Hong Kong’s Consumer Council issued a warning on 16 February after a string of complaints about expensive hair-restoration services that failed to deliver and, in some cases, caused harm. The council flagged marketing that promises quick, guaranteed results while customers reported scalp bleeding, inflammation and premature loss of implanted hairs. It urged clearer information for patients and firmer adherence to medical standards.
What consumers said – Many complainants paid large sums—often tens or hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars—only to see little improvement and, worse, new medical problems. – One client paid HK$88,000 for a package advertised to produce a “visible effect after one session.” After the first injection the person suffered persistent scalp bleeding and, despite finishing the full course, saw no meaningful increase in hair density. The clinic refused a refund, citing contractual disclaimers. – Another customer spent about HK$170,000 for implantation of roughly 2,000 artificial strands. Soon after the procedure the scalp became red and sore; many artificial hairs fell out within a year, well short of the six-to-eight-year lifespan the clinic had promoted. The clinic blamed post-procedure care and the dispute ended in mediation rather than a full reimbursement.
The council also pointed to academic data showing rapid consumer uptake of cosmetic procedures brings increased exposure to misleading claims and inconsistent aftercare standards. As demand grows, so do disputes over outcomes and refunds—putting pressure on regulators and industry bodies to tighten advertising rules and strengthen post-treatment safeguards.
Regulatory and medical issues The Consumer Council stressed that many hair-restoration procedures are medical in nature. Treatments involving transplants or injections should be performed by qualified clinicians in appropriately licensed facilities. Under Hong Kong law, services requiring scheduled medical intervention must take place in a centre with a valid day-procedure-centre licence and be carried out by locally registered medical practitioners.
How to verify providers – Check the Private Healthcare Facilities Register to confirm a facility licence. – Consult the Medical Council of Hong Kong’s searchable register to verify a practitioner’s registration and qualifications. – Ask for written confirmation that any scheduled procedure will be performed in a licensed facility, and keep copies of written treatment plans and consent forms.
Advertising and transparency The council recommended that marketing for medical procedures clearly state the regulated nature of the treatment and avoid implying guarantees. Providers should: – Identify devices or materials used and explain how the treatment works. – State the typical number of sessions and realistic timelines for seeing results. – List common side effects and risks. – Put refund and guarantee terms in short, transparent clauses so consumers aren’t blindsided by dense legalese.
Practical remedies and redress Documented refund policies, written treatment plans and access to treatment records make disputes easier to resolve. The Consumer Council can mediate but has limited enforcement power; it advised those denied redress to seek legal advice or apply to the Consumer legal action Fund, and it referred some cases to the Department of Health.
Where mediation succeeded, outcomes varied: in one dispute over artificial strand detachment a clinic acknowledged communication failings, arranged a meeting with the attending physician and proposed further treatment, after which the complainant dropped the formal complaint.
Industry responsibilities and better practice Clinics should adopt straightforward aftercare protocols—give patients written aftercare guides, schedule and record follow-ups, and train staff to ensure continuity. Advertising should avoid overblown claims like instant density gains; instead, publish evidence-based information about typical success rates and known risks. Clear, verifiable outcomes and honest refund policies reduce complaints and improve patient safety.
A final note Hair-restoration procedures can be expensive and, in many cases, medically invasive. Before consenting, treat them like healthcare decisions: verify licences, confirm practitioner credentials, demand clear written information about risks and realistic outcomes, and keep detailed records. Stronger oversight and better consumer information would go a long way toward preventing harm and resolving disputes more fairly.