Shiseido (Japan)\u2019s long awaited DSC cell hair multiplication procedure finally arrived in Japan in June 2024. It is called S-DSC and went through all three Phases of clinical trials. I have patiently covered Shiseido<\/a> (and its original Canada-based partner Replicel) for more than twelve years.<\/p>\n S-DSC was initially only available to Japanese residents, primarily due to issues related to language translation. In mid-2026, one of the six Japanese centers currently offering<\/a> this treatment started accepting \u201call East Asian patients whose hair characteristics are similar to those of Japanese patients\u201d. Please read the numerous updates at the bottom of this post in case you are interested in this ground-breaking treatment.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n June 28, 2024<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Today might be among the five most important days in the hair loss world since I first started writing this blog in 2013. Shiseido\u2019s decade-plus-long much awaited dermal sheath cup (DSC) cell hair multiplication (cell culturing and implantation) procedure is finally here for patients starting July 1, 2024. Albeit only in Japan, where they have favorable regulations<\/a> for faster in-clinic use when it comes to regenerative medicine and stem cell based technologies.<\/p>\n Shiseido (Japan) completed small-scale Phase 3 equivalent trials<\/a> for this hair multiplication technology in 2023. The results<\/a> were positive but modest, with no major side effects. I hope the results will improve as they use this autologous DSC cell transplantation process in more patients and gain experience.<\/p>\n For now, you should only expect existing scalp hair thickening<\/span> and perhaps minimal hair regrowth if you are lucky. Thicker hair in and of itself could lead to a slowdown in further damage from the ravages of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).<\/p>\n You can read today\u2019s full announcement here<\/a><\/strong>. The technology is described as having been developed by Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Kyorin University Hospital, and Shiseido. Interestingly, they leave out any mention of Replicel<\/a> (Canada), with which Shiseido has had past legal issues after a technology sharing agreement went wrong.<\/p>\n Shiseido has also created a new website related to S-DSC hair regenerative medicine<\/a>, where the \u201cS\u201d stands for Shiseido. The about S-DSC page<\/a> is very interesting. S-DSC\u00ae treatment promotes hair growth by supplementing the thinning areas of your scalp with your own cultured DSC cells.<\/p>\n They only make claims that existing hair will get thicker and more voluminous, while scalp inflammation will be reduced. Perhaps they also want to temper expectations, even if some people may get good regrowth? Interestingly, women might get better results then men<\/span>.<\/p>\n The key person who led the development of this technology is Professor Emeritus (Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical University) Dr. Ryoji Tsuboi. I feel like a genius for using his image as my main one on my global hair loss research page<\/a> from the get go. I originally picked Dr. Tsuboi over Dr. Takashi Tsuji just due to a more interesting image of the former at a white board.<\/p>\n Shiseido\u2019s DSC cell injection treatment costs $16,000 to $25,000. Much higher than I expected. And you will need this at least once a year or two in all likelihood. Per Tokyo Medical\u2019s site<\/a>, the cost will run from:<\/p>\n \u201c2,300,000 yen (excluding tax) to 3,500,000 yen (excluding tax).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Associate Professor Shiro Niyama of the Department of Dermatology at Toho University Ohashi Hospital will start offering this \u201chair regenerative treatment for thinning hair\u201d using cultured autologous hair bulb root sheath cell products (S-DSC\u00ae) from July 1st 2024. Patients will be required to get a referral, and also be responsible for their own costs due to the elective nature of the procedure. Note that this treatment is available for both men and women.<\/p>\n In the procedure itself:<\/p>\n Also check out the November 2023 study<\/a> from the same team that is titled: \u201cHigh migratory activity of dermal sheath cup cells associated with the clinical efficacy of autologous cell-based therapy for pattern hair loss.\u201d The conclusion was that ITGA6-positive DSC cells, with superior migratory activity, may promote cell migration into nearby hair follicles.<\/p>\n Update: October 12, 2024<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n When Shiseido\u2019s hair loss treatment came out in June 2024 and I wrote this post, I was certain that this is the best news of the year. I was also optimistic that this dermal sheath cup (DSC) cell hair multiplication procedure would ultimately be superior to Minoxidil, and perhaps even match Finasteride results.<\/p>\n However, since Shiseido is only offering this S-DSC procedure to Japanese citizens at the moment, it will be a while before we get more details about success rates. So I am updating this post due to a possible new report on Shiseido\u2019s efficacy, though it is a bit speculative and anecdotal.<\/p>\n In a new hair multiplication related article in Japanese newspaper Nikkei<\/a>, they mention the \u201cBig 3\u201d of OrganTech (Japan \u2014 led by Dr. Takashi Tsuji<\/a>), Stemson Therapeutics<\/a> (US) and TrichoSeeds (Japan \u2014 led by Dr. Junji Fukuda<\/a>). According to Nikkei, Stemson (Edit:<\/strong> Since folded) and OrganTech will start clinical trials in 2026 for their \u201cGen 2<\/strong>\u201c hair regeneration treatment. Junji Fukuda states that they have created a similar technology as OrganTech, but plan to start clinical trials in 5 years from now (i.e., in 2029).<\/p>\n The title of the article is:<\/p>\n \u201cPlanting hair seeds to treat alopecia. Clinical trials underway in Japan and overseas\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n However, the most significant news is via implication. In the article, it says that \u201cGen 1<\/strong>\u201c treatment is already in practical use in Japan with a success rate of 30-60%<\/strong> (which is ambiguous). This is quite likely to be Shiseido\u2019s treatment, now available at<\/a> four locations in Tokyo. Update:<\/strong> In 2026, they added two more sites for a total of six. This implies that demand is higher than expected<\/span>.<\/p>\n In the article, it says that for \u201cGen 3\u201c they are planning to use animal stem cells. \u201cTheo\u201d was not sure what this meant, and neither am I. If anyone subscribes to Nikkei, please read the entire article and give us your thoughts.<\/p>\n In general, I do not think that cosmetics behemoth Shiseido would ever take over a decade to bring something to market with only modest benefits. Lets keep our fingers crossed.<\/p>\n Update: May 14, 2025<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n For almost one year, we have been waiting to see if Shiseido\u2019s new dermal sheath cup cell hair multiplication treatment (S-DSC) will become available for non-Japanese citizens. It seems like this is close to a reality now based on the below e-mail that reader \u201cEko\u201d received from Tokyo Medical University<\/a> (one of four centers in Japan that is currently offering this treatment):<\/p>\n \u201cThank you very much for your trust in our hospital. Do they have Japanese health insurance? If you have Japanese insurance, please take a letter of introduction and come directly to the hospital to make an appointment. In addition, the hospital does not accept overseas patients directly. All international patients must be referred through an intermediary.<\/strong> We can provide you with information on several agencies to assist you in making further medical arrangements. Please let us know if you have any questions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n I have kept the hospital\u2019s contact information in Eko\u2019s comment in this post, but will refrain from posting it here. It might end up being very difficult in getting this appointment via an intermediary. Also note that they are not claiming any major hair regrowth from this treatment. And you will be required to visit the clinic at least four times<\/a>, and perhaps more if you want the injections very year.<\/p>\n Update: June 24, 2025<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Ryoji Tsuboi has been writing an interesting blog on his clinic\u2019s site. In the latest post<\/a>, he ends with the following statement (slightly reworded by me):<\/p>\n \u201cThe method implemented by Shiseido (in which I am also involved) entails injecting cells called hair bulb root sheath cells (S-DSC) into the scalp. The cells are harvested from the patient\u2019s own hair follicle tissue, multiplied in a cell processing and culture facility, and then injected into areas of thinning hair to promote hair growth. Because the cells are injected, the effects can be expected to last for more than a year<\/strong>. This regenerative medical treatment is quite expensive. So I think this is a treatment that people who can afford it should try as an added bonus.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Update: June 27, 2025<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Recently, a US-based reader e-mailed me a few times as he is desperate to get the Shiseido S-DSC treatment in Japan. It became available in that country to Japanese citizens in June 2024 (read this entire post). Per my May 14, 2025 update, it seems like foreign nationals can finally get this treatment, but they need \u201ca reference through an intermediary\u201d. This reader asked me to contact any Japanese person I know who could help.<\/p>\n Of course I thought of my old friend Japanese hair loss blogger Fuji Maru Kagurazaka<\/a> right away and contacted him. He became inactive in 2024, but is now back in full form. Mr. Kagurazaka called one of the four clinics in Japan that are now offering this treatment, and the response was not great. I have extracted it from Fuji\u2019s colossal write-up<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, they were looking for a Japanese person to consult with, including arranging an interpreter. It would be nice if I could interpret myself, but I am completely unable to speak any foreign language, including English. So, I decided to contact Akihabara Skin Clinic<\/a>, a treatment facility for S-DSC\u00ae hair regeneration medicine, located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, which is not a large hospital.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the result was that an interpreter cannot be used. The patient himself must be able to speak Japanese, understand the explanation in Japanese, and give consent in Japanese. The answer was very harsh for a foreigner who does not speak Japanese, but I got the impression that it was inevitable because it would be an expensive and complicated treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Fuji Maru will call the other clinics soon to see if he has any better luck. But my belief is that one should not try to go to Japan for this treatment at the moment. Remember that the entire process takes around two months. Your hair follicle tissue cells are harvested and then multiplied in a cell processing and culture facility (which can take up to six weeks). Then you get the cultured DSC cells injected into your scalp. It is not worth the stress if there is no English communication possible throughout the process. The high cost and no guaranteed results are also not ideal.<\/p>\n I am still excited that Shiseido\u2019s treatment finally came out after over a decade of covering it. But I think it is best to wait and watch for now.<\/p>\n Update: August 30, 2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Tokyo Medical University Hospital recently\u00a0 announced<\/a> that it was accepting all East Asian patients for the S-DSC treatment. For now, they are limiting it to the East Asian demographic since their hair characteristics are similar to those of Japanese patients. They also make the following encouraging statement regarding their Japanese patients (whom they have now treated with S-DSC for over two years):<\/p>\n \u201cEfficacy and safety (for Japanese patients) have been confirmed through clinical records.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In the poster sent to me by Fuji Maru, they claim that:<\/p>\n \u201cBroader eligibility may be considered as research and clinical data accumulate.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"Shiseido](\"https:\/\/www.hairlosscure2020.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Shiseido-Dermal-Sheath-Cells-Hair-Multiplication.jpg\")
Shiseido\u2019s Dermal Sheath Cup Cell Hair Multiplication Treatment Has Arrived<\/h2>\n
S-DSC\u00ae Hair Regenerative Medicine<\/h3>\n
![\"S-DSC](\"https:\/\/www.hairlosscure2020.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/S-DSC-Hair-Regenerative-Medicine.png\")
Shiseido DSC Treatment Cost<\/h3>\n
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Hair Regenerative Outpatient Treatment Begins in Japan on July 1, 2024<\/h3>\n
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Shiseido\u2019s Treatment has a 30-60% Success Rate?<\/h3>\n
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Shiseido\u2019s S-DSC Hair Loss Treatment now Available to Foreign Citizens?<\/h4>\n
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Effects Last More than a Year<\/h4>\n
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Warning for Foreigners Wanting the S-DSC Hair Growth Treatment in Japan<\/h4>\n
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All East Asian Patients now being Accepted<\/h4>\n
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![\"Shiseido](\"https:\/\/www.hairlosscure2020.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Shiseido-S-DSC-Japan.webp\")
In other recent news about Shiseido\u2019s SDS-C hair regeneration treatment:<\/h5>\n
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