5 Balding Athletes & What They're Doing About It

Male pattern baldness affects over 40 million men in America, and around 66% of men will experience some hair loss by age 60. Androgenetic apolecia, the leading cause of balding, is believed to be caused by dihydrotestosterone, which is directly linked to the muscle-building hormone testosterone, so it’s no wonder that some of the world’s top athletes begin thinning on top in the middle of their careers. Here are a few of our favorite athletes currently wrestling with hair loss and what they’re doing about it.

Wayne Rooney

UK’s star footballer has a lot to be confident about. At 26-years-old he’s the third highest soccer player in the world, holds FPA and PWA "Player of the Year" awards, and was the youngest player ever to represent Britain in an international championship. Despite all of that, going bald in his mid-twenties sent this super athlete on a surreptitious trip to Harley Street Hair Clinic in June of 2011. The tabloids immediately latched onto of the story, but Rooney was proud of the decision and later tweeted, “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.”

Lebron James

No amount of strategically placed sweatbands can hide it anymore: Lebron James hairline is receding. Rappers, comedians, and fellow basketball players have all poked fun at the multi-millionaire’s decline into hair loss, inspiring Lebron to suddenly shave off all of this hair in September of 2011. While Lebron seems to be content bearing the criticism for the time being, he's been hinting at plans to pursue hair loss treatment in the future, tweeting in reference to a childhood photo, “That was the last time my hairline was right and tight! LOL. Coming back soon though #childhoodmemory.”

David Beckham

Soccer player David Beckham is known for his physics-defying goals as well as dashing good looks. In 2009 the British tabloid media was sent into a tizzy when pictures of Beckham’s buzzed head surfaced with clear signs of hair loss. But over three years later, his hair is still looking good, leading many to suspect he’s found success using topical treatments Rogaine or Propecia. Though he’s voiced fears of going bald, Beckham says he doesn’t plan on getting a transplant anytime soon. “Someone said I’d had a hair transplant,” the 37-year-old told Daily Star newspaper, “There’s definitely nothing wrong with doing that, but I don’t think personally I would. If I do start showing signs of going bald, then I will shave it off. I’ve still got hair. I’m still fighting it.”

Tom Brady

The New England Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady is living the American dream with a $72 million contract, a super model wife, and square-jawed good looks. But since 2002 people have speculated that Brady was losing hair, citing his ventures into new styles such as combing hair forward and growing a mop of locks as tactics to obscure his growing forehead. In 2010 The National Enquirer reported that Brady's vehicle was seen outside Leonard Hair Transplant Associates in Rhode Island, leading many to believe that the deed was done. When the Leonard office was contacted by Huffington Post Sports to confirm that Brady was a client, they replied, “We don't comment on, confirm, deny or otherwise discuss matters related to our client list." Whether or not Brady got a transplant, much of the dialogue on Brady’s hair dried up after 2010.

Tiger Woods

Whether from genes or stress from the many recent scandals that have plagued him, Tiger Woods’ hair is falling out. After winning the Chevron World Challenge in December, Woods took his hat off to celebrate revealing a drastically receded hairline and balding on the crown of his head, at least a stage III on the Norwood hair loss classification. But Woods may be responsible for more than just his own hair loss. Elin Nordegren, Woods’ jilted ex-wife, revealed in 2011 that she actually suffered her own hair loss as a result of their traumatic divorce. Hair loss experts say this type of female hair loss is relatively common in messy break ups. Women experiencing extreme stress can suffer from telogen effluvium, which involves a three month period of rapid hair loss followed by three months of slow but steady re-growth.

You don’t have to have a professional athlete’s salary to do something about your hair loss. Many hair transplant clinics offer affordable financing for procedures at any stage of hair loss. If you’re interested in hair transplants or other hair loss solutions, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our certified hair loss specialists.