Gabriel Magalhaes’ defence has often frustrated his opponents as he’s led Arsenal to victory in many tricky situations. Not so long ago, the centre-back’s very place in the team was being questioned, but his current streak in the Premier League season has left many at a loss for words.
And while that’s what mostly dominated the media coverage of Gabriel, his hairline couldn’t escape the notice of anyone on and off the field. Because just like his form, it looked finer than ever. Gabriel never kept a secret of it either, and the news of his hair transplant became fairly well known after people saw his face plastered on taxi cabs. So, let’s find out a little more about Gabriel Magalhaes’ hair transplant journey.
Who Is Gabriel Magalhaes?
Born on 19 December 1997, 26 at the time of writing, Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes is a centre-back for the Arsenal Football Club. Before he joined the Gunners, the defensive striker was a part of the French football club Lille. In 2020, however, he was eventually signed on by Arsenal for £27 million.
Ever since he joined the club, he has become a staple presence. In the 2022/23 season, his heroics were very valuable in helping Arsenal finish second on the standings table. Considering how much of an important player he is, many were surprised when Gabriel didn’t play at the start of the 2023/24 season.
There were even rumours that the middle defender was going to leave for Saudi Arabia, but fortunately for the Gunners, that didn’t happen. So far, Gabriel has already made more than 100 appearances and has 37 clean sheets in total. In addition, he’s also scored 11 goals for the club.
Did Gabriel Magalhaes Have A Hair Transplant?
Gabriel Magalhaes has made no secret of the fact that he had a hair transplant in 2022 at a clinic in Turkey. From the looks of it, Gabriel was experiencing noticeable hair loss, possibly due to androgenetic alopecia or pattern baldness.
It’s the most common type of hair loss affecting both men and women. It’s caused by a combination of hormones and genetics. Dihydrotestosterone, which is a byproduct of testosterone, results in the miniaturisation of the hair follicles, making them thinner and eventually leading to baldness.
It is so called because it progresses in a distinct pattern where the hairline recedes and the top thins while a bald spot also forms on the crown. In Gabriel’s case, there didn’t seem to be any thinning in the crown area – it’s considered a Type A classification on the Norwood scale, where the hair recedes all the way back to the crown. At the time Gabriel got a hair transplant, he was almost on stage 3A of the Norwood scale.
It should be noted that while the results of a hair transplant are permanent, it’s not a cure for androgenetic alopecia. Non-transplanted hair can continue to fall off with the progression of the condition. In such cases, patients can consider a second hair transplant. It’s possible that Gabriel might get one as well in the future.
Notably, compared to 2017, in 2019, Gabriel’s hairline did look a bit full. It’s possible that he tried other hair loss treatments like minoxidil, finasteride or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
With hair loss drugs, you have to keep taking them to see results, and side effects can also make some patients feel hesitant. PRP, on the other hand, can work (although that’s not always the case), but it doesn’t give permanent results like transplant surgery.
What Type Of Hair Transplant Did Gabriel Magalhaes Have?
The clinic where Gabriel Magalhaes had his hair transplant stated that the footballer underwent a Sapphire FUE, which is a type of classic FUE, only the tools used are a bit different.
In classic FUE, the hair transplant surgeons scores out individual hair follicles from the back of the scalp – the donor area – using a punch tool. These grafts are then harvested and implanted into the bald spots through small incisions.
The implantation part is where the tools used in Sapphire FUE are different. Instead of a U-shaped steel blade, which is blunt and requires more pressure for making incisions, a V-shaped Sapphire-tipped blade is used.
Since it creates smaller wounds, it’s believed to allow for even quicker recovery. Moreover, because this blade can allow the surgeon to make more incisions in a given area, it can also help patients achieve a high density.
For his hair transplant in Turkey, Gabriel might’ve had to pay around £2,300 because that’s how much the clinic where he had his surgery charges for Sapphire FUE. In general, you can get it for around £2,000.
How Many Grafts Were Used In Gabriel Magalhaes’ Hair Transplant?
The exact number of grafts for Arsenal’s Gabriel’s hair transplant wasn’t mentioned. But considering that he was a Norwood 3A, it’s possible that he had around 1,500 to 2,000 grafts to cover the front area and restore the hairline.
Keep in mind that the number of grafts needed can vary depending on how large the size of your balding area is, how dense your donor area is, and what your hair type is, among other factors.
Gabriel Magalhaes Before And After Hair Transplant
Here’s a closer look at Gabriel before his hair transplant and afterwards:
Conclusion
Gabriel Magalhães’ hair transplant is one among many other celebrity hair transplants, including that of Wayne Rooney, Rob Holding, Andros Townsend, etc. While the footballer had the surgery in 2022, it became more common knowledge in 2023 (although his fans had already noted the change) after his adverts caught the attention of UK tabloids.
If you’re also losing your hair and considering a Gabriel-like hair transplant, it’s important to consult an experienced and qualified medical professional for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
