Note: This article contains discussions of suicide and contains graphic images that some readers may find distressing.
A French man who traveled for an affordable beard transplant in a European country known for low-cost cosmetic procedures has sadly ended his life.
Mathieu Vigier Latour had saved $1,300 for the procedure, which would have been significantly more expensive in France. However, the surgery was botched, and Latour later discovered that the individual performing it was not a qualified surgeon.
At 24, he traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, in March for the beard transplant, which exacerbated his body dysmorphic disorder.
The Cleveland Clinic describes this as a mental health issue where individuals perceive their physical appearance negatively, with these perceptions dominating their thoughts and behavior.
During the transplant, 4,000 grafts of hair were moved from his head to his face, but 1,000 were lost in the process.
Latour later learned that the person who conducted his procedure was actually an estate agent, not a legitimate surgeon.
His father, also named Mathieu Vigier Latour, told BFM TV: “When it started to grow out, it looked like a hedgehog, it was unmanageable.”
The botched surgery left him with a misshapen beard growing at an awkward angle, and burns from the procedure made sleeping difficult.
His father stated, “He was suffering, he wasn’t doing well. He was in pain, suffered from burns, and he couldn’t sleep.”
Seeking a remedy, his family consulted a specialist in Belgium. Upon learning that his scalp would not recover from the graft removal, Latour experienced post-traumatic shock.
Three months after his ordeal, he tragically ended his life in his Paris student accommodation.
“He entered a vicious circle and couldn’t get out,” his father added.
“If this testimony could prevent this from happening again and alert everyone, I think that would be a tribute to Mathieu.”
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, support is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Additionally, the Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting MHA to 741741.
If there is an immediate need for mental health assistance, contact the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline offers free, confidential crisis support 24/7.