Beard Transplant: How It Works, What It Costs and What Results to Expect
A patchy beard, a thin moustache or a scar where hair will not grow can all be treated with a beard transplant. Hair is moved from the back of the head to the face, one follicle at a time. This guide explains how the procedure works, what recovery and results look like, how long it lasts and what drives the cost.
What is a beard transplant and who is it for?
A beard transplant is a hair transplant to the face. Individual follicles are taken from a donor area, usually the back of the head, and implanted into the beard, moustache, sideburns or cheek line. Because it uses your own hair, the result grows like natural facial hair.
People usually consider it for:
- a patchy beard with gaps on the cheeks or chin;
- a thin or uneven moustache;
- a beard that does not connect between moustache and chin;
- a sharper cheek line or sideburns;
- scars from injury, burns or acne where hair no longer grows.
The ISHRS describes candidates ranging from men who want a fuller beard to those with hair loss from scarring or trauma.
How does a beard transplant work?
At City Medical Centre beard transplants are performed with FUE. The steps are:
- Design. The shape of the beard is discussed and agreed before surgery: density, the cheek line, the neckline and how the beard should connect.
- Local anaesthesia. Both the donor area and the face are numbed.
- Extraction. Grafts are taken from the back of the head through micro-punctures of about 1 mm. There are no incisions and no stitches.
- Implantation. Each graft is placed at the angle and direction of natural facial hair. This is the most demanding part: beard hair changes direction constantly across the face, and a wrong angle is what makes a beard look artificial.
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, and the method is the same FUE technique used for the scalp, described on our hair transplant page. If you want to compare extraction and implantation methods, see FUE vs DHI.
Does a beard transplant hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so the extraction and implantation themselves should not be painful. Most people describe the anaesthetic injections as the least comfortable moment. Afterwards the face and the donor area can feel tight, tender or sore for a few days. Your doctor will explain how to manage this and which medications are suitable for you.
Recovery: what the first two weeks look like
Recovery after a beard transplant takes about 7–10 days. During this time small crusts form around each graft on the face and heal on their own. The donor area at the back of the head heals at the same time, and because hair there is usually kept short, the doctor will discuss how long to leave it before cutting.
- First days: redness, small crusts and some swelling are common. Avoid touching or rubbing the grafts.
- Days 7–10: crusts come away and the face looks close to normal.
- Shaving and trimming: the doctor tells you when the new area can be trimmed or shaved. Do not guess; early shaving can dislodge grafts.
Washing, sleeping position, sport and sun exposure are covered in the aftercare instructions. Our recovery timeline guide describes the healing stages in more detail.
Beard transplant results month by month
Facial hair follows the same growth cycle as scalp hair, so the timeline is similar to a scalp transplant. The transplanted hairs usually shed within the first weeks. This is normal: the follicles stay in the skin and begin to grow new hair later.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 0–10 | Healing, crusts come away |
| First weeks | Transplanted hairs shed; the beard can look as it did before |
| Next months | New hairs start to grow, often unevenly |
| Later months | Density builds and the beard fills in |
| About one year | The result can be judged fairly |
The doctor will give you the expected timeline for your case at the consultation. Our article on hair transplant results month by month explains each stage of the growth cycle in more depth.
Is a beard transplant permanent?
Transplanted hair keeps the properties of the donor hair it came from. Hair from the back of the head is usually resistant to pattern hair loss, which is why a transplanted beard is expected to grow for life. The ISHRS makes the same point: once healed, transplanted beard hairs are permanent. This contrasts with topical products, which only work while you keep using them.
The new hair can be trimmed, shaped and styled like the rest of your beard. Because it comes from the scalp, its texture can differ slightly from your original facial hair; discuss this with the doctor when planning the density and position of the grafts.
How much does a beard transplant cost?
At City Medical Centre a beard transplant costs $2,800 (previously $3,000). It can be paid in interest-free instalments. The exact cost is confirmed at the consultation and fixed in the contract. Prices for all procedures are listed on the clinic home page.
When you compare offers from different countries, look beyond the headline figure. What drives the price and the result is:
- how many grafts are included, and whether the number is fixed in writing;
- who performs the design and the implantation;
- which check-ups and aftercare are included;
- what happens if growth is poor in one area.
Risks and how to avoid a failed beard transplant
"Beard transplant fail" is a common search, and it usually refers to one of three problems: grafts placed at the wrong angle, an unnatural outline, or density that does not match expectations. The first two are design and skill issues; the third often comes from unrealistic planning. The ISHRS also notes that no surgeon can promise that every single graft will grow.
To reduce the risk, agree on the shape in detail before surgery, ask how many grafts are planned for each area, follow the aftercare instructions and attend your check-ups. General risks such as infection or a reaction to the anaesthetic are discussed with the doctor beforehand. If you would like to know whether your donor area is suitable, the first consultation is free and can be held online.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a beard transplant take to heal?
Recovery takes about 7–10 days. In this time the small crusts around the grafts heal and fall away, and the donor area at the back of the head heals too. New growth appears over the following months, after the transplanted hairs have shed.
Is a beard transplant permanent?
Transplanted hair keeps the properties of the donor hair, which usually comes from the back of the head and is resistant to pattern hair loss. For this reason a transplanted beard is expected to grow for life, and you can trim and style it like the rest of your beard.
How much does a beard transplant cost in Moscow?
At City Medical Centre a beard transplant costs $2,800, previously $3,000, with interest-free instalments available. The exact cost is confirmed at the free consultation and fixed in the contract, so the price does not change on the day of the procedure.
Will a beard transplant leave scars?
Grafts are taken from the back of the head through micro-punctures of about 1 mm, without incisions or stitches, so there is no linear scar. The small punctures heal during the first days of recovery. Discuss your skin type and healing history with the doctor at the consultation.
When can I shave after a beard transplant?
Do not shave the transplanted area until the doctor confirms it is safe, because early shaving can dislodge grafts. The timing depends on how the skin heals and is explained in your aftercare instructions. After healing, the new hair can be trimmed and shaved as normal.
Sources
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- The first consultation is free, online consultations are available
- The doctor names the cost after the assessment, and it is fixed in the contract
- A personal coordinator guides you from the first message to recovery
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