A body hair transplant (BHT) uses hair from the beard area, the chest or sometimes other parts of the body to add to what the scalp donor area can supply. It is usually considered when scalp donor hair is limited — after extensive hair loss or previous transplants — rather than as a first choice.
What is a body hair transplant?
Grafts are extracted one at a time by FUE, most often from under the chin and from the chest, and implanted into the scalp, or occasionally into the beard or eyebrows. Body hair usually differs from scalp hair: its texture is different, it grows for a shorter cycle so stays shorter, and it grows less predictably once transplanted. For that reason it is mostly used to add density behind a hairline made from scalp hair, rather than on its own.
Who might benefit from a body hair transplant?
- People with advanced hair loss whose scalp donor area cannot supply enough grafts
- Patients who have had previous transplants and have a depleted scalp donor area
- People who need extra grafts to add density to the crown or mid-scalp
- Patients with enough suitable beard or chest hair, confirmed at examination
What results and risks should you expect?
Growth follows the same timeline as other transplants — shedding at two to four weeks, new growth from around three to four months, and the final result at around twelve months — but the yield from body hair is generally lower and more variable than from scalp hair.
The extraction sites on the chest or body leave small dot scars, which can be more noticeable than on the scalp and occasionally heal as raised or darker marks. Other side effects are similar to FUE: temporary swelling, scabbing, numbness and folliculitis. Results vary between individuals.
Other body hair treatments
If you want to reduce unwanted body hair rather than add it, laser hair removal is a separate treatment with its own page. PRP and GFC are occasionally used for patchy beard or body hair, but evidence for this use is limited, so the cause of patchy growth is assessed first.
Is it the right option for you?
Every plan starts with an examination. Dr. Bansal will tell you whether body hair transplant fits your case — including when it does not.
