The latest trend in cosmetic surgery is beard transplants

The growth of a beard is a process mainly influenced by genetic and hormonal factors. Not all men develop a thick beard, and in some cases, this can become a source of dissatisfaction. Unlike baldness, sparse beards are less often discussed as a source of discomfort for men, yet it can destabilize a small portion of the male population – not to mention that, just like for some cis men, it can also represent a form of gender affirming care for trans men. During the lockdown, many took advantage of the available time and reduced social interaction to undergo cosmetic procedures of this kind. For this reason, as reported by the English newspaper The Guardian, in recent years there has been a rise in demand for beard transplants. «I think there’s this new form of masculinity where the beard has become important and now every man wants to be like Gerard Butler in 300», says Nadeem Khan, owner of Harley Street Hair Clinic in London, which specializes in this type of treatment. The operation involves the extraction of follicular units – small groups of hairs – from areas on the nape of the neck where density is greater, and then implanting them into the face. A beard transplant is technically very complex because scalp hairs are often finer than facial hair, and the new follicles must be inserted with very precise angles to achieve a natural result. Simply put, because the face is always visible, an unnatural result is nearly impossible to hide.

«You can have a bad hair transplant and sometimes get away with it, but with a beard it’s a whole new kettle of fish because it’s on your face», says Spencer Stevenson, a well-known mentor for those experiencing hair loss, known online as Spex, to the Guardian. With the popularity of transplants, the number of clinics performing these procedures has also increased, although they don’t always meet the required standards. In fact, there is no shortage of negative experiences. The British newspaper tells the story of a young Frenchman who underwent a beard transplant in Turkey attracted by the affordable price – partly due to favorable currency exchange rates for many Western countries. The result, however, fell far short of expectations, to the point where the individual experienced severe psychological distress, culminating in suicide three months after the procedure. It was later discovered that the “surgeon” who performed the operation was actually working as a real estate agent.

Until a few years ago, the use of cosmetic surgery by men was viewed with suspicion, associated with excessive vanity considered unmanly and superficial. However, thanks to greater attention to wellness, body care, and personal image, more and more men feel free to undergo cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance. What was once considered a taboo has gradually been replaced by a growing awareness: taking care of oneself is not a gendered issue. Many men approach cosmetic surgery to boost their self-esteem or simply to like themselves more. Even the way we talk about cosmetic procedures has changed significantly. In the past, those who underwent them tended to keep it private; today, however, the public conversation has become much more transparent and inclusive. Influencers, celebrities, athletes, and content creators share their experiences on social media, helping to normalize the phenomenon: they document the journey, explain their personal motivations, and show the results achieved, without embarrassment. The language has also evolved: there is increasing talk of «self-care», «authenticity», and «self empowerment», shifting the focus from a desire to conform to unattainable beauty standards to the desire to feel good about oneself.