If there is no viable hair present in the donor area then the hair transplant surgeon can take donor hair from other parts of the body and transplant on the balding areas. However this procedure does not always produce satisfactory results because the texture and consistency of the donor hair differs from that of the scalp. Secondly, the hair on the chest and beard does not grow as long as the scalp hair and the patient needs to be prepared to keep the hair short.

Body hair on scalp often retains its original characteristics and grows curly post-transplant. However with straightening tools and treatments the hair can be straightened but they will not grow as long as the scalp hair.