Did Dragan Marinković Maca have a hair transplant? Yes, and he said so himself

What did Dragan Marinković Maca say about his hair transplant?

In May 2022 the Serbian daily Blic reported that the actor and TV host Dragan Marinković Maca had gone for a hair transplant and told his Instagram followers about it himself. He posted photos with his head shaved and the treatment areas drawn on it, with a light-hearted caption: “For some things it’s ‘never too late’. For these, it’s never too early.”

Later he spoke about the result, and in February 2024 Blic quoted him again: “People waste money on various shampoos, ampoules and preparations, because their hair certainly won’t grow from them. The only permanent solution is a transplant. I had hair transplanted in the front part and I am extremely satisfied with the results.”

That is all we rely on here. Maca did not describe the technique, the number of grafts or other medical details in these statements, so this article does not guess at them. Where the text below explains methods and timelines, it describes hair transplantation in general, not his treatment.

What his words mean for men with thinning hair

Maca put into plain words something many men learn the hard way: cosmetic products can make hair look better for a while, but they do not bring back follicles that have stopped working. 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.

His openness also matters. He did not hide the procedure — he showed his shaved head with the planned areas marked before the operation. For many men that turns a private worry into an ordinary medical decision that can be discussed calmly with a doctor, without shame and without guesswork.

How a hair transplant works today

A modern hair transplant is an outpatient operation under local anaesthesia. Hair 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 — for example along the hairline and in the front part of the head. The two main techniques are:

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

A combined approach (FUE extraction with DHI implantation) is also used. 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 at the back of the head is dense enough to give grafts 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. The surgeon checks these before any date is booked, and the patient receives a list of tests and instructions for preparation.

What results look like over time

Maca spoke about being very satisfied with his results. For patients in general, the final picture takes time. Transplanted hairs usually shed in the first weeks — that is normal, the follicles stay in place — and new growth starts after a few 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 and $2,500 for DHI. 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 Dragan Marinković Maca 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 Dragan Marinković Maca have his hair transplant?

Blic reported in May 2022 that he had gone for a hair transplant and had announced it himself on Instagram. He did not give an exact date of the procedure in the quoted statements.

Which area did Maca have transplanted?

He said he had hair transplanted in the front part of his head. He did not say publicly which technique was used, so we do not speculate.

Can shampoos or ampoules replace a transplant?

Maca said that in his experience they did not make hair grow and that a transplant is the only permanent solution. Medically, cosmetic products do not restore follicles that have stopped working; whether a transplant suits you is decided after an examination.

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.

Does a hair transplant hurt?

The operation is done under local anaesthesia. The injections of the anaesthetic are the most noticeable part; afterwards patients usually describe tightness and mild discomfort for a few days.