Quick answer. Regenera Activa is a CE-marked autologous micrografting procedure that uses a small punch of your own scalp tissue to deliver follicular progenitor cells, growth factors and extracellular matrix back into thinning areas of the scalp. At Hisential Kuala Lumpur it is performed in a single ~1-hour session under local anaesthesia, with minimal downtime, early signs of regrowth at 3 months and peak response at 6-9 months. Best suited to early-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia in men and women.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jasvinderpal Singh, MD, FIFA Dip. Football Medicine, Cert. Men's Health (SMHS). Last reviewed: 28 May 2026.
What is Regenera Activa?
Regenera Activa is an in-clinic regenerative procedure - also known as autologous micrografting - developed in Italy and now widely used internationally for early-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss). It uses your own scalp tissue, processed mechanically (not chemically) in the CE-marked Rigenera device, to produce a fresh suspension of progenitor cells, growth factors and extracellular matrix. This suspension is injected immediately into thinning areas of the scalp where it reactivates miniaturised follicles.
The key idea: rather than introducing a foreign substance, Regenera Activa concentrates and redistributes the biological signal that your own follicles already produce - specifically from the retroauricular scalp behind the ear, where follicles are genetically resistant to DHT and remain healthy throughout life.
How Regenera Activa works at Hisential
The full appointment takes approximately one hour from arrival to departure.
- Scalp assessment and photography. Standardised photographs of the scalp from multiple angles establish a baseline for comparison at 3, 6 and 12 months.
- Local anaesthesia. A small amount of local anaesthetic is applied to two areas: the retroauricular scalp (donor) and the thinning regions of the scalp (recipient).
- Donor punch biopsies. Two or three 2.5 mm punch biopsies are taken from the scalp behind the ear. The sites are hidden by surrounding hair and heal within a few days.
- Mechanical disaggregation in the Rigenera device. The tissue samples are placed in the Rigenera disposable cartridge with sterile saline. The device runs for under a minute and produces a cell suspension containing follicular progenitor cells, growth factors and extracellular matrix.
- Injection into thinning areas. The suspension is drawn up into syringes and injected at multiple points across the thinning areas of the scalp.
- Aftercare. No dressing required. Vigorous exercise, swimming and hair colouring are avoided for 48-72 hours. Patients return to normal activity the next day.
Follow-up review with photographs is scheduled at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Who Regenera Activa is suitable for
Regenera Activa works best when there are still active - even if miniaturised - follicles to reactivate. It is suitable for:
- Early-to-moderate male androgenetic alopecia (Norwood II-IV).
- Female pattern hair loss (Ludwig I-II) - diffuse thinning across the top with preserved hairline.
- Patients already on Minoxidil and/or Finasteride who want to add a regenerative procedural option.
- Patients seeking a non-surgical alternative to hair transplant, or a regenerative step before considering transplant.
- Patients who want a single-session option rather than the 3-4 session schedule that PRP typically requires.
Less suitable for advanced hair loss with extensive follicle absence (where a hair transplant is the appropriate option), and not used in active scarring alopecia without specialist assessment.
Regenera Activa vs PRP
Both are autologous (use your own biology) and both are safe. The difference is what they deliver.
| Aspect | PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) | Regenera Activa |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Blood draw, centrifuged | Punch biopsy of scalp tissue |
| Delivered into scalp | Plasma + growth factors | Progenitor cells + growth factors + extracellular matrix |
| Typical course | 3-4 initial sessions, 4-6 weeks apart; maintenance every 6-12 months | Single session; maintenance often annual |
| Time to visible result | 3-6 months over multiple sessions | Early signs at 3 months from a single session, peak at 6-9 months |
| Downtime | Minimal | Minimal |
| Suitability | Early-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia | Early-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia |
For most patients with early-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia who prefer the efficiency of a single in-clinic session with longer-lasting benefit, Regenera Activa is the more practical option.
Regenera Activa vs hair transplant
A hair transplant (FUE or FUT) relocates entire follicular units from the donor area to the recipient area. It is the appropriate option when native follicles in the recipient area are absent rather than miniaturised.
Regenera Activa works on existing follicles - so it is used earlier in the disease course, when follicles are still present but miniaturising. It is also used as a follicle-optimising step before or after a transplant: better baseline follicle health improves both transplant outcomes and the preservation of native hair around the transplanted area.
Regenera Activa combined with Minoxidil and Finasteride
Regenera Activa is not a replacement for medication. Patients who pair Regenera Activa with daily Minoxidil and/or Oral or Topical Finasteride consistently see better and more durable outcomes than monotherapy with either approach. The medications protect existing follicles and prolong the growth phase; Regenera Activa adds a regenerative biological signal that medication alone cannot deliver.
A typical combined protocol:
- Daily topical Minoxidil 5% (with or without compounded Topical Finasteride).
- Oral Finasteride 1 mg daily for men comfortable with the systemic mechanism.
- A single Regenera Activa session at baseline, repeated annually for maintenance.
- Photographic review at 3, 6 and 12 months.
What to expect - timeline
- Week 1. Pinpoint marks at injection sites fade. Donor sites behind the ear heal under surrounding hair.
- Month 1-2. Reduced shedding often noticed first.
- Month 3. Early visible signs of regrowth in some patients; modest density improvement.
- Month 6-9. Peak response - clearest visible improvement in density and hair calibre.
- Month 12-18. Sustained effect; many patients choose a single maintenance session annually.
Results vary by individual, severity of hair loss, and whether Regenera Activa is combined with Minoxidil and Finasteride.
Safety and side effects
Because the cell suspension is derived entirely from your own scalp tissue, there is no risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission. The procedure is performed under sterile conditions by our MMC-registered medical team.
Reported side effects are minor and local:
- Brief soreness at the donor biopsy sites (behind the ear).
- Mild swelling, redness or pinpoint marks at injection sites for 24-48 hours.
- Occasional bruising.
There is no systemic effect, no hormonal effect, and no impact on PSA or fertility.
References
- Ministry of Health Malaysia, MaHTAS. Information Brief 2024-002: Autologous Cellular Micrograft (Regenera Activa) for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia (PDF). View document
How to prepare for Regenera Activa
- Arrive with clean, dry hair - no styling product on the day of the procedure.
- Avoid blood-thinning supplements (high-dose fish oil, ginkgo) for 48 hours beforehand if possible.
- Eat normally on the day; the procedure is well-tolerated under local anaesthesia.
- Plan to skip vigorous exercise and swimming for 48-72 hours afterwards.
Your Personal Health Concierge will share a full pre- and post-procedure checklist when you book.
Is the consultation discreet?
Yes. Hisential operates by appointment only with private consultation rooms. Your assessment, treatment plan, photographs, and progress are confidential within the clinic and are not shared outside the treating clinical team without your written consent.
Related services
- Hair Loss Treatment in Malaysia - full overview of all four hair loss therapies offered at Hisential.
- Testosterone Deficiency Treatment in Malaysia - hormonal evaluation that can support hair health.
- Comprehensive Health Screening in Malaysia - full metabolic, hormonal, and nutritional evaluation.
Book a Regenera Activa consultation
Hisential Clinic Bangsar - Lot S122, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285 Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. Open 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily.
WhatsApp: +60 12-841 3969 · Call: +60 3-8603 7220 · Message your personal concierge: /book-appointment
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Hair loss and hair restoration outcomes vary significantly by individual, type of hair loss, treatment selected, and timing of intervention. KKLIU 0640/EXP 31.12.2026.