A beard transplant involves extracting grafts, most often from the back of the scalp, and implanting them one by one in sparse or bare beard areas: cheeks, moustache, goatee, sideburns or scars. It requires great care in choosing the angle and direction of each hair for a natural result. Its price depends mainly on the number of grafts, which is linked to the areas treated and the desired density. It is not reimbursed, except in certain reconstructive situations. For the procedure, see our page on beard transplants.
The price of a beard transplant depends on the number of grafts: a moustache or goatee requires fewer than a full beard. The grafts generally come from the scalp, using FUE. The result appears after six to twelve months, and a second session is sometimes useful to add density. A beard transplant is cosmetic, except when repairing a scar after an accident or burn.
The table places the most common areas according to the number of grafts they require.
| Area | Grafts | Relative budget |
|---|---|---|
| Moustache | Moderate | Intermediate |
| Goatee | Moderate | Intermediate |
| Sideburns | Low to moderate | Moderate |
| Cheeks | Higher | High |
| Full beard | Significant | Highest |
| Scar | Depending on size | Variable |
The grafts, often containing one or two hairs, are implanted at the very acute angle and in the direction specific to each area of the face, which differs between the cheek, the chin and the moustache. This work requires time and experience. Implanting too perpendicularly or in the wrong direction gives an artificial look that is difficult to correct. This is why the price reflects expertise as much as the number of grafts.
For a beard transplant of the cheeks and goatee, the price differences between cities and cantons appear in the tables, with Geneva as the baseline.
| Location | Canton | Choice of practitioners | Price position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | Geneva | Extensive | Baseline |
| Lausanne | Vaud | Extensive | 2 to 7% lower |
| Nyon | Vaud | More limited | 0 to 3% lower |
| Montreux | Vaud | More limited | 2 to 5% lower |
| Neuchâtel | Neuchâtel | More limited | 2 to 6% lower |
| Fribourg | Fribourg | More limited | 5 to 7% lower |
| Bern | Bern | Extensive | 1 to 5% lower |
| Basel | Basel-City | Extensive | 0 to 3% lower |
| Zurich | Zurich | Extensive | 0 to 2% lower |
| Zug | Zug | Extensive | 0 to 5% lower |
| Lucerne | Lucerne | More limited | 1 to 7% difference |
| St. Gallen | St. Gallen | More limited | 5 to 10% lower |
| Canton | Nearby specialists | Check-ups included in the package | Price position | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aargau | Baden, Aarau | Depending on the practice | 4 to 6% lower | Varies with the season |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | St. Gallen, Herisau | Depending on the practice | 6 to 9% lower | One to two months |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | St. Gallen, Zurich | Depending on the practice | 6 to 10% difference | Varies with the season |
| Basel-Country | Basel, Liestal | Generally | 2 to 5% lower | Three to five weeks |
| Basel-City | Basel | Generally | 1 to 4% lower | About one month |
| Bern | Bern, Biel | Depending on the practice | 5 to 8% lower | Varies with the season |
| Fribourg | Fribourg, Bern | Depending on the practice | 6 to 8% lower | Varies with the season |
| Geneva | Geneva | Generally | Baseline | About one month |
| Glarus | Zurich, Glarus | Generally | 1 to 6% lower | One to two weeks |
| Graubünden | Chur | Depending on the practice | 5 to 11% lower | One to two weeks |
| Jura | Basel, Neuchâtel | Depending on the practice | 7 to 11% difference | Two to three weeks |
| Lucerne | Lucerne, Zug | Depending on the practice | 5 to 7% lower | One to two months |
| Neuchâtel | Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds | Depending on the practice | 6 to 11% difference | One to two weeks |
| Nidwalden | Lucerne, Stans | Generally | 2 to 6% lower | One to two months |
| Obwalden | Lucerne, Sarnen | Generally | 2 to 6% lower | A few weeks |
| St. Gallen | St. Gallen, Zurich | Depending on the practice | 5 to 7% lower | One to two weeks |
| Schaffhausen | Schaffhausen, Zurich | Generally | 0 to 7% lower | Varies with the season |
| Schwyz | Lucerne, Zug | Generally | 1 to 7% difference | One to two weeks |
| Solothurn | Solothurn, Olten | Generally | 1 to 6% lower | Two to four weeks |
| Ticino | Lugano, Locarno | Depending on the practice | 4 to 7% lower | Two to four weeks |
| Thurgau | Frauenfeld, Zurich | Generally | 1 to 6% lower | Three to five weeks |
| Uri | Lucerne, Altdorf | Depending on the practice | 5 to 8% lower | Two to three weeks |
| Valais | Sion, Martigny | Depending on the practice | 4 to 9% lower | A few weeks |
| Vaud | Lausanne, Morges | Generally | 2 to 6% lower | A few weeks |
| Zug | Zug, Zurich | Generally | 2 to 6% lower | Two to four weeks |
| Zurich | Zurich, Winterthur | Generally | 1 to 5% lower | One to two months |
Small scabs appear on the face for about a week, and the donor area heals in one to two weeks. The transplanted hairs fall out at around two to three weeks, then grow back from the third month. Shaving resumes after about ten days, gently. A few days of discretion are often desirable.
| Period | Development |
|---|---|
| One week | Scabs fall off |
| Two to three weeks | Shedding of transplanted hairs |
| Three months | Regrowth begins |
| Six to twelve months | Final result |
A scar in the beard, after an accident, burn, surgery or cleft lip, can be camouflaged with a transplant. In some cases, insurance cover can be requested, on a case-by-case basis. Scar tissue accepts grafts less well, which may require several sessions.
Beard grafts come from the same reserve as those for a future hair transplant. For a man who is also considering a scalp transplant, it is useful to take this into account in the overall plan. See the price of hair transplants for men.
Check the number of grafts, the areas, the technique, the team's experience with beard transplants, photos of results and follow-up.
A man with a sparse moustache: a targeted transplant. A man with beardless cheeks: a cheek transplant, with a higher budget. A man with a scar in his beard: a targeted transplant, with possible insurance cover depending on the cause.
A few days of discretion, facial care, possible second session.
Facial hair depends on genetics and hormones. Some men never have a dense beard, others have bare patches on the cheeks or a moustache that does not join the goatee. A scar, old alopecia areata or certain hair removal treatments can also leave hairless areas. Before a transplant, the doctor checks that there is no active disease and may suggest a trial of medical treatment to thicken a sparse beard, with variable results. A transplant remains the lasting solution for areas where follicles are absent.
| Cause | Common solution |
|---|---|
| Genetics, sparse cheeks | Grafting |
| Fine beard all over | Trial of medical treatment, transplant |
| Scar | Targeted transplant |
| Active alopecia areata | Treatment first, no transplant |
Before the procedure, the surgeon draws the desired beard outline with the patient: cheek line, sideburn height, shape of the goatee and moustache. This design must remain natural and suited to the face and age. It determines the number of grafts, and therefore the budget. A highly sculpted, fashionable beard can look artificial over time; a simple outline ages better.
In trans men, hormone therapy often develops facial hair, sometimes incompletely. A beard transplant can complement the result, generally after a sufficient period of treatment to know how the beard grows naturally. The technique and price are the same. A request for insurance cover may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the situation.
To understand the procedure itself, its techniques, recovery and risks, see our guide: Beard transplants in Switzerland.
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about cost.
Is a beard transplant done in one day? Yes, generally.
Can the moustache and goatee be connected? Yes, it is a common request.
Is the extraction at the back of the head visible? Barely, if the hair is not cut too short.
Should you avoid the sun afterwards? Yes, for the first few weeks.
Do transplanted hairs grow quickly? Like scalp hair, often slightly faster than beard hair.
Is an assessment needed beforehand? An examination of the skin and medical history is carried out.
Should you wait for the effect of hormones before a beard transplant? Yes, to know how the beard grows naturally.
Is the beard design drawn beforehand? Yes, with the patient.
Can the outline be changed later? Yes, with a new session if the donor reserve allows.
Can a transplanted beard be trimmed? Yes, like a natural beard.
Do transplanted hairs turn grey? They follow the evolution of the original scalp hair.
Is a very dense beard possible? Density depends on the donor reserve and the number of sessions.
Is a close shave possible afterwards? Yes, once healing is complete.
How is the price of a beard transplant calculated? According to the number of grafts and the areas treated.
Does a full beard require a lot of grafts? Yes, considerably more than a moustache or goatee.
Does a moustache alone cost less? Yes, it requires fewer grafts.
Where do the grafts come from? Most often from the back of the scalp.
Do transplanted hairs look like a beard? They gradually take on the appearance of beard hair, while remaining slightly finer.
Does the face need to be shaved? Often, at least the treated areas.
How long do the scabs last? About a week.
Can you shave afterwards? After about ten days, with care.
Do the transplanted hairs fall out? Yes, at around two to three weeks, then they grow back.
When can the result be seen? After six to twelve months.
Is a second session common? Sometimes, to add density.
Is a beard transplant reimbursed? No, except for a scar after an accident or burn, depending on the case.
Can a scar in the beard be grafted? Yes, if it is stable.
Can the sideburns be treated? Yes, often together with the cheeks.
Can trans men have a beard transplant? Yes, generally after sufficient hormone therapy.
Does a beard transplant cost less in Lucerne than in Geneva? Often slightly, according to our tables.
Can minoxidil avoid the need for a transplant? It can thicken a sparse beard in some men, with variable results.
Is a beard transplant painful? It is performed under local anaesthesia.
Does the face swell afterwards? Slight swelling is possible for a few days.
Is an experienced surgeon needed? Yes, the angles and direction of the hairs are essential.
Could the donor area on the head run short later? The reserve is shared; this must be planned for if a hair transplant is being considered.
Tell us where you live in Switzerland: a beard specialist will send you a quote, with no obligation.
Feel free to contact us for relevant information about your medical project and payment options.
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