Hair Transplant and Hair Loss Treatment: Why We Continue to Research Even a Single Culture Medium
The results of a hair transplant are not determined by surgery alone. For transplanted hair follicles to survive and grow healthily, the environment surrounding the follicles and the condition of the scalp are also important factors.
Focusing on these points, Modi Hair Plant Clinic additionally applies copper peptide (GHK-Cu) and Dexpanthenol to its hair follicle cell culture medium based on the latest research.
In this article, we explain the reasons for adding these two ingredients, their expected roles, and why Modi Hair Plant Clinic continuously updates its treatment protocols.
💡 Key Summary
- Copper peptide (GHK-Cu) is an ingredient being studied for its potential to activate dermal papilla cells and improve the scalp microenvironment.
- Dexpanthenol may help maintain a healthy scalp environment through skin barrier recovery and moisturization.
- Modi Hair Plant Clinic applies these two ingredients together with the hair follicle cell culture medium in anticipation of a supportive synergistic effect.
- Treatment plans may vary depending on the individual's cause and condition of hair loss, and are determined through consultation with medical staff.
Why Did Modi Hair Plant Clinic Upgrade Its Culture Medium?
New research continues to be published in the field of hair transplantation and hair loss treatment even now.
While the technique of implanting hair itself was the center of treatment in the past, in recent years research on how to improve the environment in which hair follicles survive and grow has also been actively conducted.
In particular, the following factors are considered important.
- Activation of dermal papilla cells
- Scalp microenvironment
- Skin barrier (barrier function)
- Extracellular matrix (ECM)
- Inflammation control
- The environment in which growth factors act
Based on this research trend, Modi Hair Plant Clinic continuously reviews ways to further enhance the advantages of the hair follicle cell culture medium, and as a result, currently uses copper peptide and dexpanthenol together.
Why Is the Culture Medium Blue in Color?
Among those receiving treatment,
"Is the culture medium originally blue?"
some ask this question.
The previous hair follicle cell culture medium was almost colorless.
However, the culture medium currently in use has a light blue tint, because copper peptide itself is an ingredient with a bluish color.
At Modi Hair Plant Clinic, since we deliver the culture medium to the scalp using air jet equipment, there is a very rare possibility that a small amount may splash onto clothing.
For this reason, we proceed with the procedure only after providing sufficient explanation and obtaining consent before treatment.
Fortunately, since copper peptide is a water-soluble ingredient, most of it is easily removed by washing with water.
What Is Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu)?
Copper peptide (GHK-Cu) is a bioactive peptide also known as Copper Tripeptide-1.
It is a small peptide found naturally in the human body, in a form bound with copper.
It has long been studied in the fields of skin regeneration and wound recovery, and recently various studies have been conducted in the field of hair loss treatment as well.
In studies published to date, the following possibilities have been reported.
- Activation of dermal papilla cells
- Maintenance of cell survival
- Promotion of skin regeneration
- Increase in collagen production
- Improvement of the scalp microenvironment
However, to date the evidence is not at a level to replace standard hair loss treatment, and it is appropriate to understand it as a supportive approach used together with existing treatments.
① Potential to Help Activate Dermal Papilla Cells
One of the most important cells for hair growth is the dermal papilla cell.
The dermal papilla cell is located at the lower part of the hair follicle and plays the role of transmitting various signals necessary for hair growth to surrounding cells.
Simply put, it can be understood as the key cell that regulates the hair follicle's growth switch.
The hair follicle cell culture medium used at Modi Hair Plant Clinic also contains various growth factors derived from these dermal papilla cells.
Recently, some studies have reported that copper peptide may
- promote the proliferation of dermal papilla cells,
- maintain cell survival, and
- act in a way that reduces cell death (apoptosis)
.
In other words, when applied together with the hair follicle cell culture medium already in use, there is a possibility that it may help create an environment in which hair follicle cells can function well.
Of course, these results are still a field requiring further research, and Modi Hair Plant Clinic also uses this as a strategy to complement existing treatments.
② Potential to Improve the Environment Surrounding the Hair Follicle (ECM)
Hair does not grow well simply because a single hair follicle is healthy.
The skin tissue surrounding the hair follicle and the extracellular matrix (ECM) also play important roles.
The ECM is a structure that supports cells and serves as the foundation on which growth factors act.
Simply put, it is a structure like a 'scaffold' that supports cells so they can function healthily. In the dermatology field, copper peptide has been studied as being involved in collagen and elastin production and helping ECM formation.
These characteristics may also have a possibility of playing a positive role in creating an environment in which the tissue surrounding the hair follicle is maintained healthily on the scalp.
Therefore, Modi Hair Plant Clinic applies it in treatment considering whether, when used together with the hair follicle cell culture medium, it may help create a microenvironment in which growth factors act well.
③ What Is the Effect of Copper Peptide on the DHT Production Process?
One of the most representative causes of male pattern hair loss is DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).
DHT is produced when the male hormone testosterone is converted by 5α-reductase (5-alpha reductase), and in genetically affected hair follicles, this DHT gradually shrinks the follicles and induces the process of hair thinning.
The widely used finasteride and dutasteride are also used in hair loss treatment on the principle of inhibiting this 5α-reductase.
Recently, some cell and preclinical studies have suggested that copper peptide (GHK-Cu) may affect this DHT production process or related signaling.
However, the evidence to date is mainly based on preclinical studies and some limited studies, and it cannot be regarded at the same level as drugs with proven efficacy such as finasteride or dutasteride.
Therefore, Modi Hair Plant Clinic applies copper peptide not as an ingredient replacing hair loss medication, but as a supportive synergistic ingredient that can be used together with the hair follicle cell culture medium.
Why Is Dexpanthenol Used Together?
If copper peptide is an ingredient focused on the function of hair follicle cells and the scalp microenvironment,
dexpanthenol is an ingredient closer to the role of maintaining a healthy scalp environment.
Dexpanthenol is also called Provitamin B5, and when absorbed into the skin, it is converted into pantothenic acid.
In dermatology, it has long been widely used for
- skin barrier recovery,
- moisturization,
- skin soothing, and
- recovery of damaged skin
and so on.
Why Is a Healthy Scalp Environment Important?
Hair grows from the hair follicle, but for the follicle to function healthily, the surrounding scalp environment is also very important.
In the case of hair loss patients, it is not uncommon for the following problems to appear together.
- Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp
- Excessive sebum secretion
- Chronic inflammation
- Damaged skin barrier
- Dry scalp
In such an environment, even if there are sufficient growth factors, hair follicles may have difficulty functioning.
Dexpanthenol can help restore the skin barrier and maintain moisture, so a supportive role in creating a scalp environment in which hair follicle cells can function well can be expected.
The Synergy Expected When Used Together with the Hair Follicle Cell Culture Medium
At Modi Hair Plant Clinic, rather than viewing each ingredient separately,
we focus on the point that culture medium + copper peptide + dexpanthenol can play complementary roles with each other.
The role of each ingredient can be summarized as follows.
| Ingredient | Expected Role |
|---|---|
| Hair follicle cell culture medium | Supply of growth factors and creation of an environment for hair follicle cell activation |
| Copper peptide | Activation of dermal papilla cells, potential to improve the microenvironment surrounding the hair follicle |
| Dexpanthenol | Skin barrier recovery, moisturization, scalp environment improvement |
Since each plays a different role like this, when used together, a synergistic effect in creating an environment in which hair follicles can function well is anticipated.
Of course, treatment plans may vary depending on the individual's type of hair loss and scalp condition, and appropriate treatment is determined through consultation with medical staff.
Why Does Modi Hair Plant Clinic Continuously Update Its Treatment Protocols?
Medicine is continuously advancing.
New research is also being published in hair loss treatment, and previously known treatment methods are continuously being supplemented.
Modi Hair Plant Clinic steadily reviews these research findings and, when there is value in applying them to actual clinical practice, updates its treatment protocols.
Rather than unconditionally introducing new ingredients,
- research evidence,
- safety, and
- feasibility of actual clinical application
are comprehensively reviewed before being reflected in treatment.
The addition of copper peptide and dexpanthenol this time is also one part of this process.
Modi Hair Plant Clinic's Treatment Philosophy
Modi Hair Plant Clinic is not simply a clinic that performs hair transplants,
but aims to be a clinic that considers everything together—from before the hair transplant, to recovery and graft survival management after surgery, and long-term hair maintenance.
To this end, we apply various treatments such as
- hair follicle cell culture medium,
- PDRN,
- stem cell-based treatment, and
- scalp care programs
according to the patient's condition.
Going forward, Modi Hair Plant Clinic will continue to review the latest research and strive to provide better medical services to patients through evidence-based treatment.
Recommended for the Following People
✔ Those who want to manage recovery after a hair transplant more systematically
✔ Those considering hair follicle cell culture medium treatment
✔ Those who want to manage the scalp environment together
✔ Those interested in hair loss treatment reflecting the latest research
✔ Those looking for stem cell-based hair loss treatment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can hair loss improve using only copper peptide?
Copper peptide is being studied as a supportive ingredient for hair loss treatment. To date, there is not sufficient evidence to replace standard hair loss treatment, and it is generally applied together with existing treatments.
Q. Is dexpanthenol a hair loss medication?
No.
Dexpanthenol is used as an ingredient for skin barrier recovery, moisturization, and scalp environment improvement, and is not a drug that directly treats hair loss.
Q. Why is the culture medium blue?
It is because copper peptide itself is an ingredient with a bluish color.
Since it is a water-soluble ingredient, most of it is easily washed off with water.
Q. Can it be used after a hair transplant as well?
Depending on the patient's condition and under the judgment of medical staff, it can be used as a supportive treatment for scalp recovery and hair follicle environment management after a hair transplant.
See More Details in the YouTube Video
"Why We Upgraded the Culture Medium to Enhance Hair Transplant Results"
References
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987 (Free Access)
- Gorski J, Proksch E, Baron JM, Schmid D, Zhang L. Dexpanthenol in Wound Healing after Medical and Cosmetic Interventions (Postprocedure Wound Healing). Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(7):138. doi:10.3390/ph13070138 (Free Access)
The above literature comprises studies and reviews examining the tissue regeneration and recovery-related actions of copper peptide (GHK-Cu) and the skin barrier recovery effect of dexpanthenol. The two ingredients are used supportively rather than replacing standard hair loss treatment, and the content presented in the main text does not guarantee any specific effect.
This content was published after review by the medical staff of Modi Hair Plant Clinic.