Hair transplant surgeries aim to provide natural-looking results with good density. Patients often want long-lasting outcomes and complete coverage, especially those with advanced baldness, like Grade 6 or Grade 7. However, when the scalp donor area has limited hair, the use of body hair becomes an option. The revolutionary hair transplant with body hair technique, offering new hope for those with limited scalp donor areas.
Why Use Body Hair in Hair Transplants?
In cases of severe baldness, the scalp cannot always provide enough hair for a full transplant. Typically, Grade 7 baldness requires around 7,000 to 8,000 hair grafts. However, the scalp may only provide 3,000 to 5,000 grafts, even after multiple sittings. This is where a body hair transplant for scalp comes in to fill the gap.
Body hair, such as from the beard, chest, abdomen, and thighs, becomes a useful source for additional grafts. People with higher levels of baldness often have good body hair due to hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, which promote body hair growth.
Beard to Scalp Hair Transplant
Of all the body hair options, beard hair is the closest in texture to scalp hair, making it a great second choice. Beard hair is typically thicker and harder, which helps blend it with scalp hair. In experienced hands, around 2,000 beard grafts can be taken without affecting appearance, and another 1,500 to 2,000 grafts can be harvested in a second session.
It is crucial to place beard hair in areas like the mid-scalp or crown, where it blends better with natural hair. However, using beard hair for the frontal hairline is not recommended, as its texture can stand out and look unnatural.
FUE Body Hair Transplant Technique
The FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) technique is commonly used for body hair transplant. This method involves taking individual hair follicles from donor areas like the beard or chest and transplanting them to the scalp. The FUE body hair transplant technique ensures minimal scarring and better survival rates for the transplanted grafts.
Challenges with Other Body Hair
While beard hair is a good option, other body hair types, such as from the chest, abdomen, and thighs, have different characteristics. They have lower survival rates due to their texture and growth cycles, which can make them less reliable for scalp transplants. Even though chest hair may seem like a good option at first, its success rate is not very high in the long run.
Additionally, rare areas like the underarms, pubic area, and legs have been used for hair transplants. Pubic hair behaves similarly to beard hair, but these other areas are not commonly preferred due to inconsistent results.
Body Hair Transplant Success Rate
From years of experience, it has been observed that the body hair transplant success rate varies. While beard hair generally has a success rate of around 80%, it can behave unpredictably in some cases. For instance, the hair may grow well in the first few months but later enter a long resting phase (telogen), reducing the overall density. In some cases, the results can be better than expected, while in others, they may fall short.
Conclusion
In summary, can body hair be used for hair transplant? Yes, but it’s best to rely on scalp hair as much as possible. When necessary, beard hair is the best option for filling in the gaps, while chest and other body hair should be used cautiously. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve long-lasting, natural-looking results while ensuring that the body hair blends seamlessly with the scalp hair.
FAQs
1. Can body hair be used for hair transplant?
Yes, body hair can be used in hair transplants, especially for individuals with advanced baldness where the scalp donor area doesn’t provide enough hair. Beard hair is the most commonly used body hair due to its closer match to scalp hair.
2. What is the success rate of body hair transplants?
The body hair transplant success rate varies, depending on the type of body hair used. Beard hair generally has a success rate of around 80%, while hair from the chest or other areas may have a lower success rate due to differences in texture and growth cycles.
3. Is beard hair good for scalp transplants?
Yes, beard to scalp hair transplant is effective. Beard hair is thicker and stronger, making it a suitable option for areas like the mid-scalp and crown. However, it’s not recommended for the hairline as it can appear unnatural.
4. What is the FUE body hair transplant technique?
The FUE body hair transplant technique involves extracting individual hair follicles from body areas like the beard, chest, or abdomen, and transplanting them to the scalp. This technique is minimally invasive and leaves little to no scarring.
5. Are there any risks with body hair transplants?
Body hair transplants come with some challenges, such as the risk of lower survival rates and inconsistent growth. Chest, abdomen, and thigh hair, for example, may not blend as well with scalp hair or may not grow as robustly after being transplanted.
