‘Secret’ celeb-inspired procedure on the rise among men

Hair loss has long been a source of anxiety for many men, but thanks to the rise of hair transplants, addressing thinning hair has become more common and less taboo.

A TikToker recently sparked debate when she called them the “BBLs for straight men”, meaning they can be a discreet procedure that can boost confidence with minimal downtime, much like a Brazilian butt lift.

Content creator @georgiejxmes claimed that the rise in male hair transplants is largely influenced by celebrity culture and shifting attitudes around cosmetic enhancements for men.

Speaking to news.com.au, Dr Ossman Ashraf, a hair transplant surgeon and owner of Hair Doctors, confirmed this trend within the industry.

“There’s definitely been an increase,” he said. “More men are prioritizing self-care and grooming and becoming proactive about addressing hair loss, which is fantastic. In the past, many felt resigned to thinning hair, but now there’s a genuine awareness that solutions exist and are achievable.”

Many men are attracted to hair transplant procedures due to their professional and social benefits.

“They believe that looking their best directly impacts how they feel in their work and social lives,” Dr Ossman, who goes by Dr Oz online, explained.

Social media has also played a significant role in this trend, as people can now see real-time transformations and read first-hand accounts of what’s possible, helping to alleviate much of the mystery surrounding the procedure.

Who is getting hair transplants and how much does it cost?

The typical age range for male hair transplants is broad, with most patients between 25 and 50.

Younger men often seek treatment because they’re experiencing early hair loss and want to intervene before it progresses, while older men may be looking to reverse hair loss that has accumulated over the years.

Generally, hair transplants cost between $6,000 and $15,000, depending on the extent of the procedure and the number of grafts needed.

Additional services, such as follow-up treatments for healing and growth support, are typically included in that price.

The main concerns people have

The main concerns Dr Oz hears often revolve around ensuring a natural result, how dense the hair will look, and of course, the longevity of the outcome.

“Many patients also worry about scarring, or if it will be obvious they’ve had work done,” he said.

“Our most common procedure is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) which is minimally invasive, doesn’t leave a linear scar, and offers a shorter recovery time.

“It allows us to harvest individual follicles and place them precisely where they’re needed.” This approach not only creates natural hairlines but also ensures results will stand the test of time.

How long does the procedure take, and what is involved?

An FUE procedure typically takes six to eight hours, said Dr Oz.

“We start by carefully planning the hairline to match the patient’s facial structure and density preferences, ensuring we’re aligned with their goals. During the procedure, we use local anesthesia, so patients are awake and comfortable,” he explained.

“We then extract individual hair follicles from the donor area, usually at the back of the scalp, and implant them into the thinning areas. The entire process is precise and customized, and patients go home the same day.”

In terms of recovery, it’s usually relatively quick with many people resuming regular activities within a few days.

The transplanted hair begins to grow naturally in the following months.

Celebrity inspiration

Celebrity photos are a popular choice for inspiration, with David Beckham and Chris Hemsworth being two of the top requests Dr Oz receives.

“These examples are helpful for understanding a patient’s aesthetic goals. However, I always emphasize that the best results are those that are tailored to the individual — taking into account their own natural hairline, facial structure, and the existing hair density around the transplant area.

“The goal is to enhance each person’s unique look rather than create a one-size-fits-all result.”

TikToker’s hair transplant theory

TikToker @georgiejxme’s video titled, “Hair transplants are like the BBLs for straight men: the cheat code to hotness,” theorized that a lot of celebrities owe their good looks to secret hair transplants.

“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.”

Her in-depth analysis included other celebrities like Prince Harry and Justin Bieber, who she also believes have had the surgery.

People rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on her theory.

“I had no idea!” expressed one. “This video was life-changing,” admitted someone else.

“So, I’m not ugly, I’m just broke,” laughed someone else.

But someone claimed that “comparing hair to a BBL is crazy.”

“This is nothing like a BBL …” argued a different user. “The BBL is one of the most dangerous procedures.”

Others aimed to normalize hair transplants and said it was great more men were taking control of their appearances.

“I love it, good for them. More men should get them if they can afford them instead of feeling sad and insecure,” said one.

“I completely agree! Losing your hair must be really hard and if it can be prevented, why not?” the original creator replied.

Someone else concluded: “Men deserve to have beauty procedures to feel more confident if they want.”