Body Hair Transplant (BHT): Procedure, Candidates & Results

Body Hair Transplant (BHT) refers to harvesting hair follicles from areas of the body—most commonly the beard or under-chin—rather than relying solely on the back of the scalp. These follicles are then transplanted into thinning or bald scalp areas using the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) technique.

This method has become a crucial solution for patients with limited scalp donor supply, previous hair transplant procedures, or repair cases, where additional grafts are needed to improve density or coverage.

What Is a Body Hair Transplant?

A body hair transplant involves extracting follicles from body areas whose characteristics most closely resemble scalp hair. The most commonly used donor sites include:

• Beard
• Under the chin
• Chest

In many cases, body hair is combined with scalp donor hair to maximize coverage and achieve a more balanced appearance. The entire procedure typically lasts 4 to 8 hours, depending on the number of grafts harvested and implanted.

BHT is especially valuable for:

• Patients with depleted scalp donor areas
• Density enhancement after prior hair transplants
• Repair cases (e.g., visible FUT scars)

How Is Body Hair Transplant Different from Traditional Hair Transplant?

Technically, body hair transplantation is still an FUE procedure. The main difference lies in the donor source.

Traditional FUE vs Body Hair Transplant

All other steps—recipient site creation, implantation angle, and post-operative care—remain the same.

Are Body Hair Transplant Results Permanent?

Yes. Transplanted body hair follicles are permanent, just like scalp hair grafts.

However, body hair may:

• Have a shorter growth cycle
• Grow slower or curlier
• Require strategic placement for natural blending

Among all body donor sources, beard hair offers the highest stability and survival rate, making it the preferred option in most cases.

Is Body Hair Transplant Painful?

No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during extraction or implantation.

After the anesthesia wears off, mild soreness or sensitivity in the donor area is normal and typically resolves within a few days.

When Do You See Final Results?

The growth timeline is similar to standard FUE, although body hair may mature slightly more slowly.

Body Hair Transplant Growth Timeline

What Is the Success Rate of Body Hair Transplant?

Overall success rates range between 50% and 80%, depending on:

• Donor area used
• Surgeon experience
• Extraction technique
• Patient biology

Survival Rates by Donor Area

How Is Body Hair Harvested?

Body hair harvesting follows a precise FUE-based process:

1. Donor site selection
2. Local anesthesia
3. Micro-punch extraction (0.6–1.0 mm)
4. Graft preservation
5. Implantation into the scalp

FUT is not used for body hair due to scarring risk and anatomical limitations.

Which Body Areas Can Be Used as Donor Sites?

Commonly Used Areas

Which Donor Areas Are Used at Dr. Serkan Aygın Clinic?

At Dr. Serkan Aygın Clinic, body-to-scalp transplantation primarily utilizes beard and under-chin hair due to their thickness, durability, and closer resemblance to scalp hair.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Body Hair Transplant?

Ideal candidates include patients with:

• Limited scalp donor density
• Adequate beard or body hair
• Similar color and texture between donor and scalp hair

Patients with less than 80 grafts/cm² in the scalp donor area are often considered poor candidates for standard FUE and may benefit from BHT.

Is Body Hair Transplant Suitable for Extensive Hair Loss?

Yes. In advanced baldness, combined transplants (scalp + body hair) are often recommended to improve overall density and coverage. Careful planning is essential to avoid unnatural texture distribution.

Can Women Undergo Body Hair Transplant?

Technically yes, but it is rarely performed, as women generally have:

• Lower body hair density
• Fewer suitable donor areas

Benefits and Drawbacks of Body Hair Transplant

Advantages vs Disadvantages