Wayne Rooney Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline

Reaching the pinnacle of success in sports comes at a cost. The intense pressure, gruelling training regimens, and relentless pursuit of greatness can lead to unwanted consequences in one’s appearance, such as dark circles, dehydrated skin, and for many athletes, hair loss. 

Wayne Rooney, hailed as one of England’s football legends, experienced this firsthand. Living in the spotlight, both on the pitch and in the media, Rooney became the target of playful jabs and memes about his hair. Despite his undeniable talent and achievements, the impact of hair loss on his self-esteem was evident, exacerbated by the scrutiny of tabloid headlines.

Has Wayne Rooney Been Open About Having a Hair Transplant?

Wayne Rooney has been open about having a hair transplant, tweeting in 2011 on social media that he had undergone hair transplant surgery and joining a growing list of celebrities who have gone public on such procedures. He stated:

Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25 why not. I'm delighted with the result.

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) June 4, 2011

Is The Exact Time of The Hair Transplant Known?

Wayne Rooney underwent his first hair transplant in 2011 at the age of 25, with a subsequent procedure in 2013 after further hair loss. He confirmed this second hair restoration procedure in his 2015 autobiography ‘My Decade in the Premier League.’ In his book, Rooney stated that he grew self-conscious about his hair loss after receiving increasing media attention. He considered shaving his head, but ultimately decided to have another hair transplant procedure to restore his hairline.

Wayne Rooney Before and After Hair Transplant

Between 2007 and 2008, at the age of 21, when he was making waves as a promising young forward for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney began to experience early signs of hair loss in his temples. This was caused by male pattern hair loss, or ‘androgenetic alopecia’, which is a common genetic condition caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that damages hair follicles in a specific pattern. Rooney is not alone in this, as 25% of men begin to experience some form of hair loss by the age of 21.

Over 4 years, from the age of 21 to 25, Rooney is shown to have significant progression of hair loss with the corners receding further and the top growing thin. 

At the point of seeking a possible hair transplant, our Surgeons assessed Rooney’s hair loss, giving him a score of 4 on the Norwood scale, which is a popular tool to grade how advanced hair loss is.  

This is shown in the following image, taken during training with England assistant manager Italo Galbiati ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Rooney’s genetic hair loss presents itself with an ‘M’ shaped hairline, indeed reflecting a noticeable change over the years.

Some years later, at the age of 31, we see Wayne’s hair loss dramatically resolved, most likely due to a hair transplant. In the latest picture, we see the temple recession in the corners restored to a fuller and more youthful hairline, with the crown bald spot now filled in and the generalised thinning on top of the scalp looking significantly thicker throughout.

Has Wayne Rooney Had a Hair Transplant and why?

Wayne Rooney has confirmed undergoing a hair transplant. The choice to have a hair transplant is a personal one. Many individuals can conceal hair loss well up until a certain tipping point, after which they may want to consider more permanent options like a hair transplant.  

In the public eye, appearance is important, and those under the spotlight often opt for surgery due to public image pressure, as a receding hairline can undermine on-screen confidence and career prospects.  Hair transplant surgery is not only for the rich and famous, but rather for those struggling with their hair loss. Research shows that individuals with hair loss are likely to feel physically and socially less attractive, leading to low self-esteem in social scenarios.

Timeline of Wayne Rooney’s Hair Transplant

• Late 2000s: Male pattern baldness, a frequent occurrence for men with a genetic propensity to hair loss, was evident in Rooney’s hairline even in his early career.
  
• 2011: Rooney publicly informed followers on social media about his first hair transplant treatment at the age of 25. Many people applauded him for being transparent about this.
  
• 2013: In order to preserve density and treat thinning spots, Rooney needed a second transplant to treat further hair loss following his first procedure.
  
• 2022–present: Fans have noticed that Rooney’s hair restoration process is still working, as his hair looks thicker and more natural. His readiness to talk about the process has had a long-lasting effect on lessening the stigma associated with treatments for male hair loss.
  

How many grafts did Wayne Rooney have in his Hair Transplant?

Our award-winning surgeons estimate that Rooney could have had close to 1800 – 2200 grafts transplanted into his temples as part of his hair transplant, with each graft producing 1-4 hairs.

This type of temple recession would require a minimum of 200 single hair grafts to be placed into the frontal hairline and blend seamlessly with existing strands to create a soft, natural-looking appearance. Check out our gallery section to find more examples of other 1500+ graft hair transplants, for similar areas like the hairline, temples and crown.

The Treatment Rooms London Graft Calculator is also useful for seeing just how many grafts you might need to produce an aesthetic result.

What Type of Hair Transplant Did Wayne Rooney Have? 

Likely a shaven FUE procedure 

There was a period in 2011 when Wayne Rooney donned a shaven head. This can often be a good indicator of undergoing hair transplant surgery. Shaving the head allows access for the surgeons to remove grafts from the donor area on the back and side of the head, as part of the Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) hair transplant technique.

An FUE hair transplant generally leaves minimal “dot-like” scarring due to the nature of individually removing hair follicles less than a millimetre in diametre. The hair that is relocated is resistant to the balding process, and when transplanted, grows unhindered and potentially permanently.

This is unlike an FUT strip hair transplant, which generally leaves a single linear scar in the donor area after the strip is removed. You can learn more about the differences between FUE and FUT surgery here.

Follicular Unit Excision (FUE): FUE is a meticulous technique which removes individual hair follicular units from the back and sides of the head (also known as the safe donor area) to an area of recession, like the hairline and temples. In each follicular unit, also known as a ‘graft’, there are 1-4 hairs on average.

This FUE method has become highly popular due to its minimal scarring, natural-looking results, and shorter recovery time. Most public figures opt for this method as it allows them to get back on screen and resume public appearances soon after their hair restoration procedures.

Where Did Wayne Rooney Get His Hair Transplant Done? Choosing a Surgeon-Led Clinic Matters

Wayne Rooney is said to have had his hair transplant at a Harley Street Clinic.

Looking at Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant, the gross design of the hairline is conservative and age-appropriate, making it look natural from its overall appearance. 

Further steps must also be taken to ensure that the newly transplanted hair will look natural at the microscopic level. Single hair grafts should be placed at the very front of the hairline, making it appear soft and fluffy, in keeping with a natural hairline. When surgery is done poorly, larger grafts are often placed in the frontal hairline, leaving that person with a plug-like, harsh hairline like the machine hair sewn onto a doll.

Another sign of a premium hair transplant is the close attention to natural hair directions. It is not uncommon to see hair transplants where grafts stand up vertically, leaving a very unnatural appearance. 

Natural-looking angulation suggests that any work done would have used precision equipment to accurately control graft angulation. An example of such equipment is the use of implanter pens, a technique our Surgeons specialise in. 

At The Treatment Rooms London we have mastered the medicine, artistry and the surgical skills required for quality hair restoration surgery. We offer our patients world-class care before, during, and after their procedure. Our skilled surgeons pay keen attention to factors such as hair texture, curl pattern, and natural hairline progression to create a seamless transition from existing hair to transplanted areas.

It is important when considering surgery to select a reputable, surgeon-led clinic. Top-tier clinics like The Treatment Rooms provide and prioritise personalised assessments, employ a highly skilled medical-surgical team, and utilise cutting-edge technology to ensure precise, natural-looking results.

Wayne Rooney’s Hair Transplant FAQ

1. What are the benefits of the FUE hair transplant technique?

The FUE technique offers many benefits, including:

• Minimal, more subtle scarring
• Quicker recovery time
• Natural-looking results

These considerations allow individuals like Wayne Rooney to resume normal activities and public appearances relatively quickly.

2. Can the hair from a transplant fall out after the procedure?

Hair transplants are designed to be permanent, however many factors go into creating long-lasting results. It’s common for transplanted hair shafts to shed in the weeks following the procedure, however new hair growth typically begins within a few months.

3. Has Rooney had more than one hair transplant?

Yes, he’s reportedly undergone at least two transplants—one in 2011 and a follow-up in 2013.

Interested in More Celebrity Hair Transplant Journeys?

If you found Wayne Rooney’s case interesting, you might also enjoy reading about other well-known figures who’ve undergone hair restoration procedures:

• Has David Beckham Had A Hair Transplant?
• Cesc Fàbregas Hair Transplant: Before, After and His New Hairline
• Steven Whittaker’s Hair Transplant – Before And After
• Harry Kane Hair and Hairline
• Mo Salah’s Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline
• Jürgen Klopp Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline
• Xherdan Shaqiri Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline
• Andros Townsend Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline
• Dimitar Berbatov’s Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline