We are a concierge service, not a medical provider. We match you with vetted partner hospitals and specialists in China, then coordinate the whole journey — appointments, medical record translation, travel, accommodation, interpreters, and follow-up once you are home. All care is delivered by the partner provider.
Questions
Common questions
About Èlan
Your point of contact is a Canadian registered nurse, bilingual in English and Chinese, who stays with you from the first call through follow-up at home. Èlan coordinates the journey; diagnosis, treatment, and whether you are fit to travel are decided by the treating clinician — not by Èlan or the nurse.
The C$2,680 hair transplant package includes the procedure, a 3-night hotel stay and transportation. Your assessment and the hotel and transportation arrangements are confirmed with you before booking. Flights are separate. Extra nights, screening and custom travel are optional: we explain what is included, price any extras upfront and agree the complete quote with you before booking.
Mainly lower operating and labour costs, not lower standards. That makes many procedures more affordable than comparable private care in Canada. We do not claim that care in one country is safer or better than another — what matters is the specific facility and specialist you are matched with.
Through our regional network and direct relationships, built on credentials, procedure volume, facility standards, and client outcomes. We will always tell you which facility and specialist you are being matched with before you commit to anything.
Full English–Chinese support is standard. Your Canadian registered nurse is bilingual, we translate and coordinate your medical records in advance, and an English-speaking concierge supports you on the ground. Dedicated interpreter support at appointments can be arranged if you would like it.
A complimentary 15-minute conversation with a Canadian registered nurse, bilingual in English and Chinese. It establishes what you are looking for and helps you understand your options. It is not a diagnosis — that is for the treating clinician — and there is no obligation. If care in China is not the right fit, we will say so.
Post-op follow-up is coordinated at multiple checkpoints throughout your first year. Your Canadian registered nurse remains your point of contact and helps coordinate reviews with the treating team. The checkpoint schedule and any clinical advice are tailored to your procedure by the treating clinician. This does not replace urgent or local medical care.
Hair Transplant
Enough time for the pre-operative assessment, the procedure, and initial recovery — the exact schedule depends on the treating clinician's advice and your own recovery. Many clients extend the stay, either with a Restore & Explore itinerary or a longer China trip, with the procedure toward the end so initial recovery happens before the flight home. We never promise you will be fit to fly within a set number of days.
C$2,680 includes your hair transplant procedure, a 3-night hotel stay and transportation. Your assessment, hotel and transportation arrangements are confirmed before booking. Flights and any optional extras are separate and priced upfront. The complete quote is agreed with you before booking, with no hidden costs.
Lower operating and labour costs allow clinics to offer treatment at a lower price than many clinics in North America or Western Europe. This is about cost structure, not a claim about quality.
The number depends on the size of the treatment area, desired density, hair characteristics, and donor-area strength. A consultation with the treating clinician is required for an accurate estimate.
A graft, or follicular unit, is a natural grouping of one to four hairs. 2,000 grafts typically represents about 4,000 to 6,000 individual hairs. Quotes and assessments are given in grafts.
Yes. This is considered a high-volume procedure and is generally reserved for advanced hair loss. The donor area must be carefully assessed to avoid over-harvesting.
Common side effects include temporary swelling, itching, redness, and shock loss. Infection and donor-area damage are less common when the procedure is performed by an experienced medical team following proper safety protocols.
Yes. Natural results depend on designing an appropriate hairline and placing each graft at the correct angle, direction, and density.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Most patients feel brief discomfort during the numbing process but little or no pain during the transplant.
Typically four to eight hours depending on graft count, with breaks. Very large sessions are sometimes split across two consecutive days. The treating clinician confirms the plan at your pre-operative assessment.
Patients must generally be at least 18. However, suitability depends more on the cause and stability of hair loss than age alone.
Transplanted follicles are usually resistant to the hormone responsible for genetic hair loss, so the results can last a lifetime. Non-transplanted hair may continue to thin over time.
Initial growth usually begins after three to four months. Results continue to improve, with final density typically visible after 12 to 18 months.
Generally: mild swelling, redness and tenderness for the first three to five days; small crusts that fall off within seven to fourteen days; a return to desk work for many people within three to five days; and a return to strenuous exercise after roughly four weeks. Transplanted hairs commonly shed at two to four weeks, which is expected. Your treating clinician's instructions always take precedence.
The transplanted hair should remain, but surrounding natural hair may continue to thin. Ongoing treatment may be recommended to preserve existing hair.
Yes. Many people have two or more over time, either because their hair loss is extensive or because it progresses. Donor supply is finite, so the treating clinician plans across procedures.
Tell the clinic about all medications and medical conditions. Never stop prescribed medication without approval from the doctor who prescribed it. Blood-thinning medications may need to be paused before surgery.
Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, involves removing individual hair follicles from the donor area and implanting them into thinning or bald areas.
Direct Hair Implantation uses an implanter pen to place extracted follicles directly into the recipient area. It allows precise control over the angle, direction, and depth of each graft.
Neither technique is best for everyone. DHI may suit smaller areas requiring precision, while Sapphire FUE may be more suitable for covering larger areas. Some patients benefit from a combination of both.
No. Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia and have similar levels of discomfort and recovery.
In selected cases, DHI or another unshaven technique may allow the procedure to be completed without fully shaving the recipient area.
Most swelling and scabbing should have improved by day 10. Some redness or pinkness may remain, particularly in patients with lighter skin.
Yes. Hair transplantation can be suitable for women with certain types of permanent hair loss. A medical assessment is needed to identify the cause and determine whether there is a stable donor area.
Not always. Some female patients may qualify for DHI or another technique that does not require shaving the entire head.
The transplanted follicles are generally permanent. However, untreated medical or hormonal conditions may cause the surrounding natural hair to continue thinning.
Pregnancy-related and postpartum shedding is often temporary. However, sudden, severe, or persistent hair loss should be assessed by a healthcare professional to rule out nutritional, hormonal, or medical causes.
Yes. Individual follicles are usually taken from the scalp and implanted at carefully selected angles to recreate the natural direction of eyebrow growth.
The transplanted follicles can grow permanently. Because they come from the scalp, they may need to be trimmed regularly.
Visa-free travel is available to Canadian citizens, as well as to citizens of the other visa-free entry destinations recognised by China's National Immigration Administration. If you require support to obtain a visa, one of our specialists can assist you as well.
The recommended schedule depends on your consultation, the procedure timing, and follow-up care. Your nurse will help you plan a realistic itinerary, and recovery timing is confirmed by the treating clinician.
Yes. Mention it early so accommodation and the itinerary can be adjusted for a companion.
Ask the treating clinician. Flight timing after a procedure is a clinical decision, and neither Èlan nor your nurse can advise on it. Your plan is built with recovery in mind, and we never promise you will be fit to fly within a set number of days.
It can be safe when treatment is provided by a licensed, reputable clinic with qualified medical supervision, appropriate hygiene standards, and clear aftercare. We tell you which facility and specialist you are matched with so you can make an informed choice.
Care is delivered at partner facilities in China. Your Canadian registered nurse is your point of contact throughout, wherever you are.
The first gentle wash is normally performed 48 to 72 hours after the procedure using the products and technique recommended by the clinic.
Walking may usually resume after several days. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and intense cardio should generally be avoided for approximately four weeks or until the medical team approves.
The donor area can usually be trimmed after it has healed. Clippers, razors, or aggressive styling should not be used on the transplanted area until approved by the clinic.
Patients are normally advised to wait at least four to six weeks. Bleaching, perming, and other harsh chemical treatments may need to be avoided for several months.
Yes. Transplanted hair commonly sheds during the first several weeks. The follicles remain beneath the skin and usually begin producing new hair after a few months.
Vitamins may help when hair loss is related to a nutritional deficiency. Supplements are unlikely to reverse genetic hair loss without addressing its underlying cause.
PRP uses components from the patient’s blood to support follicle health. Low-level laser therapy uses light energy to stimulate the scalp and may support healing and hair growth.
No. Results depend on the cause and severity of hair loss. Claims of guaranteed or complete regrowth should be treated cautiously.
Yes. Fungal scalp infections can cause itching, scaling, inflammation, and patchy hair loss. A dermatologist should assess persistent redness, pain, discharge, scaling, or hair loss.
Hair often grows back once the infection is properly treated, provided the follicles have not been permanently damaged.
Every patient’s hair loss, donor area, and goals are different. Book a free 15-minute call with a Canadian registered nurse for a personalized conversation.
Diagnostic Health Packages
Packages start from C$199, with a comprehensive package at C$999. Depending on your needs, a package may include full blood work (CBC, liver and kidney function, glucose/HbA1c, lipids), blood pressure and a basic clinical assessment, urinalysis, and ultrasound where clinically appropriate. There is no everyone-gets-everything panel: the exact tests are confirmed by the treating clinician based on your individual needs. Colonoscopy, ultrasound and MRI can be arranged as part of a comprehensive or individually tailored plan where clinically appropriate. They are not automatically included in either advertised package; your tests and complete price are confirmed before booking.
Many diagnostic services can be arranged efficiently and at a lower cost than comparable private testing in Canada, alongside translation support and coordination throughout. Costs are quoted individually, and we do not make guarantees about wait times.
It depends on the tests selected — often just a few days. We provide a personalized itinerary before your trip so you know what to expect.
You can share what you are interested in, and the treating clinician will confirm which tests are appropriate for you. We can also add specialist consultations based on your health goals.
Yes. Many clients extend their stay to explore China before or after their appointments. Èlan can create a customized itinerary that combines healthcare with travel.
Yes. Clients often combine diagnostic testing with specialist consultations, preventative screening, or other services to make the most of a visit.
Yes. Your bilingual Canadian registered nurse and an on-the-ground concierge provide full English–Chinese support so communication with providers is clear.
Yes. Your diagnostic reports and imaging will be provided to you. Where available, reports can also be translated into English to review with your healthcare provider at home.
Most services are paid privately. Coverage varies by province and any private insurance you hold. We recommend checking with your insurer regarding reimbursement eligibility.
Depending on your care plan, we can help coordinate virtual follow-up consultations, assist with medical documentation, and provide ongoing concierge support if further care is needed.
Personalized Medical Concierge
This is our fully customized healthcare planning service for clients with unique medical, wellness, or performance goals. Rather than choosing a pre-designed package, you receive personalized recommendations based on your individual needs.
Every Medical Concierge journey begins with a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a Canadian registered nurse, bilingual in English and Chinese. We learn about your goals and help you understand your options; whether care in China is appropriate is determined by the treating clinician.
Clients exploring planned surgery in China while facing a long Canadian waitlist — for example concerns such as a hernia, or an ACL or Achilles tendon issue — as well as specialist care, advanced diagnostics, sports and health performance, and fertility support. Candidacy, timing, and recovery are always determined by the individual treating clinician.
Depending on your needs, Èlan can coordinate consultations, hospital selection, appointment scheduling, medical record translation, travel and accommodation, interpreter services, and follow-up support. Clinical decisions remain with the treating clinician.
Every case is different, so pricing is on a contact-us basis. Following your complimentary consultation, we prepare a customized care plan and provide transparent pricing based on the services and level of support required.
If you have an urgent or worsening medical problem, please seek care locally right away rather than waiting to travel. This service is for planned care.
No. The initial consultation is complimentary and carries no obligation. Our goal is to help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision.