Celebrity Hair Transplants: Uncovering the Secrets

Cosmetic surgery is nothing new to Tinseltown. From facelifts and tummy tucks to nose jobs and Botox, celebrities have been trying to enhance their looks for as long as it’s been possible. But one of the procedures that often went under the radar is hair transplantation. These days, however, with so much interest in hair restoration and transplants, celebrities have become some of the biggest ambassadors of the procedure, whether they admit to it or not.

But what’s driving celebrities to undergo the procedure? Why is Hollywood so quick to get a hair transplant and when do they find the time?

Why are celebrities getting hair transplants?

For celebrities, image can be everything.

That’s why they’re so invested in their physical appearance. Their image has a direct impact on their brand, and if their brand isn’t on par with what’s expected, it can unfortunately have a negative impact on their career and income.

These pressures are a huge part of what drives celebrities to get cosmetic surgeries like hair transplants.

What kind of hair do celebrities want?

What do you think of when you hear the words “good hair”?

Well, according to a poll conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, the four male celebrities that were cited as having the best hair were Bratt Pitt, Chris Hemsworth, Rami Malek and Gerard Butler. When it came to female celebrities, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Christie Brinkley, and Margot Robbie topped the list.

Notice a trend? Yep – full, thick heads of hair.

With public perception so important in the entertainment industry, it’s no surprise that celebrities are driven to stay vigilant and proactive in their battle against hair loss.

Why it’s hard to tell if a celebrity has had a hair transplant

Of course, you’d be hard pressed to pin exactly when a given celebrity undergoes a hair transplant. This is primarily because celebrities tend to address hair loss promptly and at the first sign of receding or thinning. By being proactive about addressing their hair loss, celebrities are often able to hide the fact that they even needed help in the first place.

Another important reason why it’s hard to tell if a celebrity has had a hair transplant is because hair transplant procedures and technologies have become so advanced that it is nearly impossible to tell if someone has received one.

Hair loss by the numbers

The rise in celebrity hair transplants has mirrored a similar rise in the general population. Nearly 60% of all men and 40% of all women across the globe experience hair loss. These numbers are continuing to grow, and experts believe that it could be due to stress, malnutrition, medications, and/or genetics.

On Average, out of the 55 million people who struggle with hair loss, an average of 650,000 people fight back each year and undergo a hair transplant in an effort to restore their natural looking hair. More specifically, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), approximately 735,312 hair restoration procedures were conducted in 2019 — a 16% increase from 2016iii. And by 2026, Industry experts predict that the hair transplant industry will bring in $32.4 billion.

The Types of Hair Transplants

There are two types of hair transplants: FUT and FUE.

With an FUT transplant, the surgeon will remove a strip of skin from the donor. They’ll use that strip of skin to extract individual follicular units, which are then transferred to the area where the patient is losing hair. With this method, the area of skin removal is stitched up and healed within about 14 days.

With an FUE transplant, a similar process is used, except the follicular units are taken directly from the scalp without creating a linear scar.

In either case, the follicular units are being extracted from somewhere on the scalp. Typically, they’re taken from the back of the head where the hair will eventually cover the bald patch once it regrows or grows thicker through the transplant process.

Hair transplants aren’t just for celebrities

The fact is, hair transplants aren’t just for celebrities. In fact, about every 13th man will opt for a hair transplant in his lifetime, and many women utilize this procedure as well for alopecia, thinning hair, and other conditions.

Ultimately, with their growing social acceptance and popularity, the taboo nature of hair transplants is significantly decreasing year over year. Thanks to the natural results, celebrities are constantly investing in hair transplants to maintain their image — and Bosley has been a trusted provider of such procedures for more than 40 years. And while you might not be a celebrity yourself, you still deserve to look your best – both on camera and off.

Undecided? Bosley is offering contactless hair transplant video consultations so that you can discuss your hair growth and regrowth options from the comfort and safety of your own home.

¹International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: 2020 Practice Census Results. (2020, May). Retrieved August 21, 2020, from https://ishrs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Report-2020-ISHRS-Practice-Census-05-22-20.pdf ²Markets, R. (2019, October 24). Global Hair Transplant Market Report 2019-2025 with Company Analysis of Restoration Robotics, Sisram Medical, CUTERA. Retrieved August 21, 2020, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-hair-transplant-market-report-2019-2025-with-company-analysis-of-restoration-robotics-sisram-medical-cutera-300944888.html ³Every 13th man has a hair transplant according to Bookimed study | Markets Insider. (2019, November 28). Retrieved August 21, 2020, from https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/every-13th-man-has-a-hair-transplant-according-to-bookimed-study-1028724168 ⁴Markets, R. (2019, October 24). Global Hair Transplant Market Report 2019-2025 with Company Analysis of Restoration Robotics, Sisram Medical, CUTERA. Retrieved August 21, 2020, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-hair-transplant-market-report-2019-2025-with-company-analysis-of-restoration-robotics-sisram-medical-cutera-300944888.html