Facial Hair Transplant
Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, TX
A facial hair transplant is an excellent option for men who want a fuller and more robust mustache, goatee, or beard. The transplant takes hair from the back of your head and places it into areas where the hair is sparse. (1) Once transplanted, this hair will grow just like the rest of your facial hair and can be trimmed, shaved, and styled normally. (2) Many men desire fuller facial hair for various reasons, such as personal aesthetics, cultural significance, or to enhance a masculine look. Some people may experience patchy growth or a total lack of facial hair due to genetics, hormonal imbalance, or injuries. This procedure aims to provide a natural-looking result that enhances one’s facial hair appearance and boosts self-confidence.
Dr. Colin O’Dea and the team of experts at Premier Hair Restoration are among San Antonio’s leading hair restoration specialists, and their expertise extends beyond head hair growth. If you are interested in exploring your facial hair transplant options, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. You can reach us online through our contact form or by phone at (210) 642-2291.
Contents
About Facial Hair Transplants
Facial hair transplantation is an innovative solution for those seeking to achieve a more robust facial hair appearance. It involves the extraction of hair follicles from the donor area—usually taken from the scalp—followed by carefully implanting these follicles into the areas of desired hair growth on the face. (1) The aim is to create a natural appearance by matching the texture, direction, and density of preexisting facial hair.
Facial hair transplantation is performed using either the follicular unit extraction (FUE) or follicular unit transplantation (FUT) harvesting method from the back of your head, where your hair is naturally resistant to DHT, the hormone that causes male pattern baldness. (3) When hair is harvested from the donor area, it maintains its resistance to DHT. (3) This means that the transplanted hair is permanent and will continue to grow for the rest of your life.
Benefits
Many men feel self-conscious if they have less facial hair than average or if their facial hair distribution is patchy. Facial hair transplantation can fill in these gaps and increase density in areas where the hair is thin, providing a much fuller beard, making men feel more confident, masculine, and attractive.
Under the expertise of Dr. O’Dea, our patients can achieve benefits like:
- Natural appearance: The transplanted hair grows naturally and matches existing facial hair, providing a seamless look.
- Boosted confidence: Fuller facial hair can enhance self-image and increase confidence in personal and social situations.
- Aesthetic enhancement: Well-defined facial hair can improve facial symmetry and accentuate strong jawlines.
- Long-lasting results: Once transplanted, the hair follicles establish permanent growth patterns and can last a lifetime.
- Minimal downtime: Since FUE is less invasive, recovery time is typically shorter compared to traditional surgical methods.
- Customization: Procedures can be tailored based on individual preferences, allowing for different styles of beards and mustaches.
- Improved facial hair density: The procedure increases hair density in patchy areas, providing a fuller look overall.
Candidates
Most men are candidates for facial hair transplantation. The two primary limitations are inadequate density in the donor area to allow for a harvest or skin problems on the face that would lead to difficulty performing or adequately healing from the transplant. These limitations are rare, and nearly all men are candidates for facial hair transplantation.
Most men seeking facial hair transplantation have thin or no facial hair growth due to genetic predispositions, trauma, hormonal imbalances, or other factors. Ideal candidates for these treatments should be in good general health and have realistic expectations for their results. A consultation with Dr. O’Dea will help each prospective patient explore their options and determine their candidacy further.
Personal Consultation
If you are considering a facial hair transplant, contact Premier Hair Restoration for a complimentary consultation with Dr. O’Dea. At this appointment, he will discuss your goals for facial hair transplantation, evaluate your donor area(s), and discuss your family and personal history of hair loss to develop a personalized facial hair transplant treatment plan. Schedule your consultation online today or call our San Antonio office directly at (210) 642-2291.
Preparation
Preparation for facial hair transplantation is fairly minimal. Dr. O’Dea will perform a pre-procedure evaluation and will then send prescriptions to your pharmacy for you to pick up before the procedure, as one medication should be started the day before your surgery. Although preparation is relatively minimal, there are still some key guidelines to follow. Patients should discontinue blood-thinning medications and supplements, alcohol, and nicotine (if applicable) before treatment. We also ask that you arrive at your procedure with someone who can drive you home and assist with your initial recovery. Finally, please take some time away from work or other obligations to focus on your recovery.
Procedure
The procedure has five main phases: planning, anesthesia, harvest, site creation, and implantation. The planning phase involves using an erasable grease pencil to mark your face to create the shape and style of beard that you desire. This is adjusted as many times as we need until you are happy with the design. Then we trace the design with a more permanent skin marker. After that, local anesthesia is applied to the donor area to allow for the harvest. (1) Grafts are harvested using either the FUE or FUT harvesting method. Once the grafts have been harvested, anesthesia is administered to the recipient area where the grafts will be placed. (2)
The planning phase and the creation of the recipient sites are the two most important parts of any hair transplant procedure. This is where the art meets the science; Dr. O’Dea will create the recipient sites in a highly skillful manner to create the most natural-appearing results possible. This requires the use of curves, inconsistent spacing between the sites, and minor imperfections, as it is these details that make the transplant appear natural. Smooth lines and perfect spacing make a transplant easy to spot because it looks fake. Our goal is to give you the most natural-appearing transplant possible. After the recipient sites are made, the grafts are placed into each site individually.
Recovery
Immediately following the procedure, it is normal to experience minor swelling, redness, and discomfort. Patients should take prescribed pain medications as instructed to reduce discomfort. Avoiding swimming, intense activities, and excessive sun exposure is vital during this period. Patients should also keep their heads elevated while resting and avoid touching their newly placed hair follicles.
Recovery from a facial hair transplant is similar to recovery from a scalp hair transplant. A crust will begin to form, which will fall off after seven to ten days. After the crusts fall off, you can resume full normal activity.
Results
Once the grafts heal and the hair begins to grow, the transplanted area will look much fuller and denser than it did before the procedure. Most patients begin noticing visible results within three to four months after the transplant, with hair growth continuing to improve for up to a year. This is your hair and will grow just like the rest of your facial hair. You can cut it, shave it, and style it however you desire.
Cost of Facial Hair Transplants in San Antonio
The total cost of your facial hair transplant procedure will depend on the scale of the procedure, the number of grafts transplanted, your medical history, your goals, and a few other factors. After meeting with Dr. O’Dea to discuss your goals, you will receive a price estimate that reflects all necessary measures in your treatment.
Schedule your consultation today to begin planning your treatment and exploring its costs. If you have any questions, please contact our office directly by calling (210) 642-2291.
FAQ
What kind of anesthesia is used during a facial hair transplant?
Local anesthesia in combination with a small dose of oral valium is used to ensure comfort during the procedure, allowing the patient to remain awake but relaxed. How long does the facial hair transplant procedure take? A typical hair transplant takes anywhere from seven to ten hours to be performed. Beard transplants take around the same amount of time.
Are the results of facial hair transplants permanent?
Yes, the results are permanent once the transplanted hair follicles heal and begin to grow in their new location.
Will I see results immediately after my facial hair transplant?
No, initial outcomes will appear sparse as newly transplanted hair will shed shortly after the procedure. Full hair growth may take several months.
Can I shave immediately after my facial hair transplant?
You should avoid shaving or trimming the facial area for a minimum of two weeks to allow for proper healing.
References
- Dua K, Verma V, Dua A. Beard and Moustache Reconstruction. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2021;54(04):483-488. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1739248
- Umar S, Khanna R, Maldonado JC, Chouhan K, Gonzales A. Beard and Body Hair Transplantation by Follicular Unit Excision Using a Skin-Responsive Device: A Multicenter Study. Dermatologic Surgery. 2023;50(3):306-308. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000004061
- Zito PM, Raggio BS. Hair Transplantation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/
