FAQ FAQ

With a track record of 17,000 cases and a cell quality of 2.25 billion cells per treatment thanks to proprietary technology, we are a leading stem cell therapy company operating in four locations worldwide.

17,000+ clinical cases and 2.25 billion cells per dose via proprietary technology. The global leader in stem cell therapy with 4 international hubs.

The biggest difference lies in the sheer volume of our experience and the concentration of cells we can provide. Our vast knowledge gained from a total of 17,000 cases allows us to propose the optimal administration plan tailored to each individual case. Furthermore, our global operations across four locations mean we can quickly incorporate the latest world-class technologies into our treatments—a strength unmatched by other hospitals.

Yes, absolutely. Our clinic features dedicated, multilingual concierges fluent in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and more, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience for our international medical tourism patients. Since we seamlessly coordinate with our global locations in London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, we can also easily arrange your follow-up care and consultations after you return home.

Because stem cell therapy uses your own cells, the risk of rejection is considered extremely low. However, there is still a small risk of complications such as bruising at the puncture site or temporary fever. Based on clinical data from over 17,000 cases, our clinic provides detailed explanations of the potential risks during pre-treatment consultations and has a comprehensive aftercare system in place.

Yes, absolutely. Every single stem cell therapy performed at our clinic has been properly reviewed and accepted under the "Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan" submitted to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Furthermore, we continuously undergo regular, rigorous evaluations by the Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee, keeping strict legal compliance and patient safety as our absolute top priorities.

Yes. Our clinic has earned technical recognition from world-renowned leaders in stem cell research, including prominent professors from the University of Cambridge. Additionally, our internal research division analyzes clinical data on a daily basis, sharing our advanced insights with the world through international academic conferences and official press releases. This powerful, global research network serves as the very foundation of our position as an industry leader.

At Helene clinic, we place the highest priority on cell "viability" and "purity". By utilizing our proprietary culture medium, "Helene Medium," we are able to successfully proliferate cells while keeping their natural activity at its peak. Furthermore, we employ advanced technologies like MACS (Magnetic Cell Separation) to precisely extract and manage only the specific stem cells that deliver effective therapeutic benefits. Every step of this meticulous process is rigorously carried out within our own state-of-the-art culture facility, which is fully ISO 9001 certified.

By establishing our presence across the globe, we are able to seamlessly integrate not only Japanese standards but also the stringent medical regulations and cutting-edge research insights from Europe and the Middle East. Furthermore, our international hubs enable us to collaborate directly with renowned university hospitals and elite research institutions worldwide, and this global foundation of trust is precisely why we are recognized as a leading name in stem cell therapy.

Yes, Helene Group is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and boasts a powerful global footprint across four premier international hubs: London (UK), Dubai (UAE), and Abu Dhabi (UAE). By seamlessly exchanging the latest regulatory updates and scientific breakthroughs from each region, we continuously advance a world-leading network in regenerative medicine.

Our hospital owns its own cleanroom (CPC) that has obtained the international standard ISO9001. In addition, we use our proprietary culture medium "Helene Growth Medium" which maximizes cell viability, and our specialized culture technicians perform rigorous quality checks (bacterial testing, viral testing, cell counting, etc.) on all cases. This thorough management system supports the overwhelming cell quality of 2.25 billion cells.

Depending on the patient's condition and treatment objectives, our hospital can provide high doses of up to 2.25 billion stem cells in a single administration using our uniquely developed cell culture technology. Generally, the number and quality of cells administered are considered important factors influencing the effectiveness of treatment, and our hospital has earned a strong reputation for providing these "high-concentration, high-quality" cells.

Our patients not only from here in Japan, but from all over the globe, including China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. > In particular, affluent individuals and highly health-conscious clients choose us because they deeply value our overwhelming clinical track record and rigorous safety standards, allowing us to continuously serve as a premier hub for global medical tourism.

Since its opening in 2013, our hospital has been a pioneer in regenerative medicine in Japan. Our group has treated over 17,000 cases in total (as of the end of 2026), a record that is among the top in Japan and globally. Based on our many years of clinical experience, we provide personalized medicine tailored to each individual patient.

While somatic stem cells exist in various tissues throughout the human body, extensive research demonstrates that they are particularly abundant within subcutaneous fat. At our clinic, we utilize a specialized method that minimally and safely harvests these stem cells from the subcutaneous fat located just behind the ear.

The homing effect refers to a remarkable physiological phenomenon where stem cells, once administered into the body, spontaneously navigate to damaged or inflamed tissues, clustering at the site to actively drive repair and regeneration. When delivered intravenously, these stem cells travel throughout the entire body via the peripheral blood circulation, seamlessly reaching the injured areas through both the lymphatic system and blood vessels, where they adhere to the vascular endothelium, infiltrate the surrounding tissue, and ultimately undergo proliferation and differentiation to transform into the precise target cells needed.

The subcutaneous fat behind the ear is exceptionally rich in stem cells and is uniquely characterized by its high tissue uniformity; since the volume of fat droplets here is much smaller compared to fat from the abdomen or thighs, it maintains an optimal environment for stem cell growth, making tissue harvested from this area far superior in both the quantity and quality of the stem cells obtained. Furthermore, because the area behind the ear is naturally discreet, any minimal scarring remains virtually imperceptible, significantly easing the psychological burden for our patients.

There are no special restrictions. You can have meal as usual.

You are free to return home immediately after the procedure; since the incision is remarkably small, you can even shower on the very same day, allowing you to resume your daily routine without any major disruption. Furthermore, to fully alleviate any anxieties you may have regarding postoperative recovery or discomfort, our group ensures attentive follow-up support, including check-in phone calls whenever needed.

Yes, during your consultation, our physicians will take the time to thoroughly explain every aspect of your treatment. Please never hesitate to ask any questions or share any concerns you may have along the way. Above all, we believe it is absolutely vital that you feel completely informed and comfortable with every detail before choosing to proceed with your care.

To begin your cultured stem cell therapy, we first perform a routine blood sampling and a small skin tissue harvest to carefully extract and culture the stem cells contained within. This culturing process takes approximately one month to complete, after which your custom stem cells can be administered via an intravenous infusion that is delivered comfortably and slowly over a 40-to-60-minute period. For your maximum comfort, the skin harvesting procedure is performed under local anesthesia, with a sensation very similar to a standard dental treatment; the harvest site itself is remarkably small—only about 5mm—and any residual marks will become virtually invisible within about a month.

[Safe and pure stem cell culture technology and culture medium]
https://stemcells.jp/technique/

While the effectiveness in stem cell therapy varies naturally from person to person, we encourage you to look at a timeframe of 3 to 6 months as a general guideline to experience the full benefits.

In Japan, there have been reports of deaths due to pulmonary embolism following stem cell administration (the causal relationship is unclear), and in the United States, there have been cases of blindness resulting from intraorbital administration.
At our hospital, we have established strict standards regarding cell quality control and administration methods, and we prioritize safety above all else in our treatments.
To date, we have provided treatment to over 17,000 patients, and we have not received a single report of serious complications.

Under our official Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, which has been formally accepted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Helene clinic offers comprehensive consultations and advanced stem cell therapies for a wide range of conditions, including: Age-related skin changes, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, alopecia (hair loss), immunosenescence, bone resorptive dental diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), chronic cerebral infarction, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), female hormonal imbalances, neurodegenerative diseases, and male erectile dysfunction. For further details and personalized guidance, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated clinic staff at any time.

[List of Regenerative Medicine Provision Plans (Treatments)]
https://saiseiiryo.mhlw.go.jp/published_plan/index/2

As a general rule, we do not provide stem cell therapy to individuals with active malignant tumors. However, we carefully review and make individualized determinations based on each patient's specific treatment history and current medical condition.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that stem cells (MSC) themselves undergo cancerous transformation, and no such cases have been reported in clinical studies either domestically or internationally.

To ensure maximum safety, Helene clinic implements specialized protocols to strictly prevent cell aggregation (cell clustering) at two critical phases: Immediately following the completion of the culturing process and right before administration. Furthermore, by utilizing a proprietary culture medium developed entirely in-house, we are able to cultivate stem cells that are approximately 20% smaller in size compared to those grown in standard commercial alternatives, allowing us to even further minimize any potential risk of pulmonary embolism or related complications.

Every single stem cell for our patients is cultured with complete consistency in our specialized, state-of-the-art in-house lab (CPC). Furthermore, all of our cell culture facilities have been formally accepted under the "Notification of Manufacturing Specific Cell-Processed Products" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and have achieved ISO 9001 certification, reflecting our commitment to global quality standards (Helene AO Building clinic is currently in the ISO 9001 application process).

In 2018, we proudly presented the groundbreaking results of our proprietary serum-free culture medium, HELENE Medium, at the prestigious Cambridge International Stem Cell Symposium. Our presentation highlighted two key breakthroughs: First, that HELENE Medium enables the cultivation of a significantly higher volume of cells within the exact same timeframe compared to other standard commercially available options. Second, that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured in HELENE Medium retain the smallest and most compact physical size. Crucially, there is strong academic consensus that smaller, more compact stem cells are remarkably less prone to premature differentiation into fibroblasts. By combining these two powerful advantages, we have successfully verified that the adipose tissue collected from just behind the ear contains a highly viable and rich population of MSCs. While the volume of fat tissue harvested from this area is understandably minimal compared to the thigh or abdomen, our unique in-house laboratory technology paired with HELENE Medium makes it entirely possible to culture up to 2.25 billion high-quality MSCs in just one single month.

[Safe and pure stem cell culture technology and culture medium]
https://stemcells.jp/technique/

The seamless combination of three essential pillars—our proprietary serum-free culture medium (HELENE Medium), our advanced vertical culture vessels, and our highly experienced team of cell cultivation specialists—is what uniquely empowers Helene to maintain pristine stem cell quality while successfully culturing and administering up to 2.25 billion stem cells. If even a single one of these elements is missing, achieving this elite standard of both quality and volume becomes simply impossible.

Upon the completion of the stem cell cultivation, our clinic implements a rigorous three-stage verification protocol to ensure the quality. First, we utilize the autoMACS magnetic bead separation system to definitively verify the absolute purity and identity of the stem cells. Second, the Countess 3FL automated cell counter is employed to precisely measure the exact, actual number of viable stem cells. Third, we leverage a cutting-edge AI image recognition system developed entirely in-house to accurately evaluate the overall cell viability rate. Only the cells that have successfully cleared every single one of these three stringent phases are handed over to our medical department for use in patient administration.

[About Helene in-house lab]
https://stemcells.jp/lab/

Under our Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, which has been formally accepted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, our therapies are generally designed for individuals aged 18 and older. However, an exception is made for patients with type 1 diabetes, who are eligible for treatment from the age of 6 and above. For older adults, there is no upper age limit, and treatment is fully available as long as your overall systemic health condition is stable. Our experienced physicians will thoroughly review your medical history and assess your precise eligibility during the initial consultation.

Yes, Helene clinic has formally submitted "Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan" to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, ensuring that all treatments are conducted under a fully compliant and strictly regulated medical framework in perfect accordance with Japanese law.

Our clinic is a specialized regenerative medicine clinic in Japan, and all medical procedures are performed by medical professionals holding Japanese medical and nursing licenses. Dr. Matsuoka, the clinic director, is committed to spreading regenerative medicine globally and has established a multilingual support system to ensure that more patients can receive medical care with peace of mind. We provide high-quality medical services to patients from all over the world, regardless of nationality.

In the unlikely event that a serious illness or adverse event occurs after cell administration, our doctors will promptly provide appropriate emergency care. Furthermore, if it is determined that further examinations or specialized treatment are necessary, we will promptly transport and refer you to a nearby medical institution. In addition, our hospital is a member of the "Health Damage Compensation System" operated by the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, and we have a system in place to provide appropriate compensation and support in the event of any unforeseen circumstances related to treatment.

For more details, please see: Reliable Support

Post-treatment instructions vary depending on the procedure. Generally, patients who receive injections in the face are advised to avoid sun exposure to the treated area and to moisturize it thoroughly. Patients who receive stem cell infusions are advised to refrain from using hot springs or saunas, consuming alcohol, and engaging in strenuous exercise on the day of treatment. Before discharge (or returning home), our medical staff will provide each patient with detailed aftercare instructions tailored to their specific treatment.

For more details: For first-time users

Exosomes secreted by stem cells play a role in some of the functions of stem cells, including cytokine release, regulation of immune balance, and suppression of inflammation. Furthermore, because they are extremely small, about 1/200th the size of a typical cell, they are expected to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) ​​and reach target tissues such as the brain and nerve cells to exert their effects.

When stem cells are administered into the body, the engrafted cells secrete exosomes for a certain period of time, supporting tissue repair and regeneration. However, exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) and not cells themselves. Therefore, they do not have the ability to replicate or proliferate on their own, nor do they have the ability to differentiate into other cells and replace tissues.

Related article: What is stem cell therapy (derived from the patient's own fat)?