Hair Loss and the Case for Transplantation
Hair loss affects millions of people across Asia, and demand for surgical hair restoration has grown significantly in China over the past decade. Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital offers hair transplant surgery as part of its plastic surgery programme, with techniques and standards that match the best centres internationally.
Unlike standalone hair transplant clinics, Ninth Hospital brings a reconstructive surgery perspective to hair restoration. This matters particularly for patients with scarring alopecia, post-burn hair loss, or eyebrow and eyelash reconstruction — cases that require more than routine transplant technique.
Understanding Hair Transplant Techniques
FUE — Follicular Unit Extraction
Individual hair follicles are extracted one by one from the donor area (typically the back and sides of the scalp) using a small punch tool, then implanted into the recipient area. FUE leaves no linear scar, making it suitable for patients who wear their hair short. Recovery is faster than FUT, and most patients return to normal activities within a week.
The trade-off is time: FUE is slower than FUT, and very large sessions may need to be split across two days. The skill of the extraction team significantly affects follicle survival rates.
FUT — Follicular Unit Transplantation
A strip of scalp is removed from the donor area, dissected under microscopes into individual follicular units, and then implanted into the recipient area. FUT allows a larger number of grafts to be harvested in a single session and typically achieves slightly higher follicle survival rates than FUE. The trade-off is a linear scar in the donor area, which is hidden by surrounding hair but visible if the head is shaved.
FUT is preferred for patients needing large graft numbers in a single session, or those who do not mind the donor scar.
Specialised Hair Restoration at Ninth Hospital
Eyebrow Transplantation
Restoring sparse or absent eyebrows using transplanted scalp hair. Requires precise angulation and direction control to mimic natural eyebrow growth. Ninth Hospital's surgeons have extensive experience with this technically demanding procedure.
Eyelash Transplantation
Less commonly performed, but available for patients who have lost eyelashes due to burns, trauma, or medical conditions. Requires extremely fine technique and careful follicle selection.
Scar Camouflage
Transplanting hair into scarred areas of the scalp — following burns, trauma, or previous surgery — to restore a natural hairline. This is where Ninth Hospital's reconstructive background is particularly valuable.
Hairline Lowering
For patients with a naturally high hairline, transplantation can lower and reshape the hairline to improve facial proportions. Popular among both men and women.
Am I a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for hair transplant surgery have:
- Stable hair loss (not actively progressing rapidly)
- Sufficient donor hair density in the back and sides of the scalp
- Realistic expectations about coverage and density
- Good general health
Patients with very advanced hair loss may not have enough donor hair for full coverage. Your surgeon will assess your donor density and loss pattern at consultation and give you an honest assessment of what is achievable.
Costs
- FUE (per graft): ¥15 – ¥35 per graft
- Typical FUE session (2,000–3,000 grafts): ¥30,000 – ¥105,000
- FUT (per graft): ¥12 – ¥25 per graft
- Eyebrow transplant: ¥15,000 – ¥35,000
- Scar camouflage transplant: ¥20,000 – ¥60,000 depending on area
Recovery
- Days 1–3: Scalp tenderness, small crusts around transplanted follicles. Gentle washing protocol begins.
- Days 7–14: Crusts shed. Transplanted hairs begin to fall out — this is normal and expected.
- Months 1–3: Resting phase. Little visible change.
- Months 4–8: New hair growth begins. Density gradually increases.
- Month 12: Final result visible. Most patients see 80–90% of their eventual result by this point.
Managing Expectations
Hair transplantation moves existing hair — it does not create new hair. The total number of follicles available is finite. A good transplant surgeon will plan the distribution of grafts carefully to maximise coverage now while preserving donor reserves for future sessions if hair loss continues.
Medical management of ongoing hair loss (minoxidil, finasteride) is often recommended alongside transplant surgery to protect non-transplanted hair.
For patients seeking hair restoration in Shanghai — whether for standard androgenetic alopecia or more complex reconstructive cases — Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital offers expertise that goes well beyond routine transplant clinics.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Costs and availability are subject to change. Always consult a qualified surgeon before making decisions about hair transplant surgery.
Contact Us
For help arranging a hair transplant consultation in Shanghai, email wuguopeng1989@gmail.com.