There’s More to Movember than Mustaches – Your Guide to Facial Hair Transplants

Category Archives: Facial Hair Transplants

There’s More to Movember than Mustaches – Your Guide to Facial Hair Transplants

Society’s expectations of men have always been high. No matter what their challenges, men are expected to be strong and silently shoulder any burden. But this expectation – which men often internalize – can be deadly when they neglect their health – including mental health. In 2003, a group of men dedicated themselves to raising awareness of men’s health issues, and launched the non-profit Movember Foundation. Since that time, its signature Movember fundraising campaign has featured the fun challenge of growing a mustache during the month of November.

While Movember’s emphasis is on upper lip hair, facial hair in general has made a major comeback over the past several years. The clean-shaven look prevalent throughout most of the 20th century has given way to a wide range of individual expression through beards of all lengths and configurations. Ironically, this trend harkens back to the 19th century, when beards were prevalent and unadorned faces rare. Yet for men who yearn to grow a full beard – or goatee – but nature isn’t cooperating, a facial hair transplant is an option that (when performed by an experienced hair restoration surgeon) provides a satisfying, natural-looking result.

The Growing Demand for Facial Hair Transplants

As reported by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), studies indicate that “… men who grow an unshaven beard are perceived as older, more masculine, and more dominant and aggressive, and attract more positive female attitudes than those men whose face is clean-shaven.” Bearded men also are seen as more intelligent – as evidenced by the popular culture stereotypes of psychiatrists, college professors and scientists depicted with beards.

ISHRS is a global non-profit medical association and the leading authority on hair loss treatment and restoration. Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – is a Fellow of the ISHRS. This is a distinction that is only given to those who achieve certain landmarks on teaching and leadership. Currently, fewer than 10% of the ISHRS members are Fellows.

Based on the statistics of the ISHRS 2020 Practice Census, facial implants (beard and mustache) increased 196% worldwide from 2012 (4,707) to 2014 (13,956), and 121% from 2014 to 2019 (30,957). While all components of a beard are important, the highest ranked features included strong goatee (15.8%) and strong cheek beards (15.8%).

“They are becoming much more common,” says Dr. Barusco. “Everybody wants a full, even beard.”

As for what type of facial hair his patients most frequently seek, Dr. Barusco says the most common requests are for a goatee and cheeks – which aligns with the ISHRS’s findings. “Many men can grow a satisfactory mustache, but often the mustache does not connect with the goatee, or they have sparse hair on their cheeks and can’t grow a full beard.”

Why Can’t Some Men Grow Facial Hair?

As our blog post – “Facial Hair Transplants – Getting the Best Beard and Mustache” – reports, genetics is the reason, but not because there’s a gene that suppresses facial hair growth. The facts are more complex. Men start to develop facial hair – which is regulated by testosterone – during puberty, and it doesn’t fully mature until their early 20’s. The interaction between testosterone and the hair that already exists causes it to grow thicker and darker.

While thick beard growth is commonly attributed to a high testosterone level, the truth is that most men actually have about the same level of this hormone. What makes the difference in facial hair growth is how one’s body responds to testosterone – which is genetically determined. Being highly sensitive to testosterone results in more facial hair. On the down side, it contributes to baldness.

Who is a Candidate for a Facial Hair Transplant?

According to the ISHRS, patients who are typical candidates for facial hair transplantation include:

  • Those who have a total absence of hair or low density from birth with spaces in the beard.
  • Those who have scarring hair loss due to burns, injuries, acne, cleft lip corrective surgery or any other type of surgery.
  • Female-to-male transgender patients, to create a more masculine appearance.

What Does a Facial Hair Transplant Involve?

As with hair transplants to the scalp, a facial hair transplant may be performed as a Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Excision (FUE). Which procedure is used depends upon the area to be covered. For large areas, hair is harvested from the same donor site as that for a hair transplant. This provides an advantage for those who want to grow a longer beard. Dr. Barusco describes the procedure in greater detail in a video for his YouTube video channel, Hair Loss Medical Advice.

The hair for facial hair transplants is typically harvested from the sides and back of the head, which are the same areas used in normal hair transplant surgery for bald and thinning areas of the scalp. The difference is that the hair removed is usually from lower down toward the neck, where the hair quality is more compatible to that of facial hair. This includes planning the angle and direction of hair for the most natural looking results. Dr. Barusco understands how hairs from different areas of the body behave, and has the skill and artistry to harvest those that are the best match, and ensure the hair follicles are angled correctly when transplanted.

“The challenges with transplanting into the face are many,” says Dr. Barusco. “From a technical standpoint, the most crucial is the angle and direction in which the hairs have to be placed to produce a natural result that will allow the patient to grow it long, if they so desire.

“Another aspect of the facial hair transplant is the donor area selection. Most of the time, we use scalp hairs from the safe donor zone, and the patient may need these hairs in the future, should they develop male pattern baldness. This factor becomes more important because most of the patients looking for facial hair transplants are young men. If the area(s) to be filled are small and few grafts are needed, we may use beard hairs, which are usually harvested from under the chin, as the source of donor hair.”

In his experience with facial hair transplant patients, Dr. Barusco has found that sparse growth and patchy growth are equally prevalent conditions – and normally coexist in the same patient, who can have areas of sparse growth (defined as a low density of hairs), as well as areas where the beard is patchy.

In another Hair Loss Medical Advice video, Dr. Barusco focuses on one case study of a 44-year-old male who wanted a fuller goatee and to better connect the goatee with his mustache. The video includes photos of the pre-op planning process and the final results one year later.

More About Movember – What Men Need to Know

We began this blog post about the purpose of Movember, and the importance of men taking charge of their health and well-being. Donations raised in behalf of the Movember Foundation go to fund groundbreaking health projects to make a difference for mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

As Dr. Barusco emphasizes educating people about a variety to topics relating to hair loss and hair restoration through his YouTube channel, we highly recommend taking time to watch “Movember, Finasteride for Hair Loss and the Post-Finasteride Syndrome” – which is given to the prevention and early detection of prostate cancer. His candid discussion includes a recommendation for regular prostate examinations, and ties it in with the use of Finasteride –a standard medication used for hair loss and prostate enlargement – and its potential side effects.

Not only do men need to be there for their loved ones, they need to be there for themselves – and each other. Movember’s message is “Whatever you grow will save a bro.” And you don’t need to feel left out if your ‘stach needs Dr. Barusco’s help. All kinds of mustaches are welcome to join the cause! According to the Movember website, “Patchy, lopsided, itchy or epic – whatever Mo you grow this Movember, your face will raise funds and awareness for men’s health.”

Considering a Facial Hair Transplant? Choose Your Surgeon Wisely!

While Movember doesn’t judge participants on the basics of their mustache’s aesthetic quality, you may want to have your “A-game” mustache ready for next year’s event. But regardless of the type of facial hair transplant you’re considering, the surgeon you select will make a significant difference in its success, and your satisfaction with the results. A transplant can be technically correct – that is, the surgery involved no complications, and the hair follicles survived and thrived – yet fall short of the appearance you want because the hairs weren’t placed correctly, or without consideration of your ethnicity.

Just as Dr. Barusco takes into account the ethnic background of hair transplant patients in order to achieve the right aesthetic effect, he does the same for facial hair transplants. Beard growth and density is different for men of different ethnic groups. Indian and Middle Eastern men tend to have denser beards, while Caucasians and men of African heritage have good density and more hair in their beards than Asian men. It is important for the surgeon performing a facial hair transplant procedure to achieve the aesthetically appropriate result that truly represents and respects your heritage.

We invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation virtual consultation with Dr. Barusco. His long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

Complications in Hair Transplant Procedures

Every person who schedules a hair transplant procedure expects a successful outcome. However, just as with any other surgical procedure, it carries the potential for complications. We at Tempus Hair Restoration consider our blog an important means of educating potential patients on every aspect of hair restoration – be it surgical or non-surgical. Our YouTube channel – Hair Loss Medical Advice – is another educational tool in which Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration – covers a hair loss-related topic in a conversational style. This article is based on his video, Complications in Hair Transplant Surgery, which we highly recommend you watch. Knowing what can possibly go wrong and how complications can best be prevented will make you a better informed patient able to ask the right questions and find an experienced, qualified surgeon specializing in hair transplant procedures.

What is a Complication?

A complication is an unanticipated problem that arises following – and is a result of – a procedure, treatment or illness. Fortunately, says Dr. Barusco, complications in hair restoration surgery are very rare. Serious complications are even rarer. However, although complications do not tend to be life-threatening, cosmetic complications can result in excessive scarring, decimation of the donor area caused by overharvesting, poor growth and unnatural-appearing growth patterns. In extreme cases, a complication can be permanently disfiguring.

Donor Area Complications – Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

Also known as the strip method – in which hair follicles are harvested from the donor area of the scalp as strips – an FUT can result in tissue necrosis originating from wound dehiscence (the separation of the edges of a surgical incision) at the donor site. Dr. Barusco explains this complication as follows:

“Basically, if you take too much of an area too wide and you close it and there’s a lot of tension in the skin, you can stretch the vascular supply or the blood supply and the skin around the edges won’t survive so it’ll create these kind of dead areas there – and eventually it will heal, but it can leave a bigger scar that’s completely preventable. You just have to be careful in this area. Behind the ear there’s a little mastoid bone there where the skin is much tighter. There’s not a lot of movement, so when I train doctors on strict procedures, I warn them about this risk.”

Other complications with FUT procedures include a wider scar, rather than the typical “pencil line” scar that is eventually concealed by new hair growth. This can be a complication if the patient wants to keep his hair short.

Rare complications such as infections, bleeding, hematomas (a collection of blood outside of blood vessels) and a suture break that opens the incision back up can also occur.

Donor Area Complications – Follicular Unit Excision (FUE)

In this method, follicular units are extracted individually from the scalp. According to Dr. Barusco, complications in FUE transplants are more difficult to treat. The most common is scarring. Because patients who select this procedure tend to do so because they want to keep their hair shorter without the scars being visible, this complication defeats the purpose of the FUE – as the scars can be concealed if the hair is a longer length.

Why does this complication occur? Some people are more at risk for it. Dr. Barusco emphasizes the need for choosing a knowledgeable, experienced surgeon who is able to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the FUE. Also, punches that are too large in diameter and too close together can be another factor in scarring. This also limits the donor area, as no additional follicles can be harvested without resulting in a bald spot.

This leads into the fact that some bad outcomes are due to a botched surgery rather than a complication. Examples cited by Dr. Barusco include harvesting too many grafts from very high in the donor area – causing thinning – and a patient with already thin hair who was an inappropriate candidate for an FUE. Overharvesting in general, taking too many hair follicles from a small area and incisions too close together are other bad practices that result in disastrous outcomes.

“If you are going in for an FUE procedure, you have to be even more careful about who you let work on your scalp, because the burden of success for FUE procedures is much higher, and the problems with complications are much worse. So you want to go with someone who has a lot of experience and credentials – and you want a doctor performing it.”

Recipient Area Complications

Again, the following are not so much complications as they are botched surgical outcomes from bad medical practices. These include a poor hairline, low-density unnatural appearance, edema, necrosis (tissue death) and postoperative folliculitis/pustules.

Is the Person Performing Hair Transplants Qualified and Experienced?

Not everyone who performs hair transplants has the education, qualification and experience to do so – not even all surgeons! Dr. Barusco explains the situation as follows:

“Surgical specialty skills are not transferable. A surgeon who’s experienced at liposuction won’t necessarily be good at hair transplants, and vice versa.”

However, such surgeons are encouraged to see hair transplants as a new and profitable revenue stream by sales representatives of devices using robotic technology. The devices are typically sold as turnkey products, with the company providing non-medical technicians to not only operate the machine, but harvest and implant hair follicles. If you are not familiar with our practice and have not yet read Dr. Barusco’s insightful article – “The Truth Behind Advertising Devices Instead of Surgeons” – you owe it to yourself to learn the difference between marketing hype and medical best practices.

“A lot of doctors have fallen prey to that, and unfortunately, a lot of patients have been and are being harmed by that because the doctor is really not doing anything – he’s delegating to these technicians that the companies send them, or relying on a machine to make all the calculations, then push buttons and expect the machine to do everything.

“Hair transplant surgery may look simple, but it’s a very complex procedure. A lot of decisions are made in real time, in a real fast environment in terms of the angle and direction of hair growth – so you need someone with experience. We’re seeing complications now that we shouldn’t be seeing.”

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is the world’s leading medical authority on hair loss treatment and restoration. Dr. Barusco is a Fellow of the ISHRS. This is a distinction that is only given to those who achieve certain landmarks on teaching and leadership. Currently, fewer than 10% of the ISHRS members are Fellows. The ISHRS makes the following statement regarding this increasingly widespread practice of non-medical technicians performing hair transplant procedures:

“When a physician has taken the time to earn their medical degree, they will often spend additional time and resources to properly learn their craft so that they can offer the best medical service possible. Many hair restoration surgeons have spent numerous years learning from their peers and attending ISHRS-sanctioned surgical workshops to learn the advanced and basics of proper hair restoration surgery. This significantly reduces the chances of negative outcomes due to the time invested to learn the craft of hair restoration.

“Technicians, however, have no such training. Any training that a technician receives in a technician-driven clinic is usually from technicians learning from technicians. And that technician most likely learned from another technician, and so on. This means that there is potentially very little effort and time invested in learning the craft of hair restoration surgery, to the point that the methods necessary for achieving naturalness and high rates of growth are poorly understood.

“Moreover, the technicians never went to medical school and are not licensed to practice medicine! Most of these clinics do not understand even the most basic fundamentals of naturalness as it has taken many of the finest hair restoration physicians several years to master this aspect of their craft. All of the research into all of the meaningful areas of hair transplant surgery are performed by doctors, and this information is shared among colleagues.”

Clandestine Black Market Clinics – Why They’re No Bargain at Any Price

Clinics operated by non-physicians or technicians are becoming more common – especially in such countries as Turkey, Mexico, India and Sweden. According to the ISHRS, Turkey conducts the most aggressive marketing. Wherever the location, such clinics produce botched hair transplants much more as a rule rather than an occasional exception.

“Many of the illegal clinics have sophisticated websites ranking high with Google paid ads to attract the consumer into a clinic that appears on the surface very professional. The marketing tactics are deceptive as it appears like a team of professional doctors with excellent testimonials. However, the reality is your surgery may be done by someone with no medical training. The demand is so high, reports are that Taxi cab drivers and Syrian refugees do the surgery in some overseas countries.”

Our blog post – “Consumer Beware – The Risks of Medical Tourism for Hair Transplants” – covers this topic in depth, and features the ISHRS’s Fight the FIGHT campaign against fraudulent hair restoration clinics. Dr. Barusco participates in this consumer awareness campaign, which he covers in his video. The photo he shares of a horrific, permanently disfiguring outcome of a hair transplant performed at such a clinic can be found on the ISHRS’s Fight the FIGHT website, which is also linked above.

Knowledge is Power – Choose Your Hair Restoration Surgeon Wisely!

Some complications can be corrected by a skilled, experienced surgeon specializing in hair transplant procedures. Of course, avoiding such a situation in the first place is preferable to correcting a poor outcome later.

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

A Fascinating Look at Eyebrow Transplants

In 2018, actress Meagan Good went public about her eyebrow transplant, sparking mainstream interest in this increasingly popular hair restoration procedure. Much as with scalp hair transplants, surgery to restore eyebrows to a full, youthful appearance has been discretely sought over the years. Today’s more open attitude is encouraging women to explore this permanent, aesthetically pleasing solution to the ongoing frustration of dealing with sparse brows. Here’s what you need to know about eyebrow transplants to make the right decision.

Why do eyebrows thin?

Eyebrows thin for a number of reasons. Among women, overplucking is a leading cause. The trauma inflicted on hair follicles during tweezing – as well as waxing and threading – can lead to permanent damage of the hair follicles, causing them to die out. The effect can show up as thinning areas, bald spots and loss of the “tail” of the brow. While the thick “Instagram brow” is now popular, pencil-thin brows were the trend during the ‘90s – resulting in women who followed suit then unable to grow their brows back now.

Coinciding with the overzealous eyebrow grooming practices prevalent when Christina Aguilera was topping the charts are the hormone changes that come with age – with the same factors that sometimes cause female pattern hair loss in the scalp contributing to thinning brows. Aside from hormonal changes, even the aging of hair follicles themselves can lead to scalp and eyebrow hair looking thinner and more sparse.

Thinning brows are also a common side effect of other conditions, such as atopic dermatitis – better known as eczema – due to inflammation and itching around the brow area. A dermatologist can recommend medications and topical treatments to help. Low thyroid hormone levels, also extremely common in women, are a common cause of the loss of eyebrows, particularly their “tails.”

Other common causes include chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment; scarring or skin trauma; or trichotillomania – a self-harming behavioral trait that involves tugging or pulling at the hairs in the brow.

The problems with tattoos and microblading for sparse brows

As covered in our April 25, 2018 blog post – “No More Pencils – Your Guide to Eyebrow Transplants” – so-called “permanent makeup” tattoos intended to achieve the effect of natural brows have notable drawbacks. They do not convincingly replicate the look of individual brow hairs, and eventually fade, creating a blotchy, even more artificial appearance.

The recent surge in popularity for microblading positions this procedure as a desirable semi-permanent solution. Microblading is a cosmetic tattooing procedure that fills in thin eyebrow areas to make them look fuller. The process uses a hand-held device containing small needles. The esthetician uses short strokes to apply a pigment intended to replicate the appearance of brow hairs. Unlike a traditional tattoo, the pigment lasts from one to two years, with a touch-up needed a few weeks after the initial procedure.

However, there are risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the color additive substance of the pigments used in microblading. Poorly trained estheticians, improper sanitation procedures and unsterile tools leading to infection – including HIV and hepatitis B and C – are other serious pitfalls. Photos of botched results are easily found online, ranging from unflattering, uneven shapes and faded tinting to scarring and infection.

When done incorrectly, microblading cannot be easily concealed, and the client will likely have to pay additional costs to manage complications and correct the procedure as best as possible.

The benefits of eyebrow transplants

Foremost, surgical eyebrow restoration has the benefit of being a permanent solution. Instead of just attempting the illusion of natural brows, they’re real, using your own hair. It is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia, after which the patient can resume normal activities. Keep in mind that post-surgical care instructions regarding the donor and recipient sites must be carefully followed to prevent complications and attain the best possible result.

Tempus Hair Restoration – our eyebrow transplant process

Though eyebrow transplantation is not a new procedure, not every hair restoration practice has the experience to perform at the necessary high aesthetic level to achieve a pleasing, natural-looking brow line and fullness. In fact, many experienced hair transplant doctors do not offer eyebrow procedures to their patients, due to its technical complexities and the fact that patients usually have very specific goals for the look of their eyebrows. Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – is a board-certified surgeon who is internationally recognized as a leader in hair restoration. Dr. Barusco himself conducts every consultation (which is always free) with each patient to study their hair loss, and discuss the patient’s treatment goals and options.

For those seeking a full restoration of both brows, Dr. Barusco works with the patient to recreate the brows in a natural contour, outlining the eyebrow area to complement the individual’s facial characteristics.

Once the desired shape, width and thickness of the brows have been discussed – marked by Dr. Barusco and approved by the patient – the surgical procedure itself is very comfortable for the patient. After the patient receives local anesthesia, the donor hair graft is harvested from the scalp, with preference for the temporal areas, where the hair quality is more compatible to eyebrow hair (finer, more delicate hairs). Grafts are carefully selected to achieve the appearance of natural eyebrow hair once transplanted. The individual follicular units are then extracted and treated to ensure they remain healthy and viable when inserted at the recipient site.

Dr. Barusco’s technical skill and artistic eye places each hair in keeping with the angle and direction of natural growth – a critical factor for the natural look of any hair transplanted, particularly the eyebrows. As a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), his experience and credentials are unmatched in making Dr. Barusco uniquely qualified to perform eyebrow restorative surgery. Not to mention that he has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery since 2001 and served as its President in 2017.

Depending upon the individual, both the donor and recipient areas will take up to seven days to heal. The brow hairs will shed after about two weeks. A growth cycle will become established over the next three to six months, during which the new eyebrows will grow out. Because they grow longer than natural eyebrows, they’ll need to be trimmed about once a week or more often, depending on the patient.

Other situations appropriate for the effects an eyebrow transplant can achieve

Eyebrow transplants offer a solution for those who want to conceal scarring in the brow area, as well as transgender individuals seeking fuller brows for a more masculine appearance.

Whatever one’s reason for considering an eyebrow transplant, the ultimate goal is to achieve a balanced appearance and enjoy the self-confidence that comes with the ability to live according to the image or identity you want to present to the world. Whether that self-image is youthful, healthy or whole, brow restoration can help you put your best face forward.

Choose your surgeon wisely

If you’ve decided to take this step, perform your due diligence. Research the qualifications and experience of those you contact for a consultation. Again, the precision necessary to achieve the best possible aesthetic results depends upon the experience and skill of the surgeon – who should be performing the procedure, never an assistant or technician. The disclaimer “under the medical direction of” that many clinics use should be a red flag that someone other than a surgeon will be performing this exacting procedure. There are certain parts of the procedure that are considered by many State Medical Boards as “non-delegable” and their delegation to non-licensed professionals is considered a Felony crime in many states.

Speaking of Christina Aguilera, recent photos show her with a fuller pair of eyebrows. Did she, or didn’t she? The pop star doesn’t have to go public as Good did with her eyebrow transplant, if that were the case. It’s just a matter of personal choice. And if you choose to pursue an eyebrow transplant, be sure to find the best, most qualified surgeon who can achieve the trouble-free, permanent results you want for a natural appearance.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Barusco at one of our 15 Florida locations, or anywhere in the world via video conference. We look forward to meeting you.

 

 

 

Facial Hair Transplants – Getting the Best Beard and Mustache

November is a special month for many reasons – Thanksgiving being the most obvious. But thanks to some very committed people, it’s also known as Movember. Started by the non-profit Movember Foundation, this annual observation held every November since 2003 focuses on raising awareness of men’s health issues. Dedicated to early detection and life-saving treatment, Movember has a fun side to its serious cause. Men are encouraged to grow a moustache, share photos of their ‘stache on social media and tell others about how men can live healthier, longer lives.

 

Whatever month of the year it is, however, many men like the distinctive masculine look that facial hair bestows. For those with sparse facial hair who are challenged in being able to grow a moustache, full beard, goatee or sideburns, a facial hair transplant may offer the ideal solution.

Also, men who have facial scars may no longer be able to grow hair over them, resulting in a patchy, uneven effect for those wanting a beard or moustache. This relatively new area of hair transplantation surgery achieves permanent, natural-looking results that can give you the beard of your dreams – provided you choose an experienced surgeon who knows hair growth patterns and has a high sense of aesthetics.

 

Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – is among the world’s leading surgeons performing facial hair transplants. As an award-winning board-certified surgeon with more than 20 years dedicated exclusively to hair restoration, Dr. Barusco uses his advanced procedures to fill in areas where facial hair is thin, or to subtly conceal facial scars. Because it’s important to know that the techniques for facial hair transplantation differ from those used for the scalp, Dr. Barusco takes care to educate potential patients about what the procedure involves.

 

Why can’t I grow a beard?

 

But first things first. Certain myths persist as to why some men experience only light facial hair growth. Genetics is the reason, but not in the way that may be expected. Men start to develop facial hair – which is regulated by testosterone – during puberty, and it doesn’t fully mature until their early 20’s. The interaction between testosterone and the hair that already exists causes it to grow thicker and darker.

 

And here is where the myth enters. It is typically believed that men who can grow a beard have a higher testosterone level – but in reality, most men have about the same level of testosterone. What makes the difference in facial hair growth is how one’s body responds to testosterone – which is genetically determined. Being highly sensitive to testosterone results in more facial hair. On the down side, it contributes to baldness.

 

“Genetics is the main factor,” says Dr. Barusco. “Even men with a family history of a full beard may have thin, patchy areas.”

 

In his experience with facial hair transplant patients, Dr. Barusco has found that sparse growth and patchy growth are equally prevalent conditions – and normally coexist in the same patient, who can have areas of sparse growth (defined as a low density of hairs), as well as areas where the beard is patchy.

 

Dr. Barusco finds that the recent trend for facial hair is shaping attitudes regarding the inability to grow the desired amount. Unlike the negative associations of baldness, Dr. Barusco notes “there is nothing against a clean-shaven man.” However, he says, “facial hair has become more of a fashion in the last few years. An interesting factor is that while hair loss in the scalp makes a man look older and therefore it is not desired, a beard or goatee will also age a man, but many opt to have it … myself included.”

 

Which should not be surprising. According to Domen Hrovatin, self-proclaimed “facial hair addict” and contributor to Balding Beards, facial hair – particularly beards – signify masculinity, strength, intelligence, confidence and a balance of sensitivity and edginess. Such positive qualities, of course, have been desirable long before the age of the hipster.

 

As for what type of facial hair his patients most frequently seek, Dr. Barusco says the most common requests are for a goatee and cheeks. “Many men can grow a satisfactory mustache, but often the mustache does not connect with the goatee, or they have sparse hair on their cheeks and can’t grow a full beard.”

 

What a facial hair transplant involves

 

The hair for facial hair transplants is typically harvested from the sides and back of the head, which are the same areas used in normal hair transplant surgery for bald and thinning areas of the scalp. The difference is that the hair removed is usually from lower down toward the neck, where the hair quality is more compatible to that of facial hair. This includes planning the angle and direction of hair for the most natural looking results. Dr. Barusco understands how hairs from different areas of the body behave, and has the skill and artistry to harvest those that are the best match, and ensure the hair follicles are angled correctly when transplanted.

 

“The challenges with transplanting into the face are many,” says Dr. Barusco. “From a technical standpoint, the most crucial is the angle and direction in which the hairs have to be placed to produce a natural result that will allow the patient to grow it long, if they so desire.

 

“Another aspect of the facial hair transplant is the donor area selection. Most of the time, we use scalp hairs from the safe donor zone, and the patient may need these hairs in the future, should they develop male pattern baldness. This factor becomes more important because most of the patients looking for facial hair transplants are young men. If the area(s) to be filled are small and few grafts are needed, we may use beard hairs, which are usually harvested from under the chin, as the source of donor hair.”

 

As Dr. Barusco takes great pride in his ability to conceal facial scars, he notes the considerable challenges it involves. “When transplanting into scars, I have to always be careful with blood supply, so hair grafts need to be placed further apart to guarantee growth. Patients who do hair transplantation into scars are always warned that they may have to do one more procedure for final hair density into the scar. But when done correctly, hairs will grow well in scarred areas.”

 

Healing of both the recipient and donor areas is typically complete in one week. Transplanted hairs will fall out two to three weeks after surgery. This is normal. New, permanent growth will begin within three to four months. Once permanent growth is established, the transplanted hair will blend in with any surrounding original hair. It may then be shaped and groomed in the same way as natural facial hair.

 

Making the right match to represent your heritage

 

Ethnicity plays a large role in the hair restoration process, as your genetics determine hair growth patterns, hair characteristics, hair density and hairline. Just as Dr. Barusco takes into account the ethnic background of hair transplant patients in order to achieve the right aesthetic effect, he does the same for facial hair transplants. Beard growth and density is different for men of different ethnic groups. Indian and Middle Eastern men tend to have denser beards, while Caucasians and men of African heritage have good density and more hair in their beards than Asian men. It is important for the surgeon performing a facial hair transplant procedure to achieve the aesthetically appropriate result that truly represents and respects your heritage.

 

You may have read that facial hair transplantation gives you the option of a “designer beard” or mustache – that is, a full beard, goatee or other style or configuration. While this is true to a certain degree, only a hair restoration surgeon can determine the extent of transplantation possible and advisable for your particular situation. Remember, a conscientious, skilled surgeon such as Dr. Barusco will also be closely examining the health of your scalp hair and assessing your risk for male pattern baldness.

 

Although more closely associated as an aesthetic choice for women, eyebrow transplants are likewise increasing in popularity. Men may elect for this procedure to conceal scarring from head trauma or eyebrow loss from other causes. Again, harvesting and crafting the donor hairs to achieve the appearance of naturally growing brows requires a highly skilled surgeon. Not all are equally qualified to perform this exacting procedure.

 

A note for “new” men

 

While facial hair transplants are a comparatively new frontier, the procedure also offers a way for trans males to achieve a more masculine appearance that aligns with their expressed gender identity. In addition to beards, mustaches and sideburns, eyebrow transplants can complete the picture by creating the thick, full brows identified with men.

 

Just as important is choosing a surgeon – and practice – able to provide a supportive environment that respects your emotional needs during the transition period. Dr. Barusco has provided hair transplants for many transgender patients, allowing them to bring full expression to their true self.

 

Making the right choice

 

Regardless of the reason you’re considering a facial hair transplant, the surgeon you select will make a significant difference in its success, and your satisfaction with the results. A transplant can be technically correct – that is, the surgery involved no complications, and the hair follicles survived and thrived – yet fall short of the appearance you want because the hairs weren’t placed correctly, or without consideration of your ethnicity.

 

Before you make your decision, we invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Barusco. You can visit one of our

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14 Florida locations in person, or by online video conference via Skype, FaceTime or WhatsApp. For your further convenience, we offer consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve a beard – or mustache – or perhaps both – that you’ll be proud of for many years to come!

No More Pencils – Your Guide to Eyebrow Transplants

Full, well-shaped eyebrows are highly desired among women today. The “Instagram brow” popularized on social media by such celebrities as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner has achieved aspirational status, setting an aesthetic standard that many attempt to achieve through cosmetic means. With so much emphasis on eyebrows, an increasing number of people – including men – consider them important to self-esteem. For those experiencing thinning brows for such reasons as over plucking or genetics, an eyebrow transplant is a solution that can provide permanent, natural-looking results.
 

Eyebrow Transplants vs. Tattoos, Tweezing, Topicals

Ironically, beauty standards of previous decades favored a narrower brow line, resulting in overly tweezed eyebrows – which eventually shows up as thinning areas and bald spots. Corrections such as cosmetics or “permanent makeup” tattoos have drawbacks. Eyebrow pencils, powders and gels must be applied at least once daily, and their results largely depend upon the user’s artistic talent. Bad brow days are perhaps even more prevalent than bad hair days. Tattoos do not replicate the look of individual brow hairs, and eventually fade, creating a blotchy, even more artificial effect. Eyebrow transplantation offers a pleasing, natural-appearing restoration that signals youthfulness.

Increasing awareness of eyebrow transplantation has, in turn, led to the need to educate potential candidates about the procedure – and the credentials to look for when selecting a surgeon.
 

The Eyebrow Transplantation Procedure

At Tempus Hair Restoration, the extent of restoration depends upon the patient’s goals – whether to conceal a scar or achieve full restoration of both brows. In the case of a complete restoration, Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration –  works with the patient to recreate the eyebrow in a natural contour, outlining the eyebrow area to complement the natural symmetry of the face.

Hair Transplant Near Me, Florida Hair Doctor, Eyebrow Replacement, Hair Loss Treatments

During the consultation, Dr. Barusco determines what transplantation method is better for the patient based on the patient’s hair type. Donor hairs are typically removed from toward the neck – where the hair quality is more compatible to facial hair. Grafts are carefully selected to achieve the appearance of natural eyebrow hair once transplanted. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, after which the patient can resume normal activities apart from post-surgical instructions regarding care of the donor and recipient sites. New growth typically becomes more dense than the hair in the original transplant grafts.
 

Experience Makes the Difference

Because eyebrow transplantation is a relatively new procedure, those considering it need to perform their due diligence. Research the qualifications and experience of those you contact for a consultation. The precision necessary to achieve the best possible aesthetic results depends upon the experience and skill of the surgeon (who should be performing the procedure, rather than an assistant or technician). The disclaimer “under the medical direction of” used by many clinics should be a red flag to potential patients that someone other than a surgeon will be performing this exacting procedure.

Dr. Barusco is a board-certified surgeon who is internationally recognized as a leader in hair restoration. His many other credentials include: Diplomate and Past President (2017) of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery; Assistant Professor of Surgery – University of Central Florida College of Medicine; Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Dr. Barusco conducts all consultations (both in-office and virtually – via Skype chat) and performs all hair transplantation procedures.

At Tempus Hair Restoration, we offer the most advanced technology and the highest level of artistry in our hair restoration treatments. We invite you to schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals and learn about the options we can provide.