Beard transplants are fast becoming one of the most popular cosmetic treatments worldwide. And it’s easy to see why.

This procedure uses techniques like Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) or Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) for natural-looking, seamless results.

Recovery is relatively quick, with full beard growth typically visible within 12-15 months, and the transplanted hair is permanent.

Let’s explore every important detail about the nuances of beard transplantation, including cost, methods, and results.

  1. Fast facts
  2. What is it?
  3. Procedure
  4. Methods
  5. Cost
  6. Results
  7. Pros and cons
  8. Side effects

Fast facts about beard implants

Duration of surgery4 to 8 hours
Number of folliclestypically 1500 – 4000
Beard transplant cost UKfrom £3000 to £10000
Hospital stayno overnight stay needed
Anaesthetic typelocal
Pain levelsnone to minimal
Risksredness, temporary swelling,
numbness of the scalp, itching
Scarringnot visible
Recovery3-4 months post-surgery
Final resultin 8 to 12 months

What is a beard transplant? 

Simply put, a facial transplant takes hair grafts from a donor area (i.e., the back of the head or lower parts of the chin) and implants them into targeted areas to restore facial hair.

Beard implants are often so successful that only one procedure is required to achieve a great result.

Because you’re using your very own hair, your beard will be natural-looking and will show no signs of surgery.

transplanted beard
From left to right: before surgery, immediately post surgery and 1-year post surgery – Source: ISHRS

Moreover, a beard hair transplant allows you to sculpt your beard the way you want.

During your consultation, you will, along with your surgery, decide precisely where to implant hair and sculpt the beard to your liking.

You can match your beard’s shape to fit perfectly with your facial features!

How does a beard transplant work? 

Beard implants may seem complex initially, but we’re here to break it. Whether it’s FUT or FUE beard transplants, surgery usually follows the following three points:

  1. Extraction

    Depending on your procedure type, your surgeon will extract individual hair follicles (FUE) or cut a strip of tissue (FUT) from the donor area.
    FUE2 hair transplant method
  2. Transplantation

    Once your surgeon has extracted the required hair grafts, there will be a short break.

    Afterwards, your surgeon will carefully implant hair follicles one by one into the recipient area, being careful to place them strategically to create a full beard.
  3. Recovery process

    After your surgery, you can return home. Most patients require a day to recover fully. Some tiny crusts may appear around the new beard hairs, but they should flake off naturally after a few days.

    New hair will start to grow, and you can look forward to developing a fuller beard.

Beard hair transplant treatment methods

There are different methods available to perform beard implants. The two most common techniques used are:

  1. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) 
  2. Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)

Which method is better? 

Both methods are effective at treating beard hair loss.

They can transplant up to 5000 grafts in a single procedure, which is more than enough to treat your jaw area. Both are performed under local anaesthetic.

Many patients opt for an FUE beard transplant because it leaves no scars, has a quick recovery, and is less painful.

Ultimately, your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate hair transplant procedure after examining your scalp during your consultation.

fue beard transplantation

Beard transplant cost UK

So what prices can you expect in the UK? The minimum you will pay for a beard hair transplant here is £2,000, though some clinics can charge up to £7,500.

That might sound expensive, especially when considering clinics overseas. But we always recommend you invest in the best.

A reputable clinic with experienced staff will cost you more but guarantees better, more natural-looking results.

The cost of a beard transplant in London may seem high, but in most cases, it is more than worth it.

Some clinics offer a range of payment and financing options, allowing you to access more expensive care. Any packages or financing options will be explained to you during your consultation.

Beard transplant results: before & after

beard hair transplant results before and after surgery
Results before and after facial hair transplantation – Source: ISHRS

Where does the transplanted hair come from? 

The reason beard hair transplants are so successful is that implanted hair comes from your very own head.

But won’t you miss this hair? Not quite. Hair is often taken from spots with the highest hair density, which aren’t affected by male pattern baldness.

These are usually the lower back of the head and the sides.

Depending on the surgeon’s skills, they may also harvest hairs from your neck and jawbone, depending on how many grafts your new beard may require.

Pros and cons of a beard transplant

Like any hair restoration surgery, beard implants have their pros and cons. Let’s take a quick look at them:

Pros

  • A permanent solution to patchy facial hair
  • Dramatic confidence boost
  • Natural looking results
  • Quick and painless procedure

Cons

The most common side effects and complications

Design is one of the most commonly arising problems with a beard transplant in Turkey.

Patients are often given the Turkish beard line, which requires a large number of grafts.

It’s not uncommon for clinics to extract as many as 9000 grafts to achieve this look.

While the result is dense, this has drawbacks. The biggest of which, is the increased risk of damage to the donor area.

turkish beard transplant fail

If the transplant fails the patient is left with no way of correcting the hairline due to the lack of healthy hairs.

This can prevent patients from ever having a natural clean-shaven look again, as there are visible scars in the donor area.

Additionally, after more extensive procedures, the implanted area may remain red for up to 4 months.

Many clinics advise their patients to use minoxidil after the transplant. However, this is completely unnecessary and may cause more harm than good.

Patients often report symptoms of folliculitis and acne flair-ups, which can get worse with the application of minoxidil.

While there are numerous Turkish clinics offering beard transplants for cheap, they often cause lifelong trauma to patients.

beard transplant side effects

Many of these clinics offer beard transplants with scalp hair, which creates a dense result and adds significant weight to your face.

You may notice a strange feeling of being weighed down by your beard, which can persist long-term.

Lastly, these clinics often employ untrained staff which leads to complications such as pitting, cobblestones, and permanent skin damage.

Should you get a beard transplant?

Beard implants and other forms of facial hair transplants such as eyebrow transplants are incredibly popular nowadays.

People often want surgery as early as their teenage years or early twenties. However, it’s important to stay patient.

Your beard growth may develop up to your mid-twenties, or even later.

Getting a beard transplant too early can harm you in the long run, as you may use up all of your donor hairs before any hair loss occurs.

We advise all patients to wait until their 30s before considering a procedure.

Many people experience growth spurts later in life, so it’s best to avoid unnecessary procedures and remain patient.

Beard Transplant FAQ

How much is a beard transplant UK?

You can expect to pay between £2000 and £7000, but prices may vary based on certain factors.

Can you get a beard transplant?

An ideal candidate should have a good donor hair supply (typically at the back of the scalp), realistic expectations, and be in good general health without conditions that affect healing or hair growth. A stable pattern of hair loss is also important to ensure long-lasting results.