Tom Dice’s hair transplant: ten years of doubt, then a decision

What did Tom Dice say about his hair transplant?

In November 2023 the Belgian singer, known across Europe for “Me and My Guitar” at Eurovision 2010, posted a series of photos on Instagram taken before, during and after a hair transplant. Several followers had asked what was going on with his hair, and he answered them directly. Redactie24 quoted his post: “It’s been about a month now. Ten years of doubting.” He described how he once burst out laughing backstage because he had bought a can of camouflage powder for his thinning crown, and added: “Now it’s ten years and 300 cans of powder later, and it really had become an insecurity.”

About the day itself he wrote: “The operation itself took almost eight hours, but it was much easier than I expected. Half an hour of gritting my teeth, and for the rest I felt no pain.” And about the outcome: “I’m relieved and already less insecure. In six months to a year we’ll really see the result.”

That is everything we rely on here. Tom Dice did not give the technique or the number of grafts in these words, 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.

Ten years of doubt and 300 cans of powder: why his post struck a chord

What makes his story useful is not the surgery but the path to it. Many men recognise the pattern he described: first a quick cosmetic fix, then years of hiding, and only much later a decision. Camouflage powders, fibres and careful styling work, but they have to be repeated every day, and the worry about wind, rain or stage lights does not go away.

He also explained the timing: with a baby on the way he would not be on stage for a while, so it felt like the right moment. That is a practical point worth copying. A transplant needs a short period in which the scalp can heal without hats, helmets, heavy sweating or cameras close up.

Thinning at the crown is usually part of androgenetic alopecia, the hereditary form of hair loss. A transplant does not switch that process off. It moves follicles from the back of the head, which are naturally resistant to it, to the places where hair has become sparse.

How a hair transplant is done today

A modern transplant is a one-day outpatient procedure under local anaesthesia. Individual follicular units (grafts) are harvested from the donor area at the back of the head and the temples and placed in the thinning zones. Long sessions are normal: harvesting and implanting a few thousand grafts one by one takes hours, which matches the “almost eight hours” Tom Dice mentioned.

None of these methods leaves a linear scar or needs stitches. Which one makes sense depends on the size of the thinning area and the density of the donor zone, and that is assessed at a consultation.

Who is a candidate, and how to prepare

A transplant is usually considered for:

• thinning at the crown or low overall density;
• a receding hairline or temples, or a high hairline;
• diffuse or patchy hair loss, or loss after trauma, burns, illness or hormonal disorders.

It is not done in people under 18, or with trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, cancer, epilepsy, severe heart disease, diabetes mellitus, a pacemaker, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B or C, a history of pulmonary embolism or intolerance to anaesthetics. Before the date is booked the patient receives a list of tests and instructions for the days before the procedure.

Recovery and patience

Tom Dice himself said the real result would only show after six months to a year, and that is realistic for anyone. The first ten days are about healing: small crusts form and fall off, and you follow the instructions on washing, sleeping and headwear. In weeks two to four the transplanted hairs shed. This worries many patients, but the follicles stay in the skin. Growth starts around months three to four, density becomes visible at six to nine months, and the final result is judged at 12 to 18 months.

1. Day of surgeryLocal anaesthesia, grafts are harvested and implanted; you go home the same day.
2. Days 1–10The scalp heals and small crusts come off; you follow the instructions on washing, sleeping and headwear.
3. Weeks 2–4Transplanted hairs shed. This is normal: the follicles stay in the skin.
4. Months 3–4New hair starts to grow, often fine at first.
5. Months 6–9Density becomes clearly noticeable.
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 reviews photos of your hair and donor area, counts the grafts you need free of charge and names a price that is then fixed in the contract, with no extra charges on the day of surgery. The price includes a lifetime guarantee of hair growth, all dressings and check-ups, a care plan and follow-up appointments at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Graft survival averages 98–100%; the exact figure for your case comes from the doctor. For patients from Belgium there is a dedicated hair transplant page for Antwerp.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Tom Dice or his treatment. His post is simply an honest example of a man who talked openly about the decision.

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 Tom Dice have his hair transplant?

In his Instagram post from November 2023 he wrote that it had been about a month since the operation, so it took place around October 2023.

How long did Tom Dice’s operation take?

He said it took almost eight hours and was much easier than he expected, with about half an hour that was uncomfortable and no pain for the rest.

Which technique did Tom Dice have?

He did not name the technique in the words quoted by the press, so we do not speculate. Most transplants today are done with FUE, DHI or a combination of both.

When is the result of a hair transplant visible?

Growth usually starts after three to four months, density is visible at six to nine months and the final result is judged at 12 to 18 months.

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 follows a free consultation and is fixed in the contract.