BEARD AND MOUSTACHE TRANSPLANT

When it comes to enhancing one’s appearance, aside from hair—which many people consider a top priority—facial hair is also a significant factor for many men. Having a beard or mustache not only gives a more distinct and stylish look but also greatly boosts confidence. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to have thick facial hair, which may be due to genetics, scars, or lower-than-normal hormone levels. A beard transplant is a permanent and effective solution to these issues.

What is a beard, mustache, and sideburn transplant?

A beard, mustache, and sideburn transplant involves transplanting hair or follicles to the areas around the lips, chin, or jawline, as desired. The technique is the same as for permanent hair transplantation. The hair typically used for these transplants comes from the donor area at the back of the head, near the nape of the neck, where the hair is permanent and strong. Once transplanted as a beard or mustache, the hair will remain permanently.

When will the results of a beard, mustache, and sideburn transplant be visible?

The timeline for seeing the results is similar to that of hair transplantation:

• First 3-7 days: There may be slight swelling, which will gradually subside, and scabs will start to form.
• 2 weeks: The hair follicles are well-established, and most of the scabs have fallen off.
• 3 months: Thin hair strands will begin to appear, around 10-15%.
• 6 months: The hair becomes thicker, and the beard and mustache outline become more visible.
• 12 months: The transplanted hair reaches full thickness, with a naturally clear beard and sideburn line. You can trim and style it as desired.

How much does a beard transplant cost?

At Hairsmith Clinic, the price for a beard, mustache, and sideburn transplant starts at 49,000 THB. For the FUT and FUE techniques, the cost is 75 THB per graft, while for the Non-shaven FUE technique (without shaving), the price is 140 THB per graft. All procedures are overseen by Dr. Prima Tossaborvorn, a certified American Board hair transplant specialist since 2014, who is known for designing natural-looking beard, mustache, and sideburn transplants.

Read more: How much does a hair transplant cost?

What are the steps for a beard, mustache, and sideburn transplant?

At Hairsmith Clinic, the procedure for a beard, mustache, and sideburn transplant uses the same techniques as permanent hair transplantation, which include FUT and FUE methods. These involve taking hair follicles from the nape of the neck and transplanting them to the desired areas. The Implanter Pen is used in every case to implant the follicles. The choice of technique depends on the doctor’s evaluation of which method suits the patient best for optimal results. The key steps for the procedure are as follows:

1. Designing the beard, mustache, and sideburn outline: The doctor will work with the patient to design the shape according to their preferences.
2. Shaving the donor area: The hair at the nape of the neck (donor area) is shaved, and the doctor extracts the necessary number of hair grafts.
3. Preserving the hair grafts: The extracted hair follicles are stored in a specialized graft preservation solution, the best in the world, designed for hair transplants.
4. Transplanting the hair: The hair follicles are implanted into the desired areas using the Implanter Pen, which reduces the risk of damage to the hair roots compared to traditional tweezers.

How to care for yourself after a beard and mustache transplant

Taking care of yourself after a beard or mustache transplant is not as difficult as some may fear, though there are a few extra precautions compared to regular hair transplants. Key points include:

1. Avoid rubbing, scratching, or picking at the transplanted area, especially during the first two weeks, to allow the hair follicles to properly settle.
2. Eat soft foods for the first three days to minimize facial movements while the follicles are embedding themselves.
3. Maintain cleanliness as the mouth area naturally harbors bacteria. To prevent infection, clean the area thoroughly after each meal.
4. Be careful when sleeping during the first few days to ensure the transplanted area doesn’t rub against pillows or blankets, which could dislodge the grafts. You can sleep on your side, but avoid any movement that could cause friction. For the safest option, it’s recommended to sleep on your back.

Advantages and Limitations of Beard, Mustache, and Sideburn Transplants

Advantages:

• Customizable design: You can design the exact shape of the beard or mustache you want. Genetics may not always give the ideal look, and in some cases, people may not grow facial hair at all. A beard or mustache transplant is a great solution to restore confidence.
• Can cover areas without hair growth: In cases where an accident has left a scar on the chin or other areas, a beard transplant can cover the scar by transplanting hair over it.
• Visible results immediately after the procedure: Once the transplant is complete, you can immediately see the outline of the new beard or mustache, giving a clear idea of the final result once the hair grows fully.
• Minimal pain and recovery time: The procedure is minimally invasive, with tiny extraction and implantation wounds smaller than 1 mm, so the recovery period is very short.

Limitations:

• Insufficient donor hair: As the transplant relies on hair from the donor area at the back of the head (nape area), if a patient has insufficient or thinning hair in that area, the doctor may not be able to extract enough hair for the transplant.
• Infection risk: Since the procedure is performed near the lips, an area prone to bacteria and germs, patients need to maintain strict hygiene to minimize the risk of infection.

Who is suitable for a beard and mustache transplant?

1. Suitable for those with sufficient donor hair: Since a beard or mustache transplant typically uses hair from the back of the head (donor area), which is the strongest, having enough donor hair is essential. If the patient has thin hair in the donor area, extracting the follicles may result in insufficient beard density and noticeable thinning at the back.
2. Suitable for those who have tried medication and topical treatments without success: A beard and mustache transplant is an effective alternative treatment for those who haven’t achieved results from medications or topical solutions.
3. Suitable for those wanting to cover scars from accidents or surgeries: A beard transplant can help conceal scars or skin conditions that may have affected beard growth, restoring confidence.
4. Suitable for those wanting to enhance their facial appearance: It’s ideal for people looking to adjust their facial structure or add thickness to their beard and mustache to better match their face.
5. Suitable for LGBTQ+ individuals looking to affirm their gender identity: Beard and mustache transplants can help create the desired masculine appearance, supporting gender identity expression.

Summary

A beard, mustache, and sideburn transplant involves moving hair from the nape or donor area, using methods like FUT and FUE, to the desired area. Aftercare is similar to that of hair transplants, including avoiding rubbing, scratching, or touching the transplanted area during the first two weeks. However, extra attention must be paid to cleanliness due to the risk of bacteria around the mouth, which increases the risk of infection. The advantages of this procedure include the ability to design your beard’s shape and cover scars, while the limitations lie in the need for sufficient donor hair to avoid thinning the hair at the back of the head.