Is a Beard Transplant Worth It? Cost vs. Results

For many men, a thick and well-groomed beard is a symbol of masculinity and style. However, not everyone is lucky to have a beard line of their desire. If you are one of those struggling with patchy or thin facial hair, then try on with a beard transplant. One question that comes to your mind when you think of it is, what is the cost incurred with it?

Let’s perceive the cost of the beard transplant and compare the costs vs results to decide on if it’s worth the investment, in this blog.

What is a Beard Transplant?

A beard transplant is a surgical procedure which involves the extraction of the hair follicles from the donor area, which typically lies at the back of the scalp, to their transplantation on to the beard area. It is a preferable choice of treatment for all those with lesser hair in the beard area or with a patchy beard.

With emerging trends in science & technology, numerous techniques for beard transplant are being available with Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Quick Hair Transplant (QHT) providing more benefits to the patients.

Types of Beard Transplant Procedures

There are three different types of beard transplant procedures:

–Quick Hair Transplant (QHT): In this method, hair follicles are extracted from the donor area and are transplanted into the defined recipient site, in the beard region almost simultaneously. This improves the graft life and the recovery is also much quicker than with other transplant techniques.

– Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): This technique involves a step-by-step extraction of the individual hair follicles from the donor area and their transplantation to the beard region. FUE Hair Transplant is a preferable option as it is minimally invasive and leaves behind no scars post-transplant.

– Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): Also known as the strip method, involves removal of a strip of skin with the hair follicles from the donor area and their transplantation into the recipient area. Though the FUT leaves behind some scars, it is a choice of treatment for those requiring higher number of grafts to achieve a desired (planned) beard line.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Beard Transplant?

Ideal candidates for a beard transplant are men with:

·       Patchy or uneven beards or those who cannot naturally grow a beard.

·       Scarring on the face near the beard area due to injuries or surgical procedures.

·       Severe loss of hair in the beard area due to some underlying medical conditions such as Alopecia.

·       A healthy donor area, typically at the back of the scalp, sufficient for a transplant.

·       Over all good health.

·       Realistic goals or expectations from the treatment outcomes.

Average cost of Beard transplant procedures

The cost of a transplant treatment varies among individuals and is dependent on various factors. The number of grafts required for the transplant, the location of the clinic and the expertise of the surgeons will affect the treatment cost. The average cost of a beard transplant in India ranges from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.1,50,000/-.

Location of the clinic also plays a vital role, those located in the metropolitan cities and in prime areas of the town, need to invest higher amounts in the infrastructure and on the salaries of the surgeons, so the treatment costs also would be higher.

It’s important to obtain the average cost estimate for a beard transplant during the initial consultation itself to help you manage your expenses accordingly.

Factors influencing beard transplant costs

Details of the factors involving beard transplant costs are as follows:

·       Number of grafts- Upon your initial consultation the doctors will analyse your scalp and determine the number of grafts required for the treatment.

·       Procedure Type- Advanced methods will always help us achieve the best possible results from a hair transplant. QHT & FUE being more advanced, often cost more than FUT because of the higher precision skills and expertise required to handle the advanced equipment used during these procedures.

·       Clinic location: Price of the hair transplant varies among different clinics, those located in metropolitan cities, charge higher than those in towns.

·       Surgeon Expertise: A higher expertise is required for the surgeons to perform complex hair transplant procedures, precisely. Surgeons with extensive experience and a reputable track record will usually charge higher amounts for the treatments.

·       Additional Services: Some clinics charge higher amounts for the additional services such as for the post-operative care, PRP injections etc. While others include all these costs in the transplant cost itself, so it is important for you to have a clear communication during the initial consultation itself.

Cost comparison: Beard transplant vs other methods

When considering options for hair growth in the beard area, an understanding of the Hair Transplant Cost vs other treatment methods is important.

·       Minoxidil or Topical solutions: Many over the counter topical solutions are available for hair growth in the beard area, but the results with these are very inconsistent; also they are to be used continually for a prolonged period of time.

·       Microblading: This is very rarely used for beard hair growth, and is mainly used for the eyebrow hair regrowth. Though a less expensive treatment, it provides temporary results, and requires regular maintenance.

While considering all these options for the beard hair regrowth, beard transplant is considered cost-effective, as it provides long-lasting or permanent solutions, unlike the temporary results as mentioned above.  So, it is always advisable to do careful research and consultation with the experts from the hair transplant clinic in, if you are looking for a beard transplant.