Facial Hair Transplant: Goatee, mustache, beard, sideburns

Facial hair transplantation is a procedure designed to restore hair most commonly to the goatee and mustache regions, but also to the cheek beards and sideburns to thicken the existing hair, to provide hair growth where there is none, and/or to conceal scarring such as from acne. The absence of hair could be due to genetics, prior electrolysis or laser hair removal, or even trauma due to surgery, burns or other types of accidents. Some patients seek to have restored only a thin amount of coverage or filling in of a limited area, while others desire a thick full goatee and beard region. The number of grafts can range from a few hundred to several thousands, with the following approximate calculations: mustache: 350 to 500 grafts; full goatee: 600 to 700 grafts; sideburns; 200 to 250 per side; cheek beard: 300 to as many as 700 per side. Very occasionally, a second procedure may be indicated for achieving very thick density.

This is a procedure in which Dr. Epstein has truly been a leader, performing on average three to four a week. Because of his reputation and unique experience in this procedure, most patients travel in for a procedure. In addition, Dr. Dauer has spent time with Dr. Epstein, and is similarly able to offer this procedure to patients, allowing for the procedure to be performed in Los Angeles if preferred, with patients able to feel confident that their procedure will be performed correctly and yield aesthetic results.

The donor hairs come from the scalp, which typically grow like normal facial hair in their texture and other characteristics, and can be shaved like other facial hair. Sometimes the closest match is with hairs from the side of the scalp, other times with hair from the back of the scalp. Once transplanted, the hairs are permanent. To provide a natural appearance, the hairs are transplanted as one and sometimes two hair grafts, depending on how the natural facial hair grows. Other steps taken to assure naturalness include the careful placement of the grafts at the exact correct angle and direction, the use of all-microscopically dissected grafts that can be placed in the smallest possible incisions so as to minimize scarring, and even the aesthetic distribution of any existing gray hairs into the restored areas. Note that these hairs transplanted into the face are no longer available for transplanting into the scalp if the patient desires to undergo restoration of any male pattern hair loss that may develop in the future, thus meaning that there will be fewer hairs available for this area.

The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia with an oral sedative, depending on the patient's choice. Lasting 2 to 5 hours, it is essentially painless, as is the recovery period. For the first 5 days after the procedure, tiny crusts are around each transplanted hair, and the transplanted area must be kept absolutely dry. By the second day, patients are able to travel home and resume non strenuous activities, however the face will look like something was done for at least the first 3 to 4 days. Sutures that are placed in the donor area are dissolvable so there is no need to return to the office for removal. The transplanted hairs fall out at around 2 weeks, then start to regrow at 3 months, where they will continue to grow for a lifetime.

There are few risks with the procedure, and most are those associated with standard hair transplants. The donor site incision typically heals as a 2 mm or narrower incision, easily concealable with hair that is cut with anything longer than a razor with a #2 or #3 guard. Some patients choose to avoid a linear donor site incision altogether, preferring to have the grafts obtained by the follicular unit extraction technique.

As this is a procedure in which Drs. Epstein and Dauer specialize, and few if any other surgeons offer it, most of our patients travel from out of town to have it performed on a fly in/fly out basis. The entire procedure can be scheduled by phone and email, with our team able to evaluate photos sent by the patient.

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Before		After		Before		After
Procedure: Facial Hair Surgeon: Dr. Epstein Procedure details: Before, immediately after, and one year after 2,100 grafts to facial region
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If you have any other hair transplant questions, about follicular unit grafts, or other hair transplant issues, please don't hesitate to contact our office.