Is it necessary to shave your head for hair transplantation?
May 30, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, hair transplantation requires shaving the head. In traditional hair transplant techniques, shaving is primarily performed to facilitate surgical procedures, protect hair follicles, prevent infection, and ensure optimal transplant results. However, if the procedure involves follicular unit extraction (FUE), especially with micro-incision scarless hair transplant technology, it is usually not necessary to completely shave the head. It is recommended to follow the guidance of a physician.
Hair transplantation is a common hair restoration surgical procedure, primarily used to treat hair loss or baldness. The general reference price for hair transplant surgery ranges from 10,000 to 40,000 yuan per session. Typically, initial results can be seen within a few months after the surgery, with more noticeable effects appearing after one year. Generally, hair transplantation requires shaving the head, although there are also techniques that do not require complete shaving. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If traditional hair transplant techniques are used, healthy hair follicle tissue is surgically extracted from the back of the patient's head. After professional separation and processing, the follicles are transplanted into the balding areas to achieve hair regrowth. During the hair transplant procedure, shaving the head mainly facilitates surgical operation, protects the follicular units, prevents infection, and ensures optimal transplant results.
However, if follicular unit extraction (FUE), especially minimally invasive scarless hair transplant techniques, is performed, it is usually not necessary to completely shave the head. Doctors can extract and implant hair follicles from the existing hair, preserving a certain hair length to minimize postoperative aesthetic impact. In such cases, only the donor area needs to be trimmed to a few millimeters in length to facilitate the procedure.
It is recommended to have detailed communication with a professional hair transplant surgeon before surgery to understand the advantages and disadvantages of various options and make the most suitable choice for yourself.
