Advances in stem cell-based tissue-engineered skin substitutes for burns

Burn injuries cause substantial morbidity, mortality, and long-term functional and aesthetic deficits. Autologous skin grafting, the gold standard for wound coverage, is lifesaving but limited by donor-site availability and can lead to scarring and contracture, highlighting the need for bioengineered skin substitutes that better restore native skin function. Stem cell-based skin substitutes have emerged as promising candidates, yet their application in burn care remains limited, warranting a review of potential gaps and opportunities. This review summarizes recent innovations in stem cell-based tissue-engineered skin substitutes for burn care, highlighting biofabrication platforms including 3D bioprinting, handheld devices, hydrogels, spray-on-skin systems, electrospinning, freeze-drying, stem cell sheets, molding, and gas foaming and discusses the key challenges and opportunities for burn-specific clinical translation.