Will extracting beard grafts (body hair transplantation) scar my neck and chin?

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums:

I’m looking to undergo body hair transplantation (BHT) using grafts from my beard region. But I’m wondering, will extracting beard follicles from my neck and chin leave scarring?

BHT will leave scarring in the extracted regions. This means scarring in the beard region if grafts are taken from this area. Most BHT experts are aware of this and will extract accordingly. Grafts are taken from less visible regions of the head and neck (IE under the chin). A reasonable number of grafts are taken to reduce scarring as well.

There will still be scarring, even with these precautions taken. It is usually minimal, but it will be there.

I think it’s important to understand this. The FUE method – which is used for BHT – minimizes scarring, but does not eliminate it. If you examine the extraction area closely, you will see hypopigmented (light skinned), circular scarring. This may not be a “deal breaker” for you if it’s taken under the chin. You should be fully aware, however, that there will be scarring to some extend regardless of where or how it’s taken.
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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

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View Comments

Dr. Harmandeep Sidhu says:

February 2, 2017 at 8:42 am

FUE procedure involves extracting grafts from skin and any incision (however minor) will leave a scar. But please note, scars come in various sizes. The scars caused by extracting grafts (we use imported micro-FUE punch) are not visible to the minor eye.

We do not extract grafts above the jaw bone and chin area, so any minimal scarring is not visible as its below the jawbone and not visible unless very closely observed and that too with chin high up.
Dr Tejinder Bhatti says:

March 20, 2015 at 4:19 am

Any FUE attempt to extract a grafts in any location (even the scalp) shall leave a scar. This is like a scar is left even with a hypodermic needle (which is the size of a regular FUE punch) while taking a blood sample for lab investigations. However, there are some points to be kept in mind to make the scars not discernible-
1. In dark skin types, the body hair should be taken from areas that do not show- shadow area of the beard which falls just behind the jawline not extending to the neck.
2. Directly over the jawbone in patients with little subcutaneous fat.
3. Chest harvesting not over bony surfaces like the sternum.
4. Less than 0.75 mm punches preferable sharp should be recruited for body graft harvest.