My donor area was over harvested. Can the donor area be filled in with beard hair?

Question

I went ack to the doctor because I cut my hair really short and noticed the donor over harvested. He said he can fill it in with beard hair. I rather use body hair instead of beard hair. Will body hair work to fill in the over harvested donor? I only had 1000 graft extracted and it a small area.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If your donor area was over harvested and you want to fill in the area with beard hair, don't you think your beard area will look over harvested?  You may want to consider SMP.

David Deutsch, MD · Answer

The simplest solution would be to grow your hair longer.If you wish to keep your hair short and fill in some of the donor area both beard and body hair could be used-beard would probably be a little thicker and cover better.Another option would be Scalp Micropigmentation(SMP).

Sean Behnam, MD · Answer

Beard/body hair can be used to fill in areas on your scalp, no problem. The only issue with that could arise from their different to your normal head hair. Transplanted hair retains it's original characteristics, so since your beard/body hair is likely a different texture, length, and possibly color, those differences will appear when they're transplanted to your head. But if the differences are minor (i.e. same texture/color, you keep your hair short anyways) then it can be done. Talk to your doctor about it and consider looking into other options though, such as SMP.

Parsa Mohebi, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Yes, beard hair is a great option to restore
any scar or defects on the donor area of scalp.

Ashley R. Curtis, MD · Answer

One of the reasons that beard and mustache transplants are possible is because facial hair, particularly hair that grows around the chin, is actually quite similar to the hair that grows on the back and sides of the scalp. Body hair, however, is distinctly different. All hair follicles follow a predictable growth pattern that includes an anagen phase, where hair grows normally, and a telogen phase, where hair that has stopped growing is shed to make room for the next cycle. In the follicles on the scalp the anagen phase can typically last for years, allowing the hair on the head to become quite long and full.  However, in the follicles that occur elsewhere on the body, the anagen phase generally lasts only a few months, while the telogen phase may last up to a year. This shortened growing period and extended dormant period explains why the hair on the head tends to be much longer than other hair found on the body. Further, the hairs on the body tend to be either very course or very fine and non-pigmented. Neither is a good substitute for the hair on the scalp.

Moreover, any time hair follicles are removed for transplantation some form of scar will be left behind, whether it is the thin linear scar of an FUG procedure or the hundreds of tiny circular scars left behind by follicular unit extraction (FUE). While steps can be taken to minimize this scarring, the removal is still best done in an area where surrounding hair growth can fully conceal those scars. Since hair coverage is far less dense on the body than it is on the scalp, and because the areas that would be affected on the body are generally more visible than the back of the head, the final result is not likely to be at all satisfactory.

Rae Lynne Kinler, MD · Answer

transplanting beard hair or body hair to the scalp will not look as natural, and with beard hair extraction you will have tiny scars on your face depending on where the harvest occurs. Your best bet is to have scalp micropigmentation (SMP) to that area if you want to wear your hair short.

Muhammad Jawad, MD · Answer

hi dear...

good day to you...well i don't suggest you to go for beard hair transplant to fill up the overly harvested donor area..why don't you try scalp micro pigmentation and trust me you will be more than happy.Save your beard for another session as you can get better results with scalp micropigmentation

Cory Torgerson, MD, PhD, FRCSC - Account Suspended · Answer

I have to agree with everyone else so far. SMP or Scalp MIcro Pigmentation is really your best option at this point. I never like using body hair personally anyways.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

For an Over-harvested donor area, the best treatment is scalp micropigmentation which can make your donor area look normal. Se do these every day

My donor area was over harvested. Can the donor area be filled in with beard hair?

Answers (9)

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