Beard Transplants: Costs, Risks, & 5 Key Questions You're Too Afraid To Ask

Struggling to grow the beard of your dreams? We feel your pain.

Sometimes, your hair follicles just aren't playing ball. Natural facial hair growth is heavily dependent on genetic factors, meaning some of us are just destined for a patchy beard.

If you're finding yourself grappling with painfully slow beard growth, you may even be tempted by the idea of a beard transplant.

But this procedure can feel a little bit intimidating, and there are plenty of questions that you'll want answered before you undergo any cosmetic surgery.

For one thing, is a beard transplant worth the money? How long will the healing process take? And will your new beard hairs last in the long run? 

It's time to pull back the curtain on beard transplants as we give you the low-down on the costs, risks, and frequently asked questions surrounding this process.

First things first - how much will a beard transplant cost?

Well, your beard transplant costs depend on where the beard transplant surgery is taking place. Prices vary by country, so if you're interested in travelling for the procedure, you'll also need to factor in flight costs and logistics.

Below are some average costs for facial hair transplants in the USA, UK, and Turkey:

USA cost  - $15,000-$20,000

UK cost  - $3,500-$9,500

Turkey cost  - $2,500-$4,500

While saving money is always tempting, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident with the hair transplant specialist you're using.

Your well-being (and facial hair) are both precious, so take the time to conduct thorough research before booking an appointment anywhere - don't just focus on the price tag.

The idea of any surgery can be nerve-wracking for most people, and a beard transplant procedure is no different.

So what are some of the genuine risks associated with beard transplantation?

Although beard transplants are technically cosmetic procedures, that doesn't mean there aren't some potential health hazards to be aware of. Most surgeries carry the risk of possible infections, and beard transplants are no exception - although serious complications are rare.

Your hair follicles can also become irritated and inflamed by the procedure, which can require medication in severe cases. Scarring may also occur around the hair follicle, but hair growth generally covers any visible markings over time.

While there are some risks involved with hair transplant surgery, many of these are relatively minor. However, you should always chat with your transplant surgeon or specialist before the procedure to ensure that you're 100% clear on these potential issues.

Now that we've covered the average costs and potential risks associated with beard transplant surgery, it's time to address a few key questions that you might be a little too nervous to ask.

(Don't worry - there's no judgement here.)

While it can take a few months for facial hair to grow out after beard transplant procedures, the vast majority of patients will enjoy permanent results from the surgery.

That's because beard transplants work through hair transplantation. This means existing hair is taken from a donor area of your body (often the back of your head) where there's consistent and healthy growth. These hairs are then placed wherever they're needed on your face or jawline, delivering a lifetime of facial hair restoration.

Since it's your own hair being used for the beard transplant, there should also be no long-term issues with the colour and texture of your beard growth.

The hair transplantation procedure typically takes between 4-8 hours to complete.

A few different variables can impact the length of the beard transplant surgery, but one of the biggest factors is the method being used by the hair restoration surgeon.

The two most common techniques for a beard transplant are Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). The FUE method is more popular as it's less invasive, less painful, and has a quicker recovery process. The FUT method is used to treat more severe hair loss and can cause noticeable scars around the extraction site.

However, the FUE method can result in a longer surgery time, as hair follicles are individually extracted rather than removed as a strip of tissue.

(Your surgeon will be able to talk you through the best option for your beard implant, so don't worry too much about making the decision yourself!)

Hair transplants can be a highly effective way to stimulate beard growth and fight back against patchy facial hair.

But if you're hoping for instant results from your beard transplantation, you may need to manage your expectations a little bit.

Once your procedure is complete, it usually takes around 3-4 months for beard hair growth to begin. After 5-6 months, most people will see a significant amount of growth across the transplanted area. After 7-8 months, you'll see the full impact of the surgery.

Still, transitioning from patchy growth to a full beard in less than a year is pretty remarkable.

The number of hair grafts required for a beard transplant varies from person to person.

It all depends on how much existing facial hair you have, the amount of growth you'd like to see, and the number of transplanted hairs that are required for your procedure.

Typically, a full beard transplant will require around 2,500-3,000 hair grafts. Some people may also need additional hair grafts for sideburn and moustache growth, depending on their goals and current facial hair.

Just the word 'surgery' can be enough to make many people wince, and if you're considering a facial hair transplant, you might be worried about the pain or discomfort involved.

But if you're feeling anxious about a painful procedure, you can relax. A beard transplant doesn't involve much discomfort, as the surgery itself is performed under local anaesthesia.

Some patients may experience mild irritation or inflammation immediately after the transplant, and some visible redness can occur for a few days. However, none of these problems are particularly painful or permanent, so there's no need to lose sleep about your hair transplantation surgery.

For budding beard growers struggling with patchy bristles or severe hair growth issues, a beard transplant can be a game-changer.

Make sure that you understand the details of the procedure, select a reputable clinic that you're comfortable with, and speak with your chosen specialist before the surgery. Aside from that, there's no need to worry about pain or discomfort - just enjoy your glorious new beard!