Boxer Conor Benn, holder of the WBA Continental welterweight title since 2018, has been proudly showing off the results of his beard transplant for many months now. The fighter got his FUE transplant at the end of 2019. At the time, he expressed dissatisfaction with his appearance and with his lack of a proper beard in particular. ‘I’ve never really had much of a beard, and it bugs me,’ he told the press. More recently, he has admitted that he got the transplant because ‘he wanted to look more menacing’ to intimidate his opponents.
There are many different reasons why men get a beard transplant. What is indisputable, however, is that they are asking for the procedure in greater numbers than ever before. This article is going to examine why that is. Keep scrolling!
The Rise of the Beard Transplant
According to research released by Allied Market Research in the summer of 2022, the global market for beard transplants is expected to be worth a cool $1.2 billion by 2031. That means the market will have expanded by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.1% in the years between 2022 to 2031. That’s rapid expansion by anyone’s standards. So, what’s behind it?
In part, the growth in the beard transplant market is linked to the wider uptake of cosmetic surgery generally. There has been a worldwide expansion of clinics and salons in recent years, driven by advances in technology and a greater awareness of what’s available. Equally significant, perhaps, has been the contribution of celebrities and sports stars like Conor Benn who have been open about their own transplant surgery. This has helped remove some of the stigma attached to hair restoration work and made it easier for private citizens to come forward for hair treatment.
The Process
The beard transplant process closely resembles the methodology used in hair transplants. The same Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery is used to graft hair follicles from the back and sides of the head to the facial area. The procedure is done in a single session under a needle-free local anaesthetic. The surgery is minimally invasive, the use of FUE means there are no visible scars and there is little downtime involved for the individual.
As with hair transplants, full results only become visible after a few months. Medications and Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment can be used to speed healing and encourage the growth of new hair. All these factors, together with a high success rate that provides a full, natural beard, have made beard transplants so popular.
Who Needs One?
Not all men can grow a full beard. Some men can only grow a patchy covering, others can maybe manage a small goatee. There are often genetic or medical reasons behind this. Lifestyle factors, including too much stress in your life, can also contribute to the problem. Sometimes, beard loss is the problem rather than the inability to grow one. Alopecia barbae is the official description of this. It arises because of alopecia areata or when an individual suffers burns or some other kind of facial trauma.
A candidate’s suitability for a beard transplant is determined by how much hair is lost from the beard. If that is not extensive, a course of corticosteroids or minoxidil may be enough to treat the problem effectively. If the loss is such that a transplant is deemed appropriate, the individual’s donor sites will be examined to see if these can provide a suitable number of healthy grafts.
Why Bother?
Men who choose to live their lives without facial hair are likely to question why a beard is so important. That comes down to personal choice. If you don’t want a beard, that’s fine, but it doesn’t alter the fact that beards are fashionable. More so than ever, in fact. While beards have always been a feature of male culture, they have never been as popular or diverse as they are now. And not only are they popular amongst men, but women like them too. Research published in 2020 by Royal Society Publishing revealed that men sporting beards were viewed ‘as looking older, more masculine, socially dominant and aggressive than clean-shaven faces’ by the women surveyed. So, maybe Conor Benn got it right then?
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a beard transplant, a hair transplant or some other type of hair treatment you’re considering, a conversation with a Vinci Hair Clinic expert is a great place to start. We are one of the largest hair restoration organisations in the world, with a network of clinics across many countries.
Vinci offers sound advice and an unmatched range of products and treatments. We also offer a free, no-obligation consultation to all our new clients. This can take place at one of our clinics or over the phone, using photographs on WhatsApp. Get in touch with us and book your appointment today!
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