Body Hair Transplantation: An Option if Donor Sites Are Too Sparse for CIT®
Body Hair Transplantation (BHT) is a unique procedure that combines body and scalp hair grafts. The technique is best for patients whose donor sites lack a viable number of follicles for CIT®. Like FUE, BHT began gaining recognition in the early 2000s and remains a specialized field practiced by only a handful of physicians worldwide. Pricing is often comparable to standard FUE, reflecting the additional skill and procedure time required. Advances in the technique continue to improve outcomes, though success rates remain lower than those achieved with CIT®.
Body hair for hair transplant should be a last resort. However, we fully understand that BHT may be some patients’ only option for hair restoration surgery. In fact, Forhair technicians excel at the technique and continue introducing new advancements as they develop.
How Body Hair Transplant works?
We Conduct a Test Case Before Committing to Your Procedure
We like to first try a small “test case” using 50 to 500 body hairs before jumping into longer sessions. This helps us estimate what sort of growth yield you will achieve. Further, this allows you to evaluate the body hair transplant to the head results before committing to a larger procedure. We are happy to then schedule a larger procedure after further consultation and analysis.
Donor Site Comparison: Beard, Chest, and Beyond
Not all body hair is created equal. The location from which follicles are harvested has a direct impact on texture, yield, and how naturally the transplanted hair blends with existing scalp hair.
The following data summarizes what current clinical experience and research literature indicate about the most commonly used donor regions.
Beard (Most Common)
Distribution in BHT cases is roughly 73%[2], with an excellent expected yield of 75% to 95%[1, 2].
Hair Characteristics: Thickest body hair, often comparable to or coarser than scalp hair, good caliber. Clinical Relevance: Mid-scalp and crown; excellent for density.
Chest
Makes up about 13% of typical cases[2, 3], featuring a standard yield range between 50% and 70%.
Hair Characteristics: Moderate thickness, may curl after transplant, finer than beard.
Clinical Relevance: Crown and mid-scalp blending.
Back / Stomach
Accounts for roughly 5% of procedures[3], yielding between 40% and 60%[3].
Hair Characteristics: Finer, shorter anagen phase, lies superficially in dermis. Clinical Relevance: Secondary fill in mid-scalp.
Legs / Arms
Represents a smaller portion at roughly ~2% of cases [2], with a typical yield range of 25% to 50% [2].
Hair Characteristics: Thinnest caliber, lowest yield, shortest growth cycle. Clinical Relevance: Limited use; supplemental only.
Pubic / Armpit
Use of these donor areas is Rare in BHT procedures, and the overall yield is Variable depending on the individual patient.
Hair Characteristics: Difficult extraction site, inconsistent characteristics.
Clinical Relevance: Not typically recommended.
Yield figures are estimates based on available clinical literature and may vary significantly depending on individual patient characteristics, extraction technique, and follicle health. [1, 2, 3]
BHT Requires the Right Blend and Density
Results differ by donor region. Beard hair, for example, behaves differently than chest or thigh hair. Properly combined with scalp grafts, however, body grafts become hardly noticeable. Counterintuitively, lower densities of hair transplants lead to better results. We do our utmost to place as many follicles together as is feasible for the patient.
As with everything hair restoration, we emphasize the best BHT results possible. Even more important, our BHT transplants demonstrate convincing blends that appear natural. At Forhair, we know that each BHT case is different; one major reason we tailor our approach patient-to-patient.
The key to BHT is interspersing hair and body follicles for convincing results. Scalp follicles often consist of the hairline and then, going back, blend with body hair grafts. This is because body hair transplant is noticeably coarser.
Understanding Hair Characteristics: Body Hair vs. Scalp Hair
Body hair and scalp hair differ in several important biological ways that directly affect transplant outcomes. Understanding these differences helps set realistic expectations.
Scalp Hair
Body Hair
Main Clinical Outcomes
Recovery Timeline
Recovery following a BHT procedure follows a predictable progression, though donor sites heal at different rates depending on the area harvested.
Donor site healing by location
The beard area generally heals the fastest with minimal visible marks. Chest and back donor sites may show temporary redness or superficial marks that fade over weeks to months. Patients with darker skin tones should discuss the risk of temporary hypopigmentation at beard extraction sites with their physician prior to treatment.
Who Is a Candidate for Body Hair Transplant?
BHT is not appropriate for every patient. A careful evaluation is required to determine whether you are likely to benefit from the procedure.
Ideal candidates typically include:
- Patients classified as Norwood Scale 5 to 7 with a significantly depleted scalp donor area
- Individuals who have undergone previous hair transplant procedures and need additional grafts
- Hair transplant repair patients seeking correction of prior work, including FUT linear scar repair
- Patients with an abundant supply of body hair, which is more commonly seen in those of Mediterranean descent
Poor candidates typically include:
- Patients with naturally sparse body hair, which is more frequently observed in individuals of Asian descent
- Those with unrealistic expectations regarding texture match, yield, or density
- Patients seeking hairline-only work, where scalp donor hair remains the preferred source
If you are uncertain whether you qualify, a specialist consultation at Forhair will help clarify your options.
Risks and Limitations
Transparency is central to the Forhair approach. BHT is a valuable option for the right patient, but it carries specific risks and limitations that should be understood before proceeding.
Potential risks include:
- Hypopigmentation at beard extraction sites, particularly in patients with darker skin tones [1]
- Potential for keloid formation; patients with a history of keloid scarring should avoid extraction from the sternal (chest) area [7]
- Folliculitis at donor or recipient sites [1]
- Texture mismatch between body and scalp hair, which may be visible at certain hair lengths [2]
- Lower graft yield compared to scalp FUE, particularly from non-beard donor sites [3]
- Longer procedure time due to harvesting from multiple anatomical locations [3]
While these risks exist, they can often be managed or mitigated through proper patient selection and technique. Have a thorough pre-operative consultation and to choose a physician with demonstrated BHT experience.
BODY HAIR TRANSPLANT RESULTS
We also apply hair restoration treatments like ReyaGel and Cytokine Rich Plasma (CRP), our exclusive, all-natural blood-based serum with five to eight times the concentration of Platelet Rich Plasma. Both treatments may stimulate hair growth and support scalp recovery.
With CIT®, potential for donor site preservation advancements is associated with an average regeneration of 30% to 40% of donor follicles, meaning an estimated 300 to 400 new follicles for every 1,000 single extractions.
When beard hair is used as the primary donor source, BHT yield rates may reach 80% or higher. Yield from other donor sites, such as the chest or legs, will vary and is typically lower. [2, 3]
What can I say more?
Results are very natural, I had a very light and no problematical post-op, hair and body hair (BHT) are still growing. I’m completely satisfied. That’s all.
-Patient Testimonial
PATIENT "MBR" BODY HAIR RESULTS
Patient “MBR” reviewed 5000 body hair grafts in a span of 8 days, click on the link for more.
Body Hair Questions and Answers
Is body hair transplant safe?
Body hair transplant is a well-established alternative for patients who are not suitable candidates for scalp-only FUE. As with any surgical procedure, outcomes depend on patient selection, donor site characteristics, and physician experience. Graft yields vary by donor location, body hair characteristics differ from scalp hair, and the procedure typically requires more time than traditional FUE. A thorough consultation is essential to determine whether BHT is appropriate for your individual situation.
Is body hair transplant painful?
Most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia. The recovery period after a body hair transplant may involve minor pain, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
How many grafts can you get from body hair?
The total number of grafts available varies from patient to patient. For example, a patient of Asian descent will tend to have significantly less body hair than someone of Mediterranean descent. Patients with an average amount of body hair may have up to approximately 10,000 follicular units available, though the precise number depends on individual assessment by your physician.
Does removing body hair leave scarring?
Any extraction procedure will leave some degree of scarring at the donor site. That said, certain areas of the body heal considerably better than others. Beard extraction sites typically heal with minimal visible marks, while the chest and back may show signs of scarring that fade over time. Your physician will discuss what to expect from your specific donor sites during your consultation.
How successful is a body hair transplant?
Research has found that body hair can be a viable alternative to scalp hair transplants for appropriately selected patients. However, researchers have noted that body hair has a lower graft yield than scalp hair. Depending on what part of the body the hair is harvested from, the yield varies from 25% to 90%. [2] Test sessions for areas that tend to yield poor growth are recommended to confirm candidacy.
What part of the body can be used for body hair transplant?
Virtually any area of body hair can be considered for a body hair transplant. Though different parts of the body have different types of hair characteristics. For example, chest hair tends to be straight and fine compared to beard hair, being coarse and curly. Also, take into account the body hair donor source. Certain locations, like the armpits and the pubic region, tend to be more difficult to harvest from than the chest and beard.
Will body hair look natural on my scalp?
With proper technique, BHT results can look convincingly natural. The key is blending. At Forhair, we reserve scalp grafts for the hairline and intersperse body hair grafts toward the mid-scalp and crown, where texture differences are least noticeable. Beard hair tends to blend most naturally due to its closer resemblance to scalp hair in caliber.
Who is a good candidate for body hair transplant?
The ideal candidate is a patient with advanced hair loss (Norwood 5 to 7) whose scalp donor area has been significantly depleted, either naturally or following previous procedures. Patients with abundant body hair, more commonly seen in those of Mediterranean descent, tend to respond best. Those with naturally sparse body hair, including many individuals of Asian descent, may not have sufficient donor follicles for a meaningful result.
How long does body hair take to grow after transplant?
The timeline is similar to standard scalp FUE. Shock loss is normal in the first two to four weeks. New growth typically becomes visible between months three and six, with final results assessable at the twelve-month mark. Because body hair has a shorter anagen phase than scalp hair, transplanted body hair will generally grow shorter than native scalp hair.
Bibliography
- Gupta J, Chouhan K, Kumar A, Chandrasegaran A. A Comparative Study on the Rate of Anagen Effluvium and Survival Rates of Scalp, Beard, and Chest Hair in Hair Restoration Procedure of Scalp. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2019 Apr-Jun;12(2):118-123. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_49_18. PMID: 31413480; PMCID: PMC6676805.
- Umar S. Use of body hair and beard hair as donor sources in hair transplant surgery. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 2011;13(6):424-427. doi:10.1001/archfacial.2011.100
- Umar S. Body hair transplantation using follicular unit extraction: Long-term outcomes and a review of current techniques. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2016;9(7):15-22. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27241361/
- Buffoli B, Rinaldi F, Labanca M, et al. The human hair: From anatomy to physiology. International Journal of Dermatology. 2014;53(3):331-341. doi:10.1111/ijd.12362
- Mysore V, Nandini A. Hair transplantation: Standard guidelines of care. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2008;74(Suppl):S46-53. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.43751
- Bernstein RM, Rassman WR. Follicular unit transplantation: 2005. Dermatologic Clinics. 2005;23(3):393-414. DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2005.04.002
- Ogawa R. Keloid and hypertrophic scars are the result of chronic inflammation in the reticular dermis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017;18(3):606. doi:10.3390/ijms18030606
- Loh SH, Lew BL, Sim WY. Localized Telogen Effluvium Following Hair Transplantation. Ann Dermatol. 2018 Apr;30(2):214-217. doi: 10.5021/ad.2018.30.2.214. Epub 2018 Feb 21. PMID: 29606820; PMCID: PMC5839894.