Beard & Mustache Restore San Francisco

Concerns over hair loss are not always restricted to the scalp. Some men find over time that facial hair also begins to thin, affecting their appearance dramatically if they tend to sport a beard, mustache or combination of the two. Because these features are often associated with masculinity and sexuality, when a man is unable to grow them, it can affect his self-esteem. Fortunately, some treatments can help men restore their facial hair in a similar manner to restoring hair on the scalp. At The Maas Clinic^TM, we offer a variety of treatments to help men achieve the facial hair they want, whether they had it at one time and lost it, or never had sufficient growth in this area in the first place.

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Reasons for Facial Hair Loss

Facial hair loss often occurs for the same reasons that other types of hair loss happen. Some of the most common culprits include:

Alopecia Areata: This type of hair loss may occur on both the scalp and the face and usually appears in round patches without any visible irritation or trauma to the skin. Also referred to as alopecia barbae when it occurs on the face, many medical professionals believe it is caused by an autoimmune disorder. Treatment for alopecia areata usually begins with steroid injections to suppress the immune system and allow the hair to grow back. Some people with mild cases of the condition will see it resolve on its own, although it could take up to one year or even longer to notice an improvement.

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Underlying Medical Conditions

Other medical conditions might lead to the loss of hair on the face. One of the most well-known is lupus, another autoimmune disorder that causes skin inflammation that can lead to hair loss. In this situation, you may notice hair begin to thin or come out in clumps. Once the lupus is managed through medication and lifestyle changes, the hair loss often resolves.

Injury or Trauma to the Skin

Burns, surgery and scarring can all affect the ability of hair to grow on the face or cause it to grow in undesirable patterns. These issues can occur at any time and are usually easily identified. Some men find they are never able to produce that full beard, perhaps due to genetics or other factors.

The one cause of hair loss that cannot be attributed to facial hair in most cases is an increased level of male hormones known as androgens. Specifically, dihydrotestosterone or DHT, a derivative of testosterone, can build up and damage hair follicles over time. This process does not occur to the follicles on the face, which is why the oral medication Propecia that is often used to treat male pattern baldness is ineffective in facial hair loss.

Trichotillomania

This hair loss is the result of a condition in which the individual feels compelled to pull out facial hair. The urges to continue this behavior are very strong and persist despite efforts to break the habit in many cases. This impulse disorder needs to be treated at the source before the hair loss is addressed. Otherwise, the behavior is likely to continue and interfere with any hair restoration treatment results.

Candidates for Beard and Mustache Restore

The best candidates for facial hair restoration are men that have thinning or balding due to injury or trauma to the skin. Because there is no underlying medical condition causing the hair loss, transplantation offers cosmetic enhancement without concern over complications. Men who have thinner areas of hair or cannot get the fullness they want in a beard or mustache may also find a hair transplant or other procedure might help them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Treatment Options for Facial Hair Loss

At The Maas Clinic^TM, our primary method of beard and mustache restore is hair transplantation. Dr. Maas harvests hair from the back of the head and implants the follicles into the face where the additional hair growth is needed. To produce a natural result, Dr. Maas typically employs an innovative technique known as follicular unit extraction or FUE which removes individual grafts from the donor site and places them strategically in the treatment area. The SmartGraft device makes this process faster and more comfortable for the patient while producing consistent results.

Some men may be good candidates for a combination of hair grafting and topical applications of the medication Rogaine. Rogaine works to regrow hair by stimulating the hair follicles. It is applied to the skin twice a day to ensure the best possible results. Dr. Maas will determine whether hair transplants alone are sufficient for you or if you might benefit from the addition of Rogaine to your treatment plan.

If you are dissatisfied with the amount of facial hair you currently have, or if you have seen the amount diminish over the years, The Maas Clinic^TM may have solutions for you. Call (415) 567-7000 or contact us by email today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Maas.

The information about beard and mustache restoration was reviewed by Corey S. Maas MD^TM. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.