Category Archives: Hair System

Celebrity Hair Transplant, Elton John, Hair System, Hairpiece

Elton John and his Hair Mishaps

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Today is “Be Bald and Be Free Day”. However, most of us refuse to shave it all off and be free. Therefore, every October 14th is no celebratory occasion for us. Singer and entertainer extraordinaire Elton John agrees with this sentiment. Mr. John has never shaved his head, despite going bald decades ago.

Elton John’s Bad Hair Transplants

Elton John in Hat AutobiographyThis past week, Sir Elton John CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight) has been all over the news. He has been giving some very reveling interviews due to tomorrow’s release of his autobiography: “Me”.

The 72 year old singer and pianist is also on his farewell tour, titled “Farewell Yellow Brick Road”.

In his autobiography, Elton John devotes a lot of space to discussion about his bad hair transplants, wigs, hairpieces, hats to hide his scars and more.

Never Let Anyone See you Bald

My favorite anecdote entails how when Elton John thought that his home was being burgled, his first worry concerned his hair. He ran to his bedroom to put his wig back on. If he was going to be killed by the burglars, he wanted to at least be found dead with a full head of fake hair!

Elton John Hair Transplant Disaster

One of the most surprising things I discovered is that Elton John had two hair transplants in 1976 in France. However, he was highly dissatisfied with the results. His surgeon was a leading hair transplant expert named Pierre Putot.

With his head covered in “scabs and weird craters”, Elton John wore a hat all the time when in public for the next decade. Modern day hair transplants are usually much safer and superior.

Nevertheless, things can still go wrong in the hands of a bad hair transplant surgeon. e.g., see my post on a hair transplant gone wrong. This is especially true if you are travelling abroad to get cheaper hair transplants.

Elton John Hair Loss
Elton John with hair loss and a receding hairline. Source: Getty Images.

Men with excess body hair tend to go bald more frequently, and Elton John is yet another example of this phenomenon. Above photo is from the 1970s, when hairy chests were highly fashionable.

Elton John’s Hairpiece

Elton John Hairpiece Hair System.
Elton John wearing a hairpiece or hair system.

Elton John is one of the most famous people that is confirmed to be wearing a hairpiece. He initially tried a hair weave in the 1980s.

After being told that it looked like a dead squirrel, he got a hairpiece. He has also worn various hair systems and wigs over the years.

Some celebrities such as John Travolta have removed their hairpiece (or hair system or toupee or weave) once in a while. However, Mr. John has never appeared in public without his hair glued on.

No Shaved Head

In the past, Elton John has on rare occasions discussed his hair loss issues. In the below video, Mr. John mentions how his head is the incorrect shape for a bald shaved head look to be suitable.

CRISPR, CRISPR/Cas9, Hair System

Lulu and Nana and Scott

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Huge news from China, where scientists have claimed to have used CRISPR/Cas9 to genetically modify human babies for the first time in history. Not sure what to think about the ethics of all this as yet, but I like what Dr. Jiankui He has to say about genes not defining you:

“Our DNA does not predetermine our purpose or what we could achieve. We flourish from our own hard work, nutrition, and support from society and our loved ones. Whatever our genes may be, we are equal in dignity and potential.”

In this particular case, the volunteer fathers all have HIV and they want to make sure that their progeny do not suffer from the terrible disease of AIDS. Earlier speculation here. The scientists plan is to eliminate a gene called CCR5, so as to ensure that the human offspring are then resistant to HIV (as well as smallpox and cholera).

Note that some media reports are placing doubt on the accuracy of these claims and the methodology used.

Update: Dr. George Church seems to think this is for real:

“I have been in contact with the Shenzhen team and have seen the data. The sequencing assays used are generally unambiguous, especially when done in multiple cell types at different developmental stages and in two children. Is the genie really out of the bottle? Yes.”

First Gene Edited Babies Claimed in China

Scott Tries a New Hair System

I was thinking of adding Scott’s latest video about his new hair system to my original lengthy post on his hair system, where there are already three other videos (including a before one).

Then I changed my mind and decided to give him almost as much importance as Lulu and Nana. I like this hair system better than the first one.