Mustache Transplants Exist, Becoming More Popular In Middle East
From the archive: published Nov 29, 2012, 13 years ago. Details may have changed since.
For the follicly challenged, growing a mustache can be a daunting task. During Movember, these mustache-desiring individuals feel ashamed and saddened by their thins lip sweaters and some of them have even resorted to mustache transplants.
According to CNN , mustache transplants are becoming more popular in the Middle East. Young men who want to look older are opting to go under the knife in order to achieve Tom Selleck-like mustaches.
Turkish plastic surgeon Selahattin Tulunay said that he now performs multiple mustache transplants, or follicular unit extractions, every day.
Tulunay said:
“For some men who look young and junior, they think (a mustache) is a must to look senior … more professional and wise. They think it is prestigious.”
Pierre Bouhanna, is a Paris-based surgeon, added:
“My impression is more and more they want to establish their male aspect. They want a strong mustache.”
The Slideshow reports that the procedure involves taking hair from other parts of the body and implanting them in the desired region. The procedure costs about $7000.
Selleck, Aaron Rodgers and David Axelrod may be the mustache kings in America but Tulunay says that most of his patients request a mustache like Turkish singer Ibrahim Tatlises.
Fox 8 reports that man in the Middle East hold mustaches in high regard. Andrew Hammond, a Saudi Arabia-based journalist, said:
“Having a mustache was always a big thing, ever since the Ottoman time. Most Arab leaders have mustaches, or some form of facial hair. I think culturally it suggests masculinity, wisdom and experience. “
What do you think about mustache transplants? Are you surprised that they are becoming popular?