Many celebrities are now opting for hair transplants. With some of the more famous figures to have undertaken the treatment in the past few years including Wayne Rooney and James Nesbitt, more people are realising how procedures can produce long term results. Hair transplants are now commonly performed using Follicular Unit Extraction techniques, which removes individual hairs from healthy areas of the scalp for transplantation, as well as Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Transplants, which use larger amounts of follicles. While expensive, celebrities have admitted boosts in confidence and their careers as the result of transplants. These celebrities have included:
1 - James Nesbitt
This television and film actor decided to undertake two FUE treatments in 2009 and 2010 at a clinic in Dublin. The 45 year old had long experienced problems with hair loss, and had previously experimented with finasteride and minoxidil in an effort to slow his hair loss. Fearing that his baldness was affecting his career, Nesbitt took to wearing wigs for some performances as a way of expanding the roles he could take. Since having FUE, Nesbitt has praised the procedure for restoring his hair and confidence.
2 - Brendan Fraser
The American actor Brendan Fraser was photographed in 2003 with a severe case of thinning, leading to reports that he used hair lace systems and wigs for his leading man roles. When new photographs emerged of Fraser with restored hair a few years later, rumours began that he had undertaken surgery. While Fraser has not confirmed these reports, his sudden hair growth would suggest that he has benefited from seeking out treatment before his hair loss became worse.
3 - Gordon Ramsay
The television chef reportedly undertook a 12 hour procedure in 2010 in a Los Angeles clinic, which cost £30,000. While not as noticeably balding as other celebrities, Ramsay is believed to have paid for the treatment to combat the early stages of receding. FUE was used, which involves a local anesthetic, and does not result in major scarring. Ramsay appeared soon after the treatment wearing a black cap on his head, and with notable puffiness around the face. Ramsay has also had Botox and teeth whitening procedures carried out over the past few years.
4 - Wayne Rooney
Perhaps the most famous of recent hair transplant surgeries, Wayne Rooney announced to the world via Twitter that he had undergone FUE in June 2011. Having begun to lose his hair in his late teens and early 20s, the Manchester United and England footballer opted for a procedure in London to restore his hair. The result has been encouraging, with the clinic Rooney used suggesting that more men are now considering the procedure than ever before.
5 - John Cleese
The comedian admitted having had a hair transplant in 2008, and explained it as a way of dealing with a long term problem. Cleese undertook an URFUT procedure to deal with his thinning hair, but was unusual in waiting until he was 68 for the surgery. In many cases, tackling hair loss at its earliest stages can produce the best results. Cleese’s success has, however, demonstrated that it can be carried out at any stage of life.
JF is an avid writer specialising in Fashion and Beauty, and is currently investigating hair transplants and the current methods that are used.