Not every man is blessed with lush facial Hair.

Beards are generally seen as a symbol of rugged manliness and attractiveness. If there is one thing men are vain about, it is their Beard.

It wasn’t so popular around a decade back, when just letting go was seen as improper grooming. But nowadays, more and more men are embracing their whiskers and letting their beards grow. Sometimes, you may do everything right, but the stubborn hair refuses to grow on your face! 

So, do you just resign to it, blaming your genes, or is there any way around it?

Enter Beard Transplant to the rescue! As the name implies, a beard transplant is a process of the hair being taken from one part of the body (usually, the back of the head) and transplanted to where you want your beard to grow.

Beard transplant is a type of facial transplant that has snowballed in popularity over the last decade. Most beard transplants fall into one of the two categories:

1. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): is the most commonly done beard transplant option. In this approach, complete follicular units (or hair grafts) are harvested one at a time from the donor area. It is a less painful method, which is perhaps why it is the more commonly performed procedure.
2. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): In this approach, the surgeon cuts out a small strip of tissue from the back of the head. This strip will have multiple hair follicles in it. Once done, the surgeon closes the edges of the wound and then proceeds to remove the hair follicles from it.

FUT may take a bit longer to get done and recover from, but it will give you a fuller beard as more hairs are transplanted overall.

Do beard transplants work?

When it comes to beard transplants, an average of 4,000 to 7,000 hairs can be transplanted one at a time.

That is the norm, but it is not unusual for surgeons to transplant two hairs per graft to lend a more natural look to the beard.

Just think of it. Extracting and then replanting 2000 or more hairs is a lengthy procedure and requires excellent deft and skill from the surgeon’s end. A beard transplant can be done in an 8-hour day.

The person opting for the beard transplant will be given oral sedation and local anesthesia around the head. It is a painless process, and the healing time is quick too.

Hairs are removed one by one with the FUE technique. It is undetectable to the naked eye. After this, the doctor makes minute incisions in the beard area to determine the density, direction, and the angle at which the beard mane will grow.

Regardless of FUE or FUT technique, the transplanted hair follicles should settle in place and begin growing in around 3 to 4 months. It takes all of 8 or 9 months before you can boast of a full, healthy beard that you can flaunt and showcase proudly!

Beard transplant failure is an infrequent occurrence. It is generally the result of improper harvesting done from the donor area. That is why it is paramount to do your research and choose a reputed and experienced hair restoration surgeon.

Are beard transplants permanent?

In beard transplant, your new hair follicles will be grafted in permanently. As a result, your beard will look and function just like anyone else’s beard. There are various methods to deal with the lack of facial hair.

But then, beard transplant is not only a safe, successful, and proven solution but also permanent. It is no wonder that it has grown in popularity around the world.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that beard transplants require a great deal of skill and experience to get it right, so it is no wonder that it is a widely popular procedure with beard enthusiasts everywhere.

So, make an informed decision and get it down from a reputable surgeon who can give you the beard you long for.

Post-surgery, don’t panic if the transplanted hairs fall out after a couple of weeks. They will grow right back, and this time permanently, after 3 or 4 months. Beard transplants are not a cheap affair, so for those looking to get it, the good news is that it won’t fall out of your cheeks.

It is an important feature and benefit of this procedure; it is a permanent and long-lasting solution.

Does beard transplant look natural?

Luscious facial hair is every man’s dream. But genes or lifestyle may inhibit you from having what you desire. A Beard transplant is an effective solution to get over it.

You will be staggered to know that, on average, 4000 to 7000 hairs can be transplanted one at a time.

But some doctors may also use two grafts for a more natural beard appearance. This delicate and intricate job requires the surgeon to get each hair follicle to point in the right direction for a more natural look. 

In the FUE method, tiny incisions are made in the beard area by the doctor to set the direction, density, and angulation of hair growth. How deft the surgeon does this will play a massive role in how natural your beard will grow out.  

Getting a beard transplant done by a good clinic and surgeon is essential to get the natural beard look.

Make sure to check the following criteria: experience in the technique you are opting for, proper training and specialization in hair transplantation, industry reputation, adequate consultation, useful tools, previous client experiences, before-after photos so you can get an idea of what’s in store, and excellent support staff.

Both FUE and FUT methods will yield natural-looking beards, although FUT beards tend to be fuller. If you want a thicker-looking beard, you could consider FUT.

If the proper position, angle, and orientation of every single graft is taken care of, you will achieve a beard that is pleasing to the eye and utterly natural that no one will be able to tell you’ve had it done!

If you opt for the cheap way out or go to someone inexperienced with no formal training, your beard will be ruined forever with facial hairs growing in all possible directions. They will stick out like a sore thumb (in this case, hair!).

Beard transplants are great as they produce hair that both looks and feels natural. The hair for the transplant is taken from your hair, after all!

Can we shave after the beard transplant?

Once you get a beard transplant and the hair follicles are grafted permanently, it will look and work just like a natural beard. You can shave it and style it however you please.

So, when can you start shaving after the procedure?

You can begin as early as a week or give it ten days before you begin to shave your new beard.

If you want to shave, you should shave your new facial hair properly. Opt for a good shaving kit that will give you a splendid shaved look. 

A week or ten days after transplanting, your facial hair will start to take the appearance of stubble. As we said before, hair fall may occur a fortnight after the procedure, but don’t let this worry you.

It is merely the shock phase making way for new hair growth soon. At this stage, you can either opt for a scruffy look or shave as often as you please, as the new facial hair will start growing back at a good pace.

If you want to trim your facial hair, do so without hesitation. They will grow right back like a typical beard. Any visible symptoms post-procedure will subside within a week, and then you can shave away to glory!

Do beard transplants leave scars?

Predominantly, men opt for beard transplants to hide their scars.

But a growing number are going for it just to get a good beard. If you are seriously contemplating this procedure, one of the main concerns will be whether beard transplants leave scars behind. Read further to find out!

A beard transplant by the FUE method will take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours. It will only leave behind tiny circular scars. It will appear at the spot where the hair follicles were removed. Clinics may do this part manually or with the help of mechanical aids.  

In an FUE transplant, the recovery time is much quicker than other options. Moreover, a majority of people who underwent it report no significant discomfort. FUE will result in unnoticeable scars on the donor area that are not apparent to the naked eye.

When it comes to FUT, a surgeon will take a strip of tissue from another area, stitch up the wound, and transplant the hairs on it. So this may leave behind a long, prominent, but the excellent scar on the donor area.

In either case, don’t worry. Your natural hair will grow right back and will cover any ungainly scars.

Occasionally, the hair follicles may become inflamed or infected. But this is quite rare.

Post-surgery side effects include:

• Redness
• Slight swelling
• Mild bruising
• Swelling
• Tightness
• Numbness
• The graft may go in too deep, causing issues with ingrown beard hairs and inflammation. 

Some surgeons may suggest you not wash your face till the crusts have fallen off. The recovery is usually pain-free and problem-free.

Your doctor may give antibiotic ointment for your scalp and face to prevent irritation or itching. Several activities are best avoided for the first week post the procedure. These include:

• Swimming.
• Smoking.
• Using a hot tub, spa, jacuzzi, or sauna.
• Too much exposure to direct sunlight.
• Intense exercises, workouts, or physical activities that may cause a lot of sweating.
• Touching, scratching, rubbing, or pulling on the implant and donor areas.

Note that in both cases, scarring is only on the donor areas, not on the implant area. Although there will be no scarring in the implant area, you will see some temporary scabs which should go away by themselves in a week or two.

But if crustiness, redness, swelling, or irritation persists even after a few weeks, visit your doctor.

Difference between hair and beard transplants

When you hear of the term hair transplant, the first thing that may come to your mind is the surgical hair restoration of the hair on your head – a procedure you may opt for if you have light hair or experience major hair fall problems.

Scalp restoration of hair on the scalp of your head is a standard procedure. On the other hand, a beard transplant is rare.

A beard transplant is a type of facial hair transplantation to cover scars, sideburns, or acne marks and restore hair to areas where the hair is sparse or virtually non-existent.

Facial hair transplantation procedures include eyebrow hair transplantation, mustache hair transplantation, among others.

A beard transplant is a process that is somewhat similar to a scalp hair transplant. It involves extracting donor hair on the back or sides of the hair. The donor site hair should match your facial hair for the beard to appear natural and then carefully and deftly transplanted to the recipient site.

The difference between the two is that smaller incisions are used in a beard transplant rather than a scalp transplant. In people with balding heads, the surgeon may remove donor hair from body hair, most often, chest hair.

How much a full beard transplant costs?

A bear transplant is not a cheap affair. Done from a well-reputed clinic at the hands of a trained and experienced surgeon, it could cost you anywhere from $5000 to $15,000. A full beard transplant could even cost upward of $15,000. 

If you just want to fill in portions of your face areas where the hair is scanty, it could cost you $3000 to $7000. It entirely depends on the number of grafts that will be planted during the beard transplant. 

While some places may charge on a per session basis, others will charge per graft. So, if you need more grafts than others, and correspondingly, the charge will also be more.

Clinics typically charge a consultation fee of $300. While this may seem like a lot, you may well discover that you don’t need a beard transplant to grow a beard. The standard price per graft in the US and Europe is between $8 and $10.

Despite the relatively high cost, the popularity of this procedure is only growing in popularity.

A beard transplant will give you a permanent and natural-looking beard that you can style any way you want.

It may boost your confidence, looks and make you more appealing and attractive to others. The latter is not just with the opposite gender. You will be the envy of the other men, who may look at you with respect and awe. 

You are the best judge to decide if the cost is worthwhile or not. You should know that since beard transplant is considered a cosmetic procedure, you will not be covered by insurance.

Who is the right candidate for beard transplantation?

If you can afford to shell out thousands of dollars, and more importantly, have good, healthy donor hairs on your scalp, you are the right candidate.

You can get the procedure done to achieve your beard goals and desires. Patients with a strong history of male pattern baldness are not great candidates, as their options may be limited.

Final Thoughts

Beard is one aspect that a man is very conscious of, not just to attract members of the opposite sex but to boost their standing with other men. Men with beards may be perceived as healthy, dominant, attractive, and masculine.

Beard transplants are a great way to deal with the lack of facial hair, but it certainly is not the only way. It may not be for everyone, as it is an inexpensive procedure. But then, the effects are long-lasting, permanent, and look natural.  

Beard transplants are done to look good, hide blemishes or scars, and for those who lack facial hair growth because of surgery scars or injury.

Your genes or lifestyle may be to blame for the lack of facial hair, but if you want to, there are options to set it right.

If you decide to go with the beard transplantation route, you should consider the pros and cons and choose accordingly. Although expensive, the procedure itself is quick, painless, and hardly results in any complications, and the recovery is fast.

Make sure you do proper research, choose a reputable surgeon and clinic, and consult about the costs and adequate aftercare to get the beard you’ve always wanted. Restore your facial hair along with your confidence and attractiveness. After all, who can say no to a mean beard!

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