The Cost and Benefits of Beard Transplant Procedure

Many men struggle with growing a full beard, even when they stop shaving for a while. Instead of a stylish beard, they end up with patchy and uneven facial hair. If you can relate to the lack of facial hair growth, a beard transplant might be a good option for you – similar to how people with receding hairlines get their own hair transplanted.

But before you consider this procedure, a specialist will need to examine your skin and hair to determine if you are a suitable candidate. You also need to consider if you are willing to make the investment. Like other medical treatments, there is no guarantee of the best possible results. Undergoing a beard transplant can be a risky affair. However, with the help of an expert doctor, you can achieve a lasting and elegant beard. Go ahead! You probably know the advantages of having a beard. According to studies, men with beards appear more attractive, stronger, more masculine, and even more mature.

Unfortunately, not all men have a lot of natural facial hair. Some have to go through life with an unappealing beard. So, what would you do if you were one of those men?

What is a Beard Transplant?

A beard transplant is the process of extracting hair follicles from other parts of the body (usually under the chin or at the back of the head) and implanting them onto the face. On average, anywhere from 4,000 to 7,000 hairs can be transplanted one by one. To make the beard look natural, some experts may use two hairs for each graft.

It’s important to understand that it is not an easy job for the surgeon, as they have to ensure that each hair is pointing in the right direction.

Many men undergo a beard hair transplant to hide scars, but there is an increasing minority who do it primarily for aesthetic purposes.

Beard Transplant Procedure

Below are the steps involved in a beard transplant procedure:

Collection

In the first step, the surgeon shaves the part of the head from which the follicles will be extracted, whether it’s a FUT or FUE transplant. This allows for better visibility of the hair follicles. Prior to extraction, a local anesthetic is administered so that you won’t feel anything during the extraction and transplantation.

Implantation

Next, the surgeon injects a local anesthetic into the part of the face where each hair that was extracted from the scalp will be implanted. Each hair follicle is then transplanted onto your facial skin, and the specialist shapes the beard according to the agreed-upon design before starting the surgery.

Recovery

The recovery from a beard transplant surgery is quick, taking only a day. The newly implanted hair follicles may have some small scabs around them, but these will disappear within a few days. Typically, you can shave and trim your new beard after a week. Keep in mind that the transplanted hairs in the beard area might fall out after 2 or 3 weeks, but don’t worry, as new hairs will grow to replace them.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for this Procedure?

Having healthy hair is important, especially at the base of the scalp, where the hair follicles are extracted. Remember, the back of the head is usually the last to go bald in most cases, so if you are losing hair at the front of your scalp, there is likely some healthy hair growing there. Your hair transplant specialist will examine your head to determine if there are enough hair follicles to transplant.

If it is discovered that the hair follicles are insufficient, the surgeon may suggest other treatment methods.

Types of Beard Transplants

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) are the main methods for beard transplantation. In both methods, doctors obtain hair from another area of the body. Typically, in FUE beard transplantation, individual loose hairs are grafted from the donor area and collected in a larger region. Only small, circular white scars remain. Normally, the doctor can harvest one out of every five follicles, but this is subject to the quality of the procedure and the surgeon’s skills. The most common method for beard transplantation is FUE.

In an FUT beard transplant, a microdissection procedure is used to extract a small strip of tissue from the donor area. The doctor then sutures the wound, leaving a thin scar.

Let’s compare the two methods in more detail, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each one. You will understand why the FUE method is always ahead.

• With the FUE method, the healing time is shorter, and there is no linear scar, as is the case with the FUT method. So, one of the advantages of choosing the FUE technique is that you can get back to your physical activities in no time.
• As mentioned, the FUE technique leaves tiny white scars that are not very visible, even in areas of the scalp with little hair. The scars usually cover a larger area compared to the FUT technique, but they are almost imperceptible.
• FUT patients experience less comfort compared to those who choose the FUE method.
• An FUT strip tends to have more hair, so after the transplant, the patient can easily achieve maximum fullness.
• To obtain an ideal number of grafts, the FUT donor strip is taken from the middle part of a collection area.

How Beard Transplant Differs from Hair Transplant

What is the difference between a beard hair transplant and a scalp hair transplant? This is a common question for people considering a beard transplant. There isn’t much difference, although one of the most notable distinctions is the slight differences between beard hair and scalp hair. Mustache and beard hairs are usually formed by individual hair units. Although not always visible, beard growth begins in puberty and is stimulated by male sex hormones. It then gains more density over the next 20 years.

Hair loss on the scalp and male pattern baldness are mostly caused by androgen overactivity. In some men, the hair follicles on the scalp are more sensitive to certain hormones. Keep in mind that the volume and growth of the beard often depend on the ethnic groups of different men. For example, Middle Eastern and Indian men are known to have denser beards, while Asian men have less hair and volume in their beards compared to African and Caucasian men.

Also, note that scalp hair has a higher density than beard and facial hair. There are numerous similarities between scalp hair and beard hair, but scalp hair has a circular (or oval) shape, while beard hair has an elliptical shape.

Planning

The transplant procedure for both scalp and beard hair is similar, but each technique has planning differences. If it’s a beard transplant, the doctor has to analyze your face to determine the number of grafts needed.

Procedure

The graft extraction procedure from the donor regions is similar in both scalp and beard implantation techniques (FUE procedures). However, the main difference lies in the recipient area design and graft distribution. The preferred and most popular method in beard transplants is scalp-to-beard, but the region below the chin can also be a donor area.

On the other hand, the doctor may obtain donor hair from other parts of the body, such as the chest, for scalp hair transplant. An important difference between the two procedures is that in facial hair transplants, doctors make smaller incisions. A similarity and advantage of both hair and beard transplants is that they provide permanent solutions. This means that after undergoing the procedure, your hair will no longer be patchy. If you want to see more differences between FUT and FUE hair transplant techniques.

How to Determine if a Beard Transplant is Successful

The transplanted hair follicles will usually be firmly in place and growing within 3 to 4 months, regardless of the technique used. If by the eighth or ninth month, you have a full and healthy beard, you will know that the beard transplant was successful, and people won’t be able to tell that you had the procedure.

Both FUT and FUE can create natural-looking beards, although FUT beards are generally more dense. This is due to more hair follicles being extracted during the removal of a strip of skin. For those who prefer to have a thick beard, FUT is the better option.

It is very rare for a beard transplant procedure to go wrong, and when it does, it is usually due to poor collection from the donor area. Therefore, it is necessary to find an expert hair restoration doctor, even if they charge more than others.

How Much Does a Beard Transplant Cost?

The cost of a beard transplant can be quite high. Depending on the number of grafts needed, the cost of a beard transplant can range from $15,000. If you only have hair growing in certain parts of your face and not in others, you can opt for partial transplants, which cost between $3,000 and $7,000. The cost of the beard transplant will be determined by the number of grafts to be transplanted. During your consultation with your doctor, you can discuss the cost of the beard transplant.

Before the procedure, your doctor will need to examine your face and scalp to see if you are a good candidate. You may have to pay for the consultation visit, but that depends on the doctor. When scheduling an appointment, don’t forget to inquire about the consultation fee. Remember that beard implants are considered cosmetic procedures, so no insurance covers them. Also, find out about financing options, as some surgeons allow patients to pay in installments.

Pros & Cons

The Pros of a Beard Transplant

1. Total Control: It’s similar to styling your hair – you choose the style you want. You can even bring in reference photos of beards and go to the clinic with the beard design you desire. The doctor will do their best to give you the beard you want. You can even see the before and after results of some beard transplants.

2. Love, Sex, and Respect: Many studies indicate that most women are attracted to men with facial hair. A 2013 survey showed that women considered men with scruffy beards to be ideal sexual partners, while those with full beards were associated with being better potential fathers and more masculine.

   But it’s not just about what women like – it’s also about gaining the respect of other men. Research also showed that men perceive men with beards as more masculine. Furthermore, the study reported that men with beards provide a sense of security, as they appear stronger than other men.

3. Minimal Pain: The incisions made on the face are so tiny that you will only feel slight discomfort.

4. Immediate Recovery: Taking a day off will likely be more than enough, as the procedure can take around five hours. Afterward, there will be some redness and swelling for a few days.

5. Maintainable: You can style your beard like anyone else, as the new hair follicles are permanently inserted.

The Cons of a Beard Transplant

• Taking hair from another part of the body: The back of the head usually has the strongest hair, which is why it’s the main area from which hair follicles are extracted for beard transplants. The hair may appear slightly thinner, as the doctor only takes one out of every five hairs, but there is no cause for concern as there will be no bald patches.
• While some clinics charge per graft (the final price is the number of grafts multiplied by the price per graft), others charge per session. You can opt for the price per graft plan, as some patients require more grafts than others.
• Additionally, the consultation fee at some clinics can reach $300. Essentially, you consult a dermatologist to identify the reason for your lack of facial hair. The benefit of this consultation is that they will tell you how to grow your beard naturally instead of going for a transplant.

Alternatives to Beard Implants

If you think a beard implant is a somewhat costly or invasive option, or both, here are some alternatives for beard growth that you can try.

• Minoxidil (Rogaine): Minoxidil is a common remedy for hair loss on the scalp, which has also been shown to promote facial hair growth. Topical minoxidil comes in two forms: foam and liquid. The only downside is that when you stop using this product, the new hair may stop growing or grow slowly.
• About Minoxidil: This medication was originally created to lower blood pressure. One of the most frequent side effects of minoxidil is a decrease in blood pressure, so if you plan to use it, consult your doctor if you are undergoing any blood pressure treatment or have any heart problems.
• Supplements: Supplements that contain the B vitamin biotin (which promotes healthy hair growth) and L-carnitine-L-tartrate are other products that benefit beard growth. Another product that may facilitate hair growth on the face and scalp is Trusted Source.
• Lifestyle Choices: Genetics play a big role in hair growth, but here are some habits that can help with beard hair growth:
  • Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
  • Have a well-balanced diet consisting of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as foods high in zinc, iron, whole grains, and lean proteins.
  • Ensure the health of hair follicles by improving blood circulation through exercise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, undergoing a beard implant is a useful way to achieve the beard you have always wanted. It is a permanent solution for people with little facial hair and is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, although it is not the only method to address patchy growth and bald spots. If you intend to undergo a beard implant, it is important to choose the best in the field, as well as the clinic with state-of-the-art equipment and the best care available.

Keep in mind that undergoing a beard implant is a major and expensive choice in your life, so research all the details to ensure that it is truly what you want. Do you have the idea of getting a beard transplant in your head, or have you already done it? If you have done it, what were the results and the experience? Any opinion, suggestion, and comment are welcome. Start your journey towards a new and happier you. Contact us and schedule your first consultation with one of our specialist doctors.

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