A patchy beard is more common than you think.
In this article, we’re going to talk about ways to improve a patchy beard, including temporary vs. permanent solutions.
At Philadelphia Hair Restoration, we’ve helped hundreds of men like you restore full facial hair with personalized beard transplants.
Considering a beard transplant? Check out our full beard transplant video playlist for everything you need to know.
Not sure if a beard transplant is right for you? Schedule a consultation today to speak with one of our hair restoration specialists.
What Causes A Patchy Beard?
Just like hair on your scalp, a patchy beard can happen for several reasons:
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- The natural aging process
Another cause is what we call iatrogenic or hair pulling behaviors, including:
- Twirling or pulling beard hair
- Nervous habits or tics
Repeated pulling can create patchy areas over time.
If you’re in a younger age group, you may not have matured enough to grow a full beard yet. In that case:
- You may need to give your beard time to develop
- Patience is key
If you can’t be patient, there are other techniques you can use to fill in those areas.
Healthy Habits That Promote Beard Growth
While we can’t completely change genetics, there are lifestyle changes that may increase beard density and improve patchy areas.
Lifestyle Changes
- Healthy diet and nutrition
- Regular exercise, which can naturally increase testosterone levels without the need for injections
Supplements That May Support Beard Growth
- Biotin has been shown over the long term to support:
- Hair growth
- Nail growth
Supplementing with biotin may be worth considering to see how your beard responds, especially in patchy areas.
Cosmetic Fixes for a Patchy Beard (Temporary Solutions)
There are several non-surgical, cosmetic options that can improve the appearance of a patchy beard.
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
- Scalp micropigmentation is a tattoo-based technique
- It does not create the look of a long, full beard
- Works best if you:
- Keep your beard very short
- Want the appearance of stubble
Beard Fillers and Coloring Techniques
- Beard pencils or fillers can:
- Darken patchy areas
- Create the illusion of density
- These techniques:
- Improve appearance from a distance
- Help the beard look smoother and more continuous
These are cosmetic tricks that rely on shading and coloring, not actual hair growth.
Beard Transplants: A Permanent Solution
Beard transplantation is very similar to scalp hair transplantation.
We use the same genetically permanent hair follicles from a donor area, usually the back of the scalp. You need to have enough donor hair to restore patchy beard areas.
The main difference between scalp and beard transplants is follicle selection.
The Importance of Follicle Selection
When we select donor follicles, each follicle may have one, two, or three shafts coming off. For beard transplants, we use follicles that have a single or two hair shafts to create the most blended appearance.
We typically discard those with three shafts, as they’re not appropriate to create the natural look we want.
Why Beard Transplants Are More Challenging
Our surgical team has been doing this for over 20 years, and for them, placing beard follicles comes naturally.
The skin on the face is softer and moves more than the scalp, so we sometimes tighten the skin slightly to keep the area stable. This allows the follicles to be placed more easily and accurately.
When placing follicles into the cheek, we:
- Insert the follicles in a specific way
- Place them at the proper depth, right where they need to be
Beard transplantation is:
- More technique-sensitive than scalp hair transplantation
- A greater challenge than working on the scalp
That’s why experience really matters when it comes to beard transplants.
Restore A Thicker, Fuller Beard with Philadelphia Hair Restoration
Frustrated with your patchy beard? Philadelphia Hair Restoration can help.
With personalized beard transplants, we use donor follicles from your own scalp to restore the thicker, fuller beard you’ve been hoping for.
Schedule a consultation today. Let’s start planning your transformation.
