One-fourth of men with male pattern baldness start to lose head hair before the age of 21. But they usually have intact beard and body hair. It can make them wonder if body hair can be used as an alternative to head hair for transplantation.
Here in this article, we will talk about hair transplant from body hair, its eligibility criteria and procedure. We will also share the best areas of the body for taking grafts for hair transplantation, along with pros and cons of each area.
What Is Hair Transplant From Body Hair?
Hair transplant from body hair is a great option for those who don’t have enough scalp hair for transplantation. It is a procedure that involves taking grafts of hair follicles from the body areas such as the beard and transplanting them on the scalp.
See Also: Hair Loss Due To Hair Dye
Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Hair Transplant From Body Hair?
Doctors prefer scalp hair for transplantation if you have a good amount of remaining head hair. Only those with scarce scalp hair and sufficient body hair availability are usually selected for this procedure. This can happen in one of the following scenarios:
- End stage male pattern baldness
- Depleted hair on scalp due to repeated transplantations
- Damaged hair follicles due to scarring
What Are The Different Body Areas For Graft?
Hair from multiple sites of the body can be used for transplantation:
- Beard
- Chest & back
- Abdomen
- Underarms
- Legs
- Pubic hair
Characteristics Of Body Hair
Body hair differs from scalp hair in various ways. Every type of hair has distinguished characteristics such as:
- Size
- Color
- Texture
- Growth rate
Considerations For Hair Transplant
Therefore, one should remember the benefits and risks of choosing a particular site for hair transplant. Following points should be remembered before taking a decision:
- Beard Hair: It is a good option due to its thickness, but its rigid texture may create an unnatural look if transplanted at the hairline. Therefore, beard hair can be used for the middle and crown sections of the head.
- Chest And Back Hair: These are another viable option for a natural look. However, there is an increased risk of micro-scars due to differences in skin tissue.
- Arm, Underarm, Leg And Pubic Hair: These are usually too soft and curly and generally less considered options for hair transplant.
Note:- Keep in mind, body hair grows 4 times faster than head hair. It means there could be different growth rates of hair on the head.
See Also: Hair Transplant Aftercare
Which Technique Will Be Used For Hair Transplant?
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is often the preferred method for hair transplant. It is less invasive and usually does not leave a prominent scar. This technique removes individual hair follicles; therefore, multiple sessions may be required.
However, Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) involves removing a strip of skin with hair follicles. Therefore, it leaves a noticeable linear scar. Even though a single session can help with transplantation of a substantial number of follicles.
What Is The Procedure Of Hair Transplant From Body Hair?
The routine procedure for hair transplant from body hair requires following steps:
- Preparation Of Donor Site: The area from which grafts are to be taken is shaved and a local anesthetic is given for preventing pain.
- Grafts Collection: Using micro-punch tools, your hair surgeon will extract hair grafts from the pre-decided region. This will lead to tiny holes but they heal quickly without scar formation.
- Graft Transplantation: After making the recipient site on head anesthetized, grafts from the donor site are transplanted into the desired areas. This is the most important step which requires precision and skills of the operating plastic surgeon.
- Dressing: After finishing the procedure, the surgical team will dress the scalp and place bandages to protect the wounds.
What is The Aftercare For Hair Transplant From Body Hair?
Proper care and follow up visits are essential for successful hair transplant. Make sure to follow all the instructions diligently for quick healing of the scalp. Generally, the doctor will advise you to take medicines regularly and avoid strenuous activities.
Other instructions for successful healing and preventing complications include:
- Rest: Proper rest is essential to allow the body to heal. Avoid swimming, heavy exercise and exposure to heat.
- Shampooing Your Hair: Do not wash or shampoo your hair for a while after the procedure. After this, wash them regularly to prevent dirt buildup and infection. But make sure to use a sulphate free shampoo without disturbing grafts.
- Scalp Care: Avoid scratching and rubbing the scalp to prevent dislodging. You may be advised to apply ointment or a topical treatment to enhance healing.
- Head Elevation: Keep your head elevated while sleeping to minimize swelling around the forehead and eyes.
- Proper Hydration: Stay well hydrated for promotion of healthy skin and hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recovery time?
Generally, initial healing starts within two weeks but noticeable results for hair growth can take 6 to 12 months.
How many grafts can be extracted from the body?
About 1000 grafts can be taken from beard hair and 300-1000 grafts can be harvested from chest hair.
Can you take hair from your legs for a hair transplant?
Yes, leg hair can be used for hair transplant. But due to differences in texture and growth pattern, it is used as the last option.
Can you use pubic hair for a hair transplant?
Yes, pubic hair can be used for hair transplant. The coarse texture of pubic hair may make them suitable for transplant at specific regions of the scalp. However, due to the sensitive nature of this area, it is less commonly used for this purpose.
