A beard transplant is a surgical procedure that has been used to help patients with a variety of problems related to their appearance under certain circumstances. This blog post will cover who makes a good candidate for a beard transplant and what can be done if one needs the service.
Below are some of the factors that make a person a good candidate for the procedure:
1. Age
The procedure is most commonly performed in men under the age of 40. Younger men have more hair to take and typically produce more hair with the transplants. Beards also tend to appear fuller as a man gets older, so when he reaches his older years, it can be counterproductive to go through with a beard transplant. Hair transplant surgeries are not recommended for men over the age of 60. However, if a patient is still interested in going through one, consult a trusted physician for more information.
2. Hair Thickness
The general rule of thumb for a beard transplant is that men need at least four inches of hair for the grafts to look good. It may not be the case for patients who have lost very little hair and require only follicular units. Follicular units are hairs treated as one unit and grow around two beard transplants. A patient will also need enough hair to fill in and restore the hairline. Those with very little hair may not get the full aesthetic benefit from beard transplants and should consider other hair restoration techniques.
3. Scars
If a man has scars on his face or forehead, it is not ideal for him to go through with a beard transplant, but if he is willing to risk going under the knife, this might be acceptable. If scars are not too severe, they can be covered within the fur of the transplants. Scars will not disappear completely, but they will be covered up. If a patient has a problem with the scars and wants them to be covered up, he should seek advice from a medical doctor.
4. Full Face
The best candidates for beard transplants are men who have a full beard because it makes it easier for the surgeon to identify the follicular units to transplant them. Men with any facial hair growth can go through with a beard transplant, but the results may not be as good as those who go under the knife with no facial hair at all—the fuller the beard, the more follicular units available to harvest and transplant.
5. Facial Hair Type
Facial hair types are another factor to consider before undergoing a beard transplant surgery. The hair type can help a man determine how many follicular units he will have available for transplantation. If a man has a full beard but softer and lighter hair, it may be harder to find enough follicular units for the procedure. If a man has darker and coarser hair, on the other hand, this will provide more follicular units for the surgeon to work with.
6. Hair Condition
Men with a little bit of facial hair growth will be expected to shave their beards and mustache before the surgery. If his hair is curly or kinky, he should straighten it out before getting ready for the procedure. It’s also important to note that if the follicles are not healthy, there is no point in having a beard transplant. Healthy follicles are needed for hairs to grow properly and without complications. If a man is going through a beard transplant, he should have his hair groomed and cleaned properly before the surgery.
7. Skin Condition
Before having a beard transplant, a man should ensure that his skin is in the best condition possible. For instance, he should avoid infections of the face and make sure that there are no broken capillaries on the surface of his skin. If there are broken capillaries but it’s not causing any problems, going under the knife might still help improve his appearance. If the results are not as desirable, he can always plan to have some “touch up” procedure in a few years.
8. Beard Shape
It may be useful to have a beard transplant if a man is unhappy with his beard shape. He can go under the knife to get new hairs for his existing beard, or he can change up the shape and contour of his beard entirely. If a man has a round face, it might be beneficial to grow a long beard that looks taller and more imposing. Men who have an oval face should consider growing a short, straight beard that helps accentuate their features.
9. Eyebrows
If a man has thin, thinning eyebrows or no eyebrows at all, then he may want to consider going through with a beard transplant for his eyebrow area. The eyebrow area is where the follicular units are taken and the new hairs planted during the procedure. Eyebrow transplants are not done very often, but they happen in some cases. If a man does not have any eyebrows, he should wait a few years to let his hair grow for them to appear naturally before going under the knife.
1o. Facial Hair Preference
A man going through with a beard transplant should also consider what type of facial hair he prefers. There are plenty of different styles that men can choose from, and some are more popular than others. The most common beard styles include the Van Dyke, the Spanish, the French, and the Garibaldi. There are options for having facial hair on just the chin or a full, thick beard covering the cheeks.
Conclusion
A beard transplant has been a staple procedure in hair restoration since the 1960s. The process is all about making a man look and feels better about himself. The best candidates for this procedure are men willing to take a risk by getting surgery and men who have tried other hair restoration methods before looking into this option.
