Beard donor scaring

[northeastguy]

I'd like to see this thread used to display the DONOR results from using beard hair for FUE. Photo's, experience, healing, anything associated with the donor results.
There's a couple guys here who have graciously provided their results on other threads (topcat and ejj come to mind.... and thank you). It would be helpful for those heading down this road to find a lot of information and get educated from one thread.

This is an opportunity for Md's to post their patients results and discuss their experience as well. If your an MD that does facial hair FUE, the soapbox is yours as well.

[35YrsAfter]

I'd like to see this thread used to display the DONOR results from using beard hair for FUE. Photo's, experience, healing, anything associated with the donor results.
There's a couple guys here who have graciously provided their results on other threads (topcat and ejj come to mind.... and thank you). It would be helpful for those heading down this road to find a lot of information and get educated from one thread.

This is an opportunity for Md's to post their patients results and discuss their experience as well. If your an MD that does facial hair FUE, the soapbox is yours as well.

Below is our repair patient who had 2700 beard grafts removed. The beard area heals remarkably well.

[northeastguy]

.75 punch and extracted via CIT. Post care involved cleaning with soap and water and a consistent application of Neosporin a few times a day. I'll update at day 7.

[gallovolador]

My experience with BHT from beard:

I had 2400 beard grafts in two separate sessions by one year time with Dr Bisanga.

Healing is more than perfect. No scars, no signs of surgery, just normal skin after wet shaving. Only precaution according my Dr´s post op instructions is not shaving until 2 weeks post surgery that I did 3 weeks post to be in the very safe side.

In Donor area the only consequence is a decreased density of beard hairs where the grafts where extracted...

About yield, I am still in the waiting time after my second surgery, only 2 months post op. But I have noticed that there are few beard hairs that grew just after shedding and with a thick diammetre.

I wonder about waiting time to see beard grafts sprouting is longer or shorter than scalp hair...

I wonder also why is beard hair always extracted below chin?, is it neccesary to have bone support for a proper extraction, is not possible to extract from areas like neck?...

I would be also interested to read some Dr´s feedback.

Best regrowth to all of you.

[wylie]

What I would like to see is some pictures of actual scarring from beard extraction. I've yet to see any pictures of someone claiming they have scarring from beard extractions.

Since there are no documented cases of beard donor scarring, why does this myth of scarring persist?

I will add that I had 500 extracted Sept. 9th and still have a few bumps under the chin, not really noticeable though, although I can feel them. I was prescribed a topical ointment (erythromycin) for it but have only used it a few times. I expect these ingrown hairs to resolve themselves, as they have in the past.

[gallovolador]

I am pretty sure, after two procedures in my beard area, that general rule is NO SCARRING in face for mayority of people. I think the beard skin is the toughest and its capacity to recover is better than any other.

About yield I have my concerns still of how much can be expected.
Dr Cole stated about 80 per cent and made an advise of using low densities in order to maximies yield. I also saw a sucessful case of Mwamba where he decided to make sessions of 20 graft per sq cm in the interest of yield. I am curious about other Dr´s opinion who master this field like Dr Umar, Dr Woods...my Dr did not mention anything about although I did not ask him in that moment either.

As I started, healing in beard skin with proper Dr´s hands is perfect and no scarring should be expected. This is my experience.

[35YrsAfter]

I am pretty sure, after two procedures in my beard area, that general rule is NO SCARRING in face for mayority of people. I think the beard skin is the toughest and its capacity to recover is better than any other.

About yield I have my concerns still of how much can be expected.
Dr Cole stated about 80 per cent and made an advise of using low densities in order to maximies yield. I also saw a sucessful case of Mwamba where he decided to make sessions of 20 graft per sq cm in the interest of yield. I am curious about other Dr´s opinion who master this field like Dr Umar, Dr Woods...my Dr did not mention anything about although I did not ask him in that moment either.

As I started, healing in beard skin with proper Dr´s hands is perfect and no scarring should be expected. This is my experience.

According to everything I have seen, beard area healing is even better than scalp donor healing. A while back we had a German dermatologist visiting us. During our discussion of donor healing, he stated this superior healing is due to more blood vessels and better overall circulation in the face and neck area.

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office
Cole Hair Transplant
1045 Powers Place
Alpharetta, Georgia 30009
Phone 678-566-1011
I am not a doctor and the content of my posts are my opinions, not medical advice.
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions.

[northeastguy]

What I would like to see is some pictures of actual scarring from beard extraction. I've yet to see any pictures of someone claiming they have scarring from beard extractions.

Since there are no documented cases of beard donor scarring, why does this myth of scarring persist?

I will add that I had 500 extracted Sept. 9th and still have a few bumps under the chin, not really noticeable though, although I can feel them. I was prescribed a topical ointment (erythromycin) for it but have only used it a few times. I expect these ingrown hairs to resolve themselves, as they have in the past.

wylie you make a great point. I have yet to see 1 documented case where an individual had negative results in terms of healing.

Lot of great input here and hopefully it helps others out there looking for information on beard grafting. As far as my test patch, it can't be seen at all. I really feel keeping the site super clean for the first few days and applying Neosporin throughout the day made all the difference.

[northeastguy]

9 Days post beard test procedure

Here is a 9 day comparison for the Beard test.

Photo 1- pre procedure

Photo 2- same day of procedure

Photo 3- 9 days post

Second image is of the 9th day only. it allows for zooming in.

[northeastguy]

And a 9 day post shaven view...

[gillenator]

I received some photos from a guy that had a procedure using some beard grafts in addition to scalp FUE. He has black hair and an olive complexion.

He sent these photos after he got back from the beach this summer and although his face had a nice deep tan to it, the extraction sites were noticeable because of the wide contrast between them. Moreso under his cheeks.

Otherwise for most, the extraction sites can hardly be detected.

[northeastguy]

I received some photos from a guy that had a procedure using some beard grafts in addition to scalp FUE. He has black hair and an olive complexion.

He sent these photos after he got back from the beach this summer and although his face had a nice deep tan to it, the extraction sites were noticeable because of the wide contrast between them. Moreso under his cheeks.

Otherwise for most, the extraction sites can hardly be detected.

thanks Gil.... good info. I have heard about the tanning issue. Any chance you can crop those photos to show just the area to visualize?

For the most part, I have only heard the extraction sites are undetectable. If I have to sacrifice a tan face for a few days in exchange for a normal looking head without the detectability of these scars, I'd make that trade every day.

[gillenator]

You're welcome northeastguy,

I do not have his permission to do so and I did ask him to put up his pics back then but he does not post. I comply with all privacy laws too. I have received other pics from guys who have similar hair color and complexions that had the same problems with scalp FUE when they buzzed their scalps in the summer. Some are more noticeable than others.

Hard to say how much the larger punch sizes attributed to this and/or the individual variances within the composite of the scar matter itself. Some extraction sites can appear more white in color than others. Could it also be a variance in blood flow in scar tissue? Maybe a combination of these factors.

Another guy had a previous strip scar before his scalp FUE. His strip scar could be readily seen, even more so than his healed extraction sites. You may remember several guys who had put up their pics on several forums when FUE was really buzzing the hair loss communities.

But we do not see this scarring as much today and I believe that it is due to the smaller punches and better proficiency in the manual technique. I am a believer in ACELL and PRP for healing purposes but again everyone responds differently.

And speaking of that, it is always refreshing to see your update pics northeastguy. Truly some awesome results as you continue your journey. And I too would readily trade-off your stupendous results for some tan!

Congrats again my friend...

[northeastguy]

Thanks Gill! I always value your opinion and appreciate the support. More to come my friend and hopefully this will wrap up the FUE.

this is a 30 day post image comparison from the beard test we did last month. I think its pretty safe to say the scarring will be minimal at most. Its enough proof for me to make it a go.

[gillenator]

northeastguy,

I just read your repair plan again and you are definitely on the right track my friend.

You are slowly but surely getting there and wish you the best yields with minimal scarring with the beard grafts...