State-of-the-art research progress and emerging strategies in digital light processing bioprinting for skin regeneration

Skin injuries including burns, chronic wounds, and diabetic ulcers present significant clinical challenges due to impaired healing, high risk of infection, and limited efficacy of conventional transdermal patches. Owing to recent advances in biomaterials and regenerative medicine, skin-repair strategies are currently focused on engineered patches that better mimic the native tissue structure and function. Particularly, digital light processing (DLP)-based 3D printing is a powerful platform for fabricating high-resolution personalized skin patches with precise architectural control than other conventional approaches. The rapid layer-by-layer photopolymerization of hydrogel-based materials enables the creation of mechanically compliant biocompatible constructs that support cell proliferation, immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Furthermore, DLP technology enables controlled therapeutic delivery by facilitating the integration of advanced functionalities such as microneedle arrays, vascularized architectures, and stimuli-responsive systems. This review systematically discusses the fundamental principles of DLP printing, key parameters that govern printing fidelity, recent progress in bioink development, and emerging applications of DLP-fabricated skin patches in wound healing and skin regeneration. Additionally, current challenges and future perspectives are highlighted to guide the continued development and clinical translation of DLP-based regenerative skin therapies.