Do Beard Transplants Really Work?

November 04, 2019

Beard transplants are becoming increasingly popular among men who are unhappy with their current level of beardedness. These surgeries are marketed as a quick and permanent fix to cover thin patches, and to give a fuller, more substantial beard. But do they really work?

I get it guys; the misadventures of growing a beard can be a frustrating and even humiliating experience. However, before you jump in beard first at the hope of a magical surgery, here are a few reasons it might be better to avoid getting caught up in the hype.

Cost

Hope you got some doh for that new mo, bro.

A beard transplant is not a cheap option. In fact, prices can start at around $3,000 and rise as high as $15,000. The final cost will depend on a range of factors, including, how much hair needs to be moved, how long the procedure takes (which can depend on the quality of the hair being moved), and of course, on the skill level of the doctor performing the procedure.

Trust me you don’t want to cheap out on the surgeon. This is one of those areas where you really do get what you pay for. You don’t want to end up with a Frankenstein-esque beard which looks like it crawled from a grave and onto your face. So if the surgeon leads you into a damp basement with flickering lights… Run!

Scaring

Oh goodness, it’s just too terrible to look at. I think this scarring has scarred me for life.

The hair that is added to your face has to be taken from the back of your head, usually from the bottom of your hairline. This process can leave behind scars. You may also end up with scars around the implanted hairs. While they may not be visible under the new hair, these scars can be quite problematic. Because the skin is raised, it can become irritated when you shave and may even bleed.

Surgical Risks

Maybe if you’re really lucky, you can meet a really cute surgeon. And then she’ll be all proud of the beard art she created on your face. And you guys can fall in love, and have children. And she can perform beard transplants on your children when they get older. Or, maybe the surgery will just be a really shitty experience.

A beard transplant is a surgical procedure, and as such, carries some risks and side effects. It should be noted that this is not a quick procedure. It is not uncommon for it to take somewhere in the range of 8-12 hours — usually in multiple appointments. After you’ve endured this, you may be left with bruising, swelling, and redness on your face and at the back of your neck. You can also suffer from ingrown hairs following the procedure, and as with all surgical procedures, you face the increased risk of infection.

Another common issue with these surgeries is that your face can reject the new beard. Could you imagine? Sounds more intense than Lebron James smacking the ball into the stands. It would be terrible if after all that effort and suffering and scarring, only to have to consider doing it all over again, with that hope that this time your new beard won’t ditch you again.

Quality Of Final Result

Hmmm… Not too sure about this one.

The hairs used for this surgery are sourced from your head, and this presents some problems, namely because head hairs and beard hairs are different. The roots taken from your head typically grow two hairs at a time, whereas beard roots only grow one. This can cause trouble with the way the root is imbedded; if done incorrectly you can easily end up with hairs growing at odd angles.

Maybe you should try these alternatives first…

Before you decide to go the surgical route, there is a range of alternative options available to help you improve the condition of your beard. These much less drastic options can give you pain-free ways to improve the quality of the facial hair that you grow. And hey, if they don’t work out, then by all means, consider that beard transplant.

Increase your testosterone

I just have this image of beard hairs sprouting from faces faster when you really strain.

There is a wide assortment of ways to increase your levels of testosterone which can increase the speed at which your beard grows, as well as improve the quality of it. Exercise, getting more rest, reducing stress, and improving your diet are all contributing factors to testosterone production.

Keep your beard and skin healthy

So you might need to come out of the bushes and groom yourself every once in a while.

It’s important to keep your beard hair and the skin in that general area properly cleaned and moisturized. Dry and dirty skin prevents hairs from sprouting and may even cause ingrown hairs. And a dry and dirty beard doesn’t just make you look like a hobo, it also leads to a brittle, and weak beard. You don’t want your beard acting like a tree in the fall.

You can rescue your beard with high-quality beard oils, along with beard shampoos. Together, these all-natural products will keep your beard clean, moisturized, and help it to grow fuller and longer.

Use a supplement

Supplements that contain Biotin and other vital growth nutrients have been clinically proven to improve the fullness of your beard. They do so by nourishing the follicles on your face and reviving dormant hairs.

When searching for a supplement, make sure to use one which uses all-natural ingredients. Many contemporary supplements include harmful ingredients which could cause more harm than good.

In conclusion, yes, beard transplants do work. But at what cost? Before even considering such a drastic option, we recommend increasing your testosterone, improving the health of your beard with beard oils and beard shampoos, and taking all-natural growth supplements.