Did Paulus Arajuuri have a hair transplant? Yes, and he wants men to stop feeling ashamed

What did Paulus Arajuuri say about his hair transplant?

The former footballer and vice-captain of Finland's national team talked about his hair transplant on MTV's morning show Huomenta Suomi in May 2026. As reported by MTV Uutiset, he said he wanted to speak openly so that the shame around the subject would fade: “I feel it is a topic that carries a lot of shame – completely unnecessarily. It was a difficult time for me too when my hair started to go, and I bet it is a difficult time for many.”

He was also honest about what the change meant to him: “This is maybe the embarrassing thing to admit, because I would like to think it doesn't matter, but there is a more confident feeling. It is a funny psychological effect to wake up in the morning when every morning there is a little more hair on your head.” According to MTV, he said it took months before the results began to show.

In June 2026 Ilta-Sanomat, retelling his interview with Helsingin Sanomat, reported that he had the transplant in Turkey in autumn 2024, and quoted him: “Instead of wondering whether someone notices, I decided: notice it.”

That is all we rely on here. Arajuuri did not describe the technique or the number of grafts, so this article does not guess at them. The sections below describe hair transplantation in general, not his treatment.

Why a footballer talking about hair loss matters

Arajuuri put his finger on the main reason men stay silent: they want to believe hair should not matter, and admitting that it does feels embarrassing. By saying out loud that hair loss affected his self-confidence, he made it easier for others — especially young men, who he said are often left alone with the issue — to treat it as an ordinary topic.

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 plan should also take into account how the hair around the transplanted area may change over the years.

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 has thinned. The patient goes home the same day. The two 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, which gives fine control over angle and direction.

A combined approach (FUE extraction with DHI implantation) is also used and costs $2,700. Which option fits depends on the extent of hair loss and the donor area, so the choice is made at a consultation, not from a celebrity story.

Who is a good candidate

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, a pacemaker and intolerance to anaesthetics. The surgeon checks these before a date is booked. Preparation is simple: the clinic sends a list of tests and instructions in advance.

What results look like over time

Arajuuri himself said it took months before the results began to show, and that every morning there was a little more hair. For patients in general, transplanted hairs usually shed in the first weeks — that is normal, the follicles stay in place — and new growth starts after 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, with no extra charges on the day of surgery. 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 Paulus Arajuuri 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 Paulus Arajuuri have his hair transplant?

According to Ilta-Sanomat, retelling his interview with Helsingin Sanomat, he had it in Turkey in autumn 2024. He spoke about it on MTV's Huomenta Suomi in May 2026.

Why did he go public?

He said hair loss is a topic surrounded by unnecessary shame and that many young men are left alone with it. He wanted to talk about it openly so that others would feel less alone.

Which method did he use?

He did not say publicly, 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.

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.

How long until results are visible?

New growth usually starts after three to four months, density becomes clearly visible at six to nine months, and the final result is judged at 12–18 months.