More and more men and women are addressing their bald spots through hair transplants, as it remains the only permanent solution for hereditary hair loss. But what happens when there isn’t enough donor hair available from the scalp? Can hair be taken from other parts of the body and transplanted onto the head?

The answer is yes. With advancements in hair restoration techniques, specifically the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method, body hair from areas like the beard or chest can now be used as donor hair for transplants. This breakthrough allows individuals with limited scalp donor hair to still achieve fuller, natural-looking results by utilizing hair from other parts of their body.

In addition to the hair on our head, various types of hair grow on our bodies. Eyelashes, arm and leg hair, and terminal hair, which grows in areas like the genitals and underarms, are all part of this system. For men, beard hair also becomes prominent. Interestingly, hair growth in places like the nose and ears tends to increase as we age.

While hair on the head, eyelashes, and body hair develop from birth, terminal and beard hair only begin growing with the onset of puberty. This shift marks the start of more robust hair growth in specific areas due to hormonal changes.

Not all hair is created equal. The hair on our legs and arms, for instance, is finer and softer compared to the coarser texture of beard hair. This difference arises from both their structure and their growth cycles. Body hair, for example, grows up to four times faster than the hair on your head. Beard hair has a shorter growth phase but a significantly longer resting phase, similar to terminal hair.

In fact, a large percentage of body hair remains in the telogen (resting) phase. While 85% of the hair on your head is actively growing, only about 50% of body hair is in the growth phase, meaning much more of it is at rest at any given time.

The FUE technique has revolutionized hair transplant in recent years, making it possible to transplant body hair in addition to head hair. This advancement is particularly valuable when there is insufficient donor hair available on the scalp. In a typical FUE procedure, hair follicles (also known as grafts) are extracted from the donor area, usually at the back of the head, and transplanted to the recipient area where hair is thinning.

However, in cases where the donor supply is limited, body hair, such as from the chest or beard, can be used to supplement the transplant. This flexibility allows individuals to achieve fuller hair coverage, even when traditional donor areas are depleted.

Beard hair is an excellent option for body hair transplants due to its thickness and resilience. Up to 1,000 grafts can be harvested from the beard without significantly affecting its appearance. However, harvesting more than this amount may lead to visible gaps. Because beard hair tends to be coarser and more rigid, it isn’t ideal for use along the hairline, as it could appear unnatural. Instead, beard hair works best for adding density to the middle or crown of the scalp, where its texture can blend more seamlessly with existing hair. Additionally, beard hair is highly suitable for eyebrow transplants, where its thickness helps achieve a fuller, well-defined look.

When chest hair is used as a donor area for hair transplants, typically between 300 to 1,000 grafts can be extracted, depending on the density of the patient’s body hair. Since the skin on the chest differs significantly from the scalp in terms of tissue structure, a larger hollow needle is required for the extraction process. As a result, there is a slightly higher chance of leaving behind micro-scars. However, surgeons take care to extract only enough grafts to ensure that any potential scarring is well-hidden by the remaining chest hair. This balance allows for an effective transplant without compromising the aesthetic appearance of the donor area.

A hair transplant solely using body hair is not feasible due to the differing growth cycles of body and scalp hair. For instance, about 50% of chest hair is typically in the resting phase, during which it falls out. If half of the transplanted body hair were to shed simultaneously, it could lead to noticeable bald patches. However, chest and back hair can still be valuable for achieving a natural-looking result. In contrast, beard hair, while thicker and capable of covering more area, can sometimes appear unnatural due to its coarse texture.

Other body hair, such as that from the arms, legs, pubic area, underarms, and abdomen, is unsuitable for transplants. These types of hair are too soft, curly, and fine to blend seamlessly with scalp hair, making them a poor match for a cohesive look.

A body hair transplant follows nearly the same process as a traditional FUE hair transplant. First, the patient consults with the doctor to determine the desired outcome. The area where the grafts will be extracted is then shaved and numbed with local anesthesia. Afterward, the follicles are carefully removed using a hollow needle and transplanted into the recipient area on the scalp.

Body hair transplants are also available at the Hair Center of Turkey. If you’re interested in exploring this option, we invite you to reach out for a free consultation to learn more about your hair restoration journey in Turkey.