Who Is a Beard Transplant For, and When Do You See Results?

For some men, the beard simply never fills in. There are gaps on the cheeks, the chin grows thinly, or the beard looks patchy. A beard may also fail to grow in areas where there is a scar from a burn, a cut or an operation.

In this article we explain what a beard transplant is, who it may suit, how it is done and when you can expect to see the result. Our aim is to help you decide; this article is not a substitute for a consultation.

A beard frames the face, so it is easy to see why people ask about this. Some men always have to keep their beard short, and others spend a lot of time maintaining it to hide gaps. A beard transplant is one of the options considered in such cases.

This article gives general information. Only our team can give a proper assessment for your beard, your hair and your health, either in person or from photos. Please ask us anything that crosses your mind.

What is a beard transplant, and who is it for?

A beard transplant means moving some of your own hair roots to the thin or empty areas of your beard. Nothing from outside is added; we simply move your own roots to another place. Transplanted roots keep their own character in the new area, so growth speed and density vary from person to person.

It is important to talk about your expectations before the procedure. Tell the team what kind of beard you want, how full you hope it will be, and how much daily care you are happy with. That way the plan is made around you, and there are no surprises.

It is not suitable for everyone. Our team first looks at your face and the hair on your head, and then tells you whether it may suit you. In general, an assessment is made in these situations:

• A beard that grows thinly, or with gaps on the cheeks or chin
• Wanting a neater, more even beard line
• Missing hair around the moustache or sideburns
• Wanting beard growth in an area with a burn, cut or surgical scar
• Having enough healthy hair elsewhere to take roots from

How is a beard transplant done, and how many hours does it take?

The procedure is done under local anaesthetic. The area is numbed, and most people find the procedure comfortable; any pain is usually mild. You may feel a brief pinch when the numbing is given, and after that you should be comfortable. If anything bothers you, just say so, and we can take a break.

First, your beard line and the area to be treated are planned together. Roots are taken one by one, mostly from the back of the neck. Then very small openings are prepared in the beard area, and the roots are placed in them at an angle that matches the natural direction of growth. Direction and angle matter a great deal; roots placed at the wrong angle do not look natural.

A beard grows in different directions on the face: downwards on the cheeks, forwards on the chin and upwards on the neck. So each area is considered separately. Details like this are missed when a procedure is rushed, which is why our team takes particular care over placement.

The roots settle in within a few days. In the first days it is normal for the treated spots to look like small red dots, and they fade with time. Keeping this in mind when planning social events can help.

The time depends on the size of the area. In general it can take between 4 and 8 hours. This includes preparation and breaks. When it is over you can leave the same day, and our team gives you care instructions in writing and in person.

Before the procedure, please tell us about every medicine you take and any health conditions. If you use blood thinners, speak to a specialist; do not stop them on your own.

What happens in the first days?

In the first days there may be mild redness, small scabs and slight swelling in the treated area. These are a normal part of healing. Do not pick the scabs, do not rub your face, and follow the washing routine the team gives you.

For a few days, avoid pressing your face hard into the pillow, and stay away from the sun and heavy sweating. Our team will explain separately when to wash and which products to use.

It also matters not to touch the area with unwashed hands in the first days, and not to put make-up or skincare on it. There may be small scabs where the roots were taken from the back of the neck as well, and that area needs the same care.

If you notice a lot of redness, discharge or a fever, contact the team without waiting.

When can I shave?

This is one of the most common questions. In the first weeks, no razor or trimmer is used on the treated area. Shaving before the roots have settled can damage them.

When you can start depends on how you heal, and our team will tell you. Do not set a date yourself; have your first shave with the team’s approval. For the first shave, a fine trimmer and gentle movements are usually preferred.

After shaving, avoid products that dry out or irritate the skin. In the early period the hairs in the treated area may grow unevenly. Do not be alarmed, as it evens out with time and your team will guide you at the check-up.

When do results show?

You need to be patient. Some of the transplanted hairs may shed in the first weeks. This is normal, and the roots stay in place. After that the roots go through a resting period.

New hairs begin to appear over the following months. In general, the beard becomes noticeably fuller at around the 6th month. The final look appears at roughly the 12th month. These timings vary from person to person, and results are not the same for everyone, so we do not promise a definite outcome.

It can be disappointing when the treated area looks thin for a while, but this is a normal part of the process. Reviewing progress together with photos at check-ups reassures you and makes it easier for the team to follow your progress. If you feel some areas remain thinner, talk to the team openly.

In short

A beard transplant is an option that can be considered for sparse or empty areas of the beard. Roots are mostly taken from the back of the neck, the procedure generally takes 4 to 8 hours, and the result appears over months. It is important to follow the team’s instructions on when to shave and how to care for the area.

If you would like to know whether it suits you, you are welcome to write to us for a initial assessment. We will look at your photos and answer your questions, and the decision is entirely yours.