A moustache transplant can help you achieve fuller, more even facial hair with long-lasting, natural results. This surgical procedure can restore or enhance hair on the upper lip using donor grafts, typically from your beard or scalp. With proper aftercare and an experienced clinic, patients can expect reliable growth and an improved moustache shape.
Read our complete guide to moustache transplants, explaining eligibility, donor hair selection, surgical steps, risks, recovery, costs, and alternatives. Understand when the moustache transplant procedure is suitable, what outcomes to expect, and how to choose a safe, reputable clinic before deciding whether to proceed.
Key takeaways
Yes, you can have a moustache hair transplant to make the hair on your upper lip thicker or more even. Some men opt for a moustache transplant by itself, while others have it as part of a larger beard transplant.
A moustache transplant can give you exceptionally natural-looking results when performed by a skilled surgeon. With careful donor hair selection and graft placement, you can achieve results that are virtually indistinguishable from your natural moustache.
Most adult men in good general health are eligible for a moustache hair transplant. However, you’ll also need a healthy supply of donor hair (normally at the back of the scalp or the edge of the beard) and realistic expectations of what a moustache transplant can achieve. Read up on what makes a good hair transplant candidate.
According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons, most beard and moustache transplant patients require a hair transplant due to one of the following [2]:
A moustache transplant is performed the same way as a hair transplant elsewhere on your body, though the target area remains above the upper lip. Here’s how the process works:
Moustache transplant donor hair has very specific characteristics, so it’s important to use donor hair that blends well in this area. For example, moustache hair tends to be much coarser than scalp hair, so hair from the beard may be a better aesthetic and texture match [1]. (If you have thinning or sparse beard hair, you may want to preserve this and opt for scalp donor hair instead.)
Additionally, moustache hairs are normally single hairs rather than multiple hair units, so it’s best to transplant single hairs from other areas to achieve the most natural appearance [3].
Here are some of the moustache transplant results patients have achieved at our award-winning hair transplant clinic. Please note that the graft count refers to the total number of grafts transplanted to the entire beard region, not just the moustache.
See more beard and moustache transplant results in our hair transplant gallery.
The total number of hair grafts you require depends on the natural density in your beard region and your desired shape and density. Full reconstruction may require around 300 to 400 grafts on each side, with a density of approximately 35 to 40 grafts per cm2 [4].
Moustache and beard transplant costs vary from clinic to clinic, and depend on several factors, including the number of grafts needed and your surgeon’s experience. Prices at the Wimpole Clinic start at £2,999.
Overseas clinics may provide moustache transplants at cheaper prices than clinics in the UK. But these procedures often come with higher risks, and there has been at least one hair transplant death associated with beard transplantation in Turkey [4]. So it’s essential to do your research, consult with reputable local clinics to get the facts, and weigh up the risks and benefits of getting a cheap hair transplant abroad before paying any deposits.
A moustache transplant is a relatively low-risk procedure, though it comes with certain side effects and risks. Hair transplant side effects that affect almost all patients include:
Other symptoms may indicate a more serious complication. If you experience pus, fever, or unexpected bleeding, seek medical attention as this can indicate infection. Hair transplant infections need medical treatment.
Other moustache hair transplant risks include significant scarring (particularly if you have FUT), allergic reaction to anaesthetic, nerve damage, and overharvesting of the donor area.
These risks tend to be higher at overseas clinics where health and safety regulations are easier to evade. In the UK, clinics and surgeons take extensive measures to protect patients and minimise these risks.
Moustache transplant recovery takes up to 2 weeks, assuming you don’t have any complications or delays in healing. Complications can be caused or worsened by poor beard transplant aftercare, so it’s essential that you take good care of your new facial hair throughout the initial recovery period. This involves:
Your clinic will provide you with a complete aftercare programme to follow as you’re recovering from a moustache transplant. Follow the instructions closely to promote smooth recovery and excellent results.
A moustache transplant is normally effective if you have naturally sparse or non-existent moustache hair, or alopecia caused by scarring.
It may also be an option if you have other longstanding alopecias, such as traction alopecia. However, this is much less common, as these conditions are often reversible, so hair transplantation isn’t normally necessary.
Book a consultation at your nearest Wimpole Clinic location to find out if you’re eligible for a moustache transplant.
You’re unlikely to be eligible for a moustache transplant if:
A moustache transplant is the only permanent solution to hair loss or lack of growth on the upper lip. But there are other solutions that may help stimulate hair growth without surgery.
Minoxidil has been shown to effectively promote facial hair growth [5]. This is a topical treatment that should be applied twice a day long-term to achieve and maintain results. If you stop using minoxidil, it’s likely that any new growth will be lost.
While commonly used to treat male pattern baldness, finasteride is not recommended for treating beard and moustache hair loss. Finasteride suppresses the production of dihydrotestosterone in the body, a hormone which leads to male pattern baldness but is actually beneficial for facial hair growth. While studies have shown finasteride doesn’t necessarily reduce beard thickness, it’s unlikely to work well as a treatment for a thin beard [6].
Derma rolling your beard and above your lip may help stimulate moustache growth, though there’s limited research to prove this.
If your facial hair isn’t as full or thick as you’d like, a moustache transplant can give you the results you’re looking for. And when you choose the Wimpole Clinic to perform your facial hair transplant, you’ll work with some of the UK’s top hair transplant surgeons with a track record of fantastic results.
To find out if you’re eligible for a moustache transplant, book a free consultation at your closest Wimpole Clinic branch. Our patient advisors are on hand to guide you through the process and provide all the information you need about this procedure.
Want to learn more? Read more in these moustache hair transplant frequently asked questions.
Yes. A moustache transplant is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll be at the clinic for no more than a day. You won’t need to stay overnight at the clinic, and can go home the same day.
It depends on the nature of your work. If you work from home, you may be able to resume work after 2-3 days. If you need to commute, we advise taking at least a week off so your grafts can heal a little more before you face travelling.
Those who work physical or manual jobs should take at least 2 weeks off to reduce the risk of dislodgement and infection. Find out more about when to go back to work after a hair transplant.
Yes. Research suggests that grafts from the midoccipital area of the scalp (i.e. the central area at the back of the scalp) have similar characteristics to beard and scalp hair, so your moustache transplant will still look very natural [4].
Additionally, research shows that transplanted hair takes on the characteristics of hair in the recipient area over time [7]. So your hair should become more blended over the years.
Yes. Moustache restoration is often an important part of the facial masculinisation process for trans men, especially if hormone therapy alone hasn’t resulted in adequate facial hair growth. However, your surgeon’s advice may vary depending on your stage of transitioning and whether your facial hair pattern is fully established.
Simply fill in your details and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.
Δ
Simply fill in your details in the form below and we'll get in touch with you shortly.
