Dr. Woods & Dr. Campbell are undoubtedly world's leading experts when it comes to body hair transplantation. They are the first in the world to have clinically proven in their patients that body hair when transplanted to the scalp can take on the characteristics of scalp hair and grow long. This is obviously much-welcomed news for patients with insufficient donor hair from their scalp. Many with plenty of chest and back hair are now blessed with a second chance for hair on their scalp even if they have extensive baldness. However, presently Dr. Woods & Dr. Campbell have limited the practice of body hair transplantation to using chest and back hair only. There has been much resistance to using donor hair from the thighs and legs of the patients. The following is Dr. Woods and Dr. Campbell's opinions on the topic.  

In 2002, we performed the first "thigh hair transplant". We did it on a U.S. client as a desperation measure, as we felt his donor area should not be further interfered with, and his chest hair was sparse and needed to be spared for future needs as he was a relatively young man. His crown area received about 1000 grafts. But within 3 months another doctor operated on the same area while the original grafts were in their dormant phase. This is confirmed by our video records.

Most of our grafts would have survived surgery performed by the other doctor, but we believe some were destroyed by the other doctor's assistants incisions.

We cannot scientifically assess the leg hair yield in this client.

Thigh hair, as opposed to below-the-knee leg hair, is difficult to remove and has a high transection rate, but it does vary from patient to patient.

Below-the-knee leg hair was used by our clinic for eye brow reconstruction many years ago. But there is a danger. If large numbers are attempted and if there is a high rate of transection, then infection becomes a genuine risk due to compromised blood circulation. If an infection takes hold, the area is comprised of skin and bone and OSTEOMYELITIS (BONE INFECTION) would be a considerable risk.

Despite being the first, kudos and publicity are irrelevant. We choose to follow a cautious approach, placing our patients' well being first.

As with "wet zone" harvesting , we are here to tell everyone that there is a definite greater risk of complications with ANTERIOR leg surgery (near and around the tibia bone). THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. Not everyone will get it, but some will despite antibiotic prophylaxis. No doubt the doctor who performs it will have a water tight legal disclaimer and get off the hook.

If anterior leg follicle harvesting is attempted, there will almost certainly be some transections. There may also be micro fragments of hair shafts sheared away and left in the hole. Both commonly cause a "foreign body reaction". Pus develops, and you have ABSCESS/BOILS sitting on top of the bone. But worse, while attempting follicle extraction, the tools may hit the periosteum (bone lining), which is probable. Then the bacteria in the boils have an even faster freeway to the bone.

Prophylactic antibiotics are NOT good at preventing foreign body reactions as the tissues try to expel the shaft fragments and transected follicles. As well, there is a massive antibiotic resistance problem meaning the "bug" may not be affected by the chosen pills. If an abscess/boil occurs, the treatment of choice is surgical drainage. It is all a bit "close to the bone".

Again for the record and in the interests of the unsuspecting public we state clearly;

1. The posterior and lateral spongy deep tissue areas of the leg carry less risk. But the transection rates are likely to be very high

2. The anterior leg, and "close to the bone areas" have a much higher risk of infection, meaning cellulitis and osteomyelitis (bone infection), which is incredibly difficult to treat and can become a problem for years.

3. Prophylactic antibiotics do NOT guarantee safety

4. The industry is NOT famous for doctors exercising common sense, moderation or restraint.

Faced with a poor yield, doctors may be tempted to venture into the danger zones, attempting to protect the patient with a few weeks of antibiotics, and definitely protecting themselves with a damn good legal disclaimer.

Non medical people may find the following definitions interesting:

Osteomyelitis: "often a recent contusion or local bone injury acts as a point of decreased resistance"

"In osteomyelitis secondary to a contiguous focus of infection, ie direct infection of bone by spread from a nearby infected focus (eg soft tissue infections following trauma or surgery, infected sinuses or teeth) mixed infections of gram positive and gram negative organisms are found. The femur and tibia are most commonly involved."

Cellulitis: "The lower extremities are the most common sites of infection. A cutaneous abnormality such as skin trauma, ulceration, tinea paedis, or dermatitis often precedes the infection; areas of lymphoedema or other oedema seem especially susceptible."

Specific Axillary Concerns: "Staphlococcal infections may involve the sweat glands in the axillas (hidradenitis suppurativa). These infections may be deep-seated, slow to localize and drain, and are liable to recurrence and scarring. "

*sources - Harrisons principles of internal medicine- The Merck Manual of Diagnoses and Therapy

Furthermore, we strongly urge everyone to do the following to research for themselves why this is the position we decided to take with respect to leg hair transplantation.

1. Go into any major medical library anywhere in the world. Get every credible and authoritative text book on Orthopaedic surgery. Go back 50 to 100 years so that you don't miss anything. Look up Osteomyelitis and Read about the "tibia" bone being of major concern and find out WHY. You will learn about contusions, deep skin breakage , diabetes, compromised circulation and SURGICAL PROCEDURES being the risk factors. 

2. Ask any credible orhopaedic specialist anywhere in the world about the tibia and why it is at risk from surgical procedures. And while your at it, ask why, after DECADES of disfiguring and invasive hair transplant surgery, osteomyelitis has NOT been a significant complication in the skull. Thank God.

Don't stop there. Demand publications and stats going back 100 years, which support the COMMON KNOWLEDGE of osteomyelitis in medicine and orthopaedic surgery.

3. If you don't want to go to these lengths, click onto "emedicine" regarding the topic. Here is an extract;

"Frequency of Osteomyelitis

In the US: The overall prevalence is 1 per 5,000 children. Neonatal prevalence is approximately 1 per 1,000. The annual incidence in sickle cell patients is approximately 0.36%. The prevalence of osteomyelitis after foot puncture may be as high as 16% (30-40% in patients with diabetes). Internationally: The overall incidence is higher in developing countries.

Mortality/Morbidity:

Morbidity can be significant and can include localized spread of infection to associated soft tissues or joints; evolution to chronic infection, with pain and disability; amputation of the involved extremity; generalized infection; or sepsis."

Dr Woods and Dr Campbell