Celebrities get cosmetic surgery all the time. When you think of celebrity procedures, you might think of breast augmentations, nose jobs, and liposuction – but what about one that affects the hair? Introducing hair transplants: a popular hair restoration method that uses your own hair follicles to boost hair regrowth. Not only are these procedures popular with celebrities, but they have also been sought out by many ordinary folks who have experienced hair loss in their life.
One actor who may have opted for a hair transplant is Matthew McConaughey. How much weight is there to this claim, though? Is it just a rumour? In this article, discover everything you need to know about Matthew McConaughey’s hair loss (and later growth).
All About Matthew McConaughey
Anyone interested in movies – or has at least watched a few films in their lifetime – will likely be familiar with the actor Matthew McConaughey. While he started his film career in 1991, he rose to prominence after starring in 1993’s Dazed and Confused [1], before leading his first film A Time to Kill. Since then, he has starred in big Hollywood hits, including Wedding Planner, Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club, The Gentlemen, and Frailty. He also gained a lot of critical acclaim starring alongside co-star Woody Harrelson in the TV series True Detective. He’s very well known at this point, as he has enough star power to pull many fans to the cinema.
So, what about his looks – particularly, his hairline? Matthew McConaughey is undoubtedly handsome and can adapt his look well to suit a range of characters. However, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t grappled with insecurities, primarily because of his hair. During his career, McConaughey has experienced some obvious hair loss.
Did Matthew McConaughey Get a Hair Transplant?
According to the man himself, he did not get a hair transplant. In an interview with LADBible, [2] he stated that his hair regrowth was all thanks to a topical ointment, saying:
“I get this topical ointment, and I rub it into my scalp, once a day for 10 minutes. I was fully committed, I was fully committed to it – no Propecia, no nothing, it was just manual labour.”
“All I can tell you is it came back. I have more hair now than I had in 1999.” [2]
He also said that a Beverly Hills doctor initially assumed that he had a hair transplant but later realised that he didn’t after examining his scalp. Clearly, he’s eager to dispel any rumours that he went under the knife.
So, this all suggests that Matthew McConaughey’s hair restoration is all thanks to a simple hair loss treatment of topical oil. Is that the case, though? Keep in mind that many celebrities like to keep cosmetic surgeries private. There’s a lot of stigma surrounding cosmetic surgeries, with celebrities receiving a lot of flak for getting too many done. It makes sense that some would rather hide the fact they’ve gone under the knife for aesthetic purposes. So, while we cannot definitively say Matthew McConaughey got a hair transplant, we can look at the evidence and make a sensible guess.
A Close Look at Matthew McConaughey’s Hair Over the Years
If you want to make your own mind up on whether or not Matthew McConaughey got a hair transplant, take a look at his hairline through the years:
Matthew McConaughey Hair: 1990s
Matthew McConaughey’s hair changed a lot during the 1990s, but he typically kept his hair tousled and wavy with a little length. His hair wasn’t too thick at this point, but it wasn’t too thin either. He seems to have already been struggling with a receding hairline during this time, but the length of his hair was able to cover it.
Matthew McConaughey Hair: 1999
At the turn of the millennium, Matthew McConaughey’s hair was at its thinnest. He had a large bald spot on the top of his head, showing he was clearly losing his hair.
Matthew McConaughey Hair: 2000
At this stage, Matthew McConaughey’s hair was much shorter – at one point, he even shaved his head completely. This indicates he was struggling with hair loss during this time, but that perhaps he opted for some kind of hair loss treatment.
Matthew McConaughey Hair: 2007
Matthew McConaughey’s hair looks beach-like in 2007, as he wears it long and wavy. Clearly, he was able to grow his hair out long – however, if you look closely, you’ll see recession at the temples when it’s scraped back.
Matthew McConaughey Hair: 2010
Matthew McConaughey’s receding hairline was still present in the 2010s. His hairline at this stage is quite far back, with some thinning all around. However, he doesn’t have the big bald patch he did in 1999.
Matthew McConaughey Hair: 2020s
Moving forward to the 2020s, McConaughey arguably has the best hair of his career! His hairline looks more forward, and his hair density looks thick and healthy; he enjoys a full head of dark, wavy hair.
Looking at Matthew McConaughey’s hairline over the years, it shows that, if he did get a hair transplant, he likely did so around the years 1999-2000. He may have got a second one at the end of the 2010s, which could be why his hair looks so fantastic today. Whatever he is doing, it’s working!
What Other Hair Loss Treatments Could Matthew McConaughey Have Got?
While a hair transplant is the most likely reason behind McConaughey’s ability to regrow his locks, there are other possibilities. There was even a Matthew McConaughey hair plugs rumour at some point, with the actor himself stating about his hair loss: [3]
“But I remember going, ‘Wait, I’m not ready to go quietly into the night on this. You know, I considered hair plugs,” he added.
Clearly, hair plugs entered his mind, which is an old-school style of hair transplant. Of course, if McConaughey did go through with a hair transplant, we would have been advised by his surgeon to opt for a more natural hair loss treatment, such as FUE. Hair plugs are not commonly practised these days.
Other treatments Matthew McConaughey may have gotten include:
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a popular hair loss treatment that gets applied topically. It’s a very effective type of hair restoration treatment, with many men and women able to regrow their hair with it. However, it does need to be used daily to keep up with results, so if McConaughey does use it, he does so every day.
Finasteride
Finasteride is another hair loss medication. It only works for men, making it a viable option for Matthew McConaughey. It usually comes in pill form, and, like with minoxidil, it must be used daily.
Steroids
Steroids are another hair restoration treatment. These must be administered by a doctor. It involves steroid injections into the scalp, which can stimulate the hair follicles and boost hair growth.
Light Therapy
Last but not least, McConaughey could have chosen low-level light therapy to tackle his hair loss. It is another treatment that has proven to be effective, involving a low-level light laser directed toward the scalp to stimulate regrowth.
The only person who knows what Matthew McConaughey did to restore his locks is the man himself – we can only guess.
Are Hair Transplants Common in Hollywood?
Yes! Many other celebrities have opted for hair transplants during their careers, which is why it wouldn’t be a surprise if McConaughey was one of them. It makes sense that so many actors, athletes, comedians, and musicians opt for hair transplants (including John Travolta, Jimmy Carr, and Wayne Rooney), as these people’s careers put them directly in the spotlight. Often, their appearance gets scrutinised, leading to them choosing procedures that improve how they look.
Are You Considering a Hair Transplant?
Matthew McConaughey’s hair loss is not unique. Are you experiencing something similar? If so, you might consider getting a hair transplant. It’s a big decision, as it is a surgical procedure that costs a few thousand pounds (more depending on the number of grafts needed), but it could be the best, most permanent option for you. For something that can restore confidence, paying a little more and going through a few weeks of recovery is more than worth it. Download our hair track app to get started today.
In Summary
We cannot say whether Matthew McConaughey got a hair transplant. He has spoken about his hair loss and said that he did not get the procedure, but many professionals in the industry think otherwise – looking at his hairline through the years, there’s a chance he did get the procedure but decided to stay quiet about it, which is his choice. Whatever he did, it’s clear that the Hollywood actor had great success, as he now has a head full of hair!
Are you more interested in the definitive results of a hair transplant? You don’t need to play guessing games when checking out our patients gallery; these people sought hair restoration treatments with us and experienced fantastic results thanks to our surgeon’s incredible skills and expertise.
Sources:
- https://www.biography.com/actors/a45876300/matthew-mcconaughey
- https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/celebrity/matthew-mcconaughey-woody-harrelson-brothers-dna-test-409917-20230921
- https://www.businessinsider.com/matthew-mcconaughey-considered-getting-hair-plugs-in-the-90s-2023-4