Mo Salah’s Hair Transplant- Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to global football icons, Mo Salah stands out as much for his style and charisma as for his skill on the field. Known for his stunning goals, agility, and signature curly locks, Mo Salah has captivated millions of fans worldwide. At the start of the 2024 season, fans noticed a subtle yet striking change in the Egyptian and Liverpool FC forward’s hairline. It appears that Salah has undergone a hair transplant, specifically targeting his temples either side of his hairline.

Let’s delve into what this means for him and why many individuals, including top athletes, are opting for hair transplant procedures at reputable, surgeon-led clinics like The Treatment Rooms London.

Why did Mo Salah Recede In His Temples?

For athletes and celebrities like Mo Salah, maintaining a consistent appearance can be vital. In a field like professional football, where players are constantly in the public eye, appearance often becomes part of their identity. Salah’s thick, curly hair has been a defining aspect of his look.

Mo Salah developed an M-shaped hairline either by the natural maturation of his hairline (creating a widow’s peak) or by receding on both sides of his temples. This is often caused by male patterned baldness, a common inherited condition. This started to leave him with a central island at the front which he may have wanted to connect to his temples better. Below you will see a table explaining the difference between a mature or a receding hairline which Mo Salah may have been suffering from.

Why Did Mo Salah Choose a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant is a common solution for those experiencing hair thinning or recession, especially along the temples and front hairline. For some men, the recession isn’t a worry and they embrace baldness. Having curly hair allowed Mo Salah to conceal the area better for some years, but it might have become more difficult over time to do this hence why he may have chosen to undergo a hair transplant to permanently fill in areas he had thinned in. By filling in his temple areas, Salah likely aimed to refine his hairline, bringing the temples forward to meet his central hairline, while preserving his natural aesthetic. An example of this procedure can be seen below:

How Does a Hair Transplant Work For The Temples?

There are 2 main techniques used to transplant hair into the temples:

1. Follicular Unit Excision (FUE): FUE is a meticulous technique where individual hair follicles are harvested from a donor area (usually the back of the scalp) and transplanted to the target area, such as the temples. This method has become highly popular due to its minimal scarring, natural-looking results, and short recovery time allowing him to get back to exercising after his hair transplant quicker. Given Salah’s status and need for subtlety, he may have opted for this approach.
2. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): FUT, also known as the strip method, involves removing a small strip of scalp from the back of the head, from which hair follicles are then extracted and transplanted to the desired areas. This technique can yield a high number of grafts in one session, making it beneficial for individuals with extensive hair loss. However, FUT does leave a linear scar at the donor site, which is one reason high-profile clients often prefer FUE for a less visible scarring. While FUT is highly effective, it’s typically more suitable for cases requiring a larger number of grafts rather than precision hairline refinements like those needed at the temples.

To re-implant the hair back into the scalp, Mo Salah may have oped to undergo the implanter pen technique- a procedure our Surgeons specialise in. This allows for greater control over the depth, direction and angle of each hair follicle, ensuring hair growth blends naturally into the existing hairline following the procedure which is important for curly hair types.

Considerations for Transplanting Mo Salah’s Curly Hair

Curly hair, like Salah’s, requires special consideration in the hair transplant process. Curly hair has a unique structure that differs significantly from straight hair, making both the extraction and placement phases more complex.

1. Curl Pattern: The natural curl pattern originates from the follicle, which means curly hair follicles are curved beneath the scalp. Surgeons must adjust the extraction technique to account for this curvature, preventing unnecessary follicle damage during the process. Experienced clinics familiar with curly hair transplants know how to handle this challenge to ensure healthy grafts.
2. Density and Volume: Curly hair generally provides a fuller appearance, even if the hair density is lower than that of straight hair. This can be advantageous in hair transplants, as fewer grafts may be required to achieve a visibly thicker look.
3. Angle and Direction of Placement: Curly hair requires precise placement at specific angles and directions to create a seamless, natural look. An experienced surgeon will account for the curl’s natural direction and ensure that transplanted curls blend well with existing hair for a consistent look. Clinics without experience in curly hair transplants may create unnatural results, so it’s crucial to choose a specialised, surgeon-led clinic.

Below you will see an example of a curly hair transplant our Surgeons performed at The Treatment Rooms London. Many more similar cases can be seen in our extensive before and after gallery.

Why Choosing a Professional, Surgeon-Led Clinic Matters

When considering a hair transplant, choosing a reputable, surgeon-led clinic is essential. Professional clinics offer personalised assessments, highly trained medical teams, and advanced technologies that enable precise, natural-looking results. Hair transplants are an art as much as they are a science, especially when dealing with curly hair and delicate areas like the temples. A professional surgeon-led clinic like The Treatment Rooms London will consider factors such as hair texture, curl pattern, and natural hairline progression to create a seamless, undetectable transition from existing hair to transplanted areas.

Below you can hear from one of our patients who had curly hair and underwent their surgery in our clinic. If you are interested in booking in to see one of our Surgeons contact us today.