Hair transplantation (HT) is a surgical technique that moves hair follicles from a donor site to a recipient site. Traditionally, the donor area was restricted to the back and sides of the scalp, where hair follicles are resistant to genetic balding. When the traditional scalp donor supply is limited, an advanced procedure known as Body Hair Transplantation (BHT) offers an alternative solution by harvesting follicles from non-scalp areas. Beard hair can be transplanted to the head. This procedure is primarily reserved for patients with advanced hair loss who require an expanded donor pool for better coverage and density.
Why Beard Hair is a Viable Donor Site
Beard hair is considered the most effective non-scalp donor source for scalp restoration due to its advantageous biological and structural characteristics. The hair shaft itself is typically much thicker, or has a higher caliper, than the average scalp hair. This coarser texture means that fewer beard grafts are required to create the illusion of significant density and fullness in the recipient area.
The growth pattern of beard follicles also makes them highly suitable, as they are generally resistant to the hormonal changes that cause male pattern baldness, similar to the hair on the back of the scalp. Beard hair follicles also maintain a robust growth cycle, with a long anagen (growing) phase, ensuring that the transplanted hairs will grow long enough to be aesthetically useful on the scalp.
The skin along the jawline and under the chin provides a substantial reserve of donor follicles, especially for individuals with a thick beard. This high follicular density in the beard area makes it a valuable secondary reservoir, offering thousands of additional grafts when the primary scalp donor area is exhausted. The rapid healing of the beard donor area, often faster than the scalp, is another benefit, reducing the overall recovery time for the patient.
The Specific Beard Hair Transplantation Technique
Extracting beard hair requires a specialized approach, as the follicles are anatomically different from those on the scalp. The procedure must use the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method, which involves harvesting individual follicular units, because the traditional strip method (FUT) is not feasible on the jawline. The FUE technique uses precision micro-punches to remove the grafts, which results in tiny, circular scars that are typically inconspicuous once healed.
A significant technical challenge is the sharp and shallow angle at which beard hair grows beneath the skin surface, making extraction more difficult than with scalp hair. Surgeons must use specialized punches and precise technique to navigate this angle and avoid damaging the follicle, a complication known as transection. Furthermore, most beard grafts are single-haired follicular units, unlike scalp grafts which often contain two to four hairs.
To prevent visible patchiness or thinning in the donor area, the harvesting must be managed carefully by taking grafts diffusely from the submandibular area (under the chin and jawline). While beard hair is technically challenging to harvest, the use of advanced FUE tools and techniques has led to consistently low transection rates, making it a reliable source for a large number of grafts.
Comparing Beard Hair Results to Scalp Hair
Once transplanted, beard hair retains its unique structural properties, which directly impacts the final aesthetic outcome. The hair’s natural texture, often coarser, curlier, or wavier than native scalp hair, remains unchanged. This difference requires careful planning to ensure the transplanted hair blends naturally with existing scalp hair.
Because of its coarse caliber, beard hair is reserved for filling density in the mid-scalp and the crown area. Placing beard grafts in the frontal hairline is avoided because the thicker, stiffer hair can create an unnatural or “pluggy” appearance, as finer hair is required for a soft transition.
For the best visual result, beard grafts are often surrounded by native scalp grafts to assist with proper blending and softening the overall appearance. Patients should understand that the transplanted hair will grow in the style of beard hair, requiring an adapted grooming plan. Studies have shown that beard hair has a high survival rate after transplantation, making it a durable option for permanent hair restoration.