Hair Transplants and Hair Loss Treatment: Why We Continue to Research Even the Culture Medium
The results of a hair transplant are not determined by surgery alone. For transplanted follicles to survive and grow in a healthy manner, the environment around the follicles and the condition of the scalp are also important factors.
With this in mind, 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 why these two ingredients were added, the roles that may be expected of them, 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, with the expectation 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 the medical staff.
Why Did Modi Hair Plant Clinic Upgrade Its Culture Medium?
New research continues to be published in the fields of hair transplantation and hair loss treatment.
While in the past the technique of implanting hair itself was the center of treatment, recently research has also become active regarding how to improve the environment in which follicles survive and grow.
In particular, the following factors are considered important.
- Activity of dermal papilla cells
- Scalp microenvironment
- Skin barrier function
- Extracellular matrix (ECM)
- Inflammation control
- The environment in which growth factors act
Based on these research trends, Modi Hair Plant Clinic continuously reviews ways to further bring out 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, some ask:
"Is the culture medium originally blue?"
Such questions are sometimes asked.
The previous hair follicle cell culture medium was nearly 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, the culture medium is delivered to the scalp using an air-jet device, so on very rare occasions a small amount may splash onto clothing.
For this reason, we provide a full explanation before treatment and proceed with the procedure only after obtaining consent.
Fortunately, copper peptide is a water-soluble ingredient, so it can mostly be removed easily by washing with water.
What Is Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu)?
Copper peptide (GHK-Cu), also called Copper Tripeptide-1, is a bioactive peptide.
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 healing, and recently various studies have also been conducted in the field of hair loss treatment.
Studies published to date have reported the following possibilities.
- Dermal papilla cell activity
- Maintenance of cell viability
- Promotion of skin regeneration
- Increased collagen production
- Improvement of the scalp microenvironment
However, to date the evidence is not at a level that would replace standard hair loss treatment, and it is appropriate to understand it as a supportive approach used alongside existing treatments.
① Possibility of Helping Activate Dermal Papilla Cells
One of the most important cells for hair growth is the dermal papilla cell.
Dermal papilla cells are located at the lower part of the hair follicle and serve to transmit various signals necessary for hair growth to surrounding cells.
In simple terms, they can be understood as the key cells that regulate the 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 viability, and
- act in a direction that reduces apoptosis (cell death)
have been reported.
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 follicle cells can function well.
Of course, these results are in a field that still requires further research, and Modi Hair Plant Clinic also utilizes this as a strategy that complements existing treatment.
② Possibility of Improving the Environment Around the Follicle (ECM)
Hair does not grow well simply because a single follicle is healthy.
The skin tissue surrounding the 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.
In simple terms, it is like a "scaffold" that supports cells so they can function healthily. In the field of dermatology, copper peptide has been studied as being involved in collagen and elastin production and as helping ECM formation.
These characteristics may also play a positive role in creating an environment in which the tissue around the follicle is maintained in a healthy state on the scalp.
Therefore, Modi Hair Plant Clinic applies it in treatment while considering whether, when used together with the hair follicle cell culture medium, it may help create a microenvironment in which growth factors can act well.
③ What Effect Does Copper Peptide Have 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 5-alpha reductase, and in genetically affected follicles, this DHT gradually causes the follicles to shrink and the hair to become thinner.
The widely used medications finasteride and dutasteride are also used in hair loss treatment based on the principle of inhibiting this 5-alpha reductase.
Recently, some cell-based and preclinical studies have suggested the possibility that copper peptide (GHK-Cu) may affect this DHT production process or related signal transduction.
However, the evidence to date is mainly based on preclinical studies and some limited research, and it cannot be regarded as being at the same level as medications with proven efficacy such as finasteride or dutasteride.
Therefore, Modi Hair Plant Clinic applies copper peptide not as an ingredient that replaces 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 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
- recovery of damaged skin
and similar purposes.
Why Is a Healthy Scalp Environment Important?
Hair grows from the follicle, but for the follicle to function healthily, the surrounding scalp environment is also very important.
In patients with hair loss, the following issues frequently occur together.
- Seborrheic scalp dermatitis
- Excessive sebum secretion
- Chronic inflammation
- Damaged skin barrier
- Dry scalp
In such an environment, follicles may have difficulty functioning even if sufficient growth factors are present.
Dexpanthenol may help restore the skin barrier and retain moisture, so a supportive role in creating a scalp environment in which follicle cells can function well can be expected.
Synergy That Can Be 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 fact that culture medium + copper peptide + dexpanthenol can play mutually complementary roles.
The roles of each ingredient can be summarized as follows.
| Ingredient | Expected role |
|---|---|
| Hair follicle cell culture medium | Supplying growth factors and creating an environment for follicle cell activity |
| Copper peptide | Dermal papilla cell activity; possible improvement of the microenvironment around the follicle |
| Dexpanthenol | Skin barrier recovery, moisturization, improvement of the scalp environment |
Because each plays a different role, when used together we expect a synergistic effect in creating an environment in which follicles can function well.
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 the medical staff.
Why Does Modi Hair Plant Clinic Continuously Update Its Treatment Protocols?
Medicine continues to advance.
New research on hair loss treatment is also being published, and previously known treatment methods are continuously being supplemented.
Modi Hair Plant Clinic steadily reviews such research findings and updates its treatment protocols when they are worth applying in actual clinical practice.
Rather than adopting new ingredients unconditionally, we reflect them in treatment after comprehensively reviewing
- research evidence
- safety
- feasibility of actual clinical application
and similar factors.
The addition of copper peptide and dexpanthenol this time is also part of this process.
Modi Hair Plant Clinic's Treatment Philosophy
Modi Hair Plant Clinic is not simply a clinic that performs hair transplants;
we aim to be a clinic that considers everything from before the hair transplant, to post-surgical recovery and graft survival management, and long-term hair maintenance.
To this end, we apply various treatments such as
- hair follicle cell culture medium
- PDRN
- stem cell-based treatment
- scalp care programs
according to each patient's condition.
Going forward, Modi Hair Plant Clinic will continue to review the latest research and strive to provide better medical services to our patients through evidence-based treatment.
Recommended for Those Who
✔ Wish to manage recovery after a hair transplant more systematically
✔ Are considering hair follicle cell culture medium treatment
✔ Wish to manage the scalp environment as well
✔ Are interested in hair loss treatment that reflects the latest research
✔ Are looking for stem cell-based hair loss treatment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can hair loss improve with copper peptide alone?
Copper peptide is being studied as a supportive ingredient for hair loss treatment. To date, the evidence is not sufficient 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 improvement of the scalp environment, 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 water-soluble, it can mostly be washed off easily with water.
Q. Can it be used after a hair transplant as well?
Depending on the patient's condition and at the discretion of the medical staff, it may be used as a supportive treatment for scalp recovery and 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 consists of studies and reviews examining the tissue regeneration and recovery-related actions of copper peptide (GHK-Cu) and the skin barrier recovery effects of dexpanthenol. These two ingredients are used supportively rather than replacing standard hair loss treatment, and the content presented in this article does not guarantee any specific effect.
This content has been published after review by the medical staff of Modi Hair Plant Clinic.