With growing interest in regenerative medicine, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "What exactly is the difference between iPS cells and conventional stem cells?"
Currently, the number of clinics utilizing "cell culture supernatant (exosomes)" in cosmetic medicine and hair restoration treatments is rapidly increasing, making it a very common treatment.
However, did you know that even though we refer to it simply as "culture supernatant," the effects can vary drastically depending on the type of cells from which it is derived?

While both treatments utilize "cell culture supernatant," there are crucial differences in their composition.
To help you make a treatment choice you won't regret, we'll thoroughly explain the differences between the widely used "stem cell-derived" and cutting-edge "iPS cell-derived" treatments, broken down into three key points.

Basic knowledge of cell culture supernatant

At our clinic, we primarily administer cell culture supernatant treatment by injecting it into the scalp.
Treatments using cell culture supernatant are widely used in both cosmetic and medical fields, such as whole-body rejuvenation via intravenous drip and facial skin treatments, and the term itself may be familiar as it is available at many clinics.
However, the reality is that few people truly understand the mechanisms that influence that "quality."

First, as a premise,Cell culture supernatant refers to the liquid containing dissolved components that is secreted when cells are cultured.
This liquid contains plenty of tiny capsules called "exosomes," which are responsible for communication between cells.
Currently, what is called "culture supernatant therapy" in many clinics can be considered essentially a treatment that delivers these exosomes.

These exosomes contain concentrated "growth factors" and "cytokines" that are essential for rejuvenating the body and regenerating the scalp and skin.
These ingredients reach the scalp and cells, revitalizing weakened tissues and leading to hair growth and healthier skin.
In other words, Whether the exosomes are derived from iPS cells or conventional stem cells is a crucial difference, as this fundamental difference directly impacts treatment outcomes. Therefore, understanding this difference is essential when choosing a treatment.

▼This section provides a detailed explanation of treatment using stem cell supernatant.
 

① Freshness

The first major difference is the "freshness" of the cells.
The commonly available "stem cell culture supernatant" is made from cells taken from our own bodies. The following are some of the most common types:

• Fat-derived: Extracted from adipose tissue such as the abdomen.
• Umbilical cord origin: Extracted from the umbilical cord that connects the baby and the mother.
• Derived from dental pulp: Extracted from the nerve portion of the tooth.
These are stem cells extracted from a part of a living human body (donor), cultured, and then exosomes secreted from them.

The important point here is that these cells have a "real age." For example, stem cells taken from a person in their 40s are cells that have divided and copied as many times as that person's age. In other words, the culture is performed using "cells that are fatigued in proportion to their age."
In contrast, iPS cells are cells that have been reset (initialized) to a "zero state." No matter how old the person is, iPS cells are created using Nobel Prize-winning technology.Using iPS cell technology, it's possible to literally return a baby to the fresh state of being "newborn at 0 years old."

• Conventional stem cell therapy: If the patient is in their 40s, cells from a 40-year-old are cultured and returned to the patient.
• iPS cell therapy: The cells are reset to the state of a newborn baby, and then returned to the body with the freshness of a newborn.

This overwhelming difference in "cellular youthfulness" manifests as a decisive difference in the "rejuvenating energy" in treatment.

▼Detailed explanation of iPS cells.
   

② Strength of the command

The second difference is the "strength of the instructions (regenerative capacity)" sent to the cells.
Traditional stem cells (from fat, umbilical cord, dental pulp, etc.) are primarily adept at protective care, such as "suppressing inflammation" and "maintaining and preventing the current condition." While they do have regenerative capabilities, their focus is more on "preventing further deterioration."

In contrast, iPS cells have a very strong command to "create something new (regenerate)." In terms of hair loss treatment, they excel at "regenerative ability," such as vigorously activating hair follicle cells that have been dormant for many years, or creating and reconstructing hair follicles.

From my experience as a specialist, I feel that iPS cells offer a dramatic improvement in effectiveness, nearly 3 to 5 times greater than conventional stem cell (exosome) therapy. In particular, the fact that many patients are experiencing beautiful hair regrowth in areas that are extremely difficult to improve with existing treatments, such as the hairline (M-shaped area), can be attributed to the powerful regenerative signals unique to iPS cells.

③Quality

The third point is "quality stability" as a product.
Because conventional stem cells use "living human beings (donors)" as material, the results are inevitably influenced by the donor's age, gender, constitution, and health condition.
As a result, there is inconsistency in quality, and to put it bluntly, there are inevitably "good" and "bad" products.
Furthermore, while inexpensive exosome products have become more common recently, even if the cells come from a young donor, if the culture and extraction techniques are immature, the active ingredients may not function properly in many cases.

In contrast, iPS cells are artificially created using the Nobel Prize-winning technology known as the "Yamanaka factor" and are strictly controlled within the laboratory. 
Because it is manufactured using the technology established by Professor Yamanaka and under strict control in the laboratory environment, following established rules, a consistently high level of quality is guaranteed, resulting in extremely high reliability and reproducibility as a treatment.
Traditional stem cells offer a choice between "unknown quality until delivery" and iPS cells, where "the highest quality is guaranteed from the start." If you want reliable results and peace of mind, the choice is clear.

The reason why iPS cell therapy is expensive

Many people probably wonder, "Why is iPS cell therapy so expensive?" 
This is not simply about the name value or brand premium associated with the "Nobel Prize."
Properly culturing iPS cells and extracting high-quality supernatant free of impurities requires management by personnel with extremely high levels of expertise.
Furthermore, the "culture medium (food)" and "reagents" used to grow the cells are also highly specialized and expensive, and are specifically chosen for iPS cells.
In short, the price reflects the enormous costs and technology invested to guarantee reliable effectiveness and safety. Understanding that costs are incurred in both the content (quality) and the process may change your perception of the price.

Ending Talk

The world of regenerative medicine is advancing every day, but the advent of iPS cells has brought about a major shift in phase, from "maintaining the status quo" to "fundamental regeneration."
We want people who haven't seen the desired results with conventional stem cell therapies (using fat, umbilical cord, dental pulp, etc.) or those seeking more reliable results to learn about the power of iPS cell culture supernatant.
While conventional stem cell therapy is excellent, if you're looking for more reliable results and regenerative power, iPS cell culture supernatant is arguably the best option currently available.

"Which one is right for my problem?" "Will it really work?" 
I imagine you have many things to worry about.
Please feel free to visit our clinic for a consultation. We will diagnose the condition of your scalp using a microscope and then propose the most suitable treatment plan for you.