I only have facial hair in low density, the hairs don't grow very long. What happens to existing hair after a beard transplant?

Hi there, and thank you for your question. This is a common concern for patients who have some natural facial hair but not enough density or length to achieve the beard style they want.

1. Your existing facial hair is not removed or replaced

During a beard transplant, we do not remove or destroy your natural facial hairs. Those hairs stay exactly where they are. The transplanted grafts are placed between and around your existing hairs to add density, shape, and coverage.

Your native hairs will continue to grow in their natural pattern and length—where they grow short, they will remain short unless influenced by hormones or other factors.

2. Transplanted hairs grow like scalp hair — longer, thicker, and permanent

The grafts used for beard transplants are taken from the back of your scalp. These hairs have “scalp characteristics”:

They grow longer

They grow thicker

They grow consistently

They do not miniaturize the way some facial hair can

So even if your natural cheek or jawline hair stays short, the transplanted grafts will create the appearance of a full, uniform beard once grown in.

3. Blending the native and transplanted hair

Your surgeon will place grafts strategically to:

Fill in gaps between short or sparse native hairs

Create a consistent density across the beard

Blend textures so the final result looks natural

Since transplanted hair is thicker, blending is a very important part of the design. An experienced surgeon will ensure your existing hairs enhance the overall look rather than conflict with it.

4. Should these short natural hairs be removed?

Most of the time, no. They’re not removed because:

They add density

They help create a natural look

Removing them can lead to visible scars

If they bother you cosmetically later, they can be trimmed short, shaped, or in rare cases, treated with laser hair removal — but that’s not standard or necessary for a successful transplant.

5. Final result

With a well-executed transplant:

Your natural short hairs provide underlying density

The transplanted “scalp hairs” provide the length, thickness, and coverage

Together they create a natural, full beard appearance

Most patients with sparse or fine native beard hair achieve excellent, natural-looking results.