Conor Benn had a 2,000 graft FUE beard transplant in 2019 to tackle his sparse facial hair at the age of 23. The procedure resulted in Benn’s beard becoming fuller and denser over time, with his long-term results demonstrating the potential benefits of beard transplantation for suitable candidates.
Learn all about Conor Benn’s beard transplant, including his before-and-after results, the technique used, graft numbers, and whether the procedure was a success. Plus, find out how beard design works, what to expect during beard transplant recovery, and alternative treatments for patchy facial hair.
Key takeaways
British boxer Conor Benn underwent a beard transplant in 2019 to tackle his patchy beard and achieve fuller facial hair.
Conor Benn is a British boxer and former WBA Continental (Europe) Welterweight Champion. Benn’s first fight with Chris Eubank Jr in 2025 was named Fight of the Year by multiple outlets, cementing him as a rising contender in the sport.
While Conor Benn is mainly known for his in-ring performance, he also hit the headlines in 2019 for another reason entirely — undergoing a beard transplant to enhance his facial hair.
So yes, Conor Benn has had a beard transplant. But these days he tends to shave off his facial hair for a more clean-cut appearance. So was his procedure a success?
Prior to his beard transplant, Conor Benn’s facial hair was somewhat sparse, so he typically removed it for a completely clean-shaven appearance. This video from 2016 shows a 20-year-old Benn with very little facial hair shadow:
Conor Benn’s hair transplant took place in late 2019. Around 7 months later, he released a video asking followers to rate his results, which had started to become clearly visible by then (though it wasn’t at peak density):
Five years later, in the runup to the Chris Eubank Jr fight in April 2025, a video surfaced of Benn testing gloves for the match, sporting a much fuller, thicker beard:
So it’s clear that Conor Benn’s hair transplant was successful, with the boxer sporting a defined beard at full density.
Conor Benn had an FUE (follicular unit extraction) procedure for his beard transplant. FUE is often preferred over FUT (follicular unit transplantation) for beard transplantation, as it leaves less scarring in the donor area, and recovery tends to be quicker and easier.
FUT limits how much physical activity you can do for longer than FUE, as there’s a higher risk of wound reopening [1]. So athletes often prefer FUE if they’re eligible, as they can get back to training sooner.
In this video, Wimpole Clinic surgeon Dr Mir Malkani discusses why athletes tend to get strong hair transplant results:
FUE and FUT are the two main techniques used in the modern hair transplant procedure. Both can be used to transplant hair from the scalp to the beard, including the chin, cheeks, and jawline [2].
The key difference between FUE vs FUT is in how the grafts are harvested. In FUE, hair grafts are extracted from the back of the scalp one-by-one. These are then placed into pre-prepared incisions in the beard area.
FUT involves surgically removing a full strip of skin from the donor area and slicing this into individual grafts outside the body, while the wound is stitched up. These individual grafts are then placed into the recipient area incisions in the same way as FUE.
FUE is normally chosen due to the lower risk of visible scarring and easier recovery, but FUT may be preferred for beard transplants in certain circumstances. For example, people with Afro hair textures can benefit from FUT, as FUE is associated with a higher risk of graft damage when extracting curly hair follicles [3].
Those with longer hair may choose FUT because any donor area scarring will be covered with the hair. If men opt for FUT with this in mind, they may be advised to consider future styling preferences. Some men wear their hair longer in early adulthood, but decide to cut it much shorter or even shave it as they get older, especially if they experience hair loss.
Conor Benn had around 2,000 grafts to complete his beard transplant. The number of grafts required varies depending on how much hair you have in your beard already, and your desired beard shape.
In a video interview with his clinic immediately after the procedure, Conor Benn said:
“The surgery was 8 hours. There was obviously a lot of work that needed doing. I fell asleep for about four hours of the process. […] So far [my beard] is 3 out of 10. It’s gone up by 1 and I haven’t even got a beard yet. Just by seeing how it’s been drawn up and the outline, I’m happy with it.”
Conor Benn appears to be pleased with his long-term beard transplant results too, rating his beard transplant 10/10 around 7 months post-procedure.
A beard transplant is a highly effective way to fill out a patchy beard. Thousands of men have benefitted from surgically enhancing their facial hair with a beard transplant, including many Wimpole Clinic patients.
However, a beard transplant isn’t the only option for treating a sparse or patchy beard. Several studies have shown that using minoxidil for beard growth can improve hair density in the beard area [4-6].
Additionally, facial hair may respond to microneedling treatment. While no studies have yet confirmed this, microneedling (also known as derma rolling) has been shown to help with scalp hair growth [7]. Microneedling for beard growth could work the same way — by initiating wound healing processes that release growth factors and activate stem cells that enhance hair growth.
Explore the treatment options for patchy beard growth with a professional facial hair assessment at the Wimpole Clinic. At your free consultation, our team can evaluate your beard growth, donor hair availability, and other important factors to determine the best course of action for optimising your beard.
Conor Benn’s beard transplant results are fairly typical for a good beard transplant candidate, based on the number of grafts used and his original facial hair density. The procedure was performed by a qualified surgeon at a UK-based clinic, increasing his chances of hair transplant success.
You’re less likely to get good results if you use a black market clinic in Turkey or elsewhere, as these are sometimes performed by unlicensed surgeons and unqualified technicians in unsafe environments. If you’re considering getting a beard transplant in Turkey, make sure to look out for the red flags of black market hair transplant clinics.
Not everyone gets a beard transplant to achieve a full bushy beard. Your beard design can be customised to suit your preferences. Conor Benn’s beard transplant design is quite unique, with a lot of density around the jawline, while hair on the chin remains fairly sparse.
Benn has said he was happy to be involved in the beard design process, and this is often possible for patients, depending on a few factors:
Within these limits, your surgeon should work with you to create a beard transplant design you’re happy with. Whether you want to increase your upper lip hair density with a moustache transplant or create a more defined beardline across the cheeks and jaw, discuss your goals with your surgeon to create a beard design that suits you.
In 2026, Conor Benn has shaved his beard off, giving him a clean-shaven look that’s much like his pre-transplant days.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Conor Benn (@conorbennofficial)
A post shared by Conor Benn (@conorbennofficial)
The beard transplant timeline means it can take up to a year to see your full and final beard transplant results. So after going through the surgery and recovery process, you might expect patients to wear their beard long continuously.
But like with haircuts and other personal styling choices, it’s about options. Getting a beard transplant gives you the chance to grow a beard when it suits you, and shave it off again when it doesn’t. It means you’re not permanently stuck with the same sparse facial hair.
Although Conor Benn hasn’t publicly talked about why he shaved his beard off, it’s likely a conscious styling choice right now. He may decide to grow his facial hair out again in the near future.
If you’re thinking about restoring your facial hair, you can get a free beard transplant assessment at the Wimpole Clinic. We have clinic locations all over the UK, so it’s convenient to speak to a beard restoration specialist in a town or city near you.
Whether you want to discuss beard design, get a graft quote, or find out how much UK beard transplantation costs, we can help. Book a free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic to learn more about how beard transplantation works at our award-winning hair transplant clinic.
Find out more about Conor Benn’s beard transplant and how the procedure works in these frequently asked questions.
Conor Benn had his beard transplant at the age of 23, which is considered fairly young to get a beard transplant. It’s possible for natural beard growth to increase and thicken until your mid 30s, so Benn’s facial hair may have thickened out without intervention [8].
The first 1-2 weeks after having a beard transplant are the most intense in terms of recovery. You’ll be advised to get plenty of rest, abstain from exercise, sex, smoking, and a few other activities, and follow your clinic’s aftercare instructions carefully.
After the first 2 weeks, provided you haven’t experienced any complications, you should be able to return to your normal routine. With proper aftercare, you should start to see increased facial hair density around 3-6 months after your procedure.
When a beard transplant is performed by a skilled, qualified surgeon in safe surgical conditions, the risks are low. Most patients experience a few hair transplant side effects, which subside naturally within a few weeks.
However, it’s still a surgical procedure, so there are some risks you should be aware of. These include:
Make sure to discuss the risks (and how to minimise them) with your surgeon before agreeing to any cosmetic procedures.
Beard transplants among the rich and famous aren’t as common as celebrity hair transplants, though there are a few known examples. Reality TV stars Bobby Norris and Gaz Beale have both undergone beard transplant procedures.
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr Laila Ahmad (GMC: 6134794) graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2006 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). She completed her postgraduate training in General Practice in 2013 and is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP).
Throughout her medical career, Dr Ahmad has gained broad clinical experience across a range of surgical specialties within the NHS, including general surgery, breast surgery, ear, nose and throat (ENT), and obstetrics and gynaecology. Her work in several hospitals across the North East of England has provided her with a strong surgical foundation and a comprehensive understanding of patient care.
Following her general practice qualification, Dr Ahmad undertook advanced training in hair restoration surgery under the mentorship of pioneering hair transplant surgeon Mr Michael May at the prestigious Wimpole Clinic on Harley Street. She has also trained alongside leading hair restoration surgeon Dr Ahmad Moussa, a neurosurgeon with extensive expertise in complex hair restoration procedures.
As a result of this rigorous and specialist training, Dr Ahmad has developed significant expertise in advanced hair restoration techniques. She is proficient in performing follicular unit extraction (FUE) and eyebrow restoration procedures, applying meticulous precision and refined technical skill to each case.
In clinical practice, she manages a wide spectrum of complex hair restoration cases. Her approach integrates scientific methodology and detailed surgical planning with an appreciation for aesthetic balance, ensuring results that are both technically precise and naturally harmonious.
With a strong artistic sensibility, Dr Ahmad is particularly skilled in designing natural hairlines and eyebrow patterns tailored to each individual patient. She maintains a patient-centred ethos, delivering hair restoration procedures to the highest clinical standards while prioritising safety, personalised care, and optimal aesthetic outcomes.
