Dr. Patricia Gutiérrez-Ontalvilla · Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeon · PhD cum laude · Nixarian Institute, Valencia · National Secretary, ISAPS Spain
Quick answer
Yes: treatment with fat-derived stem cells (Liquenia-SVF protocol) works for vulvar lichen sclerosus and vulvar lichen planus. A prospective study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (Oxford University Press, 2025) with 18 patients showed statistically significant reductions in itching, pain, clinical signs, and tissue inflammation, with no serious adverse effects. It is the only regenerative therapy for this condition with histologically confirmed results.
If you have vulvar lichen sclerosus, you have probably spent months—or years—applying corticosteroids, noticing temporary relief and then seeing the symptoms return. You may have read about stem cells and wonder whether it is real science or just marketing. That doubt is completely valid.
The answer is: yes, it works. And we have data published in a top-tier scientific journal to prove it.
What are the stem cells used for lichen sclerosus?
They are not cells obtained from embryos or donors. They are your own stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSC, from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells), extracted from a small amount of fat from your own body—usually the abdomen—during the same procedure.
These cells act on lichen sclerosus through four mechanisms:
- Anti-inflammatory: they reduce inflammatory cells that destroy vulvar tissue.
- Immunoregulatory: they modulate the exaggerated immune response, which is the main cause of damage.
- Regenerative: they reduce fibrosis and fissures, and restore skin thickness and elasticity.
- Angiogenic: they promote the formation of new blood vessels, improving tissue oxygenation.
What is SVF, or Stromal Vascular Fraction?
SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) is the part of your own fat richest in stem cells and regenerative factors. In the Liquenia-SVF protocol, it is obtained through mechanical digestion—without enzymes—which allows its clinical use in Spain under current regulations. It is combined with nanofat—emulsified fat—to enhance the regenerative effect.
The study that answers the question: real data, not promises
In 2025, Dr. Gutiérrez-Ontalvilla published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (Oxford University Press, DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjaf148) the results of the Liquenia-SVF protocol in 18 women with moderate-to-severe vulvar lichen sclerosus refractory to conventional treatments. This work is also included in the ISAPS 2025 clinical practice guideline, driven by research from the Nixarian Foundation.
The results at 12 months of follow-up were:
| Measured parameter | Before treatment | At 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms (CSS) | 20.12 points | 4.71 points ✓ |
| Clinical signs (CSS) | 5.79 points | 2.00 points ✓ |
| Itching (5D-itch scale) | 6.82 points | 2.35 points ✓ |
| Quality of life (Skindex-29) | 42.88 points | 24.82 points ✓ |
Beyond symptoms, tissue biopsies confirmed real changes in the skin:
- Less fibrosis (reduced collagen hyalinization).
- Reduced CD3+ lymphocytes, key markers of active inflammation in lichen sclerosus.
- Higher microvessel density: the tissue regains its blood supply.
No serious adverse event was recorded in any of the 18 participants.
What about PRP? Is it the same as stem cells?
No. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) does not contain stem cells; it only provides growth factors. A randomized clinical trial by Goldstein et al. (2019, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology) concluded that PRP alone did not reduce inflammation compared with the control group and cannot be recommended as a treatment for lichen sclerosus.
The Liquenia-SVF protocol targets the tissue-level causes of the disease—inflammation, fibrosis, lack of vascularization—not just superficial symptoms.
A single session with 12-month follow-up
In the published study, a single session of the Liquenia-SVF protocol was sufficient to achieve significant and sustained improvements for 12 months. From the third month onward, low-dose topical corticosteroids were maintained as a complementary maintenance treatment.
The complete procedure includes:
- Micro-liposuction: extraction of a small amount of the patient’s own fat.
- Mechanical processing to obtain nanofat and SVF without enzymes.
- Intradermal and subdermal infiltration into the affected vulvar and perianal area.
- Follow-up at 1 month, and at 3, 6, and 12 months using internationally validated scales.
“I had years of constant itching, fissures, and embarrassment about going to the doctor. After a single session with the Liquenia-SVF protocol, by three months the itching had almost completely disappeared. For the first time in a long time, I feel like myself again.”
Would you like to know whether you are a candidate for the Liquenia-SVF protocol?
Free, no-obligation consultation with the Nixarian Institute team.
Frequently asked questions about stem cells and lichen sclerosus
Is stem cell treatment for lichen sclerosus scientifically supported?
Yes. The Liquenia-SVF protocol is supported by a prospective study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (Oxford, 2025, DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjaf148) and is included in the ISAPS 2025 clinical practice guideline (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, DOI: 10.1007/s00266-025-05459-7). It is the regenerative therapy with the highest level of published evidence for vulvar lichen sclerosus.
Does it also work for vulvar lichen planus?
The mechanism of action of fat-derived stem cells—anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and regenerative—is also relevant for vulvar lichen planus, another chronic inflammatory condition of the vulva. The ISAPS 2025 clinical practice guideline (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) includes both conditions within the scope of application of the Liquenia-SVF protocol.
How many stem cell sessions are needed for lichen sclerosus?
In the 2025 published study, a single session was sufficient to achieve significant and sustained improvements over 12 months of follow-up. From the third month onward, it was complemented with low-dose topical corticosteroids for maintenance. The need for additional sessions is assessed on an individual basis for each patient.
Does stem cell treatment for lichen sclerosus have side effects?
The protocol uses the patient’s own fat, so the risk of an allergic reaction is minimal. In the published study, no serious adverse event was recorded in any of the 18 participants. The most common discomforts are mild bruising or transient swelling at the extraction site, which resolve spontaneously.
Where is stem cell treatment for lichen sclerosus performed in Spain?
The Liquenia-SVF protocol is performed at the Nixarian Institute in Valencia, under the direction of Dr. Patricia Gutiérrez-Ontalvilla, a plastic surgeon and medical doctor who developed and published the protocol. It is the only center in Spain with published scientific evidence for this therapy in vulvar lichen sclerosus.
Would you like to better understand what lichen sclerosus is and all the options available to you? Explore more resources at Liquenia.es, the specialized Spanish-language resource on vulvar lichen sclerosus.
