
You have likely heard of celebrities getting cosmetic surgeries to look their very best, which makes sense considering that they have access to the top surgeons and experience more pressure to look great as they are in the spotlight. One of the more popular cosmetic procedures, especially in men, is a hair transplant, as it gives people a chance to regrow a full head of hair once more.
The question is, is the Mo Salah hair transplant fiction or reality? Learn everything you need to know about the footballer’s hair transformation journey here.
Who is Mo Salah?
Before diving into the hairline, let’s understand the footballer himself. Mo Salah (or Mohamed Salah) is a talented Egyptian footballer who is the captain of the Egypt national team and part of the Liverpool FC team. He usually plays as a right winger or forward. Some of his career highlights include winning the 2018 FIFA Puskás Award and becoming the fifth player to have scored 200 goals for Liverpool in the Premier League. There is a reason he’s such a favourite among Liverpool fans and considered one of the best in the world!
Has Mo Salah had a Hair Transplant?
It’s not just Mo Salah’s football skills that get people talking – it’s also his appearance, specifically, the fact he went through a period of hair loss, which he very recently seemed to fix.
As of right now, there is zero confirmation that the Egyptian footballer opted for a hair transplant, but that does not mean he didn’t get one. Many celebrities keep their cosmetic procedures under wraps, after all. However, Mo Salah’s hair transformation points towards the fact that, yes, more than likely, he opted for hair transplantation surgery and is now enjoying the results.
Looking at the Evidence: Mo Salah’s Hair Transformation
While we cannot say with 100% certainty that Mo Salah got a hair transplant, we can look at photographs of him over the years to see how his hairline has changed.
2013
Mo Salah looks quite different in the earlier years of his career. It was in 2013 that he truly made a name for himself, scoring his first goal in the EUFA Europa League. Regarding his hair, he had a full head of curls with a slight widow’s peak. There’s no sign of hair loss at this stage – a widow’s peak doesn’t necessarily mean a receding hairline.
2017
Mo Salah still had a full head of curls in 2017. However, it’s clear that he has experienced some hair loss from 2013 to now, as he has more of an M-shaped hairline, indicating receding temples.
2021
Mo Salah’s hairline receded even further between 2017 and 2021 – at this stage, he’s at around a Norwood Scale 2 or 3. [1]
2024
Mo Salah’s hair changed dramatically in 2024. The footballer was known for his full locks, but during this year, he suddenly got a buzz cut, which showed quite a dramatically receded hairline. It is theorised that he got a hair transplant during this time.
Late 2024-Early 2025
Moving forward slightly to 2025, Mo Salah’s hairline is much straighter with zero signs of recession! Whatever hair loss treatment he used, it clearly worked. While he hasn’t grown out his full head of curls again (although he still might), he has full, healthy hair growth that looks fantastic.
What Kind of Transplant Did Mo Salah Get?
Assuming the Mo Salah hair transplant is real, it’s likely that he opted for the follicular unit extraction method (FUE hair transplant) or DHI (direct hair implantation) rather than follicular unit transplantation (FUT hair transplant).
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a hair transplant method that involves removing individual hair follicles from a donor area, usually the back and sides of the scalp where hair loss has not occurred. The process involves using a precise micro-punch device and is performed under local anaesthetic, with the patient able to return home the same day. The result is a natural-looking hairline, as the individual hairs transplanted look just like a person’s natural growth.
With how fantastic Mo Salah’s hairline now looks, there is a high chance he opted for the FUE hair transplant procedure, choosing a top hair transplant surgeon to perform it.
There is another consideration: the DHI method, which involves a special implanter tool to perform the procedure. It’s minimally invasive and allows the patient to return to their daily activities as soon as possible. With Mo Salah being an athlete, there is a decent chance his potential hair transplant was the DHI kind.
Why Did Mo Salah Experience Hair Loss?
It’s not uncommon to see athletes and other celebrities opting for hair transplants. The question is, why do so many – including Mo Salah – experience hair loss?
The most common reason is male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in both men and women, although it affects more men overall, around 50% of all men by the time they reach 50 years. [2]
In men, androgenetic alopecia typically shows as a receding hairline and thinning crown that worsens over time. Men of all ages can experience it – even those who are in their early twenties. It is likely that Mo Salah’s genetics meant he was predisposed to male pattern baldness early, which meant he had a receding hairline by the time he was in his late 20s.
Do Hair Transplants Work for Everyone?
You might be inspired by Mo Salah’s hair transplant but wonder – does it work for everyone?
Hair transplants are pretty inclusive, allowing people with slight or extensive hair loss to achieve a full head of hair once more. However, some people may not be great candidates for surgery. You need to have a decent donor area, which is a section of dense, healthy hair on the scalp from which the surgeon can extract. Plus, there are certain medical conditions that may prevent you from being a good candidate, such as scalp psoriasis or some autoimmune conditions.
Many hair transplant clinics provide free, no-obligation consultations to help you see whether a hair transplant would work for you and your hair loss. If you want to get in touch with the top surgeons in hair transplant surgery, download our revolutionary hair track app.
Other Hair Loss Solutions Mo Salah May Have Used
While there is a high chance Mo Salah chose a hair transplant as a hair loss treatment, we have to consider he may have opted for another effective solution. Here are some other hair restoration options that could have restored his hairline.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical hair treatment that must be applied to the scalp daily. It is used to treat male pattern baldness, although women also experience positive effects from it. It works by boosting blood flow to the scalp, allowing the follicles to receive the nutrients they need. As a result, hair growth is stimulated. Mo Salah may have started using minoxidil around 2024, which could have helped him grow back his hairline.
Finasteride
Finasteride is another hair loss medication, but this one is typically taken orally. It prevents the production of the male hormone DHT, which is responsible for male pattern baldness. It is effective but can cause other symptoms, such as decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy is a hair restoration treatment that involves using infrared light to boost hair growth. Once the light penetrates the shaft, it stimulates blood flow and helps the follicles grow brand-new hairs.
PRP Therapy
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy involves injections of blood into the affected area. It takes your own blood from your body and uses that to stimulate growth, which works thanks to the growth factors in the platelets. Patients usually require an initial three sessions.
These are all perfectly reasonable guesses as to how Mo Salah restored his hairline. However, we still believe a hair transplant is more likely, as money would not have been an issue for Mo Salah, considering his net worth of $53m. [3] Hair transplants offer a permanent solution – rather than having to use daily medication or keep up with clinic visits for laser or PRP therapy, a hair transplant allows a person to enjoy their full head of hair without worry for the rest of their lives. For that reason, the Mo Salah hair transplant makes the most sense.
Mo Salah Hair Transplant: Final Thoughts
Over the years, Mo Salah has cemented himself as one of the football greats. While his football skills are what draw people in, there is no denying that fans are also curious about his appearance – specifically his hair transformation. While no one other than Mo Salah can confirm he had a hair transplant, the evidence speaks for itself, and many hair surgeons agree it’s likely the path he took to restore his hairline.
Do you want to undergo a hair transplant? Begin your journey with us by getting in touch with our friendly, expert team today. You can also check out our patients gallery to see what we have done for our previous patients!
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