Minimizing donor site use for beard transplant - Is it possible to shave a small portion of the back? (Photo)

Question

I have very long thick and curly hair and typically wear my hair in a "man bun" unfortunately i have sparse beard. Im looking for a beard transplant but I want to avoid shaving my head. Is it possible to shave a small portion of the back so that I can still wear my hair in a bun and cover the shaved part? Would long hair FUE be an option. I work with patients daily and I dont want to walk around with a half shaven head.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

For a beard transplant, it is indeed possible to minimize the visible impact on your donor site, especially if you prefer to maintain your current hairstyle. Here are some options to consider:

Partial Shaving: You can opt to shave a small portion of the back of your head, which can be easily covered by your long hair when styled in a bun. This approach allows for the extraction of donor hair without significantly altering your appearance.

Long Hair FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): This technique allows for the extraction of hair follicles without the need to shave the donor area completely. The procedure involves carefully extracting individual follicles while leaving the surrounding hair long, which can help conceal any signs of the procedure.

Strategic Planning: Discuss with your surgeon the possibility of strategically selecting donor sites that are less visible. This can help ensure that any shaved areas are well-hidden by your existing hair.

It's important to consult with a skilled hair transplant surgeon who can assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach to achieve your desired results while maintaining your current hairstyle.

Didem Alev, MD · Answer

Hi there
Your question is very common for men who wear their hair long and want to keep their style after a beard transplant. The good news is: you don’t need to shave your entire head for this procedure.
✅ What we do instead: We shave only a small section of the donor area at the back of your scalp, just enough to extract the number of grafts needed for your beard. If you wear a man bun, the longer hair around this area usually covers it completely, so no one sees the shaved part while it grows back.
✅ Long Hair FUE vs. Small Shave:Fully unshaven “Long Hair FUE” can be technically demanding and not always ideal for beard transplants because we need very precise, single-hair grafts for a natural beard. Instead, using tiny punches (0.75–0.80 mm) and a small hidden donor area is usually the best balance between comfort and result.
✅ Why I use DIT® for beards:For facial hair, I use my own method called DIT® (Dermo-needle Incision Technique). Unlike standard blades or pens, DIT® places each graft with precision using fine hypodermic needles. This means:
Minimal trauma to your skin
Softer, natural-looking beard growth
Less visible scarring which is very important on the face.
In short, yes, it’s absolutely possible to get a beard transplant without fully shaving your head or disrupting your daily work life.
I hope this helps!
Dr. Didem Alev

Minimizing donor site use for beard transplant - Is it possible to shave a small portion of the back? (Photo)

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Beard Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Minimizing donor site use for beard transplant - Is it possible to shave a small portion of the back? (Photo)

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Beard Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.