Many men struggle to grow a moustache because of genetics, hormones, physical trauma, or underlying medical conditions.
Those who have a thin, patchy moustache can restore hair growth through a moustache hair transplant.
Overview Of Moustache Hair Transplant
For this facial hair transplant in Turkey, commonly, the FUE hair transplant method is used, with the scalp as the donor site. But the FUT hair transplant method can also be considered.
This surgery specifically targets the upper lip area. The moustache design is drawn according to different face shape measurements and the aesthetic goals of the patient.
Through this, the surgeon will determine the number of grafts that need extraction from the back/sides of the head.
The surgeon takes the differences in the texture, thickness, and colour of facial and head hair into consideration to ensure natural results.
What Is The Cost Of Moustache Hair Transplantation?
A moustache hair transplant in Turkey may cost around £1,300.
In general, healthcare in Turkey is more affordable because of the low cost of living (compared to other countries). It is also because of the currency exchange rate.
And so because of the lower cost of medical equipment, operation theatres, and labour, the cost of a moustache transplant in Turkey is 3-5 times lower than in the UK or other European countries.
In Turkey, the cost of a moustache transplant does not vary according to the number of grafts a patient needs; instead, they get maximum grafts in one session, which further saves cost.
In addition, they can choose a treatment plan that is inclusive of the cost of surgery, translators, hotel accommodation, transfer services, and aftercare.
Who Can Have Moustache Hair Transplant & Why
A patient is eligible for this surgery only if they have a donor area with a high hair density.
If you have sparse, patchy, uneven or complete lack of moustache hair due to the following reasons, you can get a restoration surgery:
- Genetics
- Alopecia areata
- Scars (surgery or physical trauma)
- Burn injury
- Chemotherapy-induced alopecia
Am I Suitable For Hair Transplant?
What To Think About Before You Have A Moustache Hair Transplant
Before choosing the surgeon, ask them if they are specialists in this surgery.
Moreover, find out for how long they have been performing this surgery and the number of moustache hair transplants they have performed.
Every surgery carries a risk of complication, so ask them about the complications that can arise from this surgery and how they dealt with them in the past.
You can ask for the figures of success and patient satisfaction rates, but you can also request an in-person or virtual meeting with a previous patient of the surgeon who had a moustache transplant.
This will help you in making a more informed decision.
How Best To Prepare For A Moustache Hair Transplant
Once you’ve cleared the preoperative evaluation, you need to do the following things before the surgery:
- Avoid blood-thinners 10 days before a moustache transplant.
- Refrain from consumption of tobacco products and alcohol 1-week before surgery.
- Let your moustache grow for at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- Don’t shave your moustache for 2 weeks.
- Inform your surgeon about your skin condition and any active treatment/medication you’re taking.
What Is The Procedure For Moustache Hair Transplant?
First, the surgeon will shave the donor and recipient areas for better visibility.
Then, they will administer local anaesthesia on the scalp for the extraction of individual hair follicles using the punch tool.
After the excision, the hair grafts are placed in a solution to ensure their survival.
After local anaesthesia takes effect, the surgeon makes incisions in the upper lip area to insert the grafts.
Here, direct hair implantation can also take place. The surgical time is 2-3 hours. However, it can vary depending on the number of hair follicles the patient needs.
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Recovery & Results Of Moustache Hair Transplant
You may be discharged the same day. And you can even fly back home the next day after you’ve had your check-up appointment.
The surgeon may prescribe you medications for the recovery process since you may experience swelling, bleeding, numbness, pain, and bruising on the upper lip.
You may temporarily lose hair from the back of the head and the moustache following the transplant due to shock loss.
However, the hair will start growing back in 3 months. The scarring from incisions in the upper lip should fade in a year.
You’ll also have barely noticeable scars from the punch tool in the donor area.
The results from this hair transplant procedure will become visible in 3-6 months. However, full recovery can take a year.
Aftercare Of Moustache Hair Transplant
After your moustache transplant, you should make sure to keep your head elevated.
Even when sleeping, angle your pillow at 45 degrees to reduce swelling. Moreover, make sure that you do not bend, and move around carefully so as to not hit your face.
Drink lots of water and avoid hard foods. If you open your mouth too wide or chew vigorously, you may stretch the skin and damage the grafts.
Also, if you consume salt, the swelling will last for a longer time.
In addition, avoid pressurized showers with water that is too hot or cold.
For at least a month, you cannot go to the gym, sauna, hot tub, or outside under direct sunlight.
Wash the donor and recipient areas with the given products according to the instructions of the surgeon.
Side Effects To Expect After A Moustache Hair Transplant
You may temporarily experience:
- Swelling on the face due to local anaesthetics
- Scarring in the donor and recipient areas
- Numbness and itching in surgical areas
- Bleeding
- Leakage of the local anaesthesia drugs and other fluids injected during the surgery in the donor and recipient areas. It is normal and can last for 2-3 days.
What Could Go Wrong After A Moustache Hair Transplant
An infection in the upper lip can develop. It may be the result of touching or scratching the surgical area or exposure to dust and microbes.
As the surgery requires making small incisions in the recipient area, the open wounds are vulnerable to infection, even as they’re healing.
If you do not take your antibiotics as prescribed by the surgeon, the risk of infection increases.
What To Do If You Have Problems After Moustache Hair Transplant
Generally, it’s safe and low-risk surgery, but if you’re experiencing a problem, you can get in touch with our aftercare team.
You can open a ticket online via the Support Portal, message, call or email us for help.
Alternatives To Moustache Hair Transplant
If you have a weak donor area, you may not be eligible for a moustache transplant. This is especially if you also want to undergo a scalp hair transplant.
In this case, you can consider taking medications for moustache hair, along with supplements, after discussing it with your doctor.
Other Procedures To Have With A Moustache Hair Transplant
If the facial hair in the beard region (chin and cheeks) is lacking, sparse, or patchy, you can also benefit from beard transplant service this surgery, and you may combine it with a sideburn restoration surgery.
Other than that, you can get PRP therapy to improve the results of the surgery while speeding up the recovery.
FAQ
How painful is a moustache hair transplant?
You won’t feel any pain during the moustache transplant surgery. But when getting an injection for local anaesthesia, you may feel pain and discomfort since the skin is thinner in the upper lip area.
After the surgery, the surgeon will prescribe you painkillers for pain management once the effects of anaesthesia wear off.
Can I groom my moustache after the transplant?
Yes, but you’ll have to wait for at least two months before you start using scissors. You can use a trimmer after 3 months and a shaving razor after 6 months.
Can I wear a face mask after a moustache transplant?
You cannot wear a face mask for at least a week and a half after the moustache transplant; consider wearing a face shield instead.
How many grafts do I need for a moustache hair transplant?
Usually, 300-500 hair grafts are needed for a moustache hair transplant.
At what age can I get a moustache hair transplant?
There is no lower or upper age limit for a moustache hair transplant. You can get it in your late teens or early twenties.
Will a moustache hair transplant leave scars?
The scars from a moustache transplant should fade after a year or so, after which they’re barely visible.
Who is the surgeon, what are their qualifications and experience?
You will receive the CVs and portfolios of the surgeons who perform this surgery. You can learn about the qualifications and experience of the surgeon you choose to go with from there.
Does the doctor have insurance that covers moustache hair transplants?
Yes, the surgeon performing your moustache transplant will have insurance against malpractice.
Will follow-up checks for my moustache transplant be offered in the UK?
Yes, you can have a face-to-face consultation in the London clinic.
Reviewed and Approved by Trichologist Yaprak Yazan.
