Elon Musk is one of the most renowned entrepreneurs and is the richest man in the world as of 2025. However, he also tops bald celebrity searches for photos from 1999. In his earlier years, the Tesla founder looked completely different, and why “Elon Musk bald” is still trending.
Elon Musk’s hair transformation started in the 1990s. He was thinning with a receding hairline when he ran PayPal in 1999. However, by 2003, photos of Musk in magazines revealed fuller hair. Doctor Debra Rose Wilson said that based on the new photos, Musk likely had a FUT hair restoration procedure.
When comparing the past to the present, it’s easy to see why Elon may have had a transplant. He’s a popular figure now, worth over $200 billion. He has enough money to change everything about his appearance. See the photos below, and you will be the judge.
Did Elon Musk Get a Hair Transplant?
There’s no question that the famed Tesla founder had some work done. Hair transplant procedures are pretty easy to hide, depending on the number of grafts. The question is, what procedures?
There’s also no question that Musk was a prime candidate for hair transplantation in the 1990s with thinning hair. While Musk has never said whether or not he’s had hair restoration surgery, his past photos show that he had at least one hair transplant between 2000 and 2003.
Elon Musk Hair Before and After
Elon Musk Balding
The internet hasn’t forgotten about the younger Elon Musk. Photos from his 1999 press kit with PayPal reveal a receding hairline, and he showed signs of balding.
Elon Musk After Hair Restoration
Between 2000 and 2003, a subtle hair growth began that transformed Musk’s hairline.
Elon Musk Hair Plugs?
Until the older photo of Elon Musk bald became popular, many hadn’t realized he may have hair plugs. His balding was likely the result of male pattern baldness and an abundance of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
In the late 1990s, Musk’s receding hair was quite noticeable. His hair loss patterns resembled those of many men who had maturing hairlines.
Based on the Norwood scale for thinning hair, he had reached a later stage of 3 to 4, which indicates very thin hair at the front and a bald spot beginning at the crown. Eventually, he would have likely developed into a stage 7.
By many accounts, it’s the worst hairline, which is completely receded to the back of the head, and why he most likely received a hair plug.
How Did Elon Musk Get His Hair Back?
Elon Musk likely regained his hair through some form of hair restoration. The internet is full of rumors, though several medical experts suggest he had hair transplant surgery.
There are many hair restoration methods to consider when hair loss is imminent. However, some of them aren’t permanent and have more side effects. For example, most hair loss medications only provide temporary hair growth instead of a permanent hair restoration method like FUE or FUT hair transplants.
According to the history of hair transplants, the 1990s saw the expansion of hair transplantation methods to follicular unit transplantation, known as FUT. Before that, men had to undergo an expensive and painful procedure called hair plugs.
Elon Musk likely had a FUT procedure in the early 2000s to restore his hairline and add more hair to his crown. He now has a full head of hair, but as of 2021, the corners of his hairline seem to lack fullness. Today, in 2025, his hair is thicker than ever.
We compare FUT vs FUE procedures, including scars, side effects, recovery, and cost.
Elon Musk’s Hair Transplant Scar
In an interview with CBS This Morning, the back of Elon Musk’s head was shown and may have revealed evidence of a hair transplant scar. This is likely due to older FUT procedures that always resulted in the same linear scar.
When done correctly, current follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedures leave very few scars. This procedure removes individual hair follicles to reduce the amount of invasive surgery and scarring.
FAQ
How many grafts has Elon Musk had?
Elon Musk reportedly underwent hair transplant procedures that involved approximately 5,000 to 5,500 grafts. These surgeries aimed to enhance hair density and cover balding areas effectively.
What age did Elon Musk lose his hair?
Elon Musk began experiencing noticeable hair loss in his late 20s, particularly evident while he was establishing PayPal during the late 1990s.
How did Elon Musk fix his baldness?
Elon Musk addressed his baldness through hair transplantation, where 3,000 to 5,000 grafts from the neck were transplanted to the bald areas, effectively restoring hair coverage.
How did Elon Musk fix his thinning hair?
To combat thinning hair, Elon Musk underwent multiple hair transplant surgeries, using over 4,000 grafts combined with specific hair therapies, resulting in a significantly rejuvenated appearance.
