Driven by Scientific Research, Damao Hair Transplantation Accelerates Innovative Product Development to Promote Steady Growth in the Hair Restoration Industry

In recent years, with the upgrading of consumer concepts and the rise of the beauty economy, the hair transplantation industry has experienced rapid development. Correspondingly, the entire hair care sector continues to advance, with growing demand from the industry and market for cutting-edge, high-quality technological achievements.

To actively promote extensive exchanges among experts and scholars in the global field of hair transplantation, strengthen resource sharing and international cooperation, and facilitate the faster and more effective dissemination of cutting-edge scientific research information and the latest technological achievements, the 5th China Association for Hair Restoration Surgery (CAHRS) Conference was successfully held in Hangzhou from May 28 to 30. Jointly organized by the Hair Medicine Branch of the Chinese Association of Plastics and Aesthetics, the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Professional Committee of the Chinese Non-Public Medical Institutions Association, and the Medical Aesthetics Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Traditional and Western Medicine, the event brought together nearly 500 experts in the field of hair medicine. Attendees shared the latest advances in basic research, diagnostic and assessment methods, treatment approaches, and clinical experiences in hair disorders, and showcased a series of innovative outcomes.

On-Site of the 5th China Hair Transplantation Conference

As one of the leading brands in the hair transplantation industry, Daimai Micro-needle Hair Transplantation (hereinafter referred to as “Daimai”) presented its latest scientific research achievements at this conference. To provide an overview of Daimai’s strategic layout in the field of scientific research, VCBeat conducted interviews with Dr. Li Xingdong, Founder and Dean of Daimai Micro-needle Hair Transplantation, and Professor Hu Zhiqi from Nanfang Hospital, who serves as the project leader.

The Shedding Phase (Replacement Phase) After Hair TransplantationFor nearly every patient with hair loss undergoing hair transplantation, the shedding phase (also known as the replacement phase) is virtually unavoidable. During the procedure, hair follicles are typically harvested from the occipital region and implanted into the target area. This process alters the growth environment of the follicles. Furthermore, once extracted from the dermis, the follicles are subjected to a certain degree of external environmental stress, which leads to the shedding of the hair shafts within the follicles.

It is evident that one of the primary causes of post-transplant hair shedding is environmental stimulation after hair follicles are extracted from the body. The ex vivo preservation of hair follicle micro-organs is a critical step in hair transplantation surgery and a key factor influencing graft survival rates. Currently, Ringer's solution and normal saline are commonly used as preservation solutions for hair follicle micro-organs during hair transplantation. Although they provide ex vivo preservation, their use is limited by ambient temperature and storage duration (storage at temperatures below 4°C for no longer than 6 hours).

Depending on the number of follicular unit grafts, hair transplantation surgery typically takes 3–12 hours. From the perspective of preservation duration alone, Ringer's solution clearly fails to meet the clinical requirements for hair transplantation and is not conducive to prolonged ex vivo preservation of hair follicles.

In 2019, Damai participated in the hair research project “Study on the Replacement Phase After Hair Transplantation” at Southern Medical University. By investigating the ex vivo preservation environment of hair follicles, they developed an Isomorphic Simulation Preservation Solution for Hair Follicle Micro-organs (IS). This solution is based on an isotonic medium and supplemented with protective agents, including energy substrates, oxygen free radical scavengers, and histidine buffer pairs. It enables the preservation of hair follicle micro-organs at 4°C for up to 12 hours. Compared with Ringer’s solution, IS significantly alleviates intracellular and interstitial edema and mitochondrial swelling in excised hair follicle micro-organs, reduces apoptosis, and helps maintain the normal structure of the dermal sheath and collagen fibers.

In fact, relevant institutions and scholars both domestically and internationally have conducted research on such scientific projects. However, Damai and Southern Medical University have taken the lead in achieving breakthroughs in this direction, closely aligning with the clinical needs of patients and healthcare professionals, while significantly enhancing hair transplant satisfaction among patients suffering from hair loss.

Professor Hu Zhiqi (left) and Director Li Xingdong (right)

Professor Hu Zhiqi stated that existing animal clinical trial results indicate that the use of IS significantly improves the survival rate of transplanted hair follicles, markedly reduces hair shedding during the telogen phase, and substantially extends the ex vivo preservation time.

Moving forward, Damai will continue to collaborate closely with Southern Medical University to advance the clinical trials and regulatory approval of this product. Meanwhile, it will persist in conducting R&D and formulating treatment protocols focused on the post-transplant shedding phase, with a commitment to rolling out additional scientific achievements in the coming years.

Nowadays, both policy guidance and market demand are driving innovation across various industries. The rapidly developing hair transplant industry also has a strong need for innovative products and technologies. Daimai has always regarded scientific research and the transformation of achievements as an important pathway for the company's sustainable development. It is understood that Daimai invests millions of yuan annually in advancing research projects, and this figure is expected to continue growing in the future.

Furthermore, Daimai’s various branch clinics facilitate the conduct of multicenter studies. Meanwhile, its years of deep engagement in the industry have enabled Daimai to accumulate an extensive repository of case records and data. In the collaborative project with Southern Medical University titled “Study on the Shedding Phase Following Hair Transplantation,” Daimai not only provided financial support to advance the project but also contributed institutional resources for multicenter research and a large volume of sample cases, thereby offering substantial assistance to the smooth implementation of the entire project.

Compared with popular departments such as cardiology and orthopedics, dermatology can be regarded as a “marginal department” within the public hospital system. Consequently, there are certain limitations in carrying out research projects related to hair transplantation. The participation of institutions like Damai can largely compensate for this deficiency, which constitutes Damai’s competitive advantage. Moving forward, Damai will continue to establish collaborative partnerships with scientific research institutions and organizations worldwide.

In addition to participating in academic research, Daimai has been committed to creating optimized diagnostic and treatment solutions for consumers. At this conference, the first joint specialist outpatient clinic, a collaboration between Professor Zhang Xingqi from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Daimai, was officially launched. The scarcity of high-quality medical resources has long been a persistent issue across various sub-sectors of the healthcare industry, also hindering the development of the hair transplantation sector. By adopting the joint specialist outpatient clinic model, Daimai enables more patients with hair loss to access pathological diagnostic services provided by top-tier experts. Combined with Daimai’s advanced micro-needle hair transplantation technology, this approach establishes a new medical service system, delivering enhanced healthcare experiences and greater value to patients with hair loss.

President Li Xingdong emphasized, “The joint expert clinic featuring Damai and Professor Zhang Xingqi is merely the first step. In the future, we will collaborate with more leading authorities in hair restoration to conduct further explorations that drive the industry’s sustainable development, while maximizing diagnostic and therapeutic benefits for patients.”

After years of unregulated expansion, the hair transplantation industry has faced significant public prejudice due to the presence of unlicensed clinics, which has also hindered its steady development. Today, thanks to continuous industry standardization and market education, consumers are becoming increasingly rigorous in their selection of hair transplant providers, placing greater emphasis on brand reputation.

After years of accumulation, Damai has established a high-quality integrated industry chain encompassing "hair transplantation, hair care, and hair stabilization," continuously optimizing its hair loss treatment services by leveraging upstream and downstream resources. Based on profound insights into changing consumer demands and adhering to the original intention of returning to the essence of medical practice, Dr. Li Xingdong proposed a comprehensive treatment strategy for androgenetic alopecia. "Through clinical diagnosis and treatment of hair loss patients, we have found that many consumers mistakenly believe hair transplantation is the only solution. Treating hair loss is a long-term endeavor that requires comprehensive interventions, including hair care and stabilization, to achieve better outcomes. As physicians in the hair transplantation industry, we should enhance our professional expertise by integrating 'intradermal' and 'extradermal' approaches. By upholding medical ethics and standards, we can ensure patients receive satisfactory treatment results."

Adhering to the essence of healthcare is not only Daimai’s steadfast commitment but also the core of its brand advantage.

As living standards rise, contemporary demands for physical appearance continue to grow, and the hair transplant industry remains in a phase of expansion. Moving forward, Daimai will actively explore market needs, remain committed to academic research, and engage in deep collaborations with authoritative experts to deliver more high-quality products to the industry and provide superior services to patients suffering from hair loss.