MODI HAIR MEDICAL GUIDE
Why Is PDRN Used After a Hair Transplant?
For transplanted follicles to settle into their new scalp environment, early blood-flow connection and tissue recovery are important. We look at why PDRN is used before and after a hair transplant from the perspectives of tissue recovery, blood vessel formation, and inflammation control.
Three-Line Summary
- PDRN is a substance involved in tissue recovery, blood vessel formation, and the regulation of inflammatory responses.
- In hair transplantation, it can be used as a treatment that supports the recovery environment around transplanted follicles.
- PDRN alone does not determine the graft survival rate or the surgical outcome, and whether it is applied depends on the patient's condition.
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What Is PDRN?
PDRN stands for Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a substance composed of DNA fragments of a certain size. Medical-grade PDRN is generally manufactured by purifying DNA derived from the germ cells of salmonid fish.
Its main mechanisms of action are known to include activation of the adenosine A2A receptor and a salvage pathway that supplies nucleic acid materials to damaged cells. This process is involved in cell growth, blood vessel formation, inflammation control, and tissue recovery.1, 2
Why PDRN Is Used in Hair Transplantation
Harvested follicles go through a temporary state of limited blood and oxygen supply before being transplanted to their new location. Immediately after transplantation, the connection with surrounding tissue is not yet sufficient, so creating an environment favorable to recovery is important.
Tissue Recovery and Blood Vessel Formation
- Supports the healing of the minute wounds in the donor and recipient areas.
- Is involved in forming an environment in which oxygen and nutrients can be supplied around the follicles.
Inflammation Control and Tissue Stability
- Regulation of excessive inflammatory signaling and tissue stress after surgery can be expected.
- It is used in a way that supports normal tissue regeneration and matrix formation.
Research on PDRN's role in wound recovery and blood vessel formation has accumulated, but large-scale clinical trials directly comparing final graft survival rates in human hair transplantation are still not sufficient. It is appropriate to understand it as a supportive treatment rather than a treatment that guarantees success.
Four Roles That Can Be Expected After a Hair Transplant
Helps the Scalp's Wound Recovery
PDRN has been studied as helping the recovery and re-epithelialization of damaged tissue. In a small-scale clinical study of autologous skin graft donor sites, faster recovery was observed in the PDRN-treated group.3, 4
Its role is to support the surrounding environment so that the sites where follicles were implanted stabilize and the scalp can go through normal recovery stages.
Supports Blood Vessel Formation Around the Follicles
PDRN is known to be involved in VEGF expression, which is related to blood vessel formation. In animal studies of wounds and skin flaps, tissue recovery or survival improved along with increases in VEGF and microvessels.5, 6
Helps Regulate Inflammatory Responses and Tissue Stress
During the process in which follicles reconnect with the blood supply, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses can occur. PDRN is reported to regulate inflammatory signals such as TNF-α and IL-6 through A2A receptor-related pathways.7
Supports a Normal Recovery Environment
Collagen and extracellular matrix are formed during the wound recovery process. However, it cannot be stated definitively that "PDRN prevents all scarring." To reduce scarring, accurate transplant depth and surgical technique that minimizes tissue damage come first.8
Does PDRN Also Have an Effect on the Hair Itself?
In a small-scale study of patients with female pattern hair loss, improvements in hair count and thickness were observed after PDRN alone or PDRN combined with PRP. However, there was no untreated control group and the scale was small, so careful interpretation is needed.9
In 2025, a study was also published reporting improvements in hair density and thickness after injecting polynucleotide (PN) in 28 patients with androgenetic hair loss. This too is an early study without a control group, and PN and PDRN may not have identical product characteristics.10
1,500 Vials Used in 2025
At Modi Hair Plant, approximately 1,500 vials of PDRN were used during surgery and for post-operative recovery care up to a point slightly past the first half of 2025. More important than the volume used is applying it appropriately at the necessary time and site according to the patient's condition.
Is It a Treatment Every Patient Needs?
Not necessarily. The number of transplanted hairs, scalp condition, inflammation or skin disease, recovery-related factors such as smoking and diabetes, whether it is a revision surgery, and current medications and allergy history must all be checked together.
If you have ever experienced a fish allergy or a hypersensitivity reaction to a particular medication, you must inform the medical staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does receiving PDRN necessarily increase the graft survival rate?
That cannot be stated definitively. It is appropriate to understand it as a supportive treatment that helps the recovery environment.
Can hair loss be treated with PDRN alone?
No. The type of hair loss must first be accurately diagnosed, after which methods such as medication, injections, or a hair transplant should be selected.
Are there any pain or side effects?
Temporary pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or itching may occur. If symptoms worsen or persist, examination by medical staff is necessary.
The surgery takes one day, but a hair transplant continues through recovery
Check not only the transplant volume but also harvesting, storage, transplantation, and post-operative care.
We provide an individualized plan based on your scalp condition.
This article is health information written and medically reviewed by Director Yoo Hwa-jung of Modi Hair Plant. It does not replace an individual diagnosis or prescription, and treatment effects and side effects may vary from person to person. Whether to undergo treatment and which method to use should be decided after a medical consultation.
References
- Colangelo MT, et al. Regenerative Medicine. 2020. doi:10.2217/rme-2019-0118
- Squadrito F, et al. Pharmaceuticals. 2021;14:1103. doi:10.3390/ph14111103
- Rubegni P, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2001;17:128-131. PMID 11759182
- Valdatta L, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2004;20:403-408. DOI
- Galeano M, et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2008;16:208-217. PMID 18318806
- Chung KI, et al. Arch Plast Surg. 2013;40:181-186. DOI
- Irrera N, et al. Adv Wound Care. 2020;9:576-589. Full text
- Feoktistov I, et al. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2009;193:383-397. PMID 19639289
- Lee SH, et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2015;23:30-36. DOI
- Thanasarnaksorn W, et al. Arch Dermatol Res. 2025;317:399. DOI