The beard: image and trends

Beards and moustaches are often taken as indicators of a man's age and of his masculinity. Studies of human evolution suggest that the perception of virility rises in a straight line with facial hair, and that men with a full beard are seen as better suited to long-term relationships. These may well be hasty generalisations, but the absence, the sparseness or the loss of facial hair can be a concern for men.

The beard: image and trends

The beard trend

Showing a beard at a certain stage of a man's life is a rite of passage, and specialists note that demand for hair restoration for the beard and the moustache has been rising for several years. This demand follows the recent enthusiasm for beards and moustaches, though the beard has a far older history than that.

In ancient times, the beard served to warm and protect the face from the elements, and in many ancient societies wearing a beard was a mark of honour. Men began experimenting with beard styles as early as the 16th century. It was during the 19th century that the beard became a symbol of respect and power, thanks to President Lincoln and other leading figures.

The beard has been in and out of fashion several times; for some years now, however, the trend has held firm. That explains the rise in demand for moustache transplants and beard transplants, many men realising that their beard will never be full or naturally dense.

Beard transplants: who can benefit?

In many cases, a beard transplant is the treatment of choice for meeting the expectations of patients who want a fuller beard. Those who have suffered a facial injury or a burn, or who have had surgery, may in certain conditions benefit from a beard transplant. In these patients no underlying condition causes the loss of hair, and the results are satisfactory. For most men, on the other hand, it is a lack of density, bare patches or the complete absence of a beard that prompts the request for hair restoration.

The treatment method most often used for beard and moustache transplants is FUE (follicular unit extraction), which makes it possible to select enough grafts to create or complete the beard without altering the appearance of the donor area.