It’s not surprising to hear about celebrities getting cosmetic procedures. Many actors and musicians have been known to alter their looks. What about cricket players? It might seem like looking perfect is not a big deal to a person who plays cricket (or another sport), but a lack of confidence can affect anyone – especially those in the public eye. That includes Ben Stokes.
Who is Ben Stokes?
Ben Stokes is a famous English cricket player who is currently the captain of the England Test Team. He even has an OBE for his undeniable skill on the cricket pitch. While he’s best known for his abilities as a right-arm fast bowler and left-handed middle-order batsman, he has also grappled with his appearance over the years – specifically, his hairline.
Ben Stokes Hair Transplant: Did He Get One?
Yes, Ben Stokes had a hair transplant in 2018. It was a very successful procedure, and now he can enjoy a full head of hair. The cricketer opened up about his struggles with losing his hair, stating: [1]
“I saw the (TV) footage of myself, and the angle would be a bird’s-eye view, straight on top,”
He said it was getting too much and that the hair loss was really affecting his mental health. It makes sense that he opted for a hair transplant at Harley Street in London, as this decision led to him enjoying a full head of hair once more.
Ben Stokes Hair Transplant: A Look at His Hair Restoration Journey
Let’s look at Ben Stokes’ hair over the years to see how much the hair transplant transformed his look.
Ben Stokes Hair in 2010
When Ben Stokes first came into the spotlight, he was quite young, with ginger, spiked-up hair. At this stage, there’s no sign of hair loss.
Ben Stokes Hair in 2015
Fast forward to 2015, when he was playing in the Ashes, Ben Stokes had grown up quite a lot. He still had almost a full head of hair, but there was a little more receding during this year.
Ben Stokes Hair in 2017-2018
You can see the extent of Ben Stoke’s hair loss during these years. He has very thin hair on the top, and his hairline is receding a little bit. This is likely why he opted for a hair transplant.
Ben Stokes Hair Transplant in 2018
Ben Stokes got his hair transplant in 2018. For this, he needed to shave his whole head before it could start regrowing.
Ben Stokes Hair 2020-Today
When you look at Ben Stoke’s hair today, you see a full head of thick, luscious locks. He no longer has thinning hair on the top – instead, he has a lot of his natural red hair coming through. It’s clear that the hair loss treatment was an absolute success; he looks great for it!
Why Do So Many Sportspeople Get Hair Transplants?
It’s not just Ben Stokes – many other sportspeople have opted for hair transplants over the years. It’s particularly common for English footballers to get hair transplants, with the likes of Wayne Rooney and David Beckham opting for the procedure during their careers.
It makes sense, too. While having great hair doesn’t make a person a better player on the pitch, many sportspeople are in the public eye. Their appearance is clearly there for everyone to see, and if they don’t like how they look, any comments are going to affect their confidence. After experiencing hair loss, many people who play cricket, football, and other sports want to reverse it so that people don’t notice while they’re playing (or when they’re photographed while out and about).
It’s good to remember that celebrities are people, too; they have insecurities like the rest of us. If they can get a simple hair transplant procedure to restore their confidence, it makes sense that they take that opportunity.
It’s also worth pointing out that while a hair transplant may not directly affect the quality of a cricketer on the pitch, the restoration of confidence may help someone play better. If someone like Ben Stokes is preoccupied with what he looks like from a bird’s eye view, that may affect his game. Getting a hair transplant to fix this is a sensible option, as he can focus on the game he loves rather than what people think about his hairline!
Why Was Ben Stokes’ Hair Transplant So Successful?
Not everyone experiences such fantastic results after a hair transplant. While they are often successful procedures, some people don’t get to enjoy a full head of hair like Ben Stokes. So, why is that? There are probably a few reasons for this:
The Choice of Clinic
Ben Stokes likely did his research when choosing a hair loss clinic, ensuring he had a great surgical team to work on him. For Ben Stokes, money likely wasn’t an issue, as he’s a world-famous cricketer. If you wish to follow suit, it’s best to do your own research before picking a clinic and not be tempted by a cheaper option – you get what you pay for, after all.
A Good Donor Area
To be a good candidate for a hair transplant, you need a good donor area on the scalp. Ben Stokes likely had this before his transplant – an area of the scalp where the surgeon could easily graft from.
Good Aftercare
To ensure the process went smoothly, Ben Stokes likely followed his aftercare instructions to a tee. Doing so is crucial for experiencing the best possible results.
He is a Healthy Adult
Some people simply are not good candidates for a hair transplant. Typically, people who are over the age of 25 and are healthy are more likely to have a positive experience. When he got the procedure done, Ben Stokes was around 28 years old, meaning he was a fully grown adult. He also had some serious hair loss, which meant the change was quite significant. All in all, it was the best possible decision he could have made for his hair and scalp.
He’s not the only one, either – check out our patients’ gallery to see how many people experience fantastic results with a hair transplant!
Other Hair Restoration Options
Getting a hair transplant can be a tricky decision. For someone like Ben Stokes, who has a lot of success, it was probably a no-brainer, especially as he was always in the spotlight as the captain of the England cricket team. However, for many people, it can be best to try other options first.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil comes in two forms: as a topical treatment and as a pill. Both options are highly effective for treating hair loss in men and women. Either way, you must take minoxidil every single day to keep up with the results.
Finasteride/Dutasteride
Both of these are oral medications that are used to block DHT – a male hormone. This can be helpful for treating male pattern baldness, which is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Like minoxidil, you must use this medication every day if you want your hair regrowth to stay.
Certain Hair Oils
There is some evidence that hair oils can boost hair growth. This includes rosemary oil and pumpkin seed oil. Generally, it’s best to mix these oils with a carrier oil to avoid irritating the scalp.
Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies
One of the reasons some people experience hair loss is due to a nutritional deficiency. For example, if you don’t get enough vitamin B12, folate, biotin, or riboflavin, you may experience thinning hair. [2]
Is a Hair Transplant Right for You?
Ben Stokes enjoyed a successful hair transplant – can you expect the same results?
It’s all about determining whether you are a good candidate or not. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
What’s Causing Your Hair Loss?
If you’re experiencing male pattern baldness (that affects millions of men around the world), a hair transplant will likely work well. However, if your hair loss is due to something like alopecia areata or shock hair loss, it likely isn’t the best option.
Do You Have Any Hair on Your Scalp?
This hair loss treatment only works if you have a healthy donor area. If you have some healthy, thick hair on your scalp, it’s more likely that you’ll experience a positive result from a hair transplant.
Are You Over 25?
While you can get a hair transplant from 18, it’s best to wait until your hair loss becomes more stable. As a general rule, you should wait until you’re at least 25 before getting a hair transplant, and preferably until you’re 30 in some cases.
If you’re unsure whether a hair transplant is a good option, it’s best to speak to a hair loss clinic about your options.
Ben Stokes Hair Treatment: In Summary
Ben Stokes benefited greatly from his hair transplant. It completely transformed his look – he went from having thinning hair to a full head of thick locks. He clearly doesn’t regret the procedure one bit!
Are you ready to join Ben Stokes and regrow your hair? If so, get in touch with our clinic today. We have a hair track app that allows you to book appointments with our expert surgeons, where you can discuss your options and come up with a hair restoration journey plan.
Sources:
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2023/09/22/ben-stokes-england-captain-hair-loss-brad-pitt-leadership/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/#:~:text=Only%20riboflavin%2C%20biotin%2C%20folate%2C,(FAD)%20%5B22%5D.