Beard transplant or minoxidil: which one to choose?

First of all, I have to say that the question is a little strange. Here’s why. 

When minoxidil entered the market as an aid to treat hair loss, it did so like any other medication. It was supported by medical literature based on studies and research that proved its effectiveness and provided guidelines for its correct use.

The funny thing about minoxidil is that, when it started being promoted as an aid to encourage beard growth, it was not supported by the same rigor and evidence as when it was sold to treat hair loss. This led to some surprising unexpected results. 

When it comes to beard transplants, though, it is a whole different ball game. Beard transplants are supported by evidence; they are procedures that require highly specialized training, technology, and protocols at all times.

For some people, there is no need to compare the use of Minoxidil with beard transplants, but let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using each.

Minoxidil is the new Vick’s VapoRub

Not long ago, a video of a man singing the praises of applying VapoRub on the anus was posted on social media. He claimed that it helped fight the common cold. Now, I will not criticize this man or what he was saying, but I can say that something very similar happened with minoxidil.

The skin on each part of our body is different. For instance, the face can be very oily and acne-prone, while glutes are usually blemish-free.

Minoxidil is proven to help hair grow, since it dilates the blood vessels surrounding the follicles on your scalp. Because of this, it would not be far-fetched to think that it would also help with the hair follicles on your beard, but that is not how it works. 

As it turns out, the scalp has no problem absorbing this alcohol-based product, but when it is used on the face, it has led to dermatosis in some patients. Also, if there is sun exposure after applying the treatment, it can result in permanent spots. 

Some minoxidil creams are reported to provide more subtle results due to low absorption, but that does not mean that they do not produce any side effects.

Also, there is no scientific research that supports any minoxidil creams as safe and effective aids for beard growth, so they are usually used without medical supervision.  

Some beard cream brands add vitamins or compounds to the product only to raise the price, it seems, since they are not proven to help promote beard growth.

Remember that it is not just: “I’ll use the cream and my beard will grow.” Wrong! If there are no hair follicles there, it does not matter how much minoxidil you use: your beard will not grow. And, guess what? If you stop using it, even if it is only a few times, you might end up completely hairless again. 

Minoxidil’s side effects

Minoxidil is a high blood pressure medication. It works by dilating the arteries, which, in turn, lowers your blood pressure. For this reason, it is important to note that, although it is a topical medication (it is applied on the skin), your body will still absorb a large part of it, leading to side effects, in some cases. Here are some of them: 

• Erectile dysfunction: sure, you will have a little more hair, but you will also experience complications in the bedroom. As it turns out, this medication produces a dilating effect so strong, that blood cannot congest the penis. Speaking of, you know what? I should probably work on a post about erections that talks about this in detail.

• Fatigue and fainting: picture this: one day, you wake up feeling more tired than usual. You go to the gym, start working out and the next thing you know, you wake up lying on the floor. The reason? The medication lowered your blood pressure, and your body cannot compensate for it.

• Hypertrichosis, or “I’ve got hair growing where I didn’t need it:” since your body absorbs the medication and it enters your bloodstream, there may be hair growth in areas where you did not want it to grow.

• Beard odor: some people report that the smell is so bad that they stop using minoxidil altogether. Just think about it: a beard that nobody wants to kiss or caress.

Now, what do you think would happen if someone were to use minoxidil on their head and beard without talking to their doctor or using the recommended dosage? That’s right: double the side effects. 

Beard transplants

Beard transplants are a safe, guaranteed, and permanent medical procedure, where hair is transplanted from the back of the head to the beard.

You can even get gray hair transplanted, which means that, after the first few months of aftercare, you can live free from having to use any medications.

There is a substantial difference between the cost of a transplant (about $2,000 to 4,000 USD, depending on the design and density), and minoxidil (up to $700 USD per year). However, it is worth thinking about it, since you will have to use minoxidil for the rest of your life, and its results are not guaranteed. So, are transplants really more expensive, then?

There are no side effects to a beard transplant. It is only one single permanent procedure that looks very natural, and you can even choose the style you want.

And the winner is… 

Beard transplants are a safe and permanent procedure, while minoxidil is not guaranteed and tends to produce countless side effects. Do I have to make it any clearer?

All we want is for you to be the winner. Come to Kaloni and enjoy a highly advanced and professional evaluation. Make decisions from a place of power and self-awareness; do not let yourself be swayed by unethical marketing ploys that sell you high blood pressure medication without any medical guidance or follow-up.

We are strong, we build ourselves up, we achieve our goals, and, why not? That also includes having a thick beard and a full head of hair.