.png)
P198 ExoNature/Panax Ginseng Exosomes for Vulvar Skin Tone Improvement: What a 14-Woman Pilot Study Shows
Introduction: Exploring Non-hormonal Approaches to Vulvovaginal Concerns
Vulvovaginal dryness, irritation, discomfort and changes in skin appearance can affect women’s quality of life. While established treatments address many underlying causes, interest is growing in nonhormonal approaches involving microneedling and regenerative formulations.
A 2026 pilot study published in Women’s Health investigated a combined treatment protocol involving microneedling, topical P198 ExoNature Recore SB and an adjunctive home-care gel in 14 women. The researchers reported short-term improvements in patient-reported vulvovaginal symptoms and quality-of-life scores, alongside qualitative changes in vulvar skin appearance.
Product Introduction: The Role of P198 ExoNature Recore SB
P198 ExoNature Recore SB is a topical skin booster formulation featuring Panax ginseng-derived exosome material and additional peptides. It belongs to the P198 ExoNature range, which explores plant-derived exosome technology in skin-rejuvenation applications.
The formulation combines plant-derived extracellular vesicle material with peptides associated with skin-related biological processes. These ingredients provide the scientific context for investigating the formulation in regenerative aesthetics.
Within the broader P198 ExoNature range, the formulation was evaluated as part of an investigational protocol focused on vulvovaginal symptoms and external vulvar skin appearance. Its inclusion reflects growing research interest in plant-derived exosome formulations and their potential applications in regenerative aesthetics.
Treatment Protocol: Microneedling Combined With P198 ExoNature
Anatomical area | Treatment Protocol |
Central vulvar skin (A) | Treated with a 2 mm dermaroller, followed by topical application of the study formulation. |
Skin surrounding the vaginal opening (D) | Included in the routine application area for the home-care inner gel. |
Lateral external vulvar skin (B and C) | Additional inner gel application was extended to these areas for participants who reported concerns about uneven skin tone. |
The microneedling treatment focused on external vulvar tissue, while home-care gel application included the skin surrounding the vaginal opening and, where relevant, adjacent lateral vulvar areas.
Clinical Considerations: Patient Selection and Treatment Safety
Before considering emerging aesthetic interventions for vulvar concerns, physicians should evaluate the underlying causes of symptoms and determine whether medical treatment is indicated. Dryness, irritation, itching and discomfort may be associated with hormonal changes, infection, inflammatory dermatoses or other gynaecological conditions.
The study excluded participants with active infections requiring treatment, open wounds or ulcerative lesions, pregnancy, and known hypersensitivity to treatment components.
Consideration | Key Point |
Patient Assessment | Persistent or unexplained symptoms require appropriate medical evaluation before aesthetic intervention. |
Anatomical Precision | Findings involving external vulvar tissue should not be extrapolated to internal vaginal structures. |
Procedural Safety | Microneedling in sensitive genital tissue requires careful consideration of infection, trauma, discomfort, and potential adverse reactions. |
Evidence Limitations | The small sample, lack of a control group, and short follow-up prevent conclusions about long-term safety or comparative efficacy. |
The 2 mm microneedling depth used in the study is a description of the research protocol, not an established treatment recommendation.
Before and After: Observations in Vulvar Skin Appearance
The published study included serial clinical photographs documenting changes in vulvar skin appearance during treatment and follow-up. In Figure 6, the final follow-up image showed an apparent reduction in darker pigmentation and greater skin-tone uniformity compared with baseline. However, these observations were qualitative.
The study did not use blinded photographic grading, objective colorimetry or validated pigmentation measurements. Differences in lighting, positioning and image exposure may also influence visual comparisons.
Clinical interpretation: The photographs are therefore best interpreted as preliminary observations rather than definitive evidence of pigmentation improvement.
Conclusion: Interpreting Emerging Evidence With Clinical Precision
The 2026 Women’s Health pilot study provides preliminary clinical observations involving microneedling-assisted topical P198 ExoNature Recore SB and adjunctive home care for vulvovaginal symptoms and vulvar skin-tone concerns.
Among 14 participants, researchers observed short-term reductions in patient-reported symptom and quality-of-life scores, alongside qualitative changes in external vulvar skin appearance.
Although these findings are encouraging as an early research signal, larger controlled studies are needed to determine the independent contribution of the formulation, establish clinical efficacy and evaluate long-term safety.
For physicians exploring emerging regenerative approaches, this study highlights the importance of combining scientific innovation with appropriate patient selection, anatomical precision and evidence-based clinical judgement.
References
Park J, Kim SG, Kim YS, Park Y, Yi KH. Microneedling-assisted Panax ginseng exosome protocol for vulvovaginal symptoms and vulvar skin tone changes: a preliminary pilot observational study. Women's Health (Lond). 2026;22:17455057261471827. PMID: 42544642; PMCID: PMC13434092.
Explore P198™ With Athena BioMed
Explore P198™ ExoNature™ and P198™ ExoHealer™ with Athena BioMed to learn more about these formulations and the developing science of plant-derived exosomes in regenerative skin research
