Micrograft Hair Regrowth Therapy
regenerating your own hair
This page is provided in English for informational purposes.
Bookings, consultations and treatment at our clinic are all conducted in Japanese. Bookings and enquiries, whether by telephone or by email, are accepted in Japanese only. We are unable to respond in English. If you have any concerns about communicating in Japanese, please bring an interpreter with you. Because appointments requiring an interpreter take additional time for both the consultation and the procedure, a 10% surcharge applies to the fees listed on this page.
What is Micrograft Hair Regrowth Therapy?
- － Your own skin tissue, finely processed, is injected into the scalp
- － Generally a single session per year is sufficient
- － Suitable for both men and women
This treatment addresses thinning hair and scalp ageing by injecting your own skin tissue, finely fragmented using a dedicated device, into the scalp. Treatment effect is generally assessed after a single session per year, and both men and women can receive it.
A skin sample of approximately 3 mm is taken from a healthy hair-bearing area. The dermis and follicular tissue, which contain growth factors, are fragmented to prepare an injectable solution. Injecting this into the areas of concern promotes the formation of new capillaries in the dermis, and hair growth through improved blood flow is anticipated.
Tissue is taken from a healthy hair-bearing area, processed using a dedicated technique, and injected into the scalp.
The skin sample is taken from a hair-bearing area at the back of the neck.
The harvest site immediately after the procedure, and immediately after suture removal (one week later).
Conditions we treat
If there is almost no hair remaining in the treatment area, improvement cannot be expected, and we may advise against the procedure.
Characteristics of this treatment
- － Uses your own cells
- － Some patients notice a change in as little as two weeks
- － Aims to improve overall scalp skin function
- － No additives; low likelihood of allergic reaction
- － An option for those who felt limited benefit from other treatments
The micrograft solution is injected carefully across the whole treatment area.
How it differs from other hair loss treatments
| Micrograft therapy | Oral AGA medication | Hair transplant | HARG therapy | PRP hair therapy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Your own skin tissue (dermis and follicles) is harvested, processed and injected | Oral medication to slow the progression of hair loss | Follicles from the back of the head are transplanted to thinning areas | Stem cell culture supernatant is injected into the scalp | Platelets (growth factors) concentrated from your own blood are injected |
| Sessions | Generally one session (approx. once a year) | Ongoing daily use required | Generally one session (more if the area is large) | Repeated sessions required | Several sessions, roughly once every three months |
| Time to notice change | From two weeks in some patients; around 3–6 months | Around 3–6 months | Around 6 months to 1 year | Varies considerably between individuals | Varies; more noticeable with continued sessions |
| Downtime | Mild swelling at the harvest and injection sites (a few days to one week) | None | Scarring and swelling at the donor site (1–2 weeks) | Minimal | Mild swelling or bruising at injection sites (a few days) |
| Mainly suited to | AGA, FAGA, early-onset and age-related thinning | AGA (androgen-related hair loss) | Advanced hair loss, receding hairline | A wide range of thinning conditions | Prevention and slowing of thinning |
PRP hair therapy may also be combined with micrograft therapy, from one week after the procedure.
The procedure, step by step
Local anaesthetic is applied to the area from which the skin sample will be taken.
A skin sample of approximately 3 mm is taken from a hair-bearing area at the back of the neck, and the site is sutured.
The tissue is processed and the micrograft solution is prepared.
The micrograft solution is injected across the treatment area of the scalp.
Sutures at the harvest site are removed one week after the procedure.
The procedure on video
Treatment time and fees
| Anaesthesia | 10–20 minutes |
| Skin harvesting | 30–45 minutes |
| Preparing the micrograft solution | 15–30 minutes |
| Injecting the micrograft solution | 10–20 minutes |
Pre-treatment blood test: 11,000 yen (tax included)
Optional nerve block anaesthesia during treatment: 5,500 yen (tax included)
Monitor conditions: photographs and video may be used for academic presentations and on the clinic's official website and social media, with the eyes masked so that the individual cannot be identified.
A 10% surcharge applies where an interpreter accompanies the patient (see the note at the top of this page).
Case photographs
All cases shown were treated at the monitor fee of 330,000 yen per session (tax included).
Main risks and side effects: temporary swelling and bruising at the harvest and injection sites (usually resolving within a few days to one week). Results vary between individuals.
The fragmentation device "Rigenera" is not approved in Japan (obtained via a domestic distributor; no equivalent approved device exists in Japan; CE marked in the EU and FDA cleared in the United States).
We photograph the scalp using dermoscopy (magnified observation) to assess treatment effect and explain the findings to the patient. Results vary between individuals.
Frequently asked questions
Is the procedure painful?
How soon will I notice a difference?
How many sessions are needed?
How long does the effect last?
Can it be combined with PRP hair therapy?
Are there side effects or downtime?
Can women receive this treatment?
Is there an age restriction?
What if I do not feel enough benefit?
May I continue taking oral hair loss medication after treatment?
In which cases can no benefit be expected?
About the doctor
Dr Sugino has worked in hair growth and hair loss treatment for 20 years as a board-certified plastic surgeon, with a cumulative total of some 1,500 treatments to date. Drawing on this clinical experience, she proposes treatment tailored to each patient's condition and wishes.
Our hair loss treatments
Aoyama Elu Clinic offers four hair loss treatments, selected according to each patient's condition and wishes.
A regenerative treatment in which your own finely fragmented skin tissue is injected into the scalp. Effect is generally assessed after one session per year.
A regenerative treatment using growth factors from your own platelets to stimulate the area around the hair roots. We recommend at least three sessions, roughly every three months.
Details (Japanese)An original preparation combining minoxidil with vitamin C, biotin and other ingredients, injected into the scalp. Intensive treatment at two-week intervals is carried out at first.
Details (Japanese)Culture supernatant derived from placental or dental pulp stem cells, containing exosomes and growth factors, injected into the scalp. Also suitable for patients for whom blood collection is difficult.
Details (Japanese)These treatments may be combined where the doctor considers it appropriate. Which treatment suits you will be proposed following a consultation.
Important notes
You may not be able to receive this treatment if any of the following apply:
- － You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or may be pregnant
- － You test positive on the infectious disease screening required by our clinic
- － You have a history of hypersensitivity to human insulin
- － You have a malignant tumour, autoimmune disease, collagen disease, blood disorder, heart disease, bone marrow suppression, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, thyroid dysfunction, HIV infection or similar condition (please always tell us about any existing medical conditions)
- － The attending doctor judges the treatment to be unsuitable
Information on the unapproved medical device
This treatment uses "Rigenera", an Italian-made medical device, to fragment the skin tissue. This device has not been approved under Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act.
It is obtained through a distributor in Japan.
There is no device with equivalent performance approved in Japan.
The device carries the CE mark in Italy (EU) and has been cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Toll free 0120-034-697 / Direct line +81-3-5766-1213
Opening hours 11:00–18:00 (closed Thursdays and Sundays)
https://www.aoyama-eluclinic.com/
