Some people might be surprised by how common hair transplants are, especially in the celebrity world. The truth is that hair transplants are sought out by many people worldwide, as they are an effective, permanent way of regrowing a full head of hair. Plus, the hair loss treatment itself has come a long way over the years. Where hair transplants once meant unnatural results (think the hair plugs of the 20th century), these days, the results are refreshingly natural, looking just like typical hair growth.
One celeb who may have gotten a hair transplant is LeBron James. The NBA star is best known for his basketball skills, but it wouldn’t be wholly surprising for him to seek a cosmetic procedure. In this article, learn everything you need to know about LeBron James’ hair restoration experience.
LeBron James: The MVP Basketball Star
There is no denying LeBron James’ impact on basketball. He is frequently referred to as one of the best in the game, often alongside Michael Jordan in people’s rankings. His career began in 2003 when he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team he played for until 2010. [1] He then played for the Miami Heat, returned to the Cavaliers, and joined the Los Angeles Lakers, who he still plays for today. Throughout his basketball career, he has been named MVP several times and has become the NBA’s leading scorer throughout history. He has undoubtedly cemented himself as a legendary basketball star and will go down in sports history.
Did LeBron James Get a Hair Transplant?
You know all about LeBron James’ skills on the basketball court, but what about his struggles behind the scenes? Famous athletes experience hair loss like anyone else, and LeBron James is included in that.
There has been no confirmation that LeBron James got a hair transplant. However, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that he did get one, especially when you look at LeBron’s hairline in the last few years.
A Look at LeBron James’ Hair Through the Years
LeBron James Hair: 2005
Looking back to the early stages of LeBron James’ basketball career, the athlete did not look as though he had any hair loss. He kept his hair quite short and wore a headband during his play, but you can’t see any serious recession when he doesn’t wear one. This makes sense, considering he would have been in his early 20s at this stage, and most men don’t experience hair loss until later.
LeBron James Hair: 2008
The first real signs of recession occurred in 2008. At this point, he has a slightly receding hairline, although the rest of his hair looks healthy.
LeBron James Hair: 2012
When you look at LeBron James’ hair in 2012, you can see hair loss progression. At this point, the LeBron James hairline is quite far back, and he even has some balding at the front centre. He looks as though he is at Norwood Scale 3 or 4.
LeBron James Hair: 2016
LeBron James’ hair seemed to significantly improve between 2012 and 2016 – in 2016, he was seen with a fuller head of hair.
LeBron James Hair: 2025
From 2016 to now, LeBron James has been able to keep his hairline intact. He still maintains his short hairstyle, but there is a full, straight hairline along the front with no signs of thinning. Whatever he did, it worked!
You can clearly see why the LeBron James hair loss and LeBron James hair implants rumours have been so prevalent in recent years. After experiencing significant hair loss, he was able to grow out his healthy hair once more.
What Type of Hair Transplant Did LeBron James Likely Get?
There are two main types of hair transplants: follicular unit extraction FUE and follicular unit transplant FUT.
The follicular unit transplantation hair transplant involves grafting a strip of hair from the back or sides of the head and then transplanting it into the balding area. The follicular unit extraction method involves extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area, which leads to more natural results with less scarring.
LeBron James likely chose the FUE method to address his hair loss, as he was never seen with any significant scarring. If you want to see the results a FUE hair transplant can offer, check out this patients gallery.
How Many Grafts Would LeBron James Have Needed?
When looking at LeBron James’ hairline before and after, it seems as though he had around 1500 to 2000 grafts transplanted. The number of grafts you need depends on the extent of your hair loss. Some people may need as little as 500, whereas others might even get over 5000.
What Caused LeBron James’ Hair Loss?
The chances are that LeBron James experienced male pattern baldness, which is extremely common and affects millions of men all around the globe. Male pattern baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia) is caused by genetics and male hormones, specifically testosterone. It typically causes hair loss at the hairline and at the crown of the head, which tends to worsen over time. While it does not cause any physically harmful symptoms, many men experience self-confidence issues.
What Other Hair Restoration Treatments May He Have Used?
As mentioned, there has been no confirmation that LeBron James got a hair transplant. There are other hair restoration options he may have opted for, including:
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical hair loss medication you can get over the counter. It is commonly used to treat androgenetic alopecia, as it can regrow hair by stimulating the hair follicles. LeBron James may have used this to regrow his locks.
There are other hair loss medications that are available to treat androgenetic alopecia, such as finasteride. However, the NBA bans the use of finasteride, so we can say with certainty that LeBron James did not choose this option.
PRP Injections
PRP injections (platelet-rich plasma) refers to injections that use a person’s own blood. The procedure starts with extracting the blood before injecting it back into the problem area – in this case, the scalp. It can be very effective as it stimulates the hair follicles and boosts blood circulation. [2]
Hair Pieces and Wigs
Many people use hair pieces and wigs after experiencing hair loss. Some guess that LeBron James decided to wear a hairpiece after experiencing androgenetic alopecia; however, this is unlikely, as that is a risk for athletes who are constantly moving around.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy involves using lasers to target hair loss. It works by stimulating the follicles and boosting growth, leading to stronger, healthier hair overall. It’s non-invasive and pain-free, making it a popular option for those with slight hair loss, and there is every possibility that LeBron James chose this option.
LeBron James: Not the Only Athlete to Experience Hair Loss
Many other athletes have experienced hair loss – it’s a common condition, after all. He’s not the only one who has been subject to hair transplantation rumours, either, as it’s a common treatment for celebrities.
Some athletes have been open about their hair transplant journeys. Wayne Rooney, the previous captain of the England football team, is a good example. He underwent a hair transplant in 2011 and 2013, which allowed him to regrow a full head of hair again. He wrote about it on social media and confirmed it in his book My Decade in the Premier League.
Then, there are the other athletes – like LeBron James – who show signs that they have had a hair transplant but have not confirmed it. These include Harry Kane and David Beckham.
Why Are Hair Transplants So Common in Athletes and Celebrities?
It makes sense that many athletes and celebrities choose hair transplants. Think about it – LeBron James is frequently in the spotlight. It’s not just his skills that people are watching out for; it’s also his appearance. Experiencing hair loss as an ordinary person is one thing; experiencing it as someone under bright lights and in front of millions is another.
Celebrities and athletes are often under a lot of pressure, and experiencing hair loss adds to that. A hair transplant makes an excellent solution, as it is a permanent, effective hair restoration method that will give them restored confidence. Plus, for most successful athletes, money is not as much of an issue, so they can choose the best of the best regarding surgeons.
Of course, many non-athletes and non-celebrities also get hair transplants; after all, everybody likes to look their best, even if they aren’t on TV every day!
LeBron James Hair Transplant: In Summary
LeBron James will go down in history as one of the best athletes of all time. While the most interesting thing about this NBA star is his basketball skills, it is still interesting to learn about his more ordinary life problems, such as male pattern baldness. While there has not been a confirmation of him getting a hair transplant to treat it (yet), the evidence speaks for itself: LeBron James was able to regrow a full head of hair after experiencing significant hair loss, which points to an effective treatment like hair transplant surgery.
Are you curious about hair transplants? Perhaps you have experienced male pattern baldness and want to restore your hair to how it once was. Start your journey by getting in touch with our world-class team of hair restoration experts by downloading our revolutionary hair track app.
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