, and they are then returned to your body. At SKINIQUE Clinic the program is divided into two routes, a skin injection delivered directly into the skin and an IV infusion delivered through the vein, so that the skin surface and the body's interior are addressed together.
The skin injection takes a different approach from conventional skin boosters that fill in moisture or stimulate collagen production. Its aim is to revive the skin's own recovery capacity, and it can be applied to the range of changes that come with ageing, such as loss of firmness, fine lines, rough texture, and uneven tone.
How the skin injection session runs
The sequence runs as follows: cleansing, Virtue RF laser, needle-free ultrasound anesthesia, the stem cell injection, 12 minutes of plasma LDM care, calming LED, and a premium velvet mask.
Virtue RF radiofrequency is applied to the deeper layers of the skin before the injection to deliver fine thermal stimulation, the purpose being to prepare an environment in which the stem cells can be absorbed well.
The injected volume varies with how much blood is drawn; as a rough guide, about 3cc of stem cell injection is prepared from 30cc of blood. For those concerned about discomfort, the procedure can also be performed under IV sedation, in which case the needle-free ultrasound anesthesia step is omitted.
After the injection, LDM plasma care settles the skin environment and helps the delivered stem cells take hold stably.
The IV route circulates through the whole body
Stem cells administered intravenously travel through the bloodstream around the body, encouraging regeneration and recovery at sites of damage. Beyond the skin alone, this route may be considered from a whole-body anti-ageing standpoint for concerns such as fatigue or a decline in general recovery.
The IV sequence is: cleansing, PHA peel, 12 minutes of plasma LDM care, the stem cell injection together with an arginine IV and placenta injection, and a premium velvet mask. The arginine IV and placenta injection are given alongside to support the activity of the stem cells and the pace of recovery.
A program with design built into every step
The heart of the SQ-Cell program lies not in the injection itself but in what is designed around it. From the Virtue RF and needle-free ultrasound anesthesia that create the absorption environment, to the LDM plasma care and PHA peel that settle the skin afterwards, to the IV composition that supports activity, the injection depth and the order of steps are adjusted at each stage to suit the condition of the skin. Working through each step and combining them deliberately is what characterises the SKINIQUE Clinic program.
Concerns for which it may be worth considering
If recurring breakouts and fine lines are on your mind, if treatment results have not lasted and you are looking for a more fundamental change, if lack of sleep and fatigue have left your general condition low, or if you would like to address skin recovery and anti-ageing together, the SQ-Cell program may be one option to consider.
Wrapping Up
The SQ-Cell stem cell injection returns stem cells obtained from your own blood through two routes, the skin and the vein, in order to help the body's recovery capacity get back on its feet. Whether it suits you, and how it should be composed, depends on your skin condition and general health, so a consultation-based plan comes first. If you are curious about the recovery approach that fits your skin, feel free to ask through a chat consultation on regenerative treatments for your skin.
This article was written by Dr. Park Tae-hyung. He is the Chief Director of SKINIQUE Clinic and serves as Senior Director of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Trichology. First published November 18, 2025 · Last reviewed August 23, 2026
This text is general medical information. Skin condition and response to treatment vary from person to person. Please decide whether and how to undergo treatment through an in-person consultation.