Elon Musk, the tech mogul and real life Iron Man, has been the subject of much speculation. As a public figure, his every move has been scrutinised, while his iconic look and slick hairstyle has only added to his aura surrounding his superhuman persona. As such, when it was revealed that Elon Musk had undertaken a hair transplant procedure in 2018, it was an issue which garnered international headlines.
The hair transplant procedure conducted on the tech mogul was a technique known as FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). It involves the methodical harvesting of the donor hair and planting them on to the recipient area. This is predicted to offer considerably improved aesthetic results in comparison to more conventional methods. As with any major surgical procedure, hair transplants always carry some element of risk as there are multiple potential side-effects.
Initially there was speculation from some sections of the international media which suggested that his decision to undergo a hair transplant had been motivated by vanity.
This rumour was dismissed firmly by one of the world’s leading experts in this field Doctor David Chia, who prior to his retirement from the United States Hair Restoration Research Institute, was the leading authority on hair transplant surgery.
Doctor Chia refuted the notion that Elon Musk had opted to have a hair transplant solely for vanity purposes, and instead suggested that underlying medical issues associated with Elon Musk’s scalp could have been the reason for his decision to have one.
He said, “Having a hair transplant procedure isn’t a decision that is taken lightly, and while certainly cosmetic enhancement may be a factor in some cases, this is not necessarily the case in all scenarios. On the surface it would seem that Musk had undertaken the hair transplant in an effort to reverse the ageing process, however this is not an area that I would be able to speak on with any great authority.”
Moreover, Dr Chia went on to point out that many men with receding hairlines, often face major psychological problems due to the emotional turbulence associated feelings with hair loss. He concluded his statement by saying, “Having a receding hairline for the men that are impacted can result in major emotional issues. My view is that having a hair transplant was the correct decision for someone in this position.”
Role in Hair Transplant Industry
In recent years, Elon Musk has played an influential role in furthering the development of the hair transplant industry. Due to a significant increase in the interest in the procedure, a surge in the demand for FUE treatments have been seen globally, with the US and Europe being amongst the main areas where these treatments have taken off.
In its simplest terms, it would be an understatement to say that Musk’s decision to undergo a hair transplant procedure had a major influence in generating interest in the industry. His decision to openly discuss the process has been integral in diverting attention from the celebrity gossip domain into one of informed medical knowledge.
Hakim Mohammad, who is the Chief Medical Officer at the New York Hair Transplant Center said, “Before Elon Musk made the announcement that he had had a hair transplant, very few people, aside from those who follow the sector closely, really knew what a hair transplant was. Now, the procedure has become much more mainstream and a far greater knowledge of the associated procedures has been identified.”
In addition, due to the publicity surrounding Musk’s hair transplant and the success it has seemingly had, a further increase of bookings was recorded. The same was seen in 2017 when a major Hollywood A-lister went public to discuss his experiences of going through the FUE procedure.
Confirming Hair Transplant Procedure
The confirmation that Musk had a hair transplant sparked much speculation in the media and indeed, throughout the entire industry. On the one hand, those who have been long-time admirers of the entrepreneur have appreciated his decision to go public with the procedure, while others have held the viewpoint that it presented a somewhat disappointing image for someone of his stature.
Speaking on the matter and in response to the speculation surrounding the hair transplant procedure, Elon Musk said, “I took the decision to have a hair transplant because I felt that it was a minor medical procedure which could have a major repercussion in terms of improving my mental health in terms of confidence and self-esteem. It’s a common procedure and one which I firmly believe is a huge benefit to both men and women.”
This statement has had a marked and hugely positive impact on the industry, by raising awareness of the huge benefit to individuals who have seen their self-confidence plummet due to receding hairlines which can be a symptom of either the ageing process, or health and dietary related issues.
Criticism of Hair Transplants
In spite of the positive awareness generated by the confirmation that Elon Musk had gone through a hair transplant procedure, there still remains an element of criticism directed at the sector. For example, there are some practitioners who are often accused of taking advantage of vulnerable people by pushing them into a procedure which in many cases, are not necessary and can be avoided by adopting lifestyle alternatives.
For those people who do go ahead and have the procedure done, they need to be aware that there are no guarantees that it will work and that if the surgery is not done properly, there may be long term effects. It is a subject which has been discussed at length in many medical publications and as a cautionary measure, it is important to always ensure that the practitioner is qualified and has the relevant experience before proceeding.
Jonathon Baker, a senior practitioner at the Putnam Hair Transplantation Clinic summarised, “Any person considering a hair transplant needs to do their research and make sure that it is the right option for them. It is not always the case that hair transplants are necessary and there are certainly alternative treatments available for those people looking for a more natural option. That said, for those people who do decide to have the procedure undertaken, it is hugely important to ensure that it is done by a qualified and experienced practitioner.”
Effects of Hair Transplant Procedure
In terms of the results of the hair transplant procedure, Elon Musk’s case has been a success and has proven to be a huge influence on generating new levels of interest in the field. Today, there is an element of long-term confidence that is associated with having had a hair transplant procedure and this has seen the industry surge in recent months.
Moreover, there are a growing range of pre and post operative treatments which offer more natural growth and better results than ever before. Hair fibres and hair building fibres are becoming more popular and are a great accompaniment to the hair transplant procedure.
As with any medical procedure, there are certainly potential risks involved if due diligence is not applied, however if the surgery is conducted properly, it can be hugely beneficial to the recipient.
Hair Transplant Maturation
The world of hair transplants is expanding. Advances in technology have enabled practitioners to use a more sophisticated approach to planting individual hairs. The FUE technique is highly regarded and offers a much higher success rate, compared to the more traditional methods.
This has been accompanied by an increasing range of pre and post-operative treatments, designed to help promote growth before, during and after the procedure. The international community has also focussed attention on the sector by launching the Hair Transplant Initiative, which seeks to help increase the quality of the surgeries.
The Chairman of the Hair Transplant Initiative, Risto Martikainen said, “The industry has seen massive advancements in recent years. Techniques like FUE, as well as more natural treatments post operatively have certainly led to a higher quality of outcome. This success has been backed up by the Hair Transplant Initiative, which has grown stronger year-on-year and helps to promote the benefits of the treatments to those people who may have thought that it wasn’t the right option for them.”
Political Engagement
In addition to his influence over the hair transplant industry, Elon Musk has also been active in the political arena in recent months. The billionaire entrepreneur has called for governments to step up and start to fund research into the sector, believing that by doing this, a greater focus can be placed on furthering the advancements of the industry.
It is an area which has been met with mixed views, as there are some who believe that it is not an area which needs additional funding, given the current advancements which have been seen in recent years. However, there are others who agree that increased funding in the sector is a positive move and will help to ensure that research can keep up with the demand, while helping to reduce potential risks associated with the procedure.
Governments across Europe and the US have already responded positively to Musk’s call to action and a number of grants have already been issued. Time will tell whether this additional funding will have a positive impact on the industry However, for now, it certainly suggests that Elon Musk’s adoption of the procedure was not just looked upon positively, but it also presented a platform from which to discuss the associated outcomes, furthering the dialogue surrounding the sector.
Aesthetic Modifications
Aesthetic modifications continue to be a major area of focus for many people which is why many of them opt to have hair transplant procedures in order to rejuvenate their appearance. When reviewing the before and after of Elon Musk’s own case, it is easy to understand why so many people have opted to go down this route and it also highlights the amazing advancements in the industry.
Despite only having the procedure in 2018, Musk’s hairline is already looking significantly better than it did prior to the surgery. As such, it is a testament to the hardworking practitioners and their dedication to ensuring the highest quality results.
Rosa Smith, an aesthetic consultant and the spokesperson for the Global Hair Loss Initiative commented, “The industry is at an all time high in terms of performance. The results that can now be achieved from hair transplantation surgeries are nothing short of remarkable and this is a testament to the hard work being done by practitioners.”
She went on to add, “The experience that Elon Musk has been through clearly serves as an example of how successful a hair transplant procedure can be. His hairline looks better than ever and this has become a source of inspiration for many people who have resulted to this procedure as a possible solution.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decision to confirm that Elon Musk had undertaken a hair transplant in 2018 has been a hugely important step in furthering the development of the industry. It has raised awareness of the potential benefits and significantly increased the number of people who are now aware of the potential quality of life improvements associated with such procedures.
The tech mogul’s decision to publicly discuss his experiences has not only been greatly admired, but it has also provided a platform from which to have a much broader dialogue surrounding the associated potential risks and rewards.
