Celebrity inspired secret procedure called “BBL for straight men” on the rise

Hair loss has long been a source of anxiety for many men, but thanks to the rise of hair transplants, treating thinning hair has become more common and less taboo.

A TikToker recently sparked controversy when she called them “BBLs for straight men,” meaning they can be a discreet procedure that can boost confidence with minimal downtime, much like a Brazilian butt lift.

Content creator @georgiejxmes claimed that the rise in male hair transplants has been largely influenced by celebrity culture and changing attitudes about cosmetic enhancements for men.

Speaking to news.com.au, Dr Ossman Ashraf, a hair transplant surgeon and owner of Hair Doctors, confirmed this trend within the industry.

“There has definitely been an increase,” he said. “More men are prioritizing self-care and grooming and becoming proactive in treating hair loss, which is fantastic. In the past, many felt defeated by thinning hair, but now there is a real awareness that solutions exist and are within reach.

Many men are attracted to hair transplant procedures because of their professional and social benefits.

“They believe that looking their best directly affects how they feel in their work and social lives,” explained Dr Ossman, who goes by Dr Oz online.

Social media has also played an important role in this trend, as people can now see transformations in real time and read first-hand accounts of what is possible, helping to alleviate much of the mystery surrounding the procedure.

Who is doing the hair transplant and how much does it cost?

The typical age range for male hair transplants is wide, with most patients between 25 and 50.

Younger men often seek treatment because they are experiencing early hair loss and want to intervene before it progresses, while older men may be looking to reverse hair loss that has accumulated over the years.

Generally, hair transplants cost between $6,000 and $15,000, depending on the extent of the procedure and the number of transplants needed.

Additional services, such as follow-up treatments for healing and growth support, are usually included in that price.

The main concerns people have

The main concerns that Dr Oz often hears revolve around ensuring a natural looking result, how thick the hair will look and of course the longevity of the result.

“Many patients also worry about scarring, or whether it will be obvious that they’ve had work done,” he said.

“Our most common procedure is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) which is minimally invasive, leaves no linear scar and offers a shorter recovery time.

“It allows us to collect individual follicles and place them exactly where they are needed.” This approach not only creates natural hairlines, but also ensures that the results will stand the test of time.

How long does the procedure take and what does it involve?

An FUE procedure usually takes six to eight hours, said Dr. Oz.

“We begin by carefully planning the hairline to match the patient’s facial structure and density preferences, ensuring we are aligned with their goals. During the procedure, we use local anesthesia so patients are smart and comfortable,” he explained.

“We then extract individual hair follicles from the donor area, usually at the back of the scalp, and place them in the thinning areas. The whole process is precise and personalized, and patients go home the same day.â€

In terms of recovery, it is usually relatively quick with many people resuming regular activities within a few days.

Transplanted hair begins to grow naturally in the following months.

Celebrity inspiration

Celebrity photos are a popular choice for inspiration, with David Beckham and Chris Hemsworth being two of the top requests Dr Oz receives.

“These examples are helpful in understanding the patient’s aesthetic goals. However, I always emphasize that the best results are what suits the individual – taking into account their natural hairline, facial structure and existing hair density around the transplant area.

“The goal is to enhance each person’s unique appearance, rather than creating a one-size-fits-all result.”

TikToker’s hair transplant theory

TikToker @georgiejxme’s video titled, “Hair Transplants Are Like BBLs for Straight Men: Hotness Cheat Code,” theorized that many celebrities owe their good looks to secret hair transplants.

“The main reason famous men are so much better looking than the average men you see in real life is that they regularly get hair transplants,” she claimed.

“Take Harry Styles for example. At age 16, you can see his original hairline. He’s quite short, and his hair is extremely thick, so that’s the basis. Then, just a few years later at age 20, you can see that his hairline has really turned a corner.

“It’s not that obvious at this point, but then at 25 in 2019, you can see it’s gone a lot. Hair loss is progressing.

“And then in 2023, he was buzzing his hair and I knew then that a hair transplant was coming. This year, in 2024, we can see that the corners of his hair have moved forward. The person who did this transplant made no mistake in trying to give him back his original hairline. He just brought it forward a bit to make a difference, but not so much of a difference that it would be noticeable.

Her in-depth analysis included other celebrities such as Prince Harry and Justin Bieber, who she also believes have had the surgery.

People rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on her theory.

“I had no idea!” said one. “This video was a life changer,” admitted someone else.

“So I’m not ugly, I’m just broken,” someone else laughed.

But someone claimed that “comparing hair to a BBL is crazy”.

“This is nothing like a BBL,” another user argued. “BBL is one of the most dangerous procedures”.

Others aimed to normalize hair transplants and said it was good for men to take control of their appearance.

“I like it, good for them. “More men should get them if they can afford them instead of feeling sad and insecure,” said one.

“I completely agree! Hair loss must be really hard and if it can be prevented, why not? – replied the original creator.

Someone else concluded: “Men deserve to have beauty procedures to feel more confident if they want to.”