Experts Weigh In on Whether 10 Celebrities Have Had Hair Transplants – Before-and-After Photos

The clues are all there: fuller hairlines, thicker locks, suspiciously youthful transformations — and experts say it's no coincidence.

Hair loss doesn't discriminate — not even against the rich and famous. As celebrities start showing signs of thinning crowns or receding hairlines, it doesn't take long for the world to take notice.

Now, hair restoration experts are weighing in, combing through photos and timelines to assess which stars have likely gone under the knife — or the needle — and which ones are still leaving us guessing. A few A-listers have owned up to their enhancements.

1. John Travolta

Travolta reportedly had a hair transplant in 2016, just shy of his 63rd birthday. Experts at HairPalace claim the results made him appear dramatically younger, restoring the strong hairline he once had in his 20s.

Professionals believe he likely went with Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) — a modern technique favored by public figures for its minimal scarring and natural-looking results.

2. David Beckham

Though Beckham has never directly addressed the rumors, Dr. Aron Nusbaum has concerns about the way his hairline was handled.

After examining profile shots, the doctor said, "I don't understand why whoever did his procedure told him it was okay to blunt his frontal temporal angles in sort of a swooping motion like this."

The technique, he added, is more typical in female patients and puzzling for someone with Beckham's resources.

3. Justin Bieber

Dr. Nusbaum also called out Bieber in the same review, saying his current hairline looks "very pluggy, artificial, and unnatural," particularly when the singer's hair is wet and pushed back.

"Bieber's hairline is in a very low straight flat angle, lacking micro and macro regularities," Dr. Nusbaum explained, the subtle giveaways that often indicate surgical enhancement.

4. Steve Carell

Known for his iconic role in "The Office," Carell has caught the eye of Dr. Terziler, who noted visible improvements in Carell's frontal hair structure thanks to what appears to be a transplant.

Although the result was mostly natural, the doctor noted that the temple areas could have benefited from further refinement. He added, "If there were a small restoration done there, it seemed like it would score a 9 out of 10, but right now, I say my score is 8 out of 10."

5. Kevin Costner

Experts believe Costner underwent Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), also known as strip harvesting, back in the mid-2000s.

This method involves removing a strip of scalp from the back of the head and redistributing the follicles. It's a go-to solution for cases like Costner's, where frontal thinning was a significant concern.

6. Chris Martin

Dr. Gary Linkov has closely followed Martin's hair since 2000, pointing out early signs of thinning along the anterior temporal area. By 2008, however, noticeable improvements had emerged.

Dr. Linkov estimates Martin may have had 500 to 700 grafts per side, and possibly underwent a second procedure around 2021. By 2024, he noted a possible FUT scar at the back of the Coldplay frontman's scalp.

7. Elon Musk

Few transformations have garnered more attention than Elon Musk's. Dr. Kopelman referenced late-1990s photos showing significant temple and forelock thinning. "I would classify this as a Norwood 3 pattern," he said, citing a clinical scale for hair loss.

According to Dr. Kopelman, Musk likely had multiple FUT surgeries, including follicle harvesting near the temples. Without intervention, he added, Musk would probably be bald today.

8. Machine Gun Kelly

Kelly's evolving hairline has led specialists to believe he's had not one, but two transplant procedures. Dr. Linkov pointed to a potential FUT scar visible in 2013, a clue that the first surgery used strip harvesting.

By 2014, new scarring patterns suggested an FUE procedure, likely involving around 2,000 grafts. The results? A thicker, fuller hairline that developed over time.

9. Tom Brady

When comparing his early NFL days to more recent public appearances, the change in Brady's hairline is striking. Dr. Kopelman noted signs of frontotemporal thinning, typical of androgenetic alopecia.

The doctor believes Brady may have pursued both medical therapies and surgical intervention. "That could only be addressed with a hair transplant," he said — even though Brady has never admitted to having work done.

10. Bradley Cooper

Even subtle changes can have a big impact. Over the years, Cooper's hairline has shown modest improvements. Dr. Terziler said the "bays" — the inward curves near the temples — had begun to recede early in Cooper's career.

A transplant appears to have softened that recession without creating an unnaturally flat look. Dr. Terziler praised the result, giving it a nine out of ten.

11. Jimmy Carr

Some stars stay tight-lipped. Jimmy Carr did the opposite — confirming he had a transplant during the COVID lockdowns.

"I looked like a vampire — a vampire's accountant was the look, right?" he joked, describing his dramatic widow's peak. He revealed that follicles from the back of his head were replanted in front.

12. Elton John

John has also spoken openly about his hair journey, sharing that he underwent two agonizing transplant attempts. "Both times it hurt like hell," he said, and left him "reeling in agony."

Sadly, neither surgery succeeded. John was left with scarring and crater-like marks on his scalp. Today, he wears a wig, and his story serves as a sobering reminder of how far modern procedures have come.

13. Robbie Williams

While some get transplants out of necessity, Williams did it out of boredom. "I've had a thatch done," he revealed on "The Graham Norton Show."

"I actually didn't need it. But that's what I'm saying about Los Angeles," said. His flippant confession highlighted how, in Hollywood, even unnecessary procedures become common.

14. John Cena

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Cena revealed he got a transplant in November 2024 after fans mocked his hair loss. "I saw their signs that said 'The bald John Cena,'" he told People magazine in August 2025.

The pressure pushed him toward a combination of red-light therapy, minoxidil, vitamins, and surgery. "If somebody's going to sweat me for that, I don't think there's any shame in that," he added. "It changed the course of my life."

Once considered taboo and even shameful, hair transplants are slowly entering the mainstream — thanks in part to celebrity transparency and expert insight. Whether whispered about or openly acknowledged, these procedures are reshaping public opinion about self-care and image in the spotlight.