Integrated Aesthetics, a plastic surgery and medspa practice with locations in Spring and The Woodlands, Texas, has added Acorn Stem Cell Preservation to its range of regenerative and anti-aging services. This offering enables patients to store their own stem cells for possible future use in personalized treatments.
The process developed by Acorn Biolabs uses a 15–20 minute, non-invasive collection of approximately 50 hair follicles from the scalp. These follicles are processed to isolate live stem cells, which are then cryopreserved at –190°C. Unlike traditional stem cell collection techniques that may involve surgery or anesthesia, this approach is designed to reduce patient risk and discomfort.
According to Dr. Young Cho, board-certified plastic surgeon, preserving stem cells at a younger age may support future regenerative treatments, including those aimed at tissue repair and collagen production. Although many of these applications are still in development, the technology aims to provide a proactive method of preparing for advances in the field.
In addition to long-term storage, Integrated Aesthetics is utilizing preserved cells to create a topical serum—called a “secretome”—made from the patient’s own follicle-derived growth factors and molecules. This serum can be applied post-procedurally, such as after microneedling or laser treatments, to potentially aid in healing and support skin and hair health. Dr. Melissa Chiang, a board-certified dermatologist at the practice, noted that this autologous method may offer higher concentrations of regenerative factors compared to other biologic treatments.
The preservation process is currently available for adults aged 18–65, with minimal preparation and no surgical intervention. Because the material is patient-specific, it reduces the potential for immune response or disease transmission.
This initiative reflects ongoing interest in integrating regenerative medicine into aesthetic care and may represent one pathway toward broader personalized treatment options in the future.
