Gangnam, Seoul · Stem cells & anti-ageing
Stem cell anti-ageing: fat grafting, skin rejuvenation and hair growth
Quick answer
Wonjin (원진성형외과) is a plastic surgery hospital in Gangnam, Seoul, with a dedicated Thai-language site. Its anti-ageing menu includes a stem cell procedure using adult stem cells from the patient's own body: about 1–2 hours, no suture removal, no hospitalisation, numbing cream with sedation, and one day in Korea recommended. The harvested cells are applied three ways — stem cell fat grafting, facial skin rejuvenation and SmartPrep2 hair growth.
The human body holds roughly 60 trillion cells of at least 200 types. Among them are cells that can turn into any other cell — stem cells. Wonjin explains their core roles as building new tissue, adjusting immune function, activating growth factors and self-renewing through division.
Regenerating damaged tissue
Improving circulation and forming new vessels
Activating growth factors and cell proliferation
| Type | Origin | Harvesting | Ethical issue | Teratoma risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embryonic stem cells | Egg / fertilised egg | Difficult | Yes | Possible |
| Adipose stem cells (adult) | Body fat | Relatively easy | Almost none | Almost none |
| Bone marrow stem cells (adult) | Bone marrow | Relatively easy | Almost none | Almost none |
| Blood stem cells (adult) | Blood vessels / cord blood | Average to relatively easy | Almost none | Almost none |
The clinic states healthy cells last only about four hours at room temperature, so they must be used immediately after separation.
A sample is taken from the patient's own body as the source of adult stem cells.
The cell layers are separated by a centrifugation process that controls heat and air exposure.
The clinic states healthy cells survive only about four hours at room temperature, so they are used immediately after extraction.
AREA #1
A fat graft protocol that limits the air and heat exposure which disturbs graft take. The clinic states retention is higher when SmartPrep2 is added, because the stem cells help build feeding vessels and can differentiate into fat cells themselves.
AREA #2
The clinic explains that stem cells carry growth factors which drive cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, generate hyaluronic acid to stimulate epithelial cells, and help refill areas where the skin has lost volume.
AREA #3
The concentrated growth factors in SmartPrep2 (VEGF, PDGF, FGF, IGF, HGF, TGF) are used to trigger new vessel formation and stem cell differentiation, which in turn drives fibroblast and endothelial cell growth.
Ordinary centrifugation generates heat and air exposure that can damage cells, so cells drawn from an unstable process may be weak and ineffective. The clinic states it uses current-generation equipment for a stable separation.
Stem cells must be held in liquid nitrogen at −196°C to limit intracellular ice formation and protect the cell membrane; a normal freezer is not enough. Correct storage lets your own cells be used again for a later session.
Always consult the doctor first: the cell yield and the result differ from person to person.
Declare regular medication, especially anything affecting clotting or circulation.
No hospital stay and no suture removal, but allow at least one day in Korea for follow-up.
After a fat graft, avoid pressure on the treated area and skip alcohol and smoking early on so the graft takes.
Ask the clinic to state the cell count per session, the separation device used and the cell storage plan.
What Wonjin explains in more depth than most clinics is the quality of the extracted cells, not just the procedure name. Its site states plainly that healthy cells survive only about four hours at room temperature and must be used immediately after separation — which is why harvesting, centrifugation and reinjection all happen on the same day.
The hospital also warns about damage from unstable centrifugation, which generates heat and exposes cells to air, leaving a low living-cell count and weakened cells. Wonjin states it uses current-generation equipment for a stable separation. At consultation, ask which device is used and whether the living-cell count is measured before injection.
On the fat grafting side, Wonjin uses the Lipokit device, which liposuctions and centrifuges within one closed system so the fat never meets air. The hospital reports higher graft take, lower infection risk and less cell damage, and layers small volumes through periosteum, muscle, subcutaneous fat and dermis rather than depositing one large bolus in a single layer, which leaves an uneven surface and poorer retention.
For hair, Wonjin uses SmartPrep2, a concentrated growth factor preparation (VEGF, PDGF, FGF, IGF, HGF, TGF) intended to trigger new vessel formation and stem cell differentiation. The hospital sets the boundary clearly: it suits stage-3 thinning, while conventional transplantation remains more effective where no hair is left — a candid limitation worth using as your decision criterion.
The last point is storage. Wonjin explains that stem cells must be kept in liquid nitrogen at −196°C to limit intracellular ice crystals and protect the cell membrane; an ordinary freezer will not do. If you plan a repeat session later, ask about banking terms, duration and cost at the first consultation.
The usual caveat for this hub applies: everything above is the hospital's own published description, not a clinical conclusion guaranteeing outcomes. Cell yield, fat retention and skin response vary per person. Anyone with a chronic condition, pregnancy, cancer history or immunosuppressant use should consult their own physician first.
The hospital states about 1–2 hours, with no suture removal and no hospital stay, using numbing cream with sedation. It recommends allowing at least one day in Korea for follow-up.
Adult stem cells from the patient's own body. The site describes them as relatively easy to harvest, with almost no ethical issue and almost no teratoma possibility, in contrast to embryonic stem cells, which are difficult to harvest and carry both concerns.
Because the hospital states healthy cells survive only about four hours at room temperature; beyond that their quality falls. Harvesting, separation and reinjection therefore happen within the same day.
Ordinary centrifugation generates heat and air exposure, leaving a low living-cell count while cells extracted earlier may weaken and stop working. Wonjin says it uses current-generation equipment for a stable separation that yields a high living-cell count.
The hospital states retention is higher with SmartPrep2 added, because the stem cells help build feeding vessels and can differentiate into fat cells. It also uses the Lipokit device, which suctions and centrifuges in a closed system so the fat never meets air.
Depositing a large volume in a single layer leaves an uneven surface and lowers retention. Wonjin therefore layers small volumes through periosteum, muscle, subcutaneous fat and dermis for a smoother surface and better graft take.
The hospital explains that stem cells are rich in growth factors driving cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, generate hyaluronic acid to stimulate epithelial cells, and help refill areas where the skin has lost volume. The goal is elasticity and smoothness.
The hospital states it suits stage-3 thinning because it helps existing follicles regrow, while conventional transplantation is more effective in areas with no remaining hair.
Yes, but only in liquid nitrogen at −196°C to limit intracellular ice formation and protect the cell membrane; a normal freezer is not enough. Ask about banking terms, duration and cost at the first consultation.
Consult the doctor and declare regular medication, especially anything affecting clotting or circulation. After a fat graft, avoid pressure on the treated area and skip alcohol and smoking early on so the graft takes.
The hospital does not publish stem cell pricing on the page. Ask via Wonjin's international clients service, and request a written quote stating the procedure, number of sessions, equipment used and total cost before you travel.
Wonjin is in Gangnam, Seoul, near Gangnam Station. It runs a Thai-language site and a dedicated international clients service, so you can enquire and book from Thailand in advance.
Procedure details, protocol and figures on this page are compiled from Wonjin's official stem cell procedure page and re-checked at each update.
5 points • reviewed 2026-08-13
Reviewed and last updated: 2026-08-13
Last updated: 2026-08-13 · This content is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor before making treatment decisions.
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