Body Hair Transplant (BHT) is a procedure based on the FUE technique where the areas of the body from which hair can be extracted for implants are not limited. This has been a significant scientific advancement because many people with very little hair on their heads had very limited options for undergoing an auto-graft. But thanks to Body Hair Transplant or BHT, they can now obtain the necessary amount of hair from other parts of the body to create the appearance of volume.
How the body hair transplant technique works
The implant process that uses BHT is the FUE technique. This method involves extracting hair follicles one by one, which is where hairs grow. By following this methodology, it is possible to obtain grafts from any part of the body. For example, from the chest, legs, arms, abdomen, armpits, and beard.
The idea of performing a hair transplant from other areas comes from the issue faced by many people with advanced stages of baldness who cannot take hair from the back of the head, as this part is usually not very dense.
BHT objectives
The goal of body hair transplant is to provide depth and thickness. Body hair, except for that on the head and beard, does not grow very long. Therefore, the aim of BHT is to give thickness and density, creating the effect of a thick head of hair.
The use of this hair implant technique is based on using it alongside other methods (see FUE, FUSS) as a complement. Hair extracted from the occipital region would be used to add length, while the body hair would be used for initial growth and intergroup filling.
Who are suitable candidates for body hair transplants?
After verifying that the person does not have enough hair at the nape, an evaluation of the suitability of body hair compared to head hair is conducted.
The criteria for undergoing a body hair transplant are:
- Hair density: should be greater than 40 FU per cm² (follicles per cm).
- Similarity between body hair and head hair. The more similar, the better the final result.
- Number of follicles with 2 or 3 hairs.
- Extent of the donor area (torso, legs, etc.).
- Length of body hair.
Below is a table for patient evaluation.
When the resulting number is less than 4, the patient is considered unsuitable for a body hair transplant. Scores of 5 to 7 indicate that the person may undergo the treatment but each case needs to be evaluated. A score of 8 or higher indicates they are ideal for the body hair transplant treatment.
Differences between BHT and traditional FUE
BHT is similar to the FUE technique with the difference being that the former uses any part of the body as the donor. The difference lies in the fact that head hair grows in two or three units per follicle, while the rest of the body usually has one. Therefore, a larger body area must be harvested to cover the same amount.
For example, the head usually has about 90 to 120 hairs in 60 follicular units per cm², while the body in some areas may have 60 to 70 hairs in 60 FUs per cm². This indicates that the scalp is much denser than any other part of the body and to provide a natural appearance, it is necessary to obtain grafts from a larger body area.
Main characteristics and differences between traditional FUE and body FUE:
- Follicular units grow in different directions.
- Skin with different characteristics.
- Depth of the hair follicle during the graft.
- Differences between body hair and head hair, such as being curly, wavy, straight, as well as thickness and structure.
- Different growth cycles of body hair.
You can see the differences between FUE and FUSS here.
Limitations of BHT
Currently, the FUE technique that only uses head hair is widely tested, while the body hair method has less analysis and review of results. Since it is a newer technique with less experience, it should be considered as a last resort. When FUSS or FUE is not viable because previous implants have been done or there is not enough density.
For body hair transplants, the survival rate of hair follicles taken from the donor area is between 70% and 80%. This is a factor to consider since it is lower than the rest.
Body hair once transplanted and rooted tends to change its structure, becoming longer and straighter, although it does not become similar to head hair.
This hair transplant technique is indicated for those whose previous graft results are unnatural and use it as a last resort, always passing the suitability test with the 5 points.
As with other types of hair transplants, this technique, like other medical procedures, must always be evaluated and studied by the hair transplant surgeon along with the person who wishes to undergo the treatment.