How long will it take for transplanted body hair on head to grow?

Question

I got 600 grafts transplanted from chest to head exactly six months ago. I can only see less than 10 hairs taken from body has grown. At the same time I had got 3800 grafts from sides and back of head. I see around 15 to 20% growth from that area. Will it normally take more time for body hair to grow. I still look like norwood level 5 to 6 bald and I am interested in having body hair transplants in future because I only have donor body hairs left to transplant.

Amir Yazdan, MD · Answer

Regarding the rate of growth of body hair follicles, it depends where on the body the hair came from. Areas like the beard grow in quickly, whereas the chest is slower. Your personal hair growth rate also plays a role as everyone’s hair grows at different speeds.
For most hair transplant cases, we don’t begin seeing results from the surgery until 6 months – 1 year post-op. That’s great that you’ve begun to see growth already. But because you are only 6 months out, we can’t evaluate the body hair growth just yet. Give it a few more months. At that time you will have a better inclination as to whether the body hair follicles were successfully transplanted.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It can take 6 to 12 months after surgery to see results.  If you are concerned it is best to contact your doctor.  Body hairs may take longer.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The growth from body hair should be the same as scalp hair but only at a 50% rate as 50% of body hairs are in telogen at any one time. This is a reality forever for these transplants.  Many doctors are not skilled in body hair transplants so growth may not always be as good anyway.

How long will it take for transplanted body hair on head to grow?

Answers (3)