Can a Norwood 7 achieve, visually, a full head of hair by combining hair from back of the head with shoulder and chest hair?

Question

Currently a nw3 at age 23, but will likely be a nw7, because a lot of men from my mother side were nw7's. My father is a nw3 at 51. Planning to get a transplant in 2-3 years. Is it possible, if I dont have enough donor area, to combine it with hair from chest and shoulders to create a natural full head of hair look? Perhaps also use hair fibers to give it a boost?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

There are many examples of Norwood 7 patients achieving a visual look a full head of hair (with only scalp hair).  It involves having good donor hair density and other factors such as maximizing the best hair style for the full hair look.

Cory S. Goldberg, BSc, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

Hello in Argentina,Thank you for posting.  It is possible to use body hair to restore very advanced hair loss (Norwood 6 and 7), to augment natural hair from the occipital scalp and sides.  It is important to keep in mind the following:It takes significantly longer to harvest the several additional thousands of hair required, and it will likely need to be done in several sessions.The quality of body hair from the shoulders, chest, arms and legs is very different than scalp hair.  It is not the same thickness, it has different texture and may naturally have different curvature or curl.  It may be somewhat different color.  Overall, body hair does not blend as well into the natural scalp hair.  It also will not grow as long or as quickly as scalp hair.  The best result is obtained by keeping the hair relatively short after a successful transplant.  Keep in mind that the FUE harvest of the donor hairs from those areas will leave small scars that may make the skin look and feel a little bumpy.  Not a concern if you keep those areas covered.Having said that, it is probably the only option for restoration of the entire scalp for Norwood 6 and 7.  Make sure you find a surgeon with experience doing body hair transplantation.Synthetic hair fibers are illegal in many countries and have in the past caused significant problems. They are also not permanent and have to be replaced every few years. Most surgeons recommend you avoid these products.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Transplanting a Norwood Class 7 can be easily accomplished if you have a high donor density, if you use Scalp MicroPigmentation to augment the results or beard hair as a donor source. Body hair below the neck is not as effective and very costly.

Can a Norwood 7 achieve, visually, a full head of hair by combining hair from back of the head with shoulder and chest hair?

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Can a Norwood 7 achieve, visually, a full head of hair by combining hair from back of the head with shoulder and chest hair?

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