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Seffhair® – Autologous Fat Therapy for Hair Loss at Dr. Nüchel Aesthetik in Mönchengladbach

Regenerative medicine & skin quality

Seffhair® – Autologous Fat Therapy for Hair Loss

With Seffhair® technology, the patient's own gently processed micro-autologous fat is introduced into the scalp in order to support the environment around the hair roots. A complementary option to be assessed individually – always after a careful medical clarification of the cause of your hair loss.

Treatable areas

  • Scalp
  • Crown area
  • Receding hairline

Hair loss has many causes. For us, medical clarification takes first place: only once it is clear why your hair is thinning can it be assessed whether autologous fat therapy is sensible. Seffhair® refers to the application of the Seffiller®/SEFF autologous fat technology to the scalp – the patient's own fatty tissue is harvested, gently processed into a fine micro-autologous fat and injected into the scalp.

The aim is not to replace hair artificially, but to support the environment of the hair follicles. The approach sees itself as a regenerative, complementary option – often combined with autologous blood therapy (PRP/PRF) or mesotherapy – with limited and inconsistent evidence; there are no guaranteed results.

All information is provided for general guidance and does not replace personal medical advice. Treatment results can vary from one individual to another.

Indications

Who it is suitable for

Whether a treatment makes medical sense in your case is something we determine together in a personal consultation. Typical concerns include:

  • Hereditary (androgenetic) hair loss in early to intermediate stages, after medical clarification and, where appropriate, alongside a causal therapy
  • Diffusely thinned hair, when treatable causes (e.g. iron deficiency, thyroid or hormonal disorders) have first been clarified and treated
  • A wish for a regenerative, body-own complement to established measures such as autologous blood therapy (PRP/PRF)
  • A thinning crown area or receding hairline with hair roots that are still present but weakened
  • People who wish to exhaust conservative and minimally invasive options before considering a hair transplant
  • Realistic expectations and a willingness to consider an option with limited, honestly presented evidence

Step by step

How the treatment works

This is how the treatment usually proceeds with us – from the first consultation through to aftercare.

  1. Consultation, clarification of the cause and information

    At the beginning stands a thorough medical clarification: medical history, appearance of hair and scalp and distinguishing the possible forms (hereditary, diffuse, patchy or scarring), where needed with further diagnostics or a laboratory examination. Only then do we discuss whether Seffhair® is sensible and provide information about the procedure, limits, risks and costs.

  2. Harvesting of the autologous fat (mini-liposuction)

    If the therapy is indicated, under local anaesthesia we harvest a small amount of fatty tissue – usually from the abdomen or thigh – via a gentle mini-liposuction with a fine cannula. The harvest site is prepared beforehand with an anaesthetic solution.

  3. Processing into micro-autologous fat

    The fatty tissue is gently filtered in the closed system of the Seffhair®/Seffiller® procedure and mechanically processed into a very fine, readily injectable micro-autologous fat. Exclusively the patient's own cells are used, without foreign substances.

  4. Injection into the scalp

    The processed micro-autologous fat is introduced with fine needles or a blunt cannula evenly into the thinned areas of the scalp, which are cleansed and, where necessary, anaesthetised beforehand. Afterwards we attend to and cool the sites if needed.

  5. Follow-up assessment

    Since regenerative effects take time, we assess the course only after about three to six months. There is no blanket number of sessions; whether, when and in which combination a further session is sensible is something we then decide together.

Transparency

Prices

pro Behandlung
750 €

All prices are guide values for initial orientation. Medical services are billed according to the German scale of fees for physicians (GOÄ); the final amount depends on the individual effort involved and is discussed transparently with you before treatment. For treatments without a listed price, we are happy to give you a guide value during your consultation.

Enquire about this treatmentView the full price list →

Patient information

Safety & patient information

Responsible treatment includes open information about possible risks and side effects – even when they occur only rarely.

  • Swelling, redness and a feeling of pressure/tension in the scalp

    Very common and generally harmless: after the injections, the scalp may swell, become reddened and, for a few hours to days, feel tense or pressure-sensitive. This feeling of tension usually subsides on its own.

  • Bruises (haematomas)

    At the scalp and harvest site, small blood vessels can be injured by the punctures; bruises are common, generally harmless and disappear within a few days. Blood thinners or certain dietary supplements can intensify this tendency.

  • Sensitivity to touch and complaints at the harvest site

    At the harvest site (usually abdomen or thigh), after the mini-liposuction a feeling of pressure, swelling, a bruise or a temporary sensitivity to touch are possible; these generally recede over days to a few weeks.

  • Temporary irregularities of the harvest site

    Rarely, small contour irregularities, hardenings or dents occur at the fat harvest site. Mostly temporary; in rare cases they can persist longer and should be medically assessed.

  • Nodules or hardenings in the treatment area

    At the injection points of the scalp, palpable hardenings or small nodules can temporarily form. They often recede on their own and are medically monitored and treated if needed.

  • Infections and inflammatory reactions

    As with any injection, despite sterile working, germs can enter and trigger a local infection, recognisable by increasing redness, warmth, pain or pus formation. Such reactions are rare but must be treated medically; if corresponding signs appear, please contact us immediately.

  • Temporary sensory disturbances

    At the scalp or harvest site, numbness, tingling or increased sensitivity may occur temporarily. Such abnormal sensations are generally temporary.

  • Reactions to the local anaesthetic

    Rarely, reactions to the local anaesthetic used can occur, for example circulatory reactions or – very rarely – allergic reactions. We carefully enquire about your tolerances and previous conditions beforehand.

  • Absent or insufficient effect

    Since this is a regenerative procedure with limited evidence, the desired effect may turn out smaller than hoped or fail to appear. Part of the introduced autologous fat is naturally broken down by the body; a particular result cannot be guaranteed.

  • Very rare vascular and general complications

    As with any injection and any minor procedure, more serious complications are very rarely possible, for example a vascular or nerve irritation, a pronounced infection or general reactions in connection with the fat harvesting. Careful technique, sterile conditions and a precise preliminary examination keep these risks as low as possible.

When we do not treat

In certain situations we do not carry out a treatment, or only at a later time – for your safety.

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding – in the absence of sufficient safety data, we refrain from the treatment during this time.
  • Acute infections, inflammations, open or weeping skin areas as well as active inflammatory scalp conditions in the treatment area; the treatment is postponed until they have subsided.
  • Scarring forms of hair loss or unclear scalp findings without prior medical clarification – here, diagnosis and, where appropriate, causal treatment take priority.
  • Unclarified or untreated internal-medicine, hormonal or deficiency-related causes of hair loss (e.g. thyroid or iron metabolism disorders).
  • Known coagulation disorders or treatment with blood-thinning medications; treatment is carried out only after medical consultation and careful benefit-risk consideration.
  • Active autoimmune or severe chronic conditions that may speak against harvesting or injection – here an individual medical consideration is required.
  • Known intolerance to the local anaesthetic used.
  • Acute or poorly controllable general conditions that make a minor procedure under local anaesthesia inadvisable.
  • Unrealistic expectations or a treatment wish for which, from a medical point of view, there is no sensible indication.

This information does not replace a personal medical consultation. Before every treatment we inform you individually about the procedure, risks and alternatives.

In depth

Medical details & background

How it works & the evidence

Hairs grow from the hair follicles, small invaginations of the skin that are in a constant cycle of growth, transition and resting phases. For strong hair a follicle needs a well-supplied environment: sufficient blood flow, nutrients and healthy surrounding tissue. In many forms of hair loss, the follicles shrink (miniaturisation) and the hair becomes finer and less vigorous. Regenerative procedures act on the environment of these follicles – not on an artificial new formation of hair.

The patient's own fatty tissue is used, which contains, in addition to fat cells, a cell- and vessel-rich fraction with regeneratively active cellular components and messenger substances. Harvested via a mini-liposuction and mechanically processed in a closed system into fine, thin-flowing micro-autologous fat, it can be injected evenly into the delicate scalp and can support the follicle environment. As exclusively the patient's own cells are used, without foreign substances, the risk of true intolerances is low.

Decisive is the medical classification: alongside the common hereditary (androgenetic) hair loss there is diffuse hair loss (often a consequence of deficiency states, stress, illnesses or medications), patchy (immune-mediated) hair loss and scarring hair loss with permanently destroyed follicles. These forms respond differently – in part not at all – to regenerative measures. Medical history, assessment of hair and scalp and, where appropriate, a laboratory examination (iron, ferritin, thyroid and hormone values) help to recognise treatable causes; with scarring, inflammatory or internal-medicine causes, causal treatment takes priority.

The patient's own fatty tissue has been established in regenerative and aesthetic medicine in some areas for years; the targeted use of micro-autologous fat on the scalp for hair loss, by contrast, is comparatively new. First investigations, experience reports and smaller studies describe the procedure as generally well tolerated and give indications of a possible support of the follicle environment.

The significance of this evidence is, however, limited and heterogeneous: large, high-quality and independent studies with a long observation period and uniform measurement methods are lacking; in addition, autologous fat is frequently combined with other procedures (PRP/PRF, mesotherapy), which complicates isolated assessment. Neither guaranteed results nor concrete success rates can be derived, and results vary individually. We therefore understand Seffhair® as a complementary option to be assessed individually – not as a proven standard procedure with assured success – and we name the limits openly.

Preparing for your treatment

A few simple measures before your appointment help you contribute to the best possible result with as few complications as possible.

  • Bring information on your medical history, conditions, allergies and all medications and dietary supplements to the consultation; relevant prior findings or laboratory values relating to the hair loss are helpful.
  • Please do not stop blood-thinning or anticoagulant painkillers (e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) on your own initiative – discuss their use in advance with us and your treating physician.
  • Certain dietary supplements and herbal preparations (such as fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo) as well as alcohol can increase the tendency to bleeding and bruising; a time interval can be sensible.
  • Come with a clean, unstyled scalp and hair without hairspray, gel or oil and refrain from irritating hair care products on the day of treatment.
  • In the days before the treatment, avoid intensive sunbathing and tanning beds where possible and plan for comfortable clothing for the harvest site.
  • Plan a time buffer before important social occasions or trips, as swelling or bruises may be visible at the scalp and harvest site for a few days.
Aftercare

The right care after treatment supports healing and the result. You will receive individual recommendations from us – as a rule:

  • Treat the scalp gently in the first few days: do not rub, scratch or massage vigorously and avoid strong pressure on the treated areas.
  • Follow our instructions on the first hair wash, use only mild, non-irritating products at first and refrain for now from aggressive styling, colouring or chemical treatments.
  • For about 24 to 48 hours – after individual consultation also longer – refrain from intensive exercise, sauna, steam bath, swimming pool and very hot baths, as heat and increased blood flow can intensify swelling.
  • Consistently protect the scalp from intense sun and UV radiation, for example with light, loose headwear, and avoid tanning beds in the first few days.
  • Also spare the harvest site, cool it carefully if needed and wear any dressing or compression recommended during the treatment as discussed.
  • On the day of treatment, refrain as far as possible from alcohol and blood-thinning substances, as these can promote bruising.
  • Contact us immediately if unusual complaints occur – in particular increasing pain, pronounced or increasing swelling with warmth, redness and pus formation, or fever.
  • Attend the agreed follow-up assessment after about three to six months; only then can the response be sensibly assessed and the further course planned together.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers to questions we are asked particularly often about “Seffhair® – Autologous Fat Therapy for Hair Loss”.

Harvesting and injection are carried out under local anaesthesia and are generally well tolerable. During the injections, a feeling of pressure or tension or brief pinpricks are possible, at the harvest site a pulling sensation. In the days afterwards the scalp can be sensitive to touch.

Guide values are on our price list; the effort depends on the findings, the treated area, the number of sessions and any combined procedures. Billing is carried out privately according to the German scale of fees for physicians (GOÄ); aesthetically or regeneratively motivated treatments are generally not covered by the statutory health insurance funds.

Clarification of the cause, harvesting, processing and injection are carried out exclusively by licensed physicians with corresponding experience. Particularly in the case of hair loss, medical differential diagnosis is decisive, because not every form is suitable for autologous fat therapy.

There is no fixed age limit; what is decisive are the findings, the cause and realistic expectations. The treatment concerns adults; in minors we do not, as a matter of principle, carry it out.

No. If the hair loss is based, for example, on an iron or vitamin deficiency, a thyroid or hormonal disorder, a scarring or inflammatory scalp condition or a medication effect, this cause must first be medically clarified and – as far as possible – treated. Seffhair® can at most play a complementary, supporting role.

Sources & guidelines

  • AWMF guideline register – register of the scientifically based guidelines of the medical specialist societies, including on androgenetic and patchy hair loss (alopecia areata) (www.awmf.org).
  • German Dermatological Society (DDG) – specialist society for dermatology with recommendations and patient information on hair and scalp conditions.
  • Controlled studies and systematic reviews on regenerative procedures for hair loss, which reflect the limited and inconsistent evidence base of the procedure.
  • Manufacturer information and application notes on the autologous fat technology used (Seffiller®/Seffhair®) as well as assessments by the competent authorities on tolerability and application.

Personal consultation

Arrange a personal consultation

In a confidential conversation on our practice floor at the Albertus Zentrum in Mönchengladbach, we take time for your questions and assess whether the treatment may be suitable for you.

Book a consultation

More treatments

You might also be interested in

Which measure is sensible for hair loss depends on the cause: with internal-medicine, hormonal or deficiency-related as well as scarring or inflammatory causes, their targeted, causal treatment takes precedence. As regenerative complements or alternatives, depending on the findings, autologous blood therapy (PRP/PRF) and mesotherapy come into consideration, and for advanced hair loss a hair transplant; for volume or structure issues of the skin elsewhere, the related application Seffiller® is more suitable.

Seffhair® – Autologous Fat Therapy for Hair LossBook now