For patients with advanced hair loss and limited scalp donor supply, body hair transplantation (BHT) offers an additional source of grafts. Chest, beard, and occasionally leg hair can be harvested using FUE technique and transplanted to the scalp — though the approach has specific characteristics and limitations that differ from standard scalp-to-scalp transplantation.
Which Body Hair Works Best?
Beard hair is the best body donor source for scalp transplantation. It has the highest calibre (thickness) of all body hair, good survival rates when transplanted, and produces results closest to scalp hair in appearance. Chest and trunk hair is thinner, has a different growth cycle, and typically achieves lower coverage per graft than beard hair.
Characteristics of Body Hair Grafts
- Different growth cycle: Body hair has a shorter anagen phase than scalp hair — it grows to a certain length and stops. Transplanted body hair on the scalp retains this characteristic, meaning it grows to a limited length before shedding
- Lower density per follicle: Most body hair follicles contain fewer hairs per unit than scalp follicles
- Different texture: May feel slightly different to native scalp hair
When BHT Is Used
BHT is most commonly used as a supplement — adding to scalp grafts when scalp donor is insufficient for the planned coverage. It is rarely used as the primary source due to the characteristics above. It is most commonly considered for Norwood 5–7 patients who have exhausted or partially exhausted scalp donor supply.
Technical Requirements
Body hair FUE requires specialist experience. The punch must be adapted for the different angle and follicle depth of body hair. This is not a technique for surgeons who do not regularly perform BHT.
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