Did Cătălin Măruță have a hair transplant? Yes, and he said so himself

What did Cătălin Măruță say about his hair transplant?

In August 2014 the PRO TV presenter, host of the talk show “La Măruță”, told the Romanian newspaper Click! about the procedure himself: “I had a hair transplant and I am happy with this decision. It was a very easy experience to go through; basically I waited for the hours to pass and for the doctor to finish his work. It was more a test of patience than a surgical operation. I was the last one in showbiz who hadn't done it yet.” The interview was picked up by other Romanian media, including BZI.ro.

According to the same interview, he had the procedure at the end of July 2014, as soon as his show went on summer break, at the age of 36. It took two days: about eight hours a day in the operating room with a one-hour break, around 14 hours in the patient's chair in total.

That is everything we rely on here. Măruță did not say which technique was used or how many grafts were transplanted, so this article does not guess. Where the text below explains methods and timelines, it describes hair transplantation in general, not his treatment.

Why his words matter to men thinking about a transplant

Two things stand out in what he said. First, the honesty: a well-known TV host simply said he had done it and was happy with the decision. Second, the description of the experience itself. Calling a long procedure “a test of patience” rather than surgery is a useful reminder that a modern hair transplant is done under local anaesthesia and that the main challenge for many patients is the number of hours, not pain.

Hair loss in men is common and in most cases genetic (androgenetic alopecia). A transplant does not stop that process; it moves hair that is resistant to it from the back of the head to the areas that have thinned. That is why the decision is made with a doctor, based on the donor area and the pattern of hair loss.

How a hair transplant works today

A hair transplant is an outpatient operation under local anaesthesia. Follicles are taken one by one from the donor area, usually the back of the head and the temples, and implanted where hair is missing. Large sessions take many hours, as Măruță's story shows. The main techniques are:

• FUE — grafts are extracted individually through tiny punctures and placed into channels prepared by the surgeon. No linear scar and no stitches.
• DHI — grafts are implanted with a special pen (Choi implanter) without pre-made channels, giving fine control over angle and direction.
• Combined DHI+FUE — FUE extraction with DHI implantation.

Which option fits depends on the extent of hair loss and the donor area, which is why the choice is made at a consultation, not from a celebrity story.

Who is a good candidate and how to prepare

A transplant works best when the donor area is dense enough and the hair loss has a clear pattern. Typical reasons people consider it:

• a receding hairline or thinning temples;
• thinning at the crown or overall low density;
• patchy (focal) hair loss or hair loss after trauma or burns.

There are also contraindications, including age under 18, trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, severe heart disease, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy and intolerance to anaesthetics. Before the operation the patient receives a list of tests and instructions, and the surgeon checks all of this before a date is booked.

What recovery and results look like

You go home the same day. During the first ten days the scalp heals and small crusts fall off. In weeks two to four the transplanted hairs usually shed; this is normal, the follicles stay in place. New growth starts at three to four months, density becomes clearly visible at six to nine months, and the final result is judged at 12–18 months. The timeline further down shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryLocal anaesthesia, grafts are taken and implanted; you go home the same day.
2. Days 1–10The scalp heals and small crusts fall off; you follow the washing and sleeping instructions.
3. Weeks 2–4Transplanted hairs shed. This is expected: the follicles remain under the skin.
4. Months 3–4New hair begins to grow, often fine at first.
5. Months 6–9Density becomes clearly visible.
6. Months 12–18The final result can be assessed.

A hair transplant at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs FUE, DHI and combined hair transplants for international patients. The first consultation is free and can be held online: the doctor assesses photos of the hair and the donor area, estimates the number of grafts and names the price, which is then fixed in the contract. Current prices start at $2,200 for FUE, $2,500 for DHI and $2,700 for the combined method. The price includes follow-up appointments at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and the clinic gives a lifetime guarantee of hair growth. More details are on the hair transplant page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Cătălin Măruță or his treatment. His story is simply a well-known example of a man who talked openly about the procedure.

Hair transplant prices in this article are the current offer, valid until 31 October 2026. Regular prices: FUE $2,700, DHI $2,900, combined method $2,900. The price that applies to you is confirmed at the consultation.

Frequently asked questions

When did Cătălin Măruță have his hair transplant?

He told Click! in August 2014 that he had the procedure at the end of July 2014, when his show went on summer break. It took two days, around 14 hours in total.

Which method did Cătălin Măruță use?

He did not say which technique was used, so we do not speculate. Today most transplants are done by FUE, DHI or a combination; the choice depends on the individual hair loss and donor area.

Does a hair transplant hurt?

The operation is done under local anaesthesia. Măruță himself called it more a test of patience than surgery. After the procedure patients usually describe tightness and mild discomfort for a few days.

How much does a hair transplant cost at City Medical Centre?

Prices start at $2,200 for FUE, $2,500 for DHI and $2,700 for the combined method. The final price is given after the free consultation and fixed in the contract.

Is a hair transplant permanent?

Transplanted follicles come from the back of the head, where hair is resistant to genetic hair loss, so they usually keep growing for life. Native hair around them can still thin over the years, which the doctor takes into account when planning.