TOWIE Star Has Hair Transplant On Hairline Despite No Hair Loss
Another day, another reality TV star hair transplant story. This time, however, we were heartened to see the reactions of fans who were vocal in wondering why TOWIE's James Lock felt the need for surgery, given he had - at best - minimal hair loss.
"So sad and unnecessary" tweeted one fan, "I always thought James Lock had beaut hair n he's getting hair reconstruction. What?" said another, with many questioning whether having plastic surgery of this kind and promoting a hair transplant when you don't actually 'need' one, is irresponsible.
It seems that, despite showing no signs of hairloss, the hair transplant was carried out to lower his hairline - something he was self-conscious about.
"Another idiot going for the Eddie Munster look," tweeted one social media user in response to the news.
James Lock is known for his thick hair so the news that he could be experiencing male pattern baldness, let alone the fact that he had gone straight to a surgical solution to deal with it, was shocking to many. In actual fact, according to the clinic who performed the surgery, he didn't have any hair loss.
His FUE hair transplant procedure was carried out at the KSL Hair clinic in Kent in early January 2017. FUE stands for 'follicular unit extraction' and is a technique whereby donor hair, used to fill in other areas of the scalp - normally where there is advanced hair loss, is harvested from the back and sides of the scalp in groups of one to four hairs, using a punch tool.
The Sun reported in April 2016 that Lock had appeared in an advert for the same clinic in a local newspaper, following which the firm advised that he had booked in for the op. "He doesn’t suffer with hair loss, but he doesn’t like the way his hairline looks and is desperate to make a change," a representative for KSL told the newspaper.
This means that Lock did not actually have a receding hairline - a common sign of genetic hairloss - but instead wanted his hairline re-positioned. Usually hair transplants are carried out once a man is at least 30 years of age and has advanced hair loss. They are generally intended to replace areas of thinning hair with follicles that are not susceptible to the ravages of DHT, rather than to create new hairline shapes by implanting hairs where none grew naturally before.
Changing the position of a hairline used to involve undergoing the far more gruesome scalp reduction procedure, also known as flap surgery - something that has recently caught the media's attention thanks to revelations concerning Donald Trump resurfacing.
Though we are somewhat puzzled by James Lock's decision, we thoroughly understand the impact worrying about a perceived 'flaw' - as Lock described his hairline - can have on a man's confidence, especially when it comes to hair loss.
Belgravia specialists are constantly asked questions about preventing baldness and what preventative steps can be taken if a man suspects he will inherit his family's balding genes.
One thing they would never recommend is a hair transplant in cases where no hairloss has yet developed, or even if it was at a mild-to-moderate stage. In fact, treatment of any kind should not start until the first signs of hair loss appear as male pattern baldness can skip a generation so there is no point wasting time and money on a solution if you don't have the actual problem in the first place!
Anyone concerned about their hairline, a general drop in the thickness of their hair or excessive hair fall may benefit from a professional consultation, if even just to put their mind at rest and receive a diagnosis and advice.
There are ways to minimise the risk of accelerating hereditary hair loss - such as avoiding stress, following a balanced diet and having a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, etc - but if you do have an active predisposition to genetic hairloss the eventual shedding is inevitable. It does not have to continue though. There are MHRA licensed and FDA approved, clinically-proven hair loss treatments available to help stabilise hair fall, encourage hair regrowth and prevent baldness in the long-term with on-going use. Having a consultation with a hair loss specialist can help to determine the optimum options suitable for the individual.
It seems that, despite showing no signs of hairloss, the hair transplant was carried out to lower his hairline - something he was self-conscious about.
"Another idiot going for the Eddie Munster look," tweeted one social media user in response to the news.
Booked in last April
James Lock is known for his thick hair so the news that he could be experiencing male pattern baldness, let alone the fact that he had gone straight to a surgical solution to deal with it, was shocking to many. In actual fact, according to the clinic who performed the surgery, he didn't have any hair loss.
His FUE hair transplant procedure was carried out at the KSL Hair clinic in Kent in early January 2017. FUE stands for 'follicular unit extraction' and is a technique whereby donor hair, used to fill in other areas of the scalp - normally where there is advanced hair loss, is harvested from the back and sides of the scalp in groups of one to four hairs, using a punch tool.
The Sun reported in April 2016 that Lock had appeared in an advert for the same clinic in a local newspaper, following which the firm advised that he had booked in for the op. "He doesn’t suffer with hair loss, but he doesn’t like the way his hairline looks and is desperate to make a change," a representative for KSL told the newspaper.
Changing the position of a hairline used to involve undergoing the far more gruesome scalp reduction procedure, also known as flap surgery - something that has recently caught the media's attention thanks to revelations concerning Donald Trump resurfacing.
Preventing hair loss
Though we are somewhat puzzled by James Lock's decision, we thoroughly understand the impact worrying about a perceived 'flaw' - as Lock described his hairline - can have on a man's confidence, especially when it comes to hair loss.
Belgravia specialists are constantly asked questions about preventing baldness and what preventative steps can be taken if a man suspects he will inherit his family's balding genes.
One thing they would never recommend is a hair transplant in cases where no hairloss has yet developed, or even if it was at a mild-to-moderate stage. In fact, treatment of any kind should not start until the first signs of hair loss appear as male pattern baldness can skip a generation so there is no point wasting time and money on a solution if you don't have the actual problem in the first place!
There are ways to minimise the risk of accelerating hereditary hair loss - such as avoiding stress, following a balanced diet and having a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, etc - but if you do have an active predisposition to genetic hairloss the eventual shedding is inevitable. It does not have to continue though. There are MHRA licensed and FDA approved, clinically-proven hair loss treatments available to help stabilise hair fall, encourage hair regrowth and prevent baldness in the long-term with on-going use. Having a consultation with a hair loss specialist can help to determine the optimum options suitable for the individual.
The Belgravia Centre
The Belgravia Centre is a world-renowned group of a hair loss clinic in Central London, UK. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation from anywhere in the world for home-use treatment.
View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which includes the world's largest gallery of hair growth photos and demonstrates the level of success that so many of Belgravia's patients achieve.
