Could a hair transplant boost your pay packet?

In today’s society, where manscaping is mainstream, Brotox is booming, and biohacking is a billion-dollar industry, hair transplants are increasingly popular among men seeking to maintain a youthful look.

But could they also have the added benefit of increasing your earning potential?

The number of men choosing to have a hair transplant is growing.Credit: iStock

It’s an uncomfortable truth in life that appearance matters when it comes to your career, so much so that economists have dubbed it “pulchronomics,” the study of how physical appearance affects economic outcomes.

Various studies show a high correlation between attractiveness and lifetime earnings. It’s especially true in high-visibility, relationship-building fields like sales, consulting and PR.

“I had a client who quickly moved through to a very senior position nine months after a procedure,” says Marc Kinvig, a hair transplant consultant at the Hairline Clinic in Brisbane.

“He told me they believed they’d get longevity out of him. The person he was up against was the same age and they had the same experience, the only difference was where their hairlines started,” Kinvig adds.

Choosing not to have a transplant is just as valid. Baldness is by no means a flaw, nor is it a barrier to success.

With male cosmetic procedures no longer taboo – now more associated with self-love and ambition than vanity – it’s no wonder the hair transplant industry is booming.

Globally, it’s expected to grow to $US15 billion ($23 billion) by 2027, more than doubling in size since the end of the pandemic, when there was a boom in hair transplants as men took advantage of lockdowns to invest in some follicles.

“Men in their 20s often seek a transplant to boost dating confidence, while those in their 30s and 40s are driven by a desire to look younger, stay competitive, and maintain career momentum,” Kinvig says.

Jamie Lampard, a Victorian real estate agent who recently got a hair transplant, says it’s already helping his career.

Says Jamie Lampard, a Victorian real estate agent who recently took the plunge: “I do believe it’s already helping my career. I feel more assured in my appearance, and that extra confidence positively affects how I interact with colleagues and clients.”

Lampard’s experience is far from unique. While a hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure, its career impact may run deeper.

Studies indicate that men often experience a boost in self-esteem and confidence after the procedure – traits which, in turn, have been shown to influence actual earnings and expectations of future income, shaping how people pursue opportunities and advance in their careers.

“Looking and feeling good dramatically boosts how you present yourself, and in a world where appearance influences perception, consciously or not, confidence can open professional doors,” says Kinvig.

Even more so if you’re interested in running for politics.

More-attractive politicians gain more votes – even after controlling for experience and policy positions. You can’t help but wonder whether looks may have influenced undecided voters at the ballot box.

If your new mane could help you secure a higher-paying role, negotiate a higher wage, land a new client, or close that deal, it could pay for itself in one transaction. And given the effects can last a lifetime, everything after that is compounding interest.

“For me, the investment led to a career change, but also going to more events and being in photos with my kids without a hat. Sharing that joy in pictures with them is worth it alone for me,” says Kinvig, who himself underwent a hair transplant five years ago.

In Australia, a quality hair transplant runs from $16,000 to $20,000. But that’s in line with what professionals regularly spend on career boosters, and still much cheaper than that mid-career MBA.

These days, many venture overseas to the hair transplant mecca, Turkey, for cheaper options, although the tyranny of distance and difficulty finding a quality surgeon make it a riskier venture.

But it’s not a guaranteed success. Poor technique, unrealistic expectations, or thinking a transplant will solve deeper self-worth issues can backfire. And the office narcissist with newly planted follicles is, regrettably, still the office narcissist.

Of course, choosing not to have a transplant is just as valid. Baldness is by no means a flaw, nor is it a barrier to success.

White Lotus star Walton Goggins shows that a receding hairline can be owned, as does sex symbol Daniel Craig. Jeff Bezos didn’t need hair to build Amazon, and David Beckham would still have been a global football icon without his. Elon Musk would probably still be the richest man on the planet without his transplant.

Says Lampard: “I see it as an investment in my future. It’s not just about restoring hair, but about building confidence as I grow older, both in my personal life and professional career.”

But as with all investments, do your own research and make sure you have a long-term plan, which means investing in ongoing medical therapy to preserve those returns.

This isn’t financial advice, but the best investment may be one made in yourself.

Get workplace news, advice and perspectives to help make your job work for you. Sign up for our weekly Thank God it’s Monday newsletter.