Not so long ago, beards were only associated with geography teachers and cockney gangsters. Times have changed. Stroll down your neighborhood, and you will most likely come across gents sporting beards of various shapes and sizes.
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Men’s and women’s love for beards today has seemingly never been greater. However, growing hair or beards doesn’t come easy. There’s an increasing number of beard lovers who are not content with what they have. Thus, they are seeking surgery in pursuit of facial hair.
Fortunately, with the advancement in technology and an increasing selection of skilled surgeons, the process is pain-free. Nevertheless, when it comes to making such a decision, there are many considerations. Hence, if you are thinking of a beard transplant, this guide has everything you should know first.
Do Beard Hair Transplants Work?
Yes, beard transplants do work. Thanks to science and technology, people can now get a fuller beard. These transplants have been there for a while now, and they are increasingly becoming popular by the day.
The transplanted hairs are sourced from the patient’s scalp – mainly from the back because it resembles the beard most and the thickest.
On average, 4,000 to 7,000 follicles can be transferred one by one. Other surgeons may transplant two hairs per graft because it appears more natural. Often, only about 2,500 hairs are required for a full beard.
Once the surgeon removes hair glands from the donor area, he imbeds them into the beard area. The beards then harvest and start growing as beards. Additionally, the surgeon is careful to implant them at a natural angle to look like an original hair growth outline.
How Long Do Beard Transplants Last
You may wonder, “is beard transplant permanent?” The transplanted hair follicles are usually well-founded in place and growing for the first three or four months. Typically, the patients get a full beard style by the eighth or ninth month. So, yes, your beard will continue to grow.
It’s uncommon for beard transplants to go wrong – if you get the right and experienced surgeon. However, it’s not unusual to hear of a beard transplant gone wrong due to poor harvesting from the donor area.
Beard Transplant Procedure
A standard beard transplant procedure only lasts for about 5 hours. It is an in-patient procedure, but you will go home right after. These are the steps in a typical beard transplant before and after the procedure:
Harvesting
The first step is to shave the scalp part of your head where the hair will be harvested. The surgeons will now have a better view of the follicles.
You may choose Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). FUE provides a shorter recovery time and little discomfort. Additionally, this method offers better and more satisfying results for beard and mustache transplants.
FUT is also known as a strip procedure. Hairs are not harvested individually but in groups. A strip of healthy hair is harvested from the donor area. The recovery time is longer than that of FUE.
Also, before harvesting, the surgeon administers an anesthetic to the patient. The aesthetic helps make the harvesting and transplanting much less painless.
Implantation
Next, the surgeon injects an anesthetic into the chin, where the follicles will be transplanted. He then implants the harvested hairs into the chin.
The surgeon creates a beard shape that you of your choice that you had chosen before the procedure started.
Recovery
Recovering from a beard implant takes only a day. However, the newly implanted crusts may have some small crusts around them, although they come off after a few days. In a week or ten days, you will be able to shave and trim the beard usually.
Once implantation is complete, the beard ought to start growing immediately. However, the new hairs may flake off after 2 to 3 weeks, but new hair grows to replace them.
It is advisable to have realistic expectations. The beard will not grow overnight.
Beard Transplant Side Effects
- Donor area loses hair
- It is not 100% guaranteed to be a success
- Patience is paramount. The process could take up to one year to complete.
- It’s a costly procedure.
What Can Go Wrong with a Beard Transplant
Like any other medical procedure, a beard implant could also have a few things that may go wrong. However, they are not so prevalent if an expert performs the procedure.
- The beard falls off after three weeks.
Although natural, you will experience hair shedding or loss in some parts of the beard. Fortunately, this should not alarm you. It only shows that the hair is fully implanted, and new hairs will start growing soon.
- Patches on the donor area
The area from which the follicles are harvested gets some spots, although they are not visible. Beard patches may also be present if the surgeon does not perform the procedure well.
How Much Does a Beard Transplant Cost?
A beard implant procedure is costly. Depending on how many follicles are needed, the charges vary from a few thousand dollars to a considerable amount. Moreover, the quality of the method, the reputation of the clinic, and location will also determine the final cost.
It is essential to ask how charges are determined while researching on cost—for example, some surgeons charge per session, others per graft or follicle. A graft has 2-4 hairs, which means that you can determine the cost by multiplying the number of grafts by cost per graft.
On average, different facial areas require the following number of gifts:
- 500 – 800 grafts for mustache
- 600 – 1,200 grafts for a full goatee
- 200 – 350 grafts for sideburns
- 1000 – 2000 grafts for a cheek beard
Conclusion
When it comes to a beard transplant, you need to weigh in on the pros and cons of the procedure and be precise on why you need it. If you are okay with the potential downsides and the outcome will satisfy you, you should consider it.
The bottom line is when performed well in an artistic hairline design and with grafts of single follicles, it creates results that look incredibly natural. Also, you have to research before you make up your mind. And, do not be afraid to ask for referrals from other patients.
Lastly, do not forget to care for and nurture your beard.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.