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What is a Beard Transplant?

A beard transplant is a cosmetic surgical procedure to transfer your own hair from an area of good growth – such as the back of the head – to your face and jaw where growth is scanty or absent. This surgery offers a permanent solution for the lack of beard hair.

With more and more people knowing about the possibility of beard and mustache reconstruction, many are now undergoing transplants in these areas, and they can have different facial hairstyles. This trend of the growing popularity of facial hair restoration.

For men, beards and mustaches may be grown not only as an accessory but may also reflect a person’s social standing or as a means of representing their beliefs. There are many phases in a man’s life when he may decide to leave his beard to grow out. However, it may sometimes be possible for a man to have a sparse or patchy beard growth which can mean that they are restricted in their facial hair styling.

Ideal Candidate for a Beard Transplant

You may be an ideal candidate for hair loss surgery if you have:

  • Scanty or non-uniform growth of facial hair
  • Suitable hair growth at the donor site
  • Realistic expectations of the surgery
  • Overall good health

Contraindications for a Beard Transplant

You may not be a candidate for surgical management of hair loss if you:

  • Are prone to develop keloid scars
  • Do not have suitable donor hair sites

Preparations of Hair Loss Surgery

Specific instructions will be provided by your surgeon. In general, you should:

  • Get a health checkup to clear you for the procedure.
  • Inform your surgeon regarding any health conditions, allergies, and medications.
  • Avoid smoking as it can slow down the healing process.
  • Use a shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair before the surgery, but do not use any additional hair products.

What to Expect From A Beard Transplant Procedure?

Hair Transplant Surgery: This surgery can be performed under local anesthesia. The two main techniques of hair transplant surgery are:

Beard Restruction
  • Follicular Transplant Technique (FUT): During this procedure, a surgical scalpel is used to cut a thin strip of skin from the donor site. The hair follicles are carefully removed from the strip of harvested skin using a special surgical knife under magnification. These hair follicles are then implanted into the bald regions to achieve normal-appearing hair growth.
  • Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): During this procedure, tiny punch incisions are made to extract the hair follicles directly from the donor area – usually the back or sides of the head. A needle or blade is used to make tiny holes in the recipient area into which the hair follicles are gently placed.

The surgery can take 1 to 4 hours. A gauze or bandage will be used to cover the treated area for a few days. Multiple surgical sessions may be needed to achieve satisfactory hair fullness.

Recovery After a Beard Transplant

You can return home after the effects of sedation have worn off. A bandage will be placed over the treated area that should be kept in place for a day or two. There may be some swelling and discomfort, for which medications may be prescribed. Antibiotics may also be prescribed which should be taken as directed to avoid the risk of infection. You may have to sleep in a semi-upright position for 2-3 days to avoid putting pressure on the treated areas.

Risks Associated With a Beard Transplant

A beard transplant is performed using minimally invasive techniques to minimize the risk of complications. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are associated risks that include:

  • Bleeding
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Swelling
  • Infection
  • Scarring
  • Failure to achieve hair growth
NAder RonaghI , MD

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