A beard transplant can help men achieve a full and natural-looking beard.
Beards are more than just facial hair. A thick, well-groomed beard is a mark of distinction and style for a lot of men. However, not every guy can grow a full, natural beard. You can blame genetics, health issues, or simple bad luck for this. This is where beard transplants come in. Our hair transplant surgeons at Miami Hair Institute perform beard transplants to give men the goatee, mustache, sideburns, and cheek beards they’ve always wanted.
What Is a Beard Transplant?
A beard transplant or facial hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure that involves the transplantation of hair follicles to the facial area where beard growth is sparse or non-existent. It’s performed like a hair transplant but is focused on the face. This procedure is not only about enhancing the density of the beard; it’s about sculpting and defining the facial hair to complement one’s facial features and personal style.
Types of Beard Transplant
There are two primary techniques used in facial hair transplants: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Both methods vary primarily in the way the hair grafts are harvested, the type of scar they leave, and the amount of grafts they can harvest.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the scalp using a specialized punch device. The extracted follicular units are then meticulously transplanted one by one into the beard area. Unlike FUT, this technique doesn’t require the removal of a strip of skin, so it doesn’t leave a linear scar. However, it does leave “dot-like” scars and requires the head to be shaved short.
FUE is known for leaving virtually undetectable scars, with each extraction site healing with minimal scarring. It’s ideal for men who prefer to wear their hair short, as the tiny scars are hardly noticeable even with a closely shaved head.
Patients generally experience a quicker recovery period and less discomfort in the donor area. However, manual FUE can be more time-consuming than FUT, as each follicular unit is individually extracted and implanted. The good news is there’s a way to make FUE more efficient and precise – robotic hair transplant. Robotic FUE with the ARTAS system offers a more precise, less invasive, and faster hair transplantation than traditional FUE.
Related Article: Is Robotic Hair Transplant Better?
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
FUT is often referred to as the strip method. It involves removing a strip of skin from the back or sides of the head, where hair is usually denser and more resistant to balding. The strip is then carefully dissected under a microscope into individual follicular units, each containing 1 to 4 hairs. The surgeon then makes tiny incisions in the beard region, following the natural growth pattern of facial hair, and carefully places each graft.
One main advantage of FUT is that it allows for the transplantation of a large number of grafts in one session, so it’s often the technique recommended for those requiring extensive coverage. Generally, FUT is less expensive per graft than FUE, making it a cost-effective option for larger transplant areas.
The main drawback of FUT is the linear scar left on the donor area. However, this is usually concealed by the surrounding hair. The healing process may be slightly longer compared to FUE, and there might be some discomfort in the donor area post-surgery.
See Our Collection of Hair Transplant Before and After Photos.
What to Expect Before, During, and After a Beard Transplant
There are many steps involved in a facial hair transplant so it’s important to know what you can expect before, during, and after your beard transplant.
Before the Procedure
The procedure begins with an initial consultation, where the surgeon evaluates your facial hair and discusses your expectations. This is a critical step in planning the look of your new beard. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns.
The surgeon will work with you to design your new beard. This involves marking out the beard area in front of a mirror so you can visualize the desired outcome. During this phase, the surgeon assesses the color and texture of your existing facial hair to identify the best donor site for the transplant.
During the Procedure
On the day of the surgery, local anesthesia is applied to numb the donor and transplant areas so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. The surgery involves two parts: donor harvesting and implantation. For FUE, the head must be shaved short for better visibility of the donor follicles.
The actual procedure can vary in length, typically taking 2 to 5 hours, and in some cases, as long as 8 hours. The duration depends on the number of grafts being transplanted and the technique used (FUT or FUE). Throughout the surgery, precision and care are paramount to ensure a natural-looking beard.
After the Procedure
Beard transplant is an outpatient procedure so you don’t have to stay at the clinic overnight.
Post-surgery, you can expect to feel a bit groggy, especially if sedatives were used so we recommend having someone drive you home. In the first few days following the surgery, there may be some soreness, swelling, or redness in both the donor and recipient areas.
Your surgeon will provide a detailed list of aftercare instructions, including avoiding washing your face and performing strenuous activities to protect the new grafts. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor your recovery and address any concerns.
Within the first few weeks after the procedure, the transplanted hair may shed, but there’s no need to worry as this is part of the natural hair growth cycle. The follicles will remain intact and will start producing new hair in the months following the surgery. The final results of a beard transplant are typically seen several months after the procedure, with the new hair blending seamlessly with existing facial hair.
How Much Does a Beard Transplant Cost?
The cost of a beard transplant varies a lot depending on factors like the location of your provider, the surgeon’s expertise, the technique used (FUT or FUE), the extent of the transplant, and the number of sessions required. A beard transplant is an investment in your appearance and confidence. If you want a personalized cost estimate of a beard transplant in Miami, contact Miami Hair Institute.
Best Beard Transplant Clinic in Miami
If you’re looking for the best beard transplant clinic in Miami, look no further than Miami Hair Institute. Our hair transplant surgeons have performed thousands of successful and natural-looking hair transplants over the years, including beard transplants and body hair transplants (BHT).
Call us to schedule your consultation today. Our clinic is conveniently located at 3850 Bird Road, Suite 102, Miami, FL 33146, serving patients in the South Florida areas, including Miami, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Gladeview, South Miami, and more.