Ariana Grande Hair Loss: Prevention, Styling Secrets, and Hypothetical Transplant Solutions

Ariana Grande, the global pop sensation renowned for her signature high ponytail and bold hairstyles, has openly shared her fears about hair damage caused by years of heavy extensions. While she has not confirmed undergoing surgical intervention, her journey offers insights into managing traction alopecia and hypothetical hair transplant options.  

Has Ariana Grande been open about Hair Loss?

Yes, Ariana Grande has candidly discussed her hair struggles. In her 2018 YouTube docuseries, Dangerous Woman Diaries, she revealed her fear of her hair falling out from the weight of using hair extensions. She stated that, “I have this vision of me on stage and one day I’ll just turn, and from the root, it will just give up.”

While she has not opted for a hair transplant, her transparency highlights the pressures of maintaining stage-ready hairstyles and the risks of ‘traction alopecia’, a condition caused by prolonged tension on hair roots, leading to hair damage and loss. Traction alopecia is often seen in individuals who tie their hair up tightly; normally in ponytails, plaits and tight buns like ballerinas, ice-skaters and sports players. 

Ariana Grande’s Hair Loss Progression 

While there is no photographic evidence to showcase either early or advanced signs of hair loss in the superstar actress and singer, in 2014, at the age of 21, when she was working on the Nickelodeon sitcom, Sam & Cat, she made a lengthy Facebook post explaining her hair loss ordeal as she wrote; “Since people give me such a hard time about my hair I thought I’d take the time to explain the whole situation to everybody.”

She went on to say, “I had to bleach my hair and dye it red every other week for the first 4 years of playing Cat… as one would assume, that completely destroyed my hair. I now wear a wig on Sam & Cat. My real hair is back to brown, and I wear extensions, but I wear it in a ponytail because my actual hair is so broken that it looks ratchet and absurd when I let it down. I tried wigs, they looked RIDICULOUS. Tried a weave because I am working on a new project and wanted to try some different looks, but wanted to rip my scalp off.

She continued, “So as annoying as it is for y’all to have to look at the same hairstyle all the time, it’s all that works for now (AND I’m comfortable for the first time in years)…. And trust me, it’s even more difficult for me to have to wait forever for my natural hair to grow back and to wear more fake hair than every drag queen on earth combined. So PLEASE gimme a break about the hair (or just don’t look at me lol). IT’S JUST HAIR AFTER ALL. There are way way way more important things. Love y’all very much”.

During the 56th annual Grammys held in the same year, Ariana went on to comment during a radio chat that “naturally my hair fell out” due to undergoing so much treatment.

Fans all over the world were stunned when videos of the celebrity rocking a buzz cut made their rounds on the internet earlier this year. The new haircut was dismissed as close analysis revealed that these were AI-generated.

When scrutinizing Ariana’s earlier pictures, one may notice thinner hair and a higher hairline, reinforcing her concern about hair loss. 

Unfortunately, Ariana Grande is not alone in her hair loss dilemma. Female hair loss is a fairly common condition that affects up to 56% of women over the age of 70 and about 10% of women before menopause.

On the other hand, traction alopecia, which is likely the type of hair loss the now 31-year-old pop icon has, is the result of chronic traction or pulling of the hair follicle, which causes potentially irreversible damage. This can be caused by:

• tight braids and dreadlocks 
• tight buns and ponytails 
• wearing wigs
• attaching weaves or hair extensions 
• using curling rollers
• weaving

The strain on hair follicles from tugging results in breakage and damage, preventing follicles from producing new hair. 

Could Ariana Grande Benefit from a Hair Transplant?

While Ariana currently manages her hair loss non-surgically, she remains a candidate for future intervention if her hair damage progresses. In doing that, an experienced surgeon would generally classify her hair loss using the Ludwig scale of female patterned hair loss as shown below.

The choice to have a hair transplant is a personal one. Many individuals can conceal hair loss well up until a certain tipping point, after which they may want to consider more permanent options like a hair transplant.  

In the public eye, appearance is important, and those under the spotlight often opt for surgery due to public image pressure, as a receded hairline can undermine on-screen confidence and career prospects.  

Hair transplant surgery is not only for the rich and famous, but rather for those struggling with their hair loss. Research shows that individuals with hair loss are likely to feel physically and socially less attractive, leading to low self-esteem in social scenarios. 

How many grafts will Ariana Grande need if undergoing a Hair Transplant?

For now, it is tricky to estimate how many hair grafts Ariana Grande would need for a hair transplant, as the extent of her hair loss is not publicly known.

Check out our gallery section to find more examples of hair loss areas that were treated, such as the hairline, temples and crown.
The Treatment Rooms London Graft Calculator is also useful for seeing just how many grafts you might need to produce an aesthetic result.   

What type of Hair Transplant can Ariana Grande have? 

Follicular Unit Excision (FUE): FUE is a meticulous technique which removes individual hair follicular units from the back and sides of the head (also known as the safe donor area) to an area of recession, like the hairline and temples. In each follicular unit, also known as a ‘graft’, there are 1-4 hairs on average.

The hair that is relocated is resistant to the balding process, and when transplanted, grows unhindered and potentially permanently.

This FUE method has become highly popular due to its minimal scarring, natural-looking results, and shorter recovery time. Most public figures opt for this method as it allows them to get back on screen and resume public appearances soon after their hair restoration procedures.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): FUT, also known as the strip method, involves removing a small strip of scalp from the back of the head, from which hair follicles are then extracted and transplanted to the desired areas.

This technique can yield a high number of grafts in one session, making it beneficial for individuals with extensive hair loss. However, FUT does leave a linear scar at the donor site, which is one reason high-profile clients often prefer FUE for less visible scarring.

Another hair transplant option someone in  Ariana Grande’s very public position could opt for is the unshaven FUE procedure.

The unshaven FUE hair transplant (UFUE) is a hair transplant that gives patients greater secrecy and discretion. If you are concerned about shaving your head, an unshaven hair transplant allows you to return to work and social life quickly.

The procedure leaves your hair long so that you can hide areas of surgery in the hairline or crown more easily as you recover.

These are techniques which are routinely performed at The Treatment Rooms London, where minimising the areas of shave can allow for a seamless recovery back to normal life with minimal evidence that a hair transplant procedure was performed.

Non-Surgical Alternatives: What Ariana Grande likely uses 

1. Extension Breaks: Limited use of extensions just for performances to avoid daily wear and tear. 

2. Organic Products: Hydrating shampoos/oils to combat dryness and rejuvenate the scalp.  

3. Protective Styles: Loose braids, buns, and silk scrunchies.  

4. Scalp Treatments: Regular massages and peptide serums. 

While these treatments may slow hair loss progression, a transplant offers a more permanent solution.  

Choosing a Surgeon-Led Clinic Matters

While a hair transplant is relatively risk-free and straightforward, having the surgical procedure done well and in a natural-looking way requires the surgical skills and artistry of experienced surgeons and a highly trained professional team of experts.

The overall design of the hairline must be conservative and age-appropriate, making for natural-looking hair growth. Further steps must also be taken to ensure that the newly transplanted hair will look natural at the microscopic level. Single hair grafts should be placed at the very front of the hairline, making it appear soft and fluffy, in keeping with a natural hairline. When surgery is done poorly, larger grafts are often placed in the frontal hairline, leaving that person with a plug-like, harsh hairline like the machine hair sewn onto a doll.

Another sign of a premium hair transplant is the close attention to natural hair directions. It is not uncommon to see hair transplants where grafts stand up vertically, leaving a very unnatural appearance.

Natural-looking angulation suggests that any work done would have used precision equipment to accurately control graft angulation. An example of such equipment is the use of implanter pens, a technique our Surgeons specialise in. 

At The Treatment Rooms London, we have mastered the medicine, artistry and surgical skills required for quality hair restoration surgery. We offer our patients world-class care before, during, and after their procedure. Our skilled surgeons pay keen attention to factors such as hair texture, curl pattern, and natural hairline progression to create a seamless transition from existing hair to transplanted areas.

It is important when considering surgery to select a reputable, surgeon-led clinic. Top-tier clinics like The Treatment Rooms provide and prioritise personalised assessments, employ a highly skilled medical-surgical team, and utilise cutting-edge technology to ensure precise, natural-looking results.

Considerations for an Ariana Grande Hair Transplant 

1. Hair Texture: Her dark, thick curls require careful graft angulation to match natural patterns.  
2. Donor Strength: A dense donor area (back and sides of the scalp) ensures that sufficient graft numbers can be harvested.
3. Repair Potential: If traction alopecia scars exist, an FUE hair transplant can camouflage them.  

Ariana Grande’s Hair Loss FAQs 

1. Did Ariana Grande Get a Hair Transplant? 

Ariana Grande has not confirmed undergoing a hair transplant. However, she has openly discussed her struggles with traction alopecia caused by years of heavy hair extensions. Her hair loss is concentrated at the frontal hairline, which she now masks with strategic styling and reduced extension use.  

2. What Does Ariana Grande’s Hair Look Like Before and After?

In her early career (circa 2016–2018), Ariana’s signature high ponytails and extensions led to thinning at the hairline. By 2023, she adopted looser styles (e.g., braids, natural waves) to reduce tension, resulting in a fuller appearance.

3. Why Do People Think Ariana Grande Had Hair Loss Treatments?  

Fans and stylists noticed her shift from tight ponytails to protective hairstyles, sparking speculation about hair loss interventions. Her 2018 Dangerous Woman Diaries confession about fearing her “hair giving up from the root” further fuelled theories about non-surgical treatments like scalp therapies or topical solutions.  

4. Has Ariana Grande Commented on Her Hair Loss?

Yes. In her 2018 docuseries, she admitted:  

“I have this vision of me on stage, and one day I’ll just turn, and from the root, it will just give up.” She has since emphasised “hair holidays” and organic products to prevent further damage.  

5. What Is Ariana Grande’s Current Hairstyle?  

Ariana now alternates between loose waves, low buns, and shoulder-length cuts to minimise tension. She reserves extensions for performances, opting for clip-ins over permanent glue-in weaves. 

Ready to Transform Your Hairline?

If Jack’s story resonates with you, a FUE hair transplant could be the next step. During your free initial consultation, an experienced surgeon will examine your donor area, discuss your goals, and outline a personalised treatment plan. 

You’ll also learn about potential complementary treatments (e.g., medication, PRP) that can maximise your final result.

Contact our friendly and professional hair transplant clinic to discover how a fuller hairline could boost your confidence. Our team is here to guide you from consultation to aftercare, which ensures that you, too, can look and feel your best (just like Jack P. Shepherd).

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