Body Hair Transplants Are They Worth It? Dr. Pradeep Sethi Answers

[Melvin- Admin]

For those of you who have had BHT or wondering about BHT, let's get this discussion going, what are your fears, what have you experienced? I would love to hear the communities feedback and thoughts.

Body Hair Transplants Are They Worth It? Dr. Pradeep Sethi Answers

[Gatsby]

@Melvin- Moderator this is an excellent subject to discuss. I recently discussed this in my case with Dr Pradeep in relation to the total numbers of grafts that I need for hair loss upcoming surgery.

My fears are that from the results that I have seen the results do not look natural (and I hope to be corrected). They have a low yield and growth rate when compared to scalp graft survival. How difficult are they to extract? Where are they best placed?, etc. Over the past ten years the answers have become mixed.🙏

[Melvin- Admin]

4 minutes ago, Gatsby said:

@Melvin- Moderator this is an excellent subject to discuss. I recently discussed this in my case with Dr Pradeep in relation to the total numbers of grafts that I need for hair loss upcoming surgery.

My fears are that from the results that I have seen the results do not look natural (and I hope to be corrected). They have a low yield and growth rate when compared to scalp graft survival. How difficult are they to extract? Where are they best placed?, etc. Over the past ten years the answers have become mixed.🙏

Great questions, one of my fears is having noticeable patches in my beard, while not the end of the world. I do like having a thick beard, but I know that once I remove hair from there, there is not going back.

[Sean]

 It all depends on your hair caliber, age, ethnic background.  
 

-Body hair can mess with existing hairs and throw off growth cycles, maybe even shock previously planted scalp hair in the same zone? 

-normally, it does not grow the same way.  Length is not as big as scalp hair.  

-it can look unnatural due to harsh texture changes on scalp if it grows

-based on email from Dr Umar, you can’t take finasteride after you get these hairs 

- nape hair -  def do not use it unless you have thick nape, not sure of viability 

-very very few docs use these other hairs- it should be the last last last resort (expansive repairs or burns or scars to help with, or density loss in donor etc)

-angulation is all over the place with body hair as it does not follow the norm of scalp hair angulation -  worst hair to use on hairlines unless you conceal your hairline forward-  even though some surgeons can tell you they can do lateral slit with it, that does not seem to be honest

-it is more fragile hair in general when it comes to extraction

-you need a good surgeon with good tools-  i really think manual slow and steady non motorized hand extraction is a key element for this fragile body hair.  Any saline based suction or air suction devices would probably be risky due to fragile nature

- don’t fall for the marketing.  If someone needs 5,000 or 10,000+ Body hair grafts to attain a semi result, then that is questionable.  If a surgeon can take 2,000-3,000 body hair grafts and make a distinct change that looks natural on scalp, then the surgeon is getting excellent yield and doing something right 

I can keep going…

[Curious25]

4 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Great questions, one of my fears is having noticeable patches in my beard, while not the end of the world. I do like having a thick beard, but I know that once I remove hair from there, there is not going back.

Hopefully they can just take from underneath your chin and neck area. I too, wouldn't wish to have any extractions taken place from my facial beard area, despite it being above average density. 

[Ajamilo]

7 hours ago, Gatsby said:

@Melvin- Moderator this is an excellent subject to discuss. I recently discussed this in my case with Dr Pradeep in relation to the total numbers of grafts that I need for hair loss upcoming surgery.

My fears are that from the results that I have seen the results do not look natural (and I hope to be corrected). They have a low yield and growth rate when compared to scalp graft survival. How difficult are they to extract? Where are they best placed?, etc. Over the past ten years the answers have become mixed.🙏

What did dr. pradeeep answer on that?

[hairman22]

What about nape hairs?

Can you use them in certain circumstances.

 

The thickest hair on my head has always been in my nape. Thae hair is very coarse their for me.

[Gatsby]

37 minutes ago, hairman22 said:

What about nape hairs?

Can you use them in certain circumstances.

 

The thickest hair on my head has always been in my nape. Thae hair is very coarse their for me.

Nape hair is one of the first areas to go in retrograde alopecia and should not be recommended. 

[Gatsby]

2 hours ago, Ajamilo said:

What did dr. pradeeep answer on that?

Not to worry. 

[Melvin- Admin]

10 hours ago, Sean said:

 It all depends on your hair caliber, age, ethnic background.  
 

-Body hair can mess with existing hairs and throw off growth cycles, maybe even shock previously planted scalp hair in the same zone? 

-normally, it does not grow the same way.  Length is not as big as scalp hair.  

-it can look unnatural due to harsh texture changes on scalp if it grows

-based on email from Dr Umar, you can’t take finasteride after you get these hairs 

- nape hair -  def do not use it unless you have thick nape, not sure of viability 

-very very few docs use these other hairs- it should be the last last last resort (expansive repairs or burns or scars to help with, or density loss in donor etc)

-angulation is all over the place with body hair as it does not follow the norm of scalp hair angulation -  worst hair to use on hairlines unless you conceal your hairline forward-  even though some surgeons can tell you they can do lateral slit with it, that does not seem to be honest

-it is more fragile hair in general when it comes to extraction

-you need a good surgeon with good tools-  i really think manual slow and steady non motorized hand extraction is a key element for this fragile body hair.  Any saline based suction or air suction devices would probably be risky due to fragile nature

- don’t fall for the marketing.  If someone needs 5,000 or 10,000+ Body hair grafts to attain a semi result, then that is questionable.  If a surgeon can take 2,000-3,000 body hair grafts and make a distinct change that looks natural on scalp, then the surgeon is getting excellent yield and doing something right 

I can keep going…

I don’t think this is true, there are several examples on the forum where beard hair blended in nicely. One of the best repairs ever was mostly beard hair. 

 

[Sean]

1 minute ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

I don’t think this is true, there are several examples on the forum where beard hair blended in nicely. One of the best repairs ever was mostly beard hair. 

 

Looks like distinct change but I don't think this represents the majority of cases.  This is a rare case like this and depends on beard texture and caliber+ many other things.  This case is also just not beard hair.  It is mixture between scalp, beard, and chest.  4 sittings and 11,000 grafts planted in phases . Beard and chest may be good for filler hair but id caution it for hairlines.  He was also mostly bald, not much native hair to work around or shock.  The hairline after all that is combed sideways.  Look at how it is if pulled up or parted or combed forward.  How does the hairline look and is there a solid lateral angle or is the hair in different angles upon closer inspection. Does it match with other hairs or create toupe feel?  Only way to judge is to honestly see in person and maybe feel the hair.  That also helps see if no toppik is involved.  So many things to look for.  
 

Again, i just stated from my experience and talking with other body hair patients.    I have no incentive to make a negative or positive statement.  But Id urge folks to proceed with such hairs with utmost caution, unless doctors determine adequate physiology and hair characteristics for this. It is not a procedure widely done and for such reasons. A lot of outliers out there but this hair surgery is risky as is.  Adding more variables like this adds another layer of added risk.  Just do the best you can and meet many patients.  Anyone want to see me in person, holler.  Best of luck to all.

[Melvin- Admin]

35 minutes ago, Sean said:

Looks like distinct change but I don't think this represents the majority of cases.  This is a rare case like this and depends on beard texture and caliber+ many other things.  This case is also just not beard hair.  It is mixture between scalp, beard, and chest.  4 sittings and 11,000 grafts planted in phases . Beard and chest may be good for filler hair but id caution it for hairlines.  He was also mostly bald, not much native hair to work around or shock.  The hairline after all that is combed sideways.  Look at how it is if pulled up or parted or combed forward.  How does the hairline look and is there a solid lateral angle or is the hair in different angles upon closer inspection. Does it match with other hairs or create toupe feel?  Only way to judge is to honestly see in person and maybe feel the hair.  That also helps see if no toppik is involved.  So many things to look for.  
 

Again, i just stated from my experience and talking with other body hair patients.    I have no incentive to make a negative or positive statement.  But Id urge folks to proceed with such hairs with utmost caution, unless doctors determine adequate physiology and hair characteristics for this. It is not a procedure widely done and for such reasons. A lot of outliers out there but this hair surgery is risky as is.  Adding more variables like this adds another layer of added risk.  Just do the best you can and meet many patients.  Anyone want to see me in person, holler.  Best of luck to all.

While appreciate you and your unique experience. I don’t think it’s fair to say the majority of cases will end up like that. I believe the overwhelming majority of BHT cases I’ve seen from Eugenix have been cosmetically successful. Patient selection is important though, someone with a fine haired scalp and a bushy curly beard could prove problematic. One case is not definitive either good or bad.

Also, techniques and tools vary, as do results. Dr. Hasson himself said 7-8 years ago FUE was far behind strip, but now his FUE is even better than strip, he states that’s due to the evolving tools and techniques. We will see, I’m putting my own head to the test haha. So we shall see indeed 😬

[Sean]

2 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

While appreciate you and your unique experience. I don’t think it’s fair to say the majority of cases will end up like that. I believe the overwhelming majority of BHT cases I’ve seen from Eugenix have been cosmetically successful. Patient selection is important though, someone with a fine haired scalp and a bushy curly beard could prove problematic. One case is not definitive either good or bad.

Also, techniques and tools vary, as do results. Dr. Hasson himself said 7-8 years ago FUE was far behind strip, but now his FUE is even better than strip, he states that’s due to the evolving tools and techniques. We will see, I’m putting my own head to the test haha. So we shall see indeed 😬

I agree with you Melvin, characteristics are key to this.  Fine or bushy beard can be problematic.  Out of other hairs, beard is probably more reliable vs nape and chest.  If there were chest only results or nape only results, it is easier to see what the prob is.  Beard hair has been good for scars and even some crown areas.  Good filler hair if you run outta ammo.  I wouldn't utilize these hairs though if you have scalp hair that can support the procedure.  Even seen some decent donor repair with beard hair etc.  Unfortunately, i’ve been let down. You can say a person does not want others to go through what one went through themselves.  Genuinely, care for folks and would not want them to end up like me.  
 

I want to make it clear, prior posts of mine above are not criticizing Eugenix.  Just urge folks to exercise caution with their options.  

 

[Curious25]

I agree with Melvin. With respect @BeHappy . . You are a veteran on the site, no doubt about it . . But a lot of times, your posts are filled with quite outdated beliefs and understandings. 
 

Reading your points above, is similar to how I feel reading Dr Fellers pro FUT stance from back in the day. 
 

When you look at work that BHT specialists have put out in the last few years, most of the results I have seen, the BHT has fitted like a glove. 
 

You should watch Mwambas recent interview with Melvin, and get up to speed with the industry in general. 

Edited December 15, 2021 by Curious25

[Melvin- Admin]

11 minutes ago, Curious25 said:

I agree with Melvin. With respect @BeHappy . . You are a veteran on the site, no doubt about it . . But a lot of times, your posts are filled with quite outdated beliefs and understandings. 
 

Reading your points above, is similar to how I feel reading Dr Fellers pro FUT stance from back in the day. 
 

When you look at work that BHT specialists have put out in the last few years, most of the results I have seen, the BHT has fitted like a glove. 
 

You should watch Mwambas recent interview with Melvin, and get up to speed with the industry in general. 

I think you mean @Sean @BeHappy actually has a lot of positives to say about BHT. 

[SLA]

I have been eyeing a lot of BHT on this forum and I have really yet to see an example of something not looking pretty good. All of the examples I have seen from Eugenix which infuse BHT (patient posted) have been good. 

When I had a consultation with Dr. Arika from Eugenix, her stance was ~60% of HTs using BHT come out excellent, ~20% okay and ~10-20% not so good. Some of the not so good in her opinion is someone not having a good beard to begin with such as patchy or slow growing (i.e.- only needs to shave every 4 days to 1 week).

Opinions of results are subjective as well as what looks good in one person's eyes, may not look good to another. Let's take the 7-month example below which is a Eugenix patient who had 4,700 grafts of which 1,900 (40%) came from the beard. I think this is an acceptable cosmetic result, but someone else may say it looks a little odd.

So if someone said to me, given your scalp donor resources, you can have this result or be bald, I would choose this result, which others may choose otherwise.

 

 

 

 

[Melvin- Admin]

1 minute ago, SLA said:

I have been eyeing a lot of BHT on this forum and I have really yet to see an example of something not looking pretty good. All of the examples I have seen from Eugenix which infuse BHT (patient posted) have been good. 

When I had a consultation with Dr. Arika from Eugenix, her stance was ~60% of HTs using BHT come out excellent, ~20% okay and ~10-20% not so good. Some of the not so good in her opinion is someone not having a good beard to begin with such as patchy or slow growing (i.e.- only needs to shave every 4 days to 1 week).

Opinions of results are subjective as well as what looks good in one person's eyes, may not look good to another. Let's take the 7-month example below which is a Eugenix patient who had 4,700 grafts of which 1,900 (40%) came from the beard. I think this is an acceptable cosmetic result, but someone else may say it looks a little odd.

So if someone said to me, given your scalp donor resources, you can have this result or be bald, I would choose this result, which others may choose otherwise.

 

 

 

 

Excellent points.

[Gatsby]

4 hours ago, SLA said:

I have been eyeing a lot of BHT on this forum and I have really yet to see an example of something not looking pretty good. All of the examples I have seen from Eugenix which infuse BHT (patient posted) have been good. 

When I had a consultation with Dr. Arika from Eugenix, her stance was ~60% of HTs using BHT come out excellent, ~20% okay and ~10-20% not so good. Some of the not so good in her opinion is someone not having a good beard to begin with such as patchy or slow growing (i.e.- only needs to shave every 4 days to 1 week).

Opinions of results are subjective as well as what looks good in one person's eyes, may not look good to another. Let's take the 7-month example below which is a Eugenix patient who had 4,700 grafts of which 1,900 (40%) came from the beard. I think this is an acceptable cosmetic result, but someone else may say it looks a little odd.

So if someone said to me, given your scalp donor resources, you can have this result or be bald, I would choose this result, which others may choose otherwise.

 

 

 

 

Excellent post @SLA 👌

[SLA]

Also, this OP can opt to color hair so all hair on scalp is a uniform color. In addition, over a couple of years, I have heard from Dr. Mwamba that body hair when transplanted to scalp tends to take on scalp hair characteristics!

[gillenator]

For me, I would only consider BH as a last donor resort.

[Al - Moderator]

On 12/15/2021 at 11:30 AM, Curious25 said:

I agree with Melvin. With respect @BeHappy . . You are a veteran on the site, no doubt about it . . But a lot of times, your posts are filled with quite outdated beliefs and understandings. 

 

Me? I didn't post anything on this thread until now. I also had almost 6000 BHT grafts with about half taken from my chest and half from my beard. I'm a big believer in using body hair grafts in the original plan for men heading towards extensive hair loss rather than using it as a last resort.

 

[Fego]

3 minutes ago, BeHappy said:

 

Me? I didn't post anything on this thread until now. I also had almost 6000 BHT grafts with about half taken from my chest and half from my beard. I'm a big believer in using body hair grafts in the original plan for men heading towards extensive hair loss rather than using it as a last resort.

 

I believe the same concept with you (I'm a big believer in using body hair grafts in the original plan for men heading towards extensive hair loss rather than using it as a last resort.) 

[Fego]

According to the interview with Dr patric mwamba; he said the  transplanted body hair  after some years will be adapted to scalp environment which means it will have the same texture characteristics as the scalp hair. But I know the body hairs like chest and leg have a very short anagen phase compared to scalp.  Are the anagen phase  of the transplanted body hair like chest and leg will become close to the anagen phase of scalp hair after some years also?

[Gatsby]

45 minutes ago, Fego said:

According to the interview with Dr patric mwamba; he said the  transplanted body hair  after some years will be adapted to scalp environment which means it will have the same texture characteristics as the scalp hair. But I know the body hairs like chest and leg have a very short anagen phase compared to scalp.  Are the anagen phase  of the transplanted body hair like chest and leg will become close to the anagen phase of scalp hair after some years also?

This is the question that we would all like a definitive answer to. Does recipient dominance actually exist and if so, to what extent? 

[Al - Moderator]

On 12/14/2021 at 9:01 PM, Melvin- Moderator said:

one of my fears is having noticeable patches in my beard, while not the end of the world. I do like having a thick beard, but I know that once I remove hair from there, there is not going back.

 

I just had another session of beard grafts taken. I took some pictures the night before the surgery to see how my beard looked. This is after almost 2400 grafts have already been taken from my beard and I can still grow a full beard if I wanted to without anyone knowing.