beauty

Inside the celebrity male hair transplant industry.

Have you ever looked at Justin Bieber's hairline?

Like really looked at it? What about Andrew Garfield? And Prince Harry?

And don't even get me started on my boyfriend Harry Styles.

Look close. Real close.

Welcome to the world of celebrity hair transplants. Because celebrities don't really seem to go bald any more. And suddenly learning exactly what celebrities have done to their cranium has never been more interesting — we simply can't look away.

Why? Hard to say. But, just like the positively riveting arena of 'ToothTok', knowing these kinds of Very Personal details of celebrities feels a little bit illegal, very sneaky and borderline conspirational.

You see, the hairlines of famous men are a character all on their own — and as invasive and weird as it may seem, we simply take delight in TikTok creators lifting the veil and finding out if a famous scalp has been modified or not.

Has he, or hasn't he?

It doesn't matter because the evidence is COMPELLING.

Watch: Speaking of hair — here's a cute hack to level up your usual ponytail. Post continues below.


Video via: Mamamia/Cassandra Green.
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Over on @hair.transplant.advice, a TikTok creator known as 'The Hair Transplant Specialist' offers his analysis and speculation on hair loss and transplants of male celebrities.

He theorises Justin Bieber may have opted for a hair transplant to address thinning and recession around his temples, noting that the once-receded areas seem fuller. A young Justin is shown accepting awards with noticeably thinning hair, before appearing in a photoshoot with a fuller hairline. However, there's one thing that's a little off about Justin's new hair, @hair.transplant.advice said, pointing out concerns over the "plug-like" appearance of his hairline, debating whether the transplant was entirely successful.

@hair.transplant.advice ‼️ JUSTIN BIEBER HAIR TRANSPLANT FAIL ⁉️ It appears that world-renowned singer Justin Bieber may have opted for a hair transplant to address thinning and recession around his temples, which had been noticeable in previous years. Now, the once-receded areas seem fuller, leading to speculation that he underwent the popular procedure. However, concerns are being raised as some have pointed out that the results appear less natural, with a "plug-like" appearance in certain spots, sparking debates on whether the transplant was entirely successful. #justinbieber #hairtransplant #celebrityhair #hairloss ♬ BEAUTY AND A BEAT - DENII

There's also David Beckham, who @hair.transplant.advice theorises may have undergone some form of surgical intervention to improve his thinning hair.

"The thinning previously observed in the fronto-temporal region appears to have been addressed with a combination of follicular unit transplants and scalp micropigmentation," the hair expert writes."

Additionally, Beckham might have used hair fibres and thickening agents to enhance the appearance of his hair, concealing the thinning areas."

@hair.transplant.advice ‼️ DAVID BECKHAM BEFORE VS AFTER HAIR TRANSPLANT ‼️ 1996-2005: Youthful Years During his early years at Manchester United, David Beckham’s hair was already iconic, though it was never perfectly straight. He sported a noticeable widow’s peak, showing that even in his youth, his hairline had its natural imperfections. 2008-2013: Playing Years As Beckham’s fame grew, so did his influence on men’s hairstyles. His constantly changing hairdos made him a trendsetter, particularly for the Brylcreem generation, establishing him as one of Britain’s first male hairstyle icons. 2017-2019: Post-Playing Career Camouflage As Beckham transitioned out of his playing career, signs of hair thinning around his temples became evident. Despite this, his frontal hairline remained relatively straight, though his hair loss had progressed to Stage 3 on the Norwood Scale. 2020-2022: Obvious Thinning** In recent years, Beckham’s hair showed signs of diffused thinning, a pattern common in men experiencing hair loss. Did David Beckham Have a Hair Transplant? According to experts, there is evidence suggesting that Beckham may have undergone some form of surgical intervention. The thinning previously observed in the fronto-temporal region appears to have been addressed with a combination of follicular unit transplants and scalp micropigmentation. Additionally, Beckham might have used hair fibers and thickening agents to enhance the appearance of his hair, concealing the thinning areas. #davidbeckham #hairstyle #hairtransplant #hairloss #menshair #celebrityhair #haircare ♬ The Banjo Beat, Pt. 1 - Ricky Desktop

Of course, we all know of the theories surrounding Harry Styles and his luscious brown waves.

A TikTok creator by the name of @georgiejxme refers to hair transplants as "the BBLs for straight men: the cheat code to hotness."

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"The main reason that celebrity men are so much more good-looking than regular men you see in real life is that they regularly get hair transplants," she claimed.

"Take Harry Styles, for example. At age 16, you can see his original hairline. It's quite low, and his hair is extremely thick, so that's the baseline. Then, just a few years later at age 20, you can see that his hairline has really gone back at the corner.

"It's not that noticeable at this point, but then at the age of 25 in 2019, you can see it's gone way back. The hair loss is progressing."

"And then in 2023, he buzzed his hair, and I knew then that a hair transplant was coming. This year, in 2024, we can see that the corners of his hairline have moved forward. The person who did this transplant didn't make the mistake of trying to give him his original hairline back. He just brought it forward that little bit to make a difference, but not so much of a difference that would be obvious."

Next up? Prince Harry.

"The doctor did a fantastic job with this one," she speculated.

"Years later in 2023, we can see that it's really only the hair transplant that's left at the front. A sign of a great procedure.

"There's also Elon Musk, Gordon Ramsay, Steve Carrell, Machine Gun Kelly (have you seen his before and after pics?), Ben Affleck and Bradley Cooper who have either admitted to or rumoured to have hair transplants.

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Andrew Garfield, Machine Gun Kelly and Elon Musk.Image: Getty. Andrew Garfield, Machine Gun Kelly and Elon Musk.

Along with veneers, hair transplants seem to have become a routine stop upgrade on the fame-seeking assembly line

And in 2024, this kind of surgical procedure is not just reserved for the rich and famous — in fact, it has become more accessible than ever.

The rise of male hair transplants.

Dr Ossman Ashraf (known as Dr Oz) is a hair transplant surgeon and owner of Hair Doctors. He told Mamamia that social media has played a significant role in the rise of hair transplants.

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"There's no doubt TikTok has amplified conversations around hair restoration," he told us. "People love seeing dramatic transformations, and celebrity hairlines are always a hot topic because they're so visible. TikTok makes it easy to share and dissect these before-and-afters, sparking curiosity — people start wondering if they could achieve similar results."

Hair is a significant part of someone's image, so when celebrities like Justin Bieber or Harry Styles are speculated to have had hair transplants, it destigmatises the procedure and encourages more open discussions. These videos also demystify the process, showing it as something attainable, not just something for the elite.

"So are more Australian men opting for a hair transplant procedure?

"Absolutely," Dr Oz told us. "There's been a significant increase in men seeking hair transplants. I think it's due to several reasons. Firstly, men are much more comfortable addressing their hair loss now, especially as more public figures and influencers open up about it. Secondly, the results we're achieving today are so natural-looking that they inspire confidence in others considering the procedure.

"The fact that people can now see the process and have a first-hand account of the results and what's involved, social media has essentially lifted the curtain on the mystery and stigma surrounding the procedure.

"Social media and online visibility have also played a massive role—whether it's for personal or professional reasons, people want to look and feel their best, and a full, natural-looking hairline plays a big part in that. On top of that, hair transplants have become more affordable in Australia, making them accessible to more men than ever before."

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What does a hair transplant procedure usually involve?

The method used, Dr Oz explained, is something called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), which involves taking individual follicles from the sides and back of your head and relocating them. Chances are (if you're as deep in the hair transplant vortex as the rest of us), you've seen videos on social media showing FUE in action.

"It's a minimally invasive technique that involves harvesting individual hair follicles from a donor area — usually the back of the scalp — and implanting them into thinning or balding areas, " said Dr Oz.

"The procedure typically takes six to eight hours and is done under local anaesthesia, so the patient is awake and comfortable.

"Most of our patients spend the day watching Netflix or their favourite shows on the TV we provide. Recovery is relatively quick; most people are back to work within a week or even the next day if working from home. Over the following months, the transplanted hair grows naturally, blending seamlessly with the existing hair for a natural look.

"The results look real and performed by an experienced professional, they can last for life.

And for patients who have experienced hair loss or thinning, Dr Oz said this can be completely life-altering.

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"Hair transplants are about more than just aesthetics — they're about restoring confidence and helping people feel like the best version of themselves. It's incredible to see how transformative it can be for someone's life."

What kind of patients are opting for hair transplants?

In his clinic, Dr Oz said he sees men from all walks of life.

"Young professionals in their 20s, dads in their 40s, and even men in their 60s who want to feel a bit more like their younger selves. Many come in after noticing thinning hairlines or bald spots that make them feel self-conscious," he told Mamamia.

"It's not just about vanity; for many, it's tied to their confidence and how they present themselves to the world. We've also noticed an increase in younger men who are entering the professional world and want to look their best. For some, opportunities seem to favour those who are better groomed and exude more confidence in their everyday life, and hair restoration can be part of that."

When it comes to aesthetic goals, he told us the biggest concern for most patients is whether the results will look natural.

A before and after photo of a male hair transplant procedure, with receding hairline on the left and a fuller hairline on the right, post hair transplant procedure.Image: Hair Doctors.

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A before and after photo of a male hair transplant procedure, with a balding head on the left and a fuller hairline on the right, post hiar transplant procedure.Image: Hair Doctors.

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"They want to make sure their hairline suits their facial features and doesn't look harsh or artificial. Scarring and recovery time are also common worries, particularly for men with busy schedules," he shared.

"The most frequent request we receive is for a fuller, natural-looking hairline that frames the face well without looking obvious. Many patients bring in photos of their younger selves to show us how their hairline used to look, which helps us aim for results that reflect their natural appearance."

He also noted that recovery from modern hair transplants is quicker and far less invasive than older methods. Meaning? If you're working from home, many can return to work the very next day in front of their laptops.

"If you're considering a transplant, my advice is to do your research, choose a reputable clinic, and make sure you're a good candidate for the procedure. Hair restoration is a journey, and the key to achieving a great result is working with a team that understands your goals and delivers natural, long-lasting outcomes. At Hair Doctors, our ethos is to help you regain confidence with a new hairline — without breaking the bank."

What are your thoughts on hair transplants? Share them with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Getty.

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