Did Issei Ishida have a hair transplant? Yes, and he talked about it on television

What did Issei Ishida say about his hair transplant?

Ishida spoke on “ABEMA-teki News Show”, hosted by Junior Chihara, in the episode broadcast on 19 February 2023. The programme looked at people whose appearance had changed after cosmetic procedures or diets, and asked whether changing how you look changes your life. WEB The Television reported that he confirmed a hair transplant in Turkey in 2022 and quoted him: “The hair transplant was the trigger for a V-shaped recovery in my life. I gained confidence both in my acting and in my private life.” ORICON NEWS carried the same words.

About how the treatment was progressing, he said: “The transplanted hair has increased quite a lot, and my own hair is at the stage where it will soon start growing too.” In February 2026 MANTANWEB recalled that he had disclosed a transplant in Turkey in March 2022, when he shared a new haircut on Instagram.

That is the whole of what we rely on here. Ishida did not describe the technique, the number of grafts or other medical details in those 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.

Why his openness matters

In Japan, as in many countries, men rarely talk in public about treatment for hair loss. Ishida chose to speak about it on a news programme, in a calm and matter-of-fact way, and he described it as a decision that gave him confidence. For men who are quietly worried about a thinning hairline, a public figure saying “yes, I did it” turns a private worry into an ordinary medical question that can be discussed with a doctor.

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 an honest assessment of the donor area matters more than any celebrity story.

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. 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, burns, illness or hormonal disorders.

There are also contraindications, including age under 18, trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, cancer, severe heart disease, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy and intolerance to anaesthetics. The surgeon checks these before any date is booked. Preparation is simple: after the date is set, the patient receives a list of tests and written instructions for the days before surgery.

Recovery and what results look like over time

Ishida’s own description, that the transplanted hair had “increased quite a lot” and his own hair was about to grow, is a reminder that the result is not instant. For patients in general, the scalp heals in the first ten days. Transplanted hairs usually shed in weeks two to four — that is normal, the follicles stay in place — and new growth starts after three to four months. Density becomes noticeable 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 a personal coordinator. More details are on the hair transplant page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Issei Ishida 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 Issei Ishida have his hair transplant?

According to Japanese media, he had it in Turkey in 2022 (MANTANWEB gives March 2022). He spoke about it on ABEMA in February 2023.

Which method did Issei Ishida use?

He did not say publicly 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.

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.

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.