PRP, ACRS, and stem-cell culture supernatant in Tokyo: regenerative skin treatments, prices, and English-speaking clinics

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is made from your own blood, which is drawn and spun in a centrifuge so that the platelet-rich layer can be injected back into the skin. ACRS (autologous cytokine-rich serum) also starts with your own blood, but the blood is first incubated to raise the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors; the resulting serum is then injected by hand or with a mesotherapy device. Both are autologous, meaning nothing comes from another person.

Stem-cell culture supernatant (幹細胞培養上清液) and exosome products are different: they consist of the liquid in which donor stem cells were grown, filtered so that no cells remain. Clinics describe the donor source on their pages. Omotesando Rejuva Medical Clinic and Art Lounge Clinic use supernatant from dental pulp stem cells (Rejuva's Japanese pages specify deciduous, or baby, teeth); Tokyo Isea Clinic uses a dental-pulp product called StemSup; Matsurika Clinic uses frozen umbilical-cord-derived supernatant; and Hiroo Prime Dermatology uses AAPE, a conditioned medium derived from adipose (fat) stem cells. These products are given as an IV drip or injected into the skin, often as an add-on to a needling or mesotherapy treatment.

PRP and ACRS are regulated under Japan's Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, which requires clinics to submit treatment plans to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). Treatments are classified as Class I, II, or III based on risk. Omotesando Rejuva Medical Clinic lists its registration numbers: PC3200161 (Class III) for PRP and ACRS, and PB320016 (Class II) for cultured fibroblast therapy. Ginza Takasu Clinic confirms that its PRP treatments are registered as Class III regenerative medicine. Azabu Skin Clinic lists a registration number for SVF stem cell therapy, but not on its PRP page. If a clinic offers PRP or ACRS without displaying a registration number, ask for it before booking.

Culture supernatant and exosome products contain no cells and are sold as unapproved products under Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act; clinics are required to disclose this. Tokyo Isea Clinic, BIANCA Clinic, and Ledian Clinic include that notice on their pages. Matsurika Clinic adds that people who have received supernatant or exosome infusions can no longer donate blood in Japan.

ACRS ranges from ¥66,000 per session at Mizuho Clinic (Ikebukuro) to ¥242,000 for a doctor-performed injection at E-Medical Clinic Azabu, with Ginza Takasu Clinic at ¥165,000, Ozaki Clinic LUXE Shinjuku at ¥198,000, and Omotesando Rejuva Medical Clinic at ¥220,000 (the same price whether by mesotherapy device or doctor-performed injection). Three-session courses run ¥440,000 to ¥572,000. Of these clinics, only Rejuva publishes its prices in English.

PRP for the face ranges from ¥107,800 per milliliter plus a ¥25,500 procedure fee at BIANCA Clinic, through ¥175,000 (regular price) at Azabu Skin Clinic and ¥242,000 per vial at Omotesando Rejuva Medical Clinic (¥174,000 for each additional vial), to ¥330,000 at Ginza Takasu Clinic. Rejuva also lists PRP for intimate rejuvenation and for hair loss at ¥174,000 to ¥242,000 per vial.

Culture supernatant and exosome drips are the least expensive option: ¥28,600 for a cord-blood-derived exosome drip at Ledian Clinic, ¥44,000 for 2 ml at Matsurika Clinic, ¥55,000 for 5 cc at Rejuva, ¥60,280 at BIANCA Clinic, ¥66,000 per vial at Art Lounge Clinic, and ¥66,000 per cc at Tokyo Isea Clinic. Injecting supernatant into the skin costs more: ¥88,000 by hand or ¥75,000 with the HYCOOX device at Art Lounge Clinic, ¥93,500 with a mesotherapy device at Rejuva, and ¥220,000 for the full face with adipose-derived StemSup-A at Tokyo Isea Clinic. Prices include tax unless noted; Azabu Skin Clinic's exosome drip is listed before tax.

• For PRP or ACRS, ask for the clinic's regenerative-medicine plan number and class.
• For supernatant or exosomes, ask about the donor source (dental pulp, umbilical cord, or adipose tissue) and keep in mind that the product is unapproved in Japan.
• Ask whether the price is for one session or a course, and whether injection by a doctor costs more than injection by device or by a nurse.
• For PRP and ACRS, expect a blood draw and a wait of up to 5 minutes to a few hours depending on the clinic; some clinics (Ginza Takasu) prepare three ACRS sessions from a single draw.
• Ask whether an English-language consultation can be arranged for your appointment.

Omotesando Rejuva Medical Clinic (ACRS, PRP, dental-pulp supernatant) has three doctors who offer consultations in English and publishes all of these prices in English. At Art Lounge Clinic (dental-pulp supernatant by drip, hand injection, or HYCOOX), the director offers consultations in English by appointment. Hiroo Prime Dermatology lists two doctors who offer consultations in English (one of whom also speaks German) and offers AAPE adipose-derived mesotherapy, though its prices are published only in Japanese. Azabu Skin Clinic publishes PRP and exosome prices in English and states that English is available. Matsurika Clinic publishes supernatant and exosome drip prices in English and offers English-language support. Ledian Clinic states that English-speaking staff are available. Ginza Takasu Clinic has English and Chinese interpreters, but its website is in Japanese. Ozaki Clinic LUXE, Mizuho Clinic, E-Medical Clinic Azabu, and Tokyo Isea Clinic publish in Japanese only.