Hair Transplantation from Body Hair
Harvesting body hair requires more skill and precision compared to FUE procedures on the scalp. Since body hair has a finer structure and shallower placement, extraction must be done carefully. Harvested hair should be transplanted at the appropriate depth and with minimal delay to maintain optimal conditions. In our clinic, hair follicles extracted from body areas are immediately placed in special organ transplant solutions following extraction. By conducting the extraction and implantation processes simultaneously, we minimize follicle loss.
Structural and Biological Characteristics of Body Hair
Each body hair has its unique life cycle, thickness, curl, color, and growth potential. Typically, the life cycle (anagen, catagen, telogen) of body hair is shorter than that of scalp hair. While the growth cycle for scalp hair is between 3 to 5 years, body hair completes this cycle within 1 to 2 years. In other words, scalp hair falls and regrows every 3 to 5 years, whereas body hair completes this cycle within 1 to 2 years.
Moreover, beard hair generally has a thicker structure with a higher growth potential, whereas chest and back hair are finer, curlier, and have a lower growth potential. In terms of thickness and life cycle, beard hair is the closest match to scalp hair.
Compatibility After Transplantation
When body hair is transplanted onto the scalp, it retains its original characteristics and growth cycle for the first 2 years. However, after this period, it may gradually adapt to the scalp environment, potentially achieving greater growth.
Our Experience with Body Hair Transplants
Our clinic has years of experience in body hair transplants, consistently achieving successful results with a high number of grafts. Body hair is usually preferred to enhance density in the middle and back areas of the scalp. If there are sufficient grafts in the scalp donor area, unnecessary use of body hair is avoided. However, if the scalp donor area is insufficient, grafts are utilized sequentially from the beard, chest, back, shoulders, and abdomen.
Pre-Operation Preparation
Once the decision is made to proceed with a body hair transplant, surgery should not commence immediately. A preparation period of approximately 2 months is necessary to minimize follicle loss and ensure that body hair follicles are in optimal condition. During this time, body hair should be trimmed regularly and, if recommended by the doctor, strengthened with minoxidil spray.
Body Hair Transplants in Turkey and Worldwide
In Turkey, body hair transplants are relatively rare and usually performed with a limited number of grafts. Consequently, there are few scientific articles and studies on this subject within the country. Globally, however, body hair transplantation has become an innovative and popular method in recent years. Our clinic is a pioneer in this field, achieving successful results with a high volume of grafts.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3764758/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15544779/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27241361/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5447335/