Bushy beards appear to be the new thing, with more men opting for facial hair transplants.
"Whether they're filling in a few gaps or doing a complete beard construction, New York City doctors who specialize in the procedure said they're seeing a growing number of men paying as much as $7,000 to pump up their beards," Serena Solomon, who first reported on the trend, wrote on the news site DNAinfo New York.
The clientele consists mostly of young hipster types, according to those involved.
"That's the demographic - 20-, 30-somethings, bohemian, artists, musicians," Dr. Bernard Arocha, who recently opened an office in Austin, Texas, told CNN.
The procedure is meticulous. Dr. Steven Gabel of Portland, Ore., explains that doctors take the intended beard hair, with follicles intact, from another part of the body like the head, and insert it onto the face. Once in place, the beard hair takes root gradually. You can shave it, and it will grow back naturally. The surgery can cost as much as $10,000 for a full beard, Gabel said. There are some risks, but it is relatively safe.
"The most common thing that patients experience afterwards will be some temporary redness and itching to the area," Gabel said. "Some people say it is more intense than others, and it is usually short-lived."
Men can even request transplants for a moustache or sideburns. According to Dr. Glenn Charles, based in Florida, Tom Selleck's moustache is frequently referenced. People also bring in pictures of celebrities like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Ryan Gosling with facial hair.
"The majority of men are looking to create a designer stubble look which seems incredibly popular nowadays," said Dr. Bessam Farjo, founder of the Farjo Hair Institute in England. "That being said, all it takes is for one recognized face to show off a new look for men to start considering their own facial hair."
