Beard and moustache have an important place in the man’s image. There are many men preferring to grow beard thinking that it makes them look more attractive. Some even say that beard and/or moustache is the makeup of the men. Lately, it is a trend to have a long beard and take care of it with oils, wax, etc. However, some men are not able to grow a beard or moustache. There are various reasons lying behind that. It can be due to hormones or genetics, some trauma like an injury or a burn might have caused it, or it might be due to some diseases. In any case, not being able to grow a beard or moustache would distress the person. People may feel insecure about themselves due to this issue. Furthermore, this problem may affect their self-esteem, daily life, work or school performance, and relationships.
In such cases, thanks to the innovations and the developments in medical technology, people have a choice now. People suffering from the lack of beard and moustache can have a transplant now. Beard and moustache transplant is a great way of having facial hair and is totally safe.
What is a Beard and moustache transplant?
Just like having a hair transplant, one can have a beard or moustache transplant as well. It is basically the same thing. However, they may differ on some points as they have different densities. Beard and moustache transplant is an operation that is aimed at making the patient have more beard and moustache. For a beard and moustache transplant, the donor area is in the back of the scalp. The specialist removes follicles from there and transplants them into the beard and moustache area. It is done under local anaesthesia. Also, there are two main techniques for a beard and moustache transplant. The first one is the follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique. The second, on the other hand, is the follicular unit transplantation (FUT) technique.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Technique in Beard and Moustache Transplant
FUE is a more preferred technique for a beard and moustache transplant. An FUE procedure is done on an outpatient basis. So, as long as some unexpected thing does not occur, you can go home after the operation. It is an innovative and more comfortable way of having a hair transplant. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia. During an FUE beard and moustache transplant, the specialist takes the follicles one by one. For the beard and moustache transplants, the donor area is generally the back of the scalp. Because the hair there is so strong that they do not easily fall off. That also makes the transplant long-lasting as the hair will not fall out easily after being transplanted. In some cases, the hair under the chin can be used as well, as the thickness of the strands may differ.
The FUE beard and moustache transplant procedure do not involve any incisions. Therefore, it leaves no scars. After harvesting the follicles from the donor area, the specialist will insert them into the holes in the recipient area. He/she will transplant the follicles as the way you agreed before. That means you can decide your beard and moustache‘s shape before the surgery.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) Technique in Beard and Moustache Transplant
The other technique for a beard and moustache transplant is FUT technique. In contrast to the FUE, FUT causes more discomfort. During a FUT procedure, the specialist numbs the donor and recipient areas with a local anaesthetic. Rather than taking the follicles individually, the specialist takes a strip of skin from the donor area. This incision requires stitches and accordingly, leave a horizontal scar on the backside of the scalp. The specialist divides that strip of skin into smaller pieces. We call each of those pieces a ‘graft’. Later, he/she inserts those grafts into the holes he opened in the recipient area.
During a FUT procedure, the specialist can transplant up to 2000 follicles. Compared to the FUE, FUT beard and moustache transplant can take longer to heal. In either case, you may need to rest at home at least a day. Due to the involved incision and the discomfort it causes, people do not generally prefer FUT.
How Long does Beard and Moustache Transplants Take?
The beard and moustache transplants are done on an outpatient basis. That means you can go home after the procedure. So, you do not have to worry about taking days off of work or school. The procedures last a maximum of 8 hours depending on the amount of the follicles that are to be transplanted.
Consultation Appointment for a Beard and Moustache Transplant
Just like other cosmetic surgeries, you can get a consultation appointment for a beard and moustache transplant too. During the appointment, you will discuss your goals with the specialist. In the meantime, he/she will evaluate your hair, facial shape, etc. Some blood tests may be necessary. You should tell the specialist what you expect from the transplant. He will guide you to have a realistic expectation and explain other details. You can find out about how is the procedure done during the consultation. Also, you should ask about the price and payment options during the appointment. The consultation is to find out about the things that you wonder. So, you should ask anything that comes to your mind even if it sounds ridiculous. Our specialists will listen and answer your questions without judging.
How Should One Get Prepared for a Beard and Moustache Transplant?
After the consultation appointment, when you decide you are going to have a beard and moustache transplant, the specialist may ask you to do some certain things. Those are easy things and you should do them so as not to cause any complications during the procedure. You should not use any medication that contains Aspirin at least 10 days before the operation. Also, you should not consume beverages that contain alcohol. It will also be good to stop smoking a while before the procedure. In order to strengthen your body, and to make the healing process easier, you can take Vitamin C pills. Lastly, on the day of the operation, you should not drink any beverage that contains caffeine. It may affect your body’s sensitivity and may cause extensive bleeding.
What Happens after a Beard and Mustache Transplant?
As the beard and moustache transplants are done on an outpatient basis, you can go home after the operation. Your specialist will give you the necessary instructions to avoid complications and to make the healing process faster. So as not to cause any complications and get the best results, you must follow those instructions. Also, the specialist will prescribe the medications if necessary. On the transplanted area, some crust may appear, but they will peel off in a few days. Also, you may recognize that the transplanted hair is falling out. Do not worry in that case as that is an expected situation. That hair will grow back in time. If you notice anything that bothers you, you can contact your specialist via Whatsapp or video chat. We are adapting to technology, so you do not have to come to the hospital every time you have something to ask.
Things to Keep in Mind during the Postoperative Period of a Beard and Moustache Transplant
After the beard and moustache transplant operation, you should be careful about the operated area. First of all, you should take care of your general health and stay hydrated. You should eat a healthy diet as well. Those are essential for better and faster healing. Other than that, you should be careful about sun exposure. For at least 2 months, avoid direct sun exposure as much as you can. Also, you should avoid shaving and rubbing the operated area for a while. You can talk to your specialist about when you can shave or trim your beard. You can wash your face gently, and the usage of some moisturizer might help the skin heal faster.
What are the Risks and Complications Involved in a Beard and Moustache Transplant?
Having a beard and moustache transplant is most of the time safe. However, sometimes due to unexpected factors or lack of care, some complications can occur. In those cases, rather than using a medication or treatment you know, you should consult your specialist. A wrong interference can make the situation worse. You should keep the donor and recipient areas clean. Also, so as not to cause any complications, follow your specialist’s instructions strictly. If he/she prescribed medications, take them regularly without delay. It may be good to avoid swimming, smoking, going to a sauna, and exercising for a while. These activities may affect the healing process directly or by putting your body under stress.
In the postoperative period of a beard and moustache transplant, if you recognize anything is going wrong, feel free to contact your specialist. Some complications you can encounter are swelling and redness in the operated area. You may feel that your skin is tightened. Also, you may experience a lack of sensitivity in the operated area. Apart from those, some crust may form on the operated area as stated above. But those are not permanent, so there is nothing to worry about. If the complications do not clear up in a few days, definitely see a doctor. It may be a sign of something else like an infection.
Is Beard and Moustache Transplant Procedure a Painful Process?
Some patients may be hesitant to undergo an operation. Especially considering that the FUT beard and moustache transplant process is involving an incision, it might frighten some people. However, as the procedure is done under a local anaesthetic, the patients feel no pain. Our foundation and specialists do their best to both make a successful transplant and keep the patient’s discomfort at the minimum. In the postoperative period, the patient may feel some discomfort. But the specialist will prescribe some painkiller, so there is nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, you should be aware that some painkillers can interfere with the healing process. So, you should not use any painkillers that are not prescribed by your specialist.
Who should have a Beard and Moustache Transplant?
If you are considering to have a beard and moustache transplant, that means your look does not satisfy you. You may feel bad for not looking like what you want to look like. Or your beard and moustache may not be as dense as you want it to be. Some patients also want to have a transplant to cover the scars on their beard area. If any of these definitions fits for you, you should also consider some other issues. First of all, age is important for a beard and moustache transplant. For some men, the beard and moustache do not fully develop until they are 22-23. So, it would be better to wait until you are at least that age. Also, you should have healthy hair on the back of your scalp to transplant. As this area has the strongest follicles, it is rare not to have hair there.
Apart from the factors above, you should have a realistic expectation from the beard and moustache transplant. Like all other cosmetic operations, beard and moustache transplant is not magic. Most of the time patients are satisfied with their results and they have natural-looking facial hair. However, you should still keep your expectations on a normal level.
What are the Alternatives for a Beard and Moustache Transplant?
Even though having a beard and moustache transplant is most of the time safe, some people may not prefer it. The reason may be its cost or the fear of undergoing an operation. So, people can prefer alternatives for a beard transplant. One of those alternatives is products or medications that promote hair growth. Some medications and products can stimulate hair growth and make one have hair where he does not. However, the person should be careful as those products and medications have side effects. So, we recommend consulting a doctor before using such products or medications. One of those medications is Minoxidil, which is used for the treatment of hair loss. It stimulates hair growth, but once you stop applying, the growth slows down and eventually stops. Also, it has some side effects like dry-skin and irregular heartbeat.
Another alternative for a beard and moustache transplant is supplements for hair growth. Some supplements that contain Vitamin B can promote hair growth. But again, you should consult a doctor before using them. Also, if the lack of beard and moustache is caused by hormonal issues, you can consider hormonal therapy. You can take the treatment as pills, injections or creams. Lastly, you can change your lifestyle a little bit. For example, exercising regularly will increase your blood flow. That will be good for your skin and follicles. Also, having a healthy diet which is rich in necessary vitamins and nutrition will help a lot. And the last thing you can do is getting enough sleep and taking care of your health in general.
Benefits of Having a Beard and Moustache Transplant
Even though a beard and moustache transplant is a cosmetic operation, it has benefits to mental and general health. First of all, people may feel insecure about their look due to the lack of facial hair. This issue can lead to bad performance at work or school, bad relationships with people and more. So, having a beard and moustache transplant will make one feel more confident. Because it will solve the issue about the appearance. He can be more productive and active in his daily life after the procedure. Other than that, the transplant will be a permanent solution for the issue. After the transplantation, the patient will have a natural-looking beard and moustache. He can shave and trim his facial hair with no problems. Lastly, it will make one’s facial hair thicker, which will make a better look.
Negative Sides of Having a Beard and Moustache Transplant
Even though the positive sides outweigh the negative sides of the beard and moustache transplant, you should still consider them. The first thing that is important to consider is that you will sacrifice your hair. To carry out the operation, the specialist needs to take follicles from somewhere else on your body. That area is generally the back of the scalp, where the follicles are too strong. So, you will sacrifice your hair to have a beard and moustache at the end. But yet, you will not have balded areas on your head, your hair will only get thinned a little.
The other thing you should consider is the cost of the procedure. As it is not covered by health insurance plans, you should be sure that you can pay for it. During the consultation, you can learn about how much you will have to pay for the beard and moustache transplant.
How much does a Beard and Moustache Transplant Cost?
If you decided to have a beard and moustache transplant, you should consider its cost as well. Actually, it may not be cheap. However, it depends on many things. The main factor is the number of grafts that is to be transplanted. The more grafts you have transplanted, the more it will cost. So, you should discuss the cost with your specialist beforehand. Another factor is the foundation you choose. As different foundations have different standards, they will charge differently. Also, the quality of the equipment in all foundations may not be the same. So, it can be a factor as well. On the other hand, specialists can charge different amounts. Because they have different amounts of experience and different standards. Furthermore, you should find out if the consultation, the anaesthetic, and other things are included in the cost.
Beard and moustache transplant is a cosmetic operation. It is not considered to be necessary for health issues. So, health insurances do not cover it. However, while consulting, you can ask if the foundation provides any financing options. If you want to have a beard and moustache transplant and want to find out how much you will have to pay, you can contact our clinic.
The Results of a Beard and moustache transplant
Most of the time, beard and moustache transplants are successful. After the procedure, if you take care of the operated area well, there is no reason for it to be unsuccessful. You may notice that your beard and moustache is falling off. This situation is called a ‘shock loss’. It is a totally normal and expected thing after a hair transplant. This situation does not mean that the operation was unsuccessful, so do not worry. In a few months, you will have fully functioning follicles that grow beard and moustache on your face. Furthermore, in 8-9 months, you are supposed to have a healthy beard and moustache that grows naturally. The failure of transplants generally stems from the bad harvest of follicles. However, it is so rare. You can trust our team of experienced specialists.
Can One get Hair Transplant and Beard and moustache transplant at the Same Time?
Some patients may suffer from hair loss on both scalp and face. It may be due to genetics, ageing or some treatments like chemotherapy. In those cases, if the patient wants, he can get both hair and beard and moustache transplant at the same time. However, in the process, the specialist needs to be careful while distributing the follicles. He/she should separate the follicles regarding their suitability for the scalp or facial hair. In this process, the thickness of the hair strands and their colour is important. Also, the specialist needs to be careful not to waste the follicles. He should distribute them well so that they will be enough for both scalp and facial hair. In order to achieve that, the specialist needs to examine the hair thoroughly. A well-planned combination of hair and the facial hair transplant will result successfully.