Body hair transplantation in Istanbul and its results 2025

When scalp hair isn’t enough, your body could be the solution you've been looking for! Body hair transplantation in Istanbul is an important and necessary matter that we should consider and that we perform at Rimo Hair Clinic in Türkiye. Body hair is necessary in cases of Norwood's type 6 or 7 baldness for patients who desire full scalp coverage in a single session. Patients with regressive scalp thinning rely on body hair for adequate coverage. Occasionally, patients who have failed hair transplantation and have a lack of scalp donors may rely on body hair for scalp coverage.

What is body hair transplantation in Istanbul?

Body hair transplantation involves removing healthy hair follicles from any area of ​​the body and implanting them into the scalp to produce permanent replacement hair.

It is done using the FUE follicle extraction technique.

Can Hair Be Transplanted From Body to Scalp?

Body hair transplantation in Istanbul are performed almost exclusively for patients who do not have enough scalp hair to provide the coverage needed for hair restoration.

You may not have enough hair on your scalp if:

• You have late-stage male-pattern baldness that has spread throughout your scalp. The severity of hair loss in men is measured using the Norwood scale.
• You have had one or more hair transplants previously, which resulted in depletion of the donor area on your scalp.
• You had scarring on your scalp, which made your donor hair follicles unable to produce hair.
• Some hair loss conditions, such as alopecia areata and alopecia universalis, may disqualify you from receiving a body hair transplant. Learn more about the possibility of hair transplantation for alopecia areata.

What type of body hair is preferred for scalp transplantation?

The beard is the second-best donor after the scalp. It is chosen because its hair growth cycle is similar to that of scalp hair, with a longer growth phase, denser hair, more available grafts, and fewer scars. A beard can be the source of between 3,000 and 5,000 grafts. Beard grafts are also preferred in cases of cicatricial hair loss, such as lichen planus, due to their relative resistance to the autoimmune process occurring in the scalp.

Chest hair is the third best graft source after beard hair, but it is less preferred due to its suboptimal success rate compared to beard grafts. Chest hair is transplanted sharply and has a higher migration rate. The growth phase of chest hair (anagen) is relatively short compared to beard hair and may remain in the catagen phase for a much longer period. Furthermore, it may leave significant hyper- or hypo-pigmentation after the grafting. The chest should be shaved 7 days prior to surgery to capture only fast-growing, dense hair.

Using body hair in hair transplantation: Where can I get transplanted hair?

Hair from several areas of the body can be used in body hair transplantation:

1. Scalp (Occipital Region) – This is the preferred donor area: Hair here is genetically resistant to DHT (the hormone that causes hair loss) and offers the best texture, growth rate, and appearance match for scalp hair.
2. Beard – A common secondary donor site.
3. Chest, Back, Abdomen, Legs, Arms, etc. – Body Hair Transplant (BHT): Typically used when scalp donor supply is insufficient:

• Pros: Can add density, especially in crown or mid-scalp areas.
• Cons:
• Different growth cycles.
• Finer, curlier, or slower-growing hair.
• Lower survival rates after transplantation compared to scalp or beard.

4. Pubic area.

The ISHRS Practice Census for the year 2022 demonstrates that most hair transplantation procedures carried out in the world are performed with hair from the scalp. Nevertheless, the survey also reveals that 5% of hair transplants are achieved through the use of hair from other parts of the body and that 1.2% are done with chest hair, while only 0.7% are done with hair from other areas of the body.

Donor hair from regions such as the armpit and pubic area could also be an option if the preferred donors such as those from the beard and chest hair are not available. We have also used hair from the legs and forearms of our patients. Due to their short growth phase, they are generally not preferred.

Using chest and abdominal hair in body hair transplantation in Istanbul

After the scalp and beard, the chest and abdomen are the most common areas for extracting donor hair follicles for transplantation.

Scientists have found through their studies that the chest is one of the most reliable donor sources of hair on the human body after the scalp. The only reservation that they have about the chest hair is that its growth rate as well as the density of the hair remain at moderate levels.

Using leg hair in body hair transplantation in Istanbul

Leg hair is used less frequently than beard, chest, and abdominal hair, but it may be suitable in some cases. Leg hair produces finer, shorter hair than other areas, so it can be a good source of hair for the hairline and temples, where hair is finer [4].

Using pubic and armpit hair: Hair Transplantation from Body Hair

Although this method is rare, it is also possible to extract hair grafts from the pubic and armpit areas. The texture and growth pattern of body hair often differs from that of other body hair, so a thinner drill may be required to extract the grafts.

Body Hair Transplantation in Istanbul: Step by Step

Find out how to perform a body hair transplant in this detailed guide.

1. Prepare the donor area

First, the donor area must be prepared for the hair transplant surgery. The surgeon will determine the areas from which hair follicles will be extracted, whether from the beard, chest, abdomen, legs, or pubic area. The area will then be numbed with local anesthetic.

2. Extraction of grafts

Using a micro-punch, the surgical team will extract hair grafts from the selected areas. Each graft consists of 1-5 hair follicles. The micro-punch allows surgeons to extract each graft individually, leaving small wounds that heal quickly and leave minimal scarring.

The extracted follicles are placed in a solution to keep them healthy until it is time to implant them into your scalp.

3. Making incisions

Next, your surgical team will numb your scalp and make small incisions in the bald or hair-loss areas. This prepares your scalp for the next step: hair graft transplantation.

4. Transplanting follicles

The incision outlines are skillfully made in the recipient area and each hair graft is individually placed into them. Ensuring that the thickness, size, and growth direction of each graft match with your existing hair will make your new hair blend in. The placement of your hair grafts will determine the result of the surgery.

5. Body hair transplantation in Istanbul: Healing

Slightly longer healing, with higher risk of ingrown hairs or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation om some body areas.

Body hair transplant cost

Who are the best candidates for body hair transplantation?

Patients who:

• They want full coverage in one session.
• They have a poor donor scalp.
• They have previous failed hair transplant experiences with a weak donor scalp.
• They have retrograde thinning of the scalp.

What are the procedures for body hair transplantation?

Body hair transplantation can be performed using the FUE/DHI technique. The surgeon requires a sharp, serrated drill to create minimal scarring. The chest should be shaved 7 days prior to surgery to select only fast-growing grafts. Body hair should be blended thoroughly to prevent it from sticking out due to the varying density and texture of the hair. It cannot be transplanted to certain areas such as the hairline or temples.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a body hair transplant procedure take?

As with scalp hair transplants, body hair transplants are permanent. The new hair grafts will last for the rest of your life (although, as with all body hair, you can expect some minor shedding with age).

Is body hair transplantation painful?

Body hair transplantation in Istanbul involves no more pain than a normal hair transplant surgery. After the team has given you the anesthetic, you may feel slightly uncomfortable but not really painful.

Alternatively, a sedative may be given to you for the transplantation process of the hair that also makes you feel at ease.

Does transplanted body hair grow long?

A disadvantage of using body hair for transplantation is that it will not grow any longer than it was in its original location. For example, chest hair grows only a few centimeters.

Therefore, although it may provide good coverage, body hair may not give you the desired length, especially for female hair transplant patients.

Conclusion: Why choose Rimo Hair Clinic for body hair transplantation?

Rimo Hair Clinic has been performing hair transplants using body hair for donor-area grafts for over 13 years. Over the years, we have extracted body hair from over 2,500 patients for scalp transplantation. Body hair transplantation in Istanbul can be used for scalp transplantation, but it is important to keep in mind that body hair cannot be transplanted to the hairline. Furthermore, the interaction of body hair with scalp hair may not always be compatible. Rimo Hair Clinic experts have extensive experience in achieving the optimal blend of body and scalp hair, achieving full coverage. So, if you have a lack of body hair and need body hair, choose Rimo Hair Clinic for the best possible results and get a free chat with medical consultant via WhatsApp

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