A body-to-scalp hair transplant, also known as body hair transplantation (BHT), is a procedure that can increase scalp hair volume by using hair from other areas of the body such as the chest, abdomen, and arms. These other areas of the body are called donor sites. Oftentimes during hair transplant procedures, a hair transplant surgeon will use the hair from the back of the head to transfer to other areas for volumization. However, if a patient experiences more severe hair loss, this area on the back of the head may not be a viable donor site. (1) A BHT procedure can use hair from the beard, abdomen, chest, legs, or elsewhere as donor sites–whichever hair has the most optimal yield and quality, and which site works best and is most comfortable for the patient along with their unique hair transplant needs.
Dr. Goran Jezic is a double-board-certified hair transplant expert at Houston Hair Transplant Center (HHTC). Call our Houston, Austin, or San Antonio office at (713) 864-2300 to schedule a personalized, complimentary consultation with our hair restoration specialists today. If you are not in Houston, we offer virtual consultations via FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, video, phone, and email. To get started through any of these options, or to contact us virtually, inquire using our contact form.
To learn more about the hair restoration treatments we offer, visit our blog.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About BHT
BHT is especially useful for patients who experience more severe balding patterns, have limited donor hair at the back of their head, or have more extensive alopecia. (1) For these patients, the conventional methods of hair transplantation do not work to better their situation as the hair on the head is not sufficient or is at risk of falling out. (1) Alternatively, BHT employs the use of hair from the beard, chest, arms, legs, and elsewhere as donor sites to provide the scalp with sufficient hair that would improve its density. (1)
FUE
In order to carry out a body-to-scalp hair transplant (BHT), Dr. Jezic and his team will use the follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique. We use FUE because it is a great way to obtain sufficient donor hair from areas that are not the back or sides of the scalp. (1) As opposed to other techniques that use strip harvesting, or a removal technique that removes a strip of hair and skin, FUE leaves less obvious scarring and no linear scars because the process involves removing hair individually with specialized instruments and tools. (1) FUE works to move hair from elsewhere on the body to the scalp in a way that looks natural and subtler but in an impactful and transformative way. FUE can also be used to repair past hair transplant scars by slowly filling in the area with donor hairs. (1)
Benefits of BHT
Body–to-scalp hair transplantation is a great option for those experiencing hair loss because:
- It increases the amount of hair available for transplantation; Dr. Jezic can target the beard, back, chest, abdomen, pubis, extremities, and more for donor hair.
- Scarring is less apparent because of the FUE technique.
- No linear scarring with FUE.
- The procedure is minimally invasive.
- Results look natural.
- Confidence can be uplifted. (2)
- It’s like getting two hair transplants in a single session
Candidates for BHT
The best candidates for the body-to-scalp hair transplant technique:
- Have realistic expectations
- Are 25 years of age or older
- Lack suitable donor hair on the back and sides of the scalp
- Experience severe hair loss in small patches or otherwise
- Want to see a significant improvement and density in scalp hair coverage
Personal Consultation in Houston
When you are ready, you will meet with Dr. Jezic and/or his experienced clinicians for a personalized consultation. During this complimentary consultation, he will assess your hair and its qualities. You will be encouraged to ask questions and share your concerns about your experience with hair loss and what you hope to achieve with a body-to-scalp hair transplant. We will also distinguish which areas will make the best donor sites so that you are left with the best possible results. Dr. Jezic and his team can technically use almost any body hair in the BHT process, but some areas will be better than others because of their length, texture, and color. Dr. Jezic and his team will first aim to achieve BHT using beard and chest hairs, but the areas of the back, abdomen, arms, legs, and pubis can be used if the beard and chest hair is not suitable enough for a body-to-scalp hair transplant.
Once Dr. Jezic and his team have decided where the donor sites will be and how extensive to make the transplant, he will inform you about the highly personalized preparation, procedure, and recovery processes. To schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Jezic and his team at HHTC in Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, call us at (713) 864-2300 or fill out our online form. We also offer virtual consultations for your convenience.
Preparation
During your personal free consultation, Dr. Jezic and his clinicians will make sure you are well-informed about how to prepare for receiving a body-to-scalp hair transplant. Before your hair transplant, Dr. Jezic may advise you to avoid or stop taking certain medications, vitamins, and substances before your procedure (2) He will also recommend that you stop smoking or drinking alcohol a few days leading up to your procedure if that applies to you. (2) Certain vitamins, medications, and substances have the ability to thin the blood, exacerbate bleeding, and affect the healing process of most procedures.
On the day of your procedure, Dr. Jezic’s team may administer some medications to help mitigate any swelling of the scalp that may occur. The clinicians will further prepare the sites by administering a local anesthetic so that you are comfortable during the procedure. (2)
BHT Procedure
The procedure for the body-to-scalp hair transplant (BHT) would be performed using the follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique. Because of the varied potential donor areas that are available for each patient, the intricacies of the BHT procedure will vary. During any given hair transplant procedure using the FUE technique, Dr. Jezic’s team can transplant up to 5,000 hair grafts. Due to the precise and delicate nature of FUE and BHT, the procedure can take 8 to 10 hours, but the length of time is also determined by your local anesthesia tolerance, the difficulty of harvest sites, and the quality of follicular units being extracted. (2) A body hair transplant is performed differently than your usual FUE procedure and may vary on a case by case basis. Generally, it is split into three phases: extraction of hair from the donor sites, recipient site making, and placement of the grafts into the recipient sites. A body hair transplant may have all three portions running simultaneously. You will typically have 2-3 doctors/clinicians harvesting and making sites, and three experienced hair transplant technicians placing grafts throughout the length of the procedure, which is why these procedures can have such a substantial impact on hair density and volume. (2)
Recovery
Like your procedure, the specifics of your recovery will depend on the location of the hair donor sites, the number of follicular units extracted, and the amount of hair transplanted to the scalp. Usually, you would be able to return to most activities after 2 or 3 days. After the procedure is complete, your recovery will begin with a recurring ointment application to the donor sites. (1) We will also provide other instructions for how to promote healing and reduce scabbing.
During the recovery period, it is normal for the newly implanted hairs to fall out over the first few weeks as the growth process takes place over several months. You may even see the already-present scalp hair near the transplant sites begin to shed. This loss is common and most likely temporary–these hairs will continue to grow back over the next few months as well. After the donor sites have fully healed, the scarring is minimal–tiny, white, dot-like scars will lay flat against the skin where the transplanted hairs were taken from.
Results
The body-to-scalp hair transplant would result in a fuller head of hair. Results are going to be natural and subtle, as Dr. Jezic and his certified clinicians will take great care to follow your natural hairline and restore thickness to areas that need it most. Scarring of the donor sites will be non-linear and more discreet, thanks to the FUE method. With more head hair, patients may feel more confident and enjoy a more youthful head of hair. For the best results, it will be important to follow all of Dr. Jezic’s recovery instructions and recommendations. Due to the varying rates at which the implanted hair may grow, normal routine maintenance can help patients keep their hair looking even. This includes topical compounds, shampoo/conditioner, vitamins, supplements, and laser hair therapy. If you would like to see the results from a hair transplant, check out our photo gallery.
Cost of Body-to-Scalp Hair Transplants in Houston
The cost of body-to-scalp hair transplants in Houston is dependent on the specifics of any given procedure. Many different factors can impact the cost of a BHT procedure, including the length of the procedure, the amount of donor hair transplanted (number of grafts), areas to be harvested, curvature of hair, and more. In many cases, Dr. Jezic’s team will harvest as much as possible from the back and sides of the scalp before harvesting from the chest, abdomen, arms, and other areas which will reduce the cost of the procedure since the cost per graft for scalp harvesting is lower. To get a better understanding of what your BHT procedure may cost, you can reach out to HHTC by calling our Houston, Austin, or San Antonio offices at (713) 864-2300 or fill out our contact form. The consultation is free and is conducted by Dr. Jezic and/or a certified clinician. You will meet Dr. Jezic during your pre-op visit anyway and on the day of the procedure as well.
FAQ
How much hair can be transplanted during a BHT procedure?
During your personal consultation, Dr. Jezic and his team will let you know what can be realistically expected from a BHT procedure. Generally speaking, at least 3,000 hair grafts can be transplanted to the scalp in one procedure. In some cases, the graft count can reach 5,000, depending upon the availability of donor tissue. Each graft consists of 1 to 3 hair follicles.
How long will a BHT procedure take?
The length of a BHT procedure can be longer or shorter depending on what donor sites are being used to transplant hairs and how many hairs are being transplanted. With this in mind, a BHT procedure can take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours.
References
- Umar S. Body Hair Transplant by Follicular Unit Extraction: My Experience With 122 Patients. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2016;36(10):1101-1110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjw089
- Zito PM, Raggio BS. Hair Transplantation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/
