Beards have grown increasingly popular in recent years, allowing men to escape the grind of shaving daily. For many people, a beard symbolizes masculinity and strength, but it can also offer other benefits, such as protection from the sun and helping to prevent allergens from being inhaled through the nose.

But what if you are unable to grow a beard? Perhaps your genes don’t work in your favor, or maybe you have a condition that prevents you from being able to grow facial hair. The good news is that the innovation of hair transplant surgery now means you can have the facial hair you desire.

Here are 6 things to know if you are considering a beard transplant in Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane, Washington.

Why Get a Beard Transplant?

Beards have never been more popular than they are currently, and with better hair transplant techniques available, it means getting the beard you’ve always dreamed of is all the more achievable. For many cultures, facial hair signifies masculinity, power, and virility. The ability to sport a dense and full beard can help improve confidence and self-esteem and provide the versatility to change your look.

A facial hair transplant aims to restore hair to areas of the face where hair is sparse, patchy, or nonexistent, such as the goatee, mustache, sideburns, or on cheeks. It offers a permanent solution for people unable to produce their desired amount of facial hair, which may be due to genetics, lifestyle, or facial scarring.

In recent years, beard transplants have evolved dramatically. Transplanted hair looks and feels natural and creates a fuller, denser beard you can be proud of. But how does a beard transplant work, and is it the right choice for you? Rest assured; you can learn more about the procedure here.

Things to Know About a Beard Transplant

1. How Does aBeard Transplant Work?

A beard transplant is a type of hair transplant surgery similar to scalp hair restoration and is a permanent solution to restore hair to areas of the face where there is a lack of hair growth. Most beard transplants use a follicular unit excision (FUE) or a follicular unit transfer (FUT) technique. These specialist procedures involve removing hair follicles from an area, such as the scalp, and transferring them to the desired areas of the face to create fuller, denser facial hair.

The surgeon will mark the desired area for hair transplantation using a surgical marker for the procedure. From this, you will be able to make any changes to the outline and give your approval before the surgery. A local anesthetic is then used to numb the surgical area and to ensure your comfort and safety. The donor site hair follicles are removed, either one by one, using a punch technique (FUE method), or in a small strip from the back of the scalp (FUT method). It is an intricate process, with each follicular graft being meticulously implanted one by one within the marked-out area and in the correct direction and growth pattern of your beard to achieve a natural, fuller beard.

2. Where Does the Transplanted Hair Come from?

Transplanted hairs are taken from a stable hair growth zone and typically come from your scalp. This is usually at the back of the head, where the hair is the thickest and most similar to beard hair. This helps the surgeon better match the beard hair’s color, texture, and density. However, in some cases, chest or beard hair may be used instead of scalp hair, such as in cases of pattern baldness, where there may not be enough stable scalp hair to use.

3. How Long Does the Process Take?

A facial hair transplant is a highly-skilled procedure, and depending on the size of the treatment area, a beard transplant can take anywhere from 3-9 hours to complete.

4. What Can I Expect After Surgery?

Recovery can take several weeks, with final results usually expected within 6-12 months. Initially, your transplanted hairs begin to fall out 15-30 days after your surgery, but this is good news and shows that the new hair follicles are just preparing for the new growth stage. It usually takes around 90 days for the hair follicles to settle into place. Around 4 months after surgery, your beard will begin to gain coverage; by approximately 9-12 months, you can expect a full beard. Your surgeon will tell you exactly what you can expect if you have a hair transplant and what the aftercare process is to restore hair growth successfully.

5. Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?

As with any surgery, there are risks involved, such as infection, but these are typically rare in hair transplantation. There is also a possibility of scarring at the donor area, although hair will often cover that area with time. Side effects may include inflammation, minor bleeding, and pain or discomfort in the donor site.

6. Who Is a Good Candidate for a Beard Transplant?

To ensure your desired results are achievable, your hair transplant surgeon will discuss the procedure with you and the look you want to achieve. They will check you have the correct hair density suitable for treatment and will discuss your expectations and the pros and cons of treatment.

As long as you have healthy, stable hair growth in the donor area, a beard transplant can help you accomplish your facial hair goals. However, if you have pattern baldness and are interested in the beard transplantation process, your options may be more limited.

End results can vary, so it is important to be realistic about your expectations. Your surgeon will discuss the risks with you and help you decide if the procedure is suitable for your needs so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment.

Hair Transplants in Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane, Washington

If you are considering a facial hair transplant, contact the dedicated team of hair restoration experts at Northwest Hair Restoration. We are leaders in the treatment of hair loss and we aim to help you achieve your ongoing goals for thriving, natural-looking hair. We will listen to your unique needs regarding your hair, educate you about your treatment options, and work with you to maintain or restore your hair.

We provide the latest advancements in hair transplant surgery, including follicular unit excision (FUE) and ultra-refined follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedures, facial hair transplants, eyebrow transplants, and more to help you look and feel your best.

To find out if you are a good candidate for facial hair transplant surgery, call us today at (253) 572-2949 or use our convenient online appointment request form.