Can You Get a Beard Hair Transplant & is it Worth it?

A beard transplant can either involve extracting hairs into the beard to create a fuller appearance, or it can involve using the beard as a source of donor hair to implant on other parts of the body. In the first case, the source of the hair can be from under the chin, where growth is stronger or from the back of your head. 

The desired appearance can be created in consultation with your hair transplant surgeon, whether you’re aiming for a full beard or just filling in patchy areas. Beard transplants can be suitable if you have scarring that has caused hair to stop growing in those areas. In the second scenario, if the beard is used as a donor area, it is usually a salvage source when you have run out of other options, as it can be more difficult for the hair to adapt to the scalp. 

Here, we’ll take a look at the procedure for a beard transplant, what the recovery is like, the cost, and the possible side effects. We’ll also tell you how Hairy Hair may help with your hair loss.

Beard transplant procedure

Follicular unit excision (FUE) needs to be used if you are using the beard as a donor area for a scalp transplant. This involves harvesting the hairs through a micro punch as opposed to follicular unit transplantation (FUT), where a strip of hair is removed. 

This is because the hairs are too fine, and the chance of transection (cutting the hair follicle off from the nerve and blood supply) is higher. Hair can be harvested from the scalp via FUT or FUE if the grafts are being implanted into the beard. 

The texture of the scalp hair can more easily adapt to growing as beard hair than vice versa, which is why beard donor areas are only used when your scalp cannot be harvested anymore. Beard hair has to match the density, colour, and dimension of the recipient area to create a natural appearance. 

This is why beard hair as a donor site is reserved for filling the gap between other transplanted hair in the recipient site. There is also usually not a lot of beard hair available compared to your scalp. If a beard-to-beard transplant is taking place, there shouldn’t be any concern with creating a match to the surrounding hair. 

While scalp hair can adapt to the texture of beard hair if used as a source for the transplant, there still needs to be a close match in colour and dimension to create a natural appearance. The patient will also have to consider whether using scalp hair as the donor site for your beard transplant will deplete this area if you need to use it for your scalp in the future. 

This is particularly a concern if you suffer from pattern baldness since your donor area will continue to deplete over time. The extraction of beard hair using FUE may be a mechanised procedure, but it still requires a skilled surgeon to ensure that it can lead to viable results. 

Many clinics will not offer beard harvesting, considering the difficulty in efficiently extracting the hair. This is because the direction that beard hair grows in is different throughout the beard area, making extraction a longer and more precise process. 

The number of grafts required for a beard implant procedure is typically less than a scalp transplant, with most surgeries using between 500 and 2,000 grafts, depending on the desired result. The graft survival must also be taken into account, as even if all aftercare instructions are adhered to, some of the grafts may not implant properly into the recipient site. 

The number of sessions required to achieve the preferred look will likely depend on the amount of donor hair available, but beard transplants are typically one session due to the small number of grafts used. After hair has been harvested it is ready to be implanted into the recipient site after a small incision is made.

What is the recovery process like for a beard transplant?

Since the donor and recipient areas are treated with local anaesthetic, you shouldn’t experience any pain during a beard transplant, and the recovery does not typically involve bruising, swelling, or significant downtime. 

You will be given instructions regarding when you can shave again from your surgeon, along with other precautions you should take. It may be advisable to apply bandages or ointments depending on your surgeon’s recommendations. 

Scabs are common in the donor and recipient site but it’s important not to scratch at them or pick at them. They will fall off naturally and if you interfere with the healing process you are at risk of causing an infection.

How much does a beard transplant cost?

Since a smaller number of grafts are used, the cost of the hair transplant may be determined per graft. In Australia, this figure can range from $4 to $10. This means that a 1,500 to 2,000 graft procedure for a full beard can cost anywhere between $6,000 and $15,000. 

The price can vary depending on the clinic, surgeon experience, method used, and where you’re living. 

What side effects are possible with a beard transplant?

Hairs that are transplanted to the beard area come with risks that the grafts will not have strong growth, don’t grow in the right direction or produce an unnatural hairline due to inappropriate design. 

In rare cases, infection, ingrown cysts, or other temporary problems can occur, but they may resolve by themselves over time. The chances of these issues happening can be mitigated by choosing a high-quality surgeon and clinic.

How can Hairy Hair help with your hair loss?

If you are struggling with your hair loss, Hairy Hair provides a single daily pill to help you regrow your hair. While the formula is not targeted to help with beard hair growth, it can prevent the need for a hair transplant by potentially preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth on your scalp. 

Through a combined, targeted approach that tackles different hair loss issues, you can give your hair the potential to regrow. 

Conclusion

Beard transplants can help to promote your self-confidence by filling in patchy areas. This kind of hair loss treatment, like an eyebrow hair transplant, will typically require much fewer hairs to create the desired result. 

As a source for donor hair, it can prove challenging, and it may not be an option for everyone. For those tackling hair loss or who want to act at the first signs, contact Hairy Hair today to begin your hair growth journey. 

To start, just fill in an online form so we can get to know you and your hair loss. One of our qualified Australian GPs will then review your information and give you a call. Here, they’ll discuss your personalised treatment plan with you as well as answer any questions you may have. 

Finally, your prescription medication will be delivered right to your door. You can manage your hair loss treatment all from the comfort of your home, no clinic visits are required. Our dedicated support team will also be on hand to support you at every step of your journey and make any adjustments that may be necessary.