Beard Transplant: Procedure, Cost & the Best Clinics in 2024

1. Fast facts
2. What is it?
3. Procedure
4. Methods
5. Cost
6. Results
7. Pros and cons

Beard transplants are fast becoming one of the most popular cosmetic treatments worldwide. And it’s easy to see why.

Beards have always been a sign of masculinity, and more and more men want to achieve a better, fuller-looking beard to look their best.

There are many reasons why men opt for beard hair transplants. Sometimes, they cannot grow facial hair because of genetics.

Other times they’ve suffered an injury that has damaged otherwise healthy hair follicles. Or they may want to increase the density of their growing beard.

Whatever their reason, the results are always the same: a great-looking, healthy beard with a quick recovery.

But no doubt you’ve got many questions about a beard transplant procedure.

And we’re here to help at every step. Today we’re going to show everything you need to know about getting a beard hair transplant in 2022.

Fast facts about beard implants

What is a beard transplant? 

Simply put, a beard transplant takes hair grafts from a donor area (i.e., the back of the head or lower parts of the chin) and implants them into targeted areas to restore facial hair.

Beard implants are often so successful that only one procedure is required to achieve a great result.

Because you’re using your very own hair, your beard will be natural-looking and will show no signs of surgery.

Moreover, a beard hair transplant allows you to sculpt your beard the way you want.

During your consultation, you will, along with your surgery, decide precisely where to implant hair and sculpt the beard to your liking.

You can match your beard’s shape to fit perfectly with your facial features!

How does a beard transplant work? 

Beard implants may seem complex initially, but we’re here to break it. Whether it’s FUT or FUE beard transplants, surgery usually follows the following three points:

1. Extraction
   
   First, the procedure will start with a haircut. Some clinics may shave your head completely, while others shave it down to about 1 mm. This is to give your surgeon a clear view of your scalp. Then, you’ll receive a local anaesthetic to prevent pain during the extraction.
   
   Depending on your procedure type, your surgeon will extract individual hair follicles (FUE) or cut a strip of tissue (FUT) from the donor area.
   
   
2. Transplantation
   
   Once your surgeon has extracted the required hair grafts, there will be a short break. Afterwards, patient care will retake centre stage; you will receive another local anaesthetic to ensure you feel no pain.
   
   Your surgeon will carefully implant hair follicles one by one into the recipient area, being careful to place them strategically to create a full beard.
   
3. Recovery process
   
   After your beard transplant surgery, you can return home. Most patients require a day to recover fully. Some tiny crusts may appear around the new beard hairs, but they should flake off naturally after a few days.
   
   You can return to your regular shaving routine after one week. At 2 to 3 weeks, implanted beard hairs will fall out. Do not worry – this is a normal part of recovery.
   
   New hair will start to grow, and you can look forward to developing a fuller beard.

Beard hair transplant treatment methods

There are different methods available to perform beard implants. The two most common techniques used for a beard transplant include:

• Follicular unit extraction (FUE) 
• Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)

Which method is better? 

Both methods are effective at treating beard hair loss. They can transplant up to 5000 grafts in a single procedure, which is more than enough to treat your jaw area. Both are performed under local anaesthetic.

Many patients opt for an FUE beard transplant because it leaves no scars, has a quick recovery, and is less painful.

Ultimately, your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate hair transplant procedure after examining your scalp during your consultation.

Beard transplant cost UK

The cost of a beard transplant is an essential factor to consider; it affects the type of procedure you get, from which clinic, and in what country.

You want the best possible care at the most affordable price.

So what prices can you expect in the UK? The minimum you will pay for a beard hair transplant here is £2,000, though some clinics can charge up to £7,500.

That might sound expensive, especially when considering clinics overseas. But we always recommend you invest in the best.

A reputable clinic with experienced staff will cost you more but guarantees better, more natural-looking results.

The cost of a beard transplant in London may seem high, but in most cases, it is more than worth it.

Some clinics offer a range of payment and financing options, allowing you to access more expensive care. Any packages or financing options will be explained to you during your consultation.

Beard transplant results: before & after

Where does the transplanted hair come from? 

The reason beard hair transplants are so successful is that implanted hair comes from your very own head.

But won’t you miss this hair? Not quite. Hair is often taken from spots with the highest hair density, which aren’t affected by male pattern baldness.

These are usually the lower back of the head and the sides.

Depending on the surgeon’s skills, they may also harvest hairs from your neck and jawbone, depending on how many grafts your new beard may require.

Pros and cons of beard transplants 

Like any hair restoration surgery, beard implants have their pros and cons. Let’s take a quick look at them:

Pros

The first advantage of a beard transplant is that it offers a permanent solution to patchy facial hair. This simple surgery can correct years of hair loss in one day.

Many patients report a dramatic boost in confidence following their procedures, with noticeable natural hair growth in the subsequent months.

Additionally, beard transplant recovery is quick and often painless. You can return to your regular grooming routine in just one week following surgery.

If you received follicular unit extraction, expect virtually undetectable scarring, too.

Cons

One of the patients’ biggest fears over beard transplantation is visible scarring, though this is only a cause for concern with FUT surgeries.

Like any surgery, there is the risk of infection at either the donor area of your scalp or facial area receiving follicular units.

However, by practicing appropriate hygiene and following the advice of your surgical team, this is easily avoidable.

The most common side effects and complications

Design is one of the most commonly arising problems with a beard transplant in Turkey. Patients are often given the Turkish beard line, which requires a large number of grafts.

It’s not uncommon for clinics to extract as many as 9000 grafts to achieve this look.

While the result is dense, this has drawbacks. The biggest of which, is the increased risk of damage to the donor area.

If the transplant fails the patient is left with no way of correcting the hairline due to the lack of healthy hairs.

This can prevent patients from ever having a natural clean-shaven look again, as there are visible scars in the donor area.

Additionally, after more extensive procedures, the implanted area may remain red for up to 4 months.

Many clinics advise their patients to use minoxidil after the transplant. However, this is completely unnecessary and may cause more harm than good.

Patients often report symptoms of folliculitis and acne flair-ups, which can get worse with the application of minoxidil.

While there are numerous Turkish clinics offering beard transplants for cheap, they often cause lifelong trauma to patients.

Many of these clinics offer beard transplants with scalp hair, which creates a dense result and adds significant weight to your face.

You may notice a strange feeling of being weighed down by your beard, which can persist long-term.

Lastly, these clinics often employ untrained staff which leads to complications such as pitting, cobblestones, and permanent skin damage.

Should you get a beard transplant?

Beard transplants and other forms of facial hair transplants such as eyebrow transplants are incredibly popular nowadays.

People often want surgery as early as their teenage years or early twenties. However, it’s important to stay patient.

Your beard growth may develop up to your mid-twenties, or even later. Getting a beard transplant too early can harm you in the long run, as you may use up all of your donor hairs before any hair loss occurs.

We advise all patients to wait until their 30s before considering a beard transplant. Many people experience growth spurts later in life, so it’s best to avoid unnecessary procedures and remain patient.

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