- The principles are the same as a specialist hair transplant to your scalp.
- There are typically two types of beard transplant. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) beard transplant works by directly extracting the donor follicles from the head, using a tiny semi-circular incision which allows the individual follicle to be pulled directly from the head. This is then grafted directly onto the beard area.
- With a follicular unit transplantation (FUT) beard transplant, the procedure uses cutting edge technology which involves harvesting the hair follicles and then working microscopically to create hundreds of tiny, natural-looking grafts ready to be implanted which are either individual hairs or double hair grafts.
- In both FUE and FUT the scarring to the donor area is kept to an absolute minimum, allowing hair to grow through the scar tissue and ensuring there will be no hair loss in this area. The number of grafts can range from a few hundred to a few thousand. To provide a natural appearance, the hairs are transplanted as individual (and sometimes two hair) grafts. Great care is taken to assure natural growth and appearance including the careful placement of the grafts at the exact angle and direction of typical growth. Once placed, the microscopically dissected grafts of a beard transplant are permanent.
What is the beard transplant recovery period?
The procedure is essentially painless as is the recovery period.
- For the first 5 days after the procedure, care is needed to keep the transplanted area absolutely dry.
- By the second day you can resume non-strenuous activities.
- You will often be advised to refrain from grooming the area or touching as much as possible in order to allow the transplanted follicles to rest in their new location and to ensure that they are not disturbed or blood flow to them interrupted.
- The transplanted hairs will fall out after about 2 weeks and then start to re-grow some three months later where they will continue to grow for a lifetime.
- A beard transplant can conceal scarring (such as acne) or trauma (such as scars, burns or accident) as the implantation of the follicles will encourage hair to grow through the scarred skin or replace areas of follicle which may be lost due to skin damage.