A hair transplant is one of the most successful cosmetic procedures. It helps the patient achieve natural-looking hair, and the results are long-lasting. The main reason for the success of the hair transplant procedures is using the patient’s hair. The donor area is selected based on the availability of the hair there. If someone else’s hair is used, there will be compatibility issues. Using someone else’s hair is not practised in the hair transplant procedure. Another person’s donor hair gets rejected by the recipient area. One might think that hair from a blood relative should work. But let’s see if it’s a myth or a fact. 

Can I use donor hair from another person?

Immune system: 

The hair follicles are recognized as foreign elements and are attacked by the immune system. The implanted hair falls off again without giving the hair follicles a chance to grow. Our immune system is very complex. It successfully prevents diseases caused by foreign agents. One of the unique mechanisms of the immune system is that every cell can carry an immune system that recognizes whether it belongs to the body. Every healthy cell has a particular mark, whereas the transplanted hair follicles do not. Logically the immune system attacks such “foreign” cells. Additionally, the body produces new cells that cause the foreign hair follicles to fall off even faster.

Texture mismatch:

Using someone else’s hair is almost impossible because everyone’s hair texture is different and acts differently. When two such volumes are blended, the result would be completely different than anticipated. This technique is usually unsuccessful. 

Infection Risk: 

The doctors believe that unless the person uses anti-rejection drugs for life, the hair transplant from another person will always be rejected, and the risk of taking these medications far exceeds the benefits of the transplant. Scientists are still working on the hair transplant procedure from one person to another without rejection. 

Can body hair from someone else’s hair be used for hair transplant:

When the donor receives hair from an entirely different recipient, be it from their body or scalp, your body rejects the foreign donor hair follicles. The body hair doesn’t match the head hair and causes more cysts and scar formation.

When can someone else’s hair be used for a hair transplant?

After a bone marrow transplant

As the blood and bone marrow cells are replaced during bone marrow transplantation, a recent study indicated that the recipient would accept the donor hair transplant after the bone marrow transplant. After the bone marrow surgery, the donor acquires the immune system and blood system. Hence, the bone marrow donor can also donate his hair to the patient, as they now share the same immune system and blood system. 

When organ transplantation is done, the body rejects the newly transplanted organ, so the doctors are forced to prescribe immunosuppressive medication to prevent rejection. There are also the risks of infections and other disorders. While transplanting the hair from another recipient is technically not creditable, this process is never practised due to the risk of complications. If you have any more myths about hair transplants, walk into our conveniently located HairSure clinic or visit our website, Hair Transplant Clinic, to know more. 040-42020202, 9494020202, hairsure123@gmail.com to book your consultation.