Hair Follicle Stem Cell Therapy

The black hair we can see is a structure of dead cells stacked layer upon layer, while the stem cells that actually create the follicle surround its root. Because these cells divide continuously, hair grows back in the same spot even after a hair is pulled out.

Hair loss is a state in which the number and activity of these hair follicle stem cells have declined. Even on the same scalp, the stem cells at the back of the head and in the beard area remain healthy, while those at the crown and the M-shaped areas show a marked decline in number and activity. For this reason, moving healthy stem cells from the back of the head to areas where hair loss has progressed can be expected to stimulate atrophied follicles and bring about improvement.

The cases that call for a hair transplant and those that call for stem cell therapy are clearly different. Since the appropriate treatment varies with the condition of the scalp and hair loss, we recommend choosing after a diagnosis.

• My hair feels thinner overall
• My hair has become finer and limp (less volume when styling)
• My crown or part line shows through more than before
• I'm shedding more hair than before
• I want active treatment but find surgery (a transplant) burdensome
• After a hair transplant, I also want to manage the non-surgical areas

If any of these apply, non-surgical stem cell therapy may be worth considering. This self-check is for reference only; whether it actually suits you is decided after a diagnosis of your scalp and hair-loss condition.

A hair transplant only relocates follicles; it cannot increase the total number of hairs. Stem cell therapy complements this limitation. Among harvested follicles, the “poor follicles” — gray, curly, or damaged during harvesting — are not suitable for transplantation, but the stem cells that create follicles are still alive within them.

Modi Hair Plant does not simply grind this tissue into a solution. At its in-house hair follicle stem cell research center, specialized researchers separate only the stem cells using a scientifically established protocol, inspect the cell count and condition under a microscope, and then inject them into the patient's own scalp. This approach of separating and applying stem cells from one's own tissue is called HTE (autologous tissue engineering), and studies reporting excellent clinical results have been published. The institute's follicle separation and inspection process is detailed on a separate page.

If you are considering stem cell therapy for hair loss, you should examine what is extracted from where, and where it is injected. Modi injects autologous stem cells separated from your own hair follicles directly into the scalp.

An exosome is a signaling vesicle secreted by cells, and what is inside it is the key point. Without an explanation of which cell line was cultured and for how many passages, it is difficult to assert an effect based on the delivery vehicle of an “exosome” alone.

Applying stem cell ampoules or shampoo to the surface of the skin results in a markedly low absorption rate, making it difficult to reach the follicle cells. Hair follicle stem cell therapy is a method of administering cultured follicle-derived cells directly into the deep dermal layer where the hair roots are located. Because it improves the environment around the follicle immediately, an effect can be expected only when a specialist performs the procedure by injecting at the precise location.

1. 01

   1:1 consultation and examination

   We diagnose the appropriate treatment by examining the condition of the scalp and hair loss.

2. 02

   Follicle harvesting

   We harvest your own healthy follicles.

3. 03

   Stem cell separation and inspection

   At the research center, we separate the stem cells and check the cell count and condition under a microscope.

4. 04

   Scalp injection

   We inject the separated stem cells directly into the dermal layer of the hair loss area.

It is rare that hair loss can be resolved by surgical treatment alone. Since hair care continues throughout life, considering non-surgical and surgical treatments together leads to a better long-term condition of the scalp and hair.

At Modi Hair Plant, we culture a portion of the harvested hair follicle stem cells to obtain culture media, which contains bioactive substances involved in follicle growth. After the stem cell injection, you visit every 2–4 weeks for culture-media care (a hair spa) that delivers, to the scalp, the bioactive substances secreted by your own follicle cells. It is a process for continuing care of the scalp and follicle environment after stem cell therapy, and responses vary by individual.

1. 01

   Right after ~ 3 months

   This is the period when the stem cells act on the scalp and the environment around the follicles, so visible hair change may still be small. Enough rest, scalp care, and care following the medical team's guidance are important.

2. 02

   3 ~ 6 months

   As the hair growth cycle stabilizes, changes in the thickness and density of existing hair may gradually be observed. The degree and timing of change vary by individual, and we check the treatment response through regular follow-up.

3. 03

   After 6 months

   This is when we assess the treatment response and overall hair condition to plan maintenance. We help maintain a healthy hair environment through continued scalp care, lifestyle improvements, and maintenance treatment if needed.

The course above is general guidance; the degree and timing of change vary by individual.

Whether non-surgical stem cell therapy is right for you, or whether it should be combined with a hair transplant, depends on the condition of your scalp and hair loss. Start with an accurate diagnosis.