Beard Transplant in Turkey

1. Why Men Consider a Beard Transplant
2. What Is a Beard Transplant
3. Who Is a Good Candidate
4. Having a Beard Transplant in Turkey
5. Beard Transplant Techniques
6. Step by Step Procedure
7. Results and Growth Timeline
8. Risks and Side Effects
9. What Affects the Cost
10. Choosing the Right Clinic
11. Start Your Journey with Hair Cultivate

Why Men Consider a Beard Transplant

Some men have a beard that grows thinly or in patches, and others have lost beard hair because of scars from burns, acne or injury. A beard transplant moves healthy hair follicles into these areas so that the beard can grow more evenly. In a published series of 20 men treated for beard loss, most cases were caused by burn scars, followed by acne scars and congenital absence of the beard (Yaseen et al., 2021).

What Is a Beard Transplant

A beard transplant is a form of hair transplant surgery. Follicular units are harvested from a donor area and implanted one by one into the beard. The main donor area is the “safe” back and sides of the scalp, which do not usually go bald; hair from under the jawline can also be used when only a small number of grafts is needed (ISHRS; Dua et al., 2021).

The most common harvesting method is follicular unit extraction (FUE), in which individual grafts are removed one at a time and leave many tiny scars rather than one linear scar (NHS). In the 20-patient series above, the authors concluded that FUE is an effective method for reconstructing beard loss when evaluation and technique are planned carefully (Yaseen et al., 2021).

Who Is a Good Candidate

The procedure is usually considered for men with low beard density or gaps since birth, and for men with beard loss caused by scarring (ISHRS; Yaseen et al., 2021). A good candidate also needs a donor area with enough healthy follicles, because the number of grafts that can be harvested limits what can be achieved (ISHRS). If you are also losing hair on the scalp, the doctor will plan the donor supply for both areas, as explained on our hair transplant in Turkey page.

Having a Beard Transplant in Turkey

Patients who travel for a beard transplant should judge a clinic on the same points as anywhere else: who performs the surgery, how much experience they have and how complications are handled. The NHS advises asking the surgeon about their experience and how many of their procedures have had complications (NHS). Travelling also means planning enough time in the city for the procedure and the first check-up; our patient guide explains what to expect before, during and after your trip.

Beard Transplant Techniques

The technique is chosen after examining the face and the donor area. The main options are:

• FUE: grafts are extracted one by one and implanted into small incisions made in the beard area (NHS).
• DHI: a variation of FUE in which grafts are placed with an implanter pen. Read more in our guide to DHI hair transplant.
• Sapphire FUE: FUE in which the recipient incisions are opened with sapphire-tipped blades.

Whatever the tool, what matters most for a natural look is the angle and direction of each graft. Surgeons place facial hair at an acute angle to the skin and match the direction of any existing hair, and use single-hair grafts at the border of the cheek for a soft edge (Dua et al., 2021).

Step by Step Procedure

1. Consultation and design: the doctor examines the beard and donor area and draws the planned beard line with you.
2. Local anaesthesia: most people stay awake and receive medication to numb the area being treated (Cleveland Clinic).
3. Harvesting: grafts are taken from the back of the scalp or, for small sessions, from under the jaw (Dua et al., 2021).
4. Implantation: each graft is placed following the natural direction of facial hair (Dua et al., 2021).

The procedure can take several hours, depending on the number of grafts (Cleveland Clinic). In published series, a sideburn needed about 200–250 grafts and each cheek about 350–600 grafts, so the total depends on the size of the area being filled (Yaseen et al., 2021; Dua et al., 2021).

Results and Growth Timeline

• First 1–2 weeks: the transplanted hairs usually start to fall out. This shedding is expected (Yaseen et al., 2021).
• Around 3–4 months: new growth begins (ISHRS; Yaseen et al., 2021).
• About 10–14 months: the overall result of graft growth can be judged (ISHRS).

Scarred skin can be harder to treat. In cases of scarring, more than one session was needed to reach adequate density (Yaseen et al., 2021), and Dua et al. (2021) note that a second sitting is sometimes needed to achieve the desired look.

Risks and Side Effects

Mild redness, swelling and bruising are common in the first days and usually settle within about a week (Dua et al., 2021). Possible complications include bumpy or irregular skin in the implanted area (Dua et al., 2021), darkening of the skin (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), mainly in darker skin, and, rarely, folliculitis (ISHRS). As with any hair transplant, there is also a risk of infection, bleeding, an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, or grafts not taking (NHS).

What Affects the Cost

There is no single price for a beard transplant. The cost depends on the number of grafts, the technique, whether the beard is combined with other areas such as the moustache or sideburns, and what the package includes. For comparison, the NHS states that a hair transplant in the UK can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £30,000, depending on the extent of hair loss, the type of procedure and the clinic (NHS).

At Hair Cultivate, DHI packages range from $3,400 to $4,900 and include hotel, transfers, PRP and medication; see our prices page. A beard quote is given after your photos or examination. For a wider view of how prices are set, read our article on hair transplant cost in Turkey.

Choosing the Right Clinic

Before booking, ask who will design the beard and perform each step, look at before-and-after photos of beard cases at least a year after surgery, and ask how many grafts are planned and why. The NHS also advises asking about the surgeon’s experience and their complication rate (NHS). A clear written plan and honest expectations about density and the possible need for a second session are good signs.

Start Your Journey with Hair Cultivate

At Hair Cultivate in Istanbul, a beard transplant starts with an assessment of your face, your existing beard and your donor area. The plan sets out the beard design, the estimated number of grafts and a realistic timeline.

If you would like to know whether a beard transplant suits you, send us your photos through our contact page so our team can assess them.

References

1. Yaseen U, Ahmed S, Ahmed M. Beard reconstruction. Int J Trichology. 2021;13(6):4–8. PMC8647705
2. Dua K, Verma V, Dua A. Beard and moustache reconstruction. Indian J Plast Surg. 2021;54(4):483–488. PMC8719972
3. International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). Beard and Mustache Transplant. ishrs.org
4. NHS. Hair transplant. nhs.uk
5. Cleveland Clinic. Hair Transplant: How Does It Work, Success Rates. clevelandclinic.org

This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor.