Why shouldn't hair be taken from other parts of the body besides the back of the head?

Hair transplantation is an effective method for restoring hair growth on the scalp in cases of hair loss. Most modern techniques, such as FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), use hair follicles from the back of the head as the donor area. But why is the back of the head used and not hair from other parts of the body? In this article, we explain the main reasons why the back of the head is the best area for hair transplantation and why other body areas are not as suitable.

Hair on different parts of the body varies in both structure and growth cycle. This affects how successful a hair transplant will be if hair from areas other than the back of the head is used.

Differences in hair structure

• Hair from the back of the scalp has a different thickness, texture, and growth cycle compared to body hair.
• Body hair (such as from the chest, beard, or legs) is often thinner or coarser, curlier or straighter, and may therefore look unnatural when transplanted to the scalp.
• These structural differences can result in an uneven and artificial appearance if different hair types are mixed.

How this affects transplantation:

• Hair from the back of the head is genetically programmed to grow continuously and is not sensitive to the hormones that cause hair loss.
• Body hair has shorter growth phases and therefore cannot provide the same fullness or density on the scalp.

Hair from the back of the head has a long growth cycle (anagen phase), which means the hair grows continuously. Body hair, on the other hand, has a much shorter growth cycle.

Why this is important:

• After a hair transplant, it is crucial that the hair continues to grow and forms a dense hairstyle.
• If body hair is used, there is a risk that it will grow slowly or remain in a resting phase (telogen phase), resulting in thinner and less voluminous hair.

Using body hair in a hair transplant can result in aesthetic issues due to differences in appearance and growth patterns.

Common problems:

• Uneven hair color between scalp hair and body hair.
• Differences in curliness or straightness between hair types.
• Hair from the beard or chest is often coarser and stands out against an otherwise uniform hair texture.
• Mixing different hair types can lead to an unappealing result, especially if it does not match the existing scalp hair.
• It can leave visible scarring afterwards.

In addition to aesthetic considerations, there are also practical reasons why the back of the head is the best choice for hair transplantation.

Difficulties with extraction:

• Extracting hair from other parts of the body often requires more time and effort.
• Body hair is usually more dispersed and can be harder to collect efficiently.

Higher cost and longer recovery:

• Using hair from other body areas often involves more surgical procedures and a longer healing time.
• Patients who use body hair often require more treatments to achieve the same results as when scalp hair from the back of the head is used.

The hair follicles from the back of the head are genetically resistant to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), making them ideal for hair transplantation. Body hair lacks this resistance and may therefore fall out even after transplantation.

Long-term results:

• Hair from the back of the head retains its genetic coding even when transplanted to other areas of the scalp.
• Body hair can be affected by hormones and other factors, which may cause it to start falling out after a few years.

Harvesting hair from other parts of the body for hair transplantation is not recommended due to differences in hair structure, growth cycle, and genetic characteristics. Hair from the back of the head is uniquely suited for long-term growth and is genetically resistant to hair loss, making it the best option. Using body hair can lead to undesirable aesthetic results, higher costs, and less durable outcomes. Therefore, it is always recommended to prioritize scalp hair from the back of the head for hair transplantation.