The condition alopecia barbae is a very specific form of alopecia, or hair loss. Whereas traditional alopecia areata describes a condition in which hair loss occurs throughout the body, alopecia barbae describes hair loss that occurs in the beard. For this reason, alopecia barbae is noticeable only amongst men, as lower levels of testosterone in women typically prevent the formation of facial hair (specifically beards) altogether.
November is the perfect time to raise awareness for this unique condition, as this month ignites the launch of two body-hair-awareness movements that rally the world together in admiration of beards, mustaches, and other exceptional displays of follicular assets. The first campaign is No Shave November; the second is Mustache November, or Movember for short.
No matter which movement you identify with, these two awareness campaigns give participants a platform to showcase their beards and natural hair growth. As the month progresses, participants gather donations from friends, family, and curious individuals from across the globe, all to benefit charities of their choice.
Bald Patches in Beards
It may shock the masses, but bald patches in beards are common among men. Bald patches can appear under the chin as well as throughout the sides of the neck, cheeks, and along the upper lip/mustache region.
Are Beard Transplants an Option?
Beard transplants are indeed an option for men who wish to reverse the signs of thinning or balding patches. In fact, British surgeons report seeing a surge in men requesting surgical beard restoration over the past year (i). In the UK, hair transplant is reported as the most common form of cosmetic surgery for men. Men seeking beard transplants often inquire about a specific look, referencing the famous facial hair of Hollywood A-listers like Brad Pitt.
How Does a Beard Transplant Work?
A beard transplantation procedure works in much the same way as transplant procedure that is performed to restore the scalp. Things begin with a hair loss consultation, during which the patient meets with a qualified hair loss professional to determine the likely cause of hair loss and plan an effective treatment regimen.
After making sure the patient is a candidate for a beard transplant, the surgeon will specify a donor area from which hair will be extracted for the procedure. The donor area typically resides along the rear or side regions of the patient’s scalp, areas known to provide quality donor hair with little threat of balding in the future.
Once hair is extracted, surgeons transplant individual follicular units to restore bald areas and create a natural-looking beard.
Learn More About Hair Transplant Procedures
At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, it is our pleasure to provide men and women with the most comprehensive methodology and treatment technologies for treating hair loss. Most recently, our hair loss Institute became 1 of fewer than 20 clinics to offer the first FDA-approved hair transplant robot, the ARTAS® System.
Our team represents South Florida’s finest surgeons, nurses, technicians, and staff. We hold patients’ pursuit of a fuller, more natural head of hair in the highest regard, and we invite you to schedule a hair loss consultation online or call our practice directly at 877-443-9070.
Sources:
(i) “Beard Implants Growing.” Daily Mail. Accessed 3 November 2013.