Beard & Moustache Transplant
With bearded leading men increasingly in the spotlight in films and TV series, beard and moustache transplants have become more popular than ever. Sought after not only by Turkish men but also by men from the Arab world, this procedure can be grouped into three areas: beard, moustache and sideburns.
Hair follicles taken from the scalp are transplanted to parts of the beard and moustache area where hair is absent or very sparse. An important point is that, in beard and moustache transplantation, hair from the back of the head (the nape) is used as the donor source. Just like scalp hair, moustache hairs grow in particular directions and follow a natural curve. Beard hair swirls in the middle of the chin and curves along the sides of the face. For this reason, the direction and angle specific to each implantation site must be carefully observed. As with eyebrow transplantation, the channels should be opened at specific angles of 5–10 degrees.
Can it be performed on men who have no facial hair?
Beard and moustache transplantation can also be performed on patients who have no beard or moustache growth at all. Many patients from the Arab world and East Asia who came to our clinic in this situation have successfully undergone beard and moustache transplants.
Whether the patient has dark or fair hair does not affect the treatment process in any way. However, patients whose scalp hair and beard differ in colour need to be assessed carefully, and it is advisable to inform them in advance about the likely result.
How is a beard and moustache transplant performed?
A beard and moustache transplant is a single-session procedure carried out under local anaesthesia. It is a painless procedure that takes around 4–5 hours. On the day after the procedure, some minor crusting may appear in the transplanted area, but this clears up quickly. The hairs on the tips of the transplanted follicles shed after about 15 days; this is a normal part of the process. The hairs begin to grow again after three months, and within 6 to 8 months the patient achieves the desired beard and moustache.
Can a beard transplant be combined with a hair transplant?
If the person having a beard transplant also wishes to have a hair transplant, they need to be evaluated very carefully. The follicles in the donor area should be examined in detail, and the plan should take into account that follicles taken from this area will be used for both the scalp and the beard. The transplant must be carried out without damaging or wasting any follicles. In addition, follicles suited to the beard should be used for the beard transplant and those suited to the scalp for the hair transplant. With the follicles also correctly sorted by colour, hair and beard transplants can be performed at the same time.
How many grafts are used in a beard transplant?
The number of grafts needed varies from person to person. It depends on the desired beard density or the number of grafts required to fill in any gaps. As a general guide, however, around 250–700 grafts are needed for the cheeks, 150–250 for the sideburns and 550–700 for the chin.
How long does a beard transplant take?
This also varies depending on the size of the area to be treated, how sparse it is, the density you want to achieve and the density of follicles available in the donor area. In general, however, the procedure takes between 2 and 5 hours.