It is not unusual to hear of a Hollywood star getting some type of cosmetic surgery. One particular procedure that many celebs have undergone is hair transplant surgery, which allows patients to regrow a full head of hair after experiencing male/female pattern hair loss.
There is strong evidence that Kevin Costner got a hair transplant during his career. In this article, learn more about Kevin Costner’s experience with hair loss and transformations throughout the years.
About Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner is a highly acclaimed and prolific American actor and filmmaker who rose to fame in the 1980s after starring in several successful films, including The Untouchables, Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams. [1] However, it was after starring in Dances with Wolves that he truly achieved stardom, as it was for that movie that he won two Academy Awards.
While most people think of Kevin Costner as a star of the 1980s and 1990s, he has still managed to stay in the spotlight to this day. He starred in the hit TV show Yellowstone until 2023, for which he won a Golden Globe, and released the western movie Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 in 2024. While it’s undeniably his acting and movie-making skills that have allowed Kevin Costner to achieve these high levels of success, it should also be noted that he’s well known for his classically handsome appearance, which his hair has undoubtedly contributed to.
Did Kevin Costner Get a Hair Transplant?
There has been no public confirmation that Kevin Costner has had a hair transplant. However, that doesn’t mean he didn’t get one, as many celebrities prefer to remain quiet about the procedures they undergo to stay looking young. If you examine Kevin Costner hair throughout the years, you will notice that he has experienced some hair loss, followed by restoration. Due to this, many hair restoration experts believe that – yes, the chances are that Kevin Costner did undergo a hair transplant, with most people assuming he had it done between 2006 and 2008.
Kevin Costner’s Hairline Through the Years
While no one, other than Kevin Costner and his potential hair transplant surgeon, can definitively say that he underwent a hair transplant, it’s hard to deny the evidence. Take a look at Kevin Costner’s hairline over the years and see what you think.
1970s: Throughout the 1970s, Kevin Costner led a relatively normal life, attending California State University, Fullerton, and graduating in 1978. When looking at photos of the actor during this period, there are no real signs of hair loss – he has slightly longer hair that covers his entire head.
1980s: The first noticeable signs of Kevin Costner’s hair loss appeared in the 1980s as he rose to fame. During this time, you can see some recession at his temples, indicating hair thinning and slight hair loss. At the same time, the rest of his hair looks perfectly healthy.
1990s: Kevin Costner’s hairline recession worsened during the 1990s. He still had plenty of hair, but his hairline stretched back much further than it had before. However, he still looked fantastic with his handsome Hollywood looks intact.
2000s: This is when Kevin Costner’s hair loss reached more extremes – it’s during these years that his androgenetic alopecia really impacted the hair on his head. As well as a receding hairline, Kevin Costner also experienced balding at the crown of his head. It was no longer easy to hide, which is likely why he opted for a hair transplant.
2006-2008: It is estimated that Kevin Costner got his hair transplant during these years. When you look at his hair around 2006 and compare it to 2008, you can see a significant increase in hair thickness and hair density all over the scalp.
2010s: During the 2010s, Kevin Costner’s hair transplant seemed to be working well, as he was consistently seen with a full head of short hair.
2020s: Kevin Costner’s hair transplant has stood the test of time. Even now, during the 2020s, his hairline looks better than it ever did during the early 2000s. That indicates his surgery was a complete success, giving him a full head of hair for decades. There is some thinning around his temples, but this looks natural and is to be expected, as he is now 70 years old, and it has been nearly two decades since his probable hair transplant surgery.
Why Did Kevin Costner Experience Hair Loss?
You might wonder, why Kevin Costner needed a hair transplant in the first place? The most likely explanation is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.
Male pattern baldness is an extremely common form of hair loss [2] that targets men in adulthood. It is entirely due to genetics, affecting men in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. There are several recommended treatments for male pattern baldness, with a hair transplant procedure being at the top of the list for those who don’t have any luck with other hair loss treatments like minoxidil and finasteride.
What Type of Hair Transplant Did Kevin Costner Get?
As there is no direct evidence of Kevin Costner’s hair transplant, there is no way to say which type of hair transplant he got. However, making an educated guess is possible.
As Kevin Costner likely got his hair transplant around 2006-2008, it is safe to assume he likely opted for the FUT method (Kevin Costner hair implants and Kevin Costner hair plugs likely wouldn’t have led to such natural results). FUT stands for follicular unit transplantation and is a hair restoration method that extracts a strip of skin from the donor area and transplants that into the bald area.
While FUT is still used today with great results (just look at Kevin Costner’s hair), this hair restoration method is not as popular thanks to the FUE (follicular unit extraction) process. The FUE method is a hair transplantation technique that extracts individual hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transplants them to another, leading to very natural results.
How Much Did Kevin Costner’s Hair Transplant Cost?
It is difficult to say how much Kevin Coster’s hair transplant cost, as we do not know where he got the procedure. When looking at Kevin Costner’s hairline before and after the probable surgery, we can determine he likely needed 2500 grafts, which typically cost around £6,500. However, the cost of his hair transplant was likely quite different, as he got it in 2006 when hair transplants were a different price, and, as a Hollywood star, he likely went to the best of the best in Los Angeles. So, he may have paid a lot more.
Other Celebs Who’ve Had Hair Transplants
Kevin Costner is certainly not the only celebrity to have gotten a hair transplant; here are some others who have opted for this procedure.
- Wayne Rooney
- Jimmy Carr
- Elton John
- James Nesbitt
- Anton Du Beke
- Robbie Williams
It makes sense that so many celebrities have chosen a hair transplant. Being in the spotlight like Kevin Costner comes with a lot of responsibility, especially regarding looks. It is expected that big stars maintain their appearance all throughout their life, and that often means keeping a full head of hair. As that is not easy to do with the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia, a hair transplant makes a lot of sense.
Should You Get a Hair Transplant? What to Consider
You might look at the results of the Kevin Costner hair transplant and wonder if you should get one. You may not have an acting career like Kevin Costner’s and need to maintain looks to keep getting roles, but hair is important to everyone – even those who are not in the public eye. Before choosing to get this procedure, here’s what to consider.
The Cause of Your Hair Loss: What is causing your hair loss? Hair transplants typically work best for androgenetic alopecia. It won’t work well for other hair loss causes, such as telogen effluvium (which is usually temporary).
Other Potential Treatments: There are several other hair restoration options you may want to try first, such as minoxidil, finasteride, and platelet-rich plasma therapy.
Whether You Are a Good Candidate: You need to be a good candidate for the surgery before a surgeon will perform the procedure. If you want to speak to a qualified surgeon about whether you’d make a good candidate for a hair transplant, download our hair track app.
Kevin Costner Hair Transplant: In Summary
Dealing with hair loss is never easy – Kevin Costner will know this. He experienced hair loss even in the early years of his career, with the hair loss only worsening when he reached his later years. However, with a (probable) successful hair transplant surgery in the 2000s, he was able to regrow his hair once more.
Are you interested in following in the footsteps of Kevin Costner? You are in the right place. To learn more about the hair transplants we offer here at Harley Street Hair Clinic, check out our patients gallery.
Sources:
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-Costner
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/male-pattern-hair-loss-treatment