Elon Musk Hair Transplant [Before & After]

Elon Musk flaunts a fabulous hairstyle with his charming face and healthy scalp. People who look at the PayPal Founder and successful entrepreneur now may not believe that he had a male pattern hair loss history in his youth. Yet, the records show that it is true.

Now, you may wonder how it was possible to get such a marvelous hair growth from a thin hair type. Some theories suggest he took medication. Some specialists think he got transplantation. There could be many more assumptions.

What is the truth anyway?

We’re going to explore everything concerning Elon Musk’s hair transplant to find out if he truly performed a transplant.

But first, let’s see how Elon Musk looked early in the days of PayPal:

Elon Musk Before Hair Transplant

The image above shows Elon as a child and an adult. His facial features and eyes are exactly the same as they are today, as you can see. His hair also appears very thick and healthy. Taking a closer look at the young Elon Musk now, you’ll find out that he has a thin hair type.

Can you notice it?

The hair on his forehead seems a little weak as it is not as thick as the rest, which is obviously a sign of a possible hair loss in the future.

And some years later, you can see that Musk has a typical receding hair as you can see above. This is officially the beginning of the male pattern baldness. It begins from the frontal area (from the temples, specifically). You can also notice the gap without hair, on the right side of his forehead.

If you take a closer look, you will notice that it has not stopped there but gradually moving toward the crown area of his head. This hair loss progression will be clearer in just a few years.

Furthermore, did you notice that the frontal area and temples are totally without hair now? The only hair on the crown appears very thin and foamy, denoting a significant potential for hair loss. Apparently, Dihydrotestosterone will not spare you even if you’re the founder of PayPal.

How Did Elon Musk Grow His Hair Back?

It’s very obvious that Elon Musk did something on his hair. However, the problem is to know what exactly he did that resulted in thick, frizzy hair after just a few years.

Like most business tycoons in Silicon Valley, Elon Musk must have had numerous options owing to being super-wealthy and his worldwide connections.

It’s worth mentioning that Elon himself has never publicly made known the details of his hair restoration procedure or some other cosmetic development that he leveraged.

Let’s quickly examine the two of the most conceivable techniques that he might have tapped.

1. Hair Transplant

This is undoubtedly the most reasonable technique the tech guru must have turned to. Hair transplants are extremely advanced and most importantly, look much better than most other hair plugs.

Interestingly, such surgical procedures take only a few minutes, depending on the degree of hair loss in the patient.

In this technique, real hair follicles (hair from a donor) are transferred from one section of the scalp to the other using very sharp scalpels.

2. Hair Loss Medication

Minoxidil and Finasteride are the two most recommended hair loss medications available at the moment.

Although it’s possible that Elon Musk’s outstanding hair restoration came from the use of such drugs, it’s worth noting that they only stop further hair loss rather than encouraging the growth of new follicles.

Besides, they have several side effects such as swelling, skin rash, and even impotence. Additionally, Elon would be required to take the medication for an extended period of time before seeing any noticeable result.

Not sure he’ll have such time!

Male Scalp Structure – of men with MPA

The thickness of the scalp in the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis layers is stated to change with age for those having male pattern alopecia (MPA) problems. It is supposed to increase up to the middle age and reduce after that. Men who have MPA may show patterns of hair loss due to shrinking hair follicles.

The root may not be able to hold onto the follicle after shrinking. Then the hair falls off the scalp. Does the hair re-grow after the fall? If you look at Elon Musk as a young adult, the possibility did not exist in his case.

Male Pattern Alopecia – Causes and Symptoms

Hormone Imbalance Theory

An imbalance in the male hormones called Dihydrotestosterone and Progesterone could be a probable cause of MPA. The hormone receptor may become weak and cause progressive baldness. It may start with hairline receding and crown thinning.

What you observe in the case of Elon Musk is the appearance of symptoms from the frontal area. It may support the hormone imbalance theory.

Heredity Theory – Is there Any Data

MPA could be hereditary. Molecular-genetic researches have shown the effect of genes to be a probable factor in making men go bald. There have been many independent studies by dermatologists to support this theory.

Looking at Elon Musk’s balding pattern, it may be no genetic evidence because no one knows about the baldness history in his forefathers.

Scalp Stress Theory – Physiological and Psychological

According to neurologists, the neurotransmitters in the brain can influence MPA and baldness. Stress factors of everyday life could affect the scalp and hair follicles. The connection between the brain and hair follicles is stated to be very high.

Anxiety, tension, and overload of work could affect the neurotransmitters to affect the hair in a negative way. There has been plenty of research on the link between intense and continuous stress and how it could be the strongest factor of MPA.

Looking at Elon Musk, it could be possible to consider stress as a factor, because he has been living a busy life which could be stressful also. According to researches, the MPA could start when the male is a young adult (as in the case of Musk) and progress with age.

Hair Loss Classification – Progressive Disorder

Advanced researches have classified the hair loss into frontal and front-vertical baldness. The frontal area remains isolated from the rear end (where the scalp is stronger and hair is relatively thicker). You could see the thinning hair and bald space in Elon Musk.

His hair loss may have started as a frontal hair thinning which may have proceeded to front-vertical type. It is because his receding hair resulted in baldness.

Hair Loss Progression – How Fast and How Far

Hair loss may progress at various paces among men. Could it be due to the loss of micronutrients? Several research works have also shown that “lack of nutrient supplies to the scalp can cause premature baldness.” Poor cell metabolism in the follicles could make them go weak and fall.

That’s not all, iron deficiency could also be another probable cause. So is it possible that Elon Musk had some sort of vitamin and nutrient problems?

If yes, when did he realize it and what measures did he take to heal the condition? You may not get a clear answer to these questions, because there is no data.

In the case of Elon Musk, the hair loss speed seems to be gradual. The intensity could be considerable because the baldness is visible.

Hair Loss Consequences – Losing More than Face Value

Men with MPA know they are losing something more than their face value and charisma, which could result in more psychological stress.

It could also become an endless cycle of hair loss and stress. Now, could you observe any such patterns in the case of Elon Musk?

Was Elon Musk a Good Candidate for Hair Transplant?

According to a hair transplant specialist in Miami and New York, Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, MD, who has not treated Musk, “It’s very likely” the Silicon Valley tech has undergone hair transplant surgery.

Epstein further went on to confirm that:

Epstein described Elon Musk’s early hairstyle as “momentous frontal thinning hair with a recession,” or “the Prince William appearance”: a fairly recessed hairline with little hairs covering the frontal one-third of the scalp.

The specialist said the tech guru was indeed a good candidate for hair transplant surgery, owning to the fact that:

He also mentioned that the fullest and most natural results come from transplant surgeries like Elon Musk’s, where hairs from the sides and back of the head are transferred to the front half of the scalp.

So Elon Musk Undergo a Hair Transplant! Was it FUT or FUE?

According to dermatologists and transplant specialists, there are two types of hair transplants. They are the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). So, what are the procedures and the benefits of each method?

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

Hair Groupings – Before and After FUT

Natural hair grouping will be dense and healthy among normal men. It could be dispersed and thin among men with MPA problems. You have to consider the volume of hair and the density restoration after the transplant is over.

If you observe in the case of Elon Musk, the pattern seems to be highly thick in the midsection. The density at the front seems to be moderate however the volume seems to be high. Hence, the probability of a FUT could be 50%.

Hair Health – Transformation in Conditions

Elon Musk’s hair health is certainly much better than what it used to be in his young adulthood. He seems to have more black hair that looks a lot stronger than ever before.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

FUE could be a healthy option for hair transplants. The procedure’s two-step approach can bring in the natural alignment of hair follicles. The traction method can also ensure healthier hair and stronger follicles. The bonding between the hair and scalp is stated to be stronger.

There is also a three-step method for a transplant that uses a punch and twist motion for the procedures. This method seems to be much better than the insert and seal method used in the FUT method. It can also make the new hair look more natural.

Volume and Density – Superior Transplant Method

The volume and density of hair in the case of Elon Musk have improved considerably during the years after his adulthood. What you see right now could be the result of FUE which he may have chosen.

The average Thickness of FUE hair could be higher than FUT. Graft size is also much better than the FUT type.

Hair Health and Quality – FUE May Score Over FUT

The average health of FUE hair is also much better than FUT hair. You can see that clearly in the case of Elon Musk today.

The personality of Elon Musk is as good as when he was young. The psychological impact of the transplant method he chose clearly reflects in his appearance and body language. Have you observed him in the close-shots?

The air of youth and enthusiasm he carries around him is extremely fascinating to observe. He also seems to be much younger than he actually is.

How Much Did Elon Musk Pay for The Transplant? And Is it Painful?

Dr. Epstein described older hair transplant surgery methods, like the one Elon would have gone through, as uncomfortable but not awfully painful.

Most hair transplant patients are completely presentable between six to eight days after the exercise, he said; however, it can take up to six months for the transplanted hairs to completely grow back after falling out post-surgery.

Talking about the cost, the procedure is also very expensive: You can spend anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000 per surgery. According to Dr. Epstein, Elon Musk perhaps received at least two procedures, costing him anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 in total.

The cost will probably change when you’re the 54th-richest man in the world.

Elon Musk Hair Transplant | Conclusion

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