Beard Transplant Cost and Procedure Guide

Don’t underestimate the power of a beard and the impact it can have on your confidence. The ability to grow a beard if you want one isn’t a given for everyone and may feel frustrating and embarrassing if you can't. Genetics, hormones, scarring and certain health conditions are just some of the factors that can keep you from growing the beard you want.¹

Thanks to improvements in hair restoration technology and the ever-increasing interest in beards and beard transplants, the opportunity to have a full, natural-looking beard is possible.

What Is a Beard Transplant?

A beard transplant is a hair restoration procedure used to enhance facial hair. It involves harvesting hair follicles from another part of the body, usually the back or sides of the scalp.² If a person has enough hair to spare, follicles can also be harvested from another part of the beard.³ These follicles are then implanted in the beard area to increase density, fill in bald patches or even create a beard from scratch for those unable to grow one naturally.²

You may benefit from a beard transplant if:²

• You are unable to grow the facial hair you want due to genetics, ethnicity or scarring
• You want a beard to conceal scars from burns, acne or surgery
• Your beard is thin or patchy
• You’re a transgender person who wants to grow more facial hair

Types of Beard Transplants

Follicular unit excision (FUE) is the preferred harvesting method for beard transplants for its precision and minimal scarring. This method involves removing individual hairs from the back of the scalp or another part of the body and implanting them into the beard area.⁴ Some surgeons prefer to use beard follicles from the underside of the beard, provided there's a sufficient amount. This is called a beard-to-beard transplant and can help facilitate a color and texture match.³

There are two types of FUE beard transplants to choose from:⁴

• Full beard transplant, which creates a completely new beard shape
• Partial beard transplant, which is used to increase density and fill in thinning or bald patches

Who Is a Candidate for a Beard Transplant?

You might be a good candidate for a beard transplant if you:¹

• Are at least 25 years of age, as facial hair continues to develop into your late 20s
• Are healthy and don’t have uncontrolled medical or chronic skin conditions
• Have enough healthy hair on your scalp or beard to harvest for implantation
• Have realistic expectations

How Much Does a Beard Transplant Cost?

The national average cost* of a partial beard transplant is $4,286, but the cost ranges between $3,396 and $7,802. The average cost* of a full beard transplant is $9,574, but it can range from $7,581 to $17,418.⁵

The wide price range for beard transplants is due to the number of grafts needed and the size of the area being covered. Other factors that may impact the cost include your location, the surgeon's reputation and experience and postoperative costs, such as medication.⁵

Beard transplant cost by type

Below are the average costs* of a full beard transplant and a partial beard transplant.⁵

Calculate the costs of a partial beard transplant near you*

Average cost of a partial beard transplant by state/district

Below are the average costs* of a partial beard transplant in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.⁵

Does insurance cover beard transplants?

Beard transplants are considered a cosmetic procedure and typically not covered by insurance, but there can be exceptions. The procedure may be covered if facial hair loss was the result of a burn or other trauma or if it’s part of gender-affirming care. In these cases, it’s advisable to check with your health insurance provider to understand how much of the procedure, if any, is covered, as this can vary from one provider to another.²

Many cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists also offer financing options and some may accept the CareCredit credit card, which may be a convenient way to pay for a beard transplant or related out-of-pocket expenses over time.**

How Does a Beard Transplant Work?

Choosing an experienced and board-certified hair restoration surgeon is the first step to helping ensure a safe procedure and the best results.

Here’s an idea of what you may expect before, during and after a beard transplant procedure.

Consultation and planning

During your consultation and planning appointment the surgeon may:²

• Ask about your medical history to make sure you’re healthy enough to undergo the procedure
• Examine your facial skin to understand the extent of your hair thinning, and try to determine the cause of your hair loss
• Explain your options and how the procedure works, and go over the potential complications
• Identify areas with healthy follicles to be discreetly harvested for the best result
• Create a design of the donor and implantation areas to calculate how many follicular units — or hairs — will be needed³
• Initiate treatment of any existing skin conditions affecting the area, such as acne or infection³

This can also be an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the procedure. Having a list on hand can be helpful.

Preparation

It’s important to follow any preparation instructions provided by your surgeon. These may include:⁶

• Avoiding alcohol and caffeine
• Pausing or discontinuing certain medications and supplements, such as ibuprofen and vitamin E
• Quitting smoking and other tobacco products
• Taking certain vitamins to improve hair growth, such as vitamins B, C and D

Procedure

Here is a general breakdown of how a beard transplant works:³

• The surgeon marks the area of implantation using a special marker.
• A local anesthetic is used to numb the area; a sedative may be given to help you relax.
• Individual follicles are removed using a punch tool.
• The harvested hairs are prepped for implantation.
• The follicles are implanted into the marked area, matching the angle and direction of any preexisting hair

Recovery

After your surgery, an antibiotic ointment may be applied to the area. You may be able to go home after your beard transplant, and unless you receive sedation, you may be able to drive.⁶

Most people recover from a beard transplant in about a week. You may be permitted to work and exercise within a day or two, but keep in mind that you’ll have some redness, swelling and mild scabbing and crusting for a few days. Your surgeon might advise you to avoid getting your face wet for at least a week, which means no washing your face or swimming. ⁶

It’s normal for your skin to feel tight the morning after your procedure, but this typically improves within a few hours. And any pain from a beard transplant is typically mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.⁶

Don’t be alarmed if you notice shedding after a couple of weeks; this can be normal.⁶

Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions to follow. Following these instructions can be key to your recovery and results.

To help you have a speedy and comfortable recovery, your surgeon might instruct you to: ⁶

• Avoid touching your beard area for at least five days
• Consider sticking to soft foods or liquids for a few days to help with discomfort
• Refrain from shaving for at least 10 days
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol for at least two weeks
• Avoid sunlight and don’t apply sunscreen for as long as advised by your doctor
• Attend all your scheduled follow-up appointments

Results

As excited as you understandably will be to see your results, a bit of patience may be required as the transplanted follicles may take up to 6 months to be visible, and it can take 12 to 15 months to achieve the full effect of your grafts.²

Most people are satisfied with the results of their beard transplant. However, if after this time you notice bare spots or find you want a denser beard, you can ask your surgeon about arranging a touch-up.⁶

Possible Side Effects of a Beard Transplant

Beard transplant side effects are usually mild and can often resolve without treatment. These might include:⁶

• Folliculitis³
• Ingrown hairs
• Mild pain
• Pinpoint scabs at the implantation sites
• Redness and swelling
• Shedding
• Unnatural-looking results³

Choosing an experienced, board-certified hair restoration surgeon can help you achieve safe and effective results.³

The Bottom Line on Beard Transplants

A beard transplant can give you a fuller beard, fill in areas damaged by scarring or injuries or even create a new beard if you’ve had trouble growing one naturally.

If you want to know if a beard transplant might be a good fit for you, reach out to a board-certified hair restoration surgeon. They can walk you through the procedure and help you achieve a fuller, natural-looking beard.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beard Transplants

Do you still have questions about beard transplants? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the procedure.

Financing a Beard Transplant With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a beard transplant and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.