Beard Transplants and Facial Hair Trends: Why Men Are Motivated to Have Surgery

Between 2012 and 2014, there was a significant increase in the number of men undergoing beard transplants, with global figures rising from 4,700 to 14,000, and European figures from 618 to 2,454. This surge was aligned with a fashion trend that favored beards. The transplant procedure, which can cost between £3,000 and £7,000, typically involves moving hair from the head to the face. Men's reasons for seeking beard transplants include a desire to improve self-image after hair loss, cover scars, assist with gender reassignment, or to enhance traits such as masculinity, social dominance, and maturity. Studies on the attractiveness of beards have been inconclusive, although there is some evidence that evenly distributed facial hair may be seen as more sexually attractive. The article suggests that the popularity of beard transplants may be influenced by fashion trends, evolutionary biology, and the psychological implications of having a beard, noting that the desirability of beards may decline as they become more common due to negative frequency-dependent sexual selection. Future trends in beard transplants could be shaped by these factors, alongside advancements in technology.