Last updated: October 31, 2026 · Written by Juan · Researched using ISHRS patient information, a dermatology review on beard alopecia areata, RealSelf cost data and a clinic-published graft and price guide (linked below)
This article is educational only. It is not medical advice, and I am not a doctor. If you have sudden, smooth, round bald patches in your beard, see a dermatologist before considering a transplant: it can be a sign of a treatable autoimmune condition. See our Editorial Policy for how we research and update our articles.
Patchy beard growth, such as gaps on the cheeks, an uneven jawline or a moustache that does not connect, is one of the most common reasons men look into a beard transplant. It uses the same basic method as a scalp transplant, but the technique, graft placement and timeline differ enough to need their own explanation.
The quick version
| Details | |
|---|---|
| How grafts are taken | Usually FUE; strip harvesting is also described by the ISHRS |
| Donor area | Mainly the back and sides of the scalp; sometimes hair from under the jawline |
| Graft placement | As close to parallel with the skin as possible, following natural growth direction |
| Typical graft counts | Moustache 350 to 500; goatee 600 to 700; full beard 2,000 to 3,000 or more (one clinic guide) |
| Typical cost | RealSelf average $9,267; packages in Turkey about €2,600 to €5,200 (one clinic guide) |
| Timeline | Shedding after surgery, regrowth from about 3 to 4 months, final result at 10 to 14 months (ISHRS) |
How the procedure works
According to the ISHRS, grafts are usually taken from the “safe” area at the back and sides of the scalp, which is resistant to balding, either one by one with FUE or by strip harvesting. Hair from under the jawline can be used as a secondary source when fewer grafts are needed. Our FUE vs FUT guide explains the two methods.
The main difference from scalp work is placement. Beard hair grows almost flat against the skin, so the ISHRS says grafts should be placed as close to parallel with the skin as possible, following the direction of the surrounding hair. That makes each graft more painstaking to place than on the scalp.
How many grafts different goals need
The ISHRS says the number depends on your goals, face size, the design, the area to cover and how much hair is already there. As a rough guide, Acibadem International, a clinic group, gives these ranges:
- Moustache: about 350 to 500 grafts.
- Goatee and chin: about 600 to 700.
- Sideburns: about 200 to 300 per side, often used to connect the scalp hairline to the beard.
- Cheeks: about 300 to 700 per side.
- Full beard: about 2,000 to 3,000 or more.
Even a small job, like a moustache, can involve several hundred grafts.
What it costs
RealSelf reports an average beard transplant cost of $9,267, with a range of $3,599 to $16,000, based on 91 member reviews (updated June 2023). Acibadem International gives guide ranges of about $5,000 to $12,000 in the US, £3,000 to £7,000 in the UK, and €2,600 to €5,200 for an all-inclusive package in Turkey, with a full beard of around 3,000 grafts usually near the top of the range. Prices depend on graft count, country and how much of the work the surgeon does personally. Our cost by country guide and Turkey package guide cover the general pattern.
Recovery and results
The ISHRS says the transplanted hairs shed after surgery, regrowth is expected at about three to four months, and the final result appears after 10 to 14 months. It advises avoiding pressure on the grafts for the first few days and avoiding intense sunlight. The pattern is similar to scalp recovery; see our recovery timeline.
The ISHRS also lists possible side effects, including darkening of the skin after inflammation, especially in darker skin, and, less commonly, inflamed follicles, most often under the lip and on the chin. Skin problems such as infection or active acne need treating before surgery.
Check for alopecia areata first
If your patchiness appeared as smooth, clearly defined, round bald patches, rather than thinness you have always had, it may be alopecia areata of the beard, sometimes called alopecia barbae. A 2017 review in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology describes it as an autoimmune condition that causes round, well-defined patches of hair loss, usually along the jawline, often with white hairs at the edges. It can be treated, usually first with steroid creams and then steroid injections.
That matters for two reasons: it is a medical condition that deserves treatment in its own right, and a transplant is not the right first step while it is active. A good clinic should ask how your patches developed and refer you to a dermatologist if anything looks unusual. Our guide to what surgeons check explains why diagnosis comes first.
Is it permanent?
Usually, yes. Follicles taken from the back and sides of the scalp keep their resistance to pattern hair loss after being moved. The ISHRS adds two cautions: the beard design you choose is permanent, which matters if fashions change or you later want to shave; and donor hair cannot be replaced, so using it for a beard reduces what is left if you later need a scalp transplant.
Frequently asked questions
Can transplanted beard hair be trimmed and styled normally? Yes. Once grown, it can be washed, trimmed and styled like the rest of your beard.
Can a beard transplant connect to thin sideburns? Yes, sideburn grafts are often used to link the scalp hairline to the beard.
Does it use the same donor hair as a scalp transplant? Usually, yes, which is why the total number of grafts for beard and scalp work should be planned together. Our body hair transplant guide covers the reverse case, using beard hair on the scalp.
When can I shave? It varies by clinic. Ask your surgeon, because shaving too early can disturb grafts that have not anchored.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. See a dermatologist to rule out any underlying condition, and consult a qualified, licensed surgeon before making any decision about surgery.
Sources consulted: ISHRS: Beard and mustache transplant; Alopecia areata of the beard: a review of the literature (Am J Clin Dermatol, 2017); RealSelf: Beard transplant cost; Acibadem International: Beard transplant cost and graft counts.