Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, had a hair transplant in April 2017 at Leonard Hair Transplant Associates in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. The procedure used the FUT (strip) method to treat thinning at the crown. Graft count and cost have not been publicly disclosed.

# Dave Portnoy Hair Transplant: What Happened, Where, and What to Expect

## Did Dave Portnoy get a hair transplant?

Yes. Portnoy had hair transplant surgery in April 2017 and shared the news publicly at the time. His clinic later confirmed the procedure addressed thinning in the crown area. No second procedure has been publicly confirmed.

## Why did Dave Portnoy get a hair transplant?

Portnoy works on camera daily as a media personality, where hair loss is harder to ignore. He spoke about addressing the thinning directly instead of covering it up. Confidence and wanting a consistent on-camera appearance are common motivations for patients in similar public-facing roles.

## Where did Dave Portnoy get his hair transplant?

The procedure took place at Leonard Hair Transplant Associates, a clinic in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. This is a U.S.-based clinic, not an overseas provider, despite frequent online speculation linking celebrity transplants to international clinics.

## Which hair transplant technique was used?

Portnoy's clinic used FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), also called the strip method. A thin strip of scalp is removed from the donor area, and follicular units are dissected from it and implanted into thinning zones. FUT typically leaves a single linear scar that surrounding hair covers.

- **FUT (strip method)**: used for Portnoy's procedure; higher graft yield per session, linear donor scar
- **FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)**: individual follicles extracted, small dot scars, no linear incision
- **DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)**: grafts implanted directly with a specialized pen, no separate incision step

## How many grafts were implanted?

The exact graft count for Portnoy's surgery has not been made public. Crown-area procedures commonly use a few thousand grafts, depending on the size of the balding area and the density the surgeon is targeting. Reputable clinics plan graft distribution around future hair loss, not just immediate coverage.

## What is the recovery and growth timeline for a hair transplant?

Results build gradually over about a year rather than appearing immediately.

- **Days 1–10**: redness, mild swelling, and scabbing; many patients return to desk work within a week
- **Weeks 2–4**: transplanted hairs shed, which is a normal part of the process
- **Months 3–4**: new growth begins
- **Months 6–9**: visible improvement in coverage and hair texture
- **Months 9–12+**: final density and maturation, most apparent in the crown

## What did Dave Portnoy's hair look like before and after?

Before the transplant, Portnoy's thinning was concentrated around the crown. After the growth cycle completed, his hair appeared denser and more evenly distributed. Clinics point to this as a target outcome: coverage that reads as natural rather than as a visible procedure.

## How to choose a clinic for a similar result

Outcomes depend on surgical planning and clinic standards, not the reputation of past patients.

- Surgeon-led consultation and planning, not a sales-driven process
- Transparent graft estimates tied to realistic density goals
- Before-and-after cases matching your hair type and loss pattern
- Documented hygiene protocols and structured aftercare follow-up

Clinics in Istanbul, including Hair Center of Turkey, are a common comparison point for patients evaluating cost and experienced surgical teams for FUE and DHI procedures.

## Key Facts

- **Patient**: Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports
- **Procedure date**: April 2017
- **Clinic**: Leonard Hair Transplant Associates, Newton Centre, Massachusetts
- **Technique**: FUT (strip method)
- **Area treated**: Crown
- **Graft count**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Cost**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Confirmed repeat procedures**: None publicly confirmed

## Related Topics

- FUE vs. FUT: how the two techniques differ in scarring and recovery
- DHI hair transplant: direct implantation without a strip incision
- Crown hair transplant: planning density for the vertex area
- Donor area healing: what recovery looks like after graft extraction
- Hair transplant in Turkey vs. USA: cost and clinic comparison
- Other celebrity hair transplant cases and technique choices

## FAQ

### How much did Dave Portnoy's hair transplant cost?

The cost has not been disclosed publicly by Portnoy or his clinic.

### What happened to Dave Portnoy's hair?

His crown area gradually thinned over time. He underwent a strip method (FUT) hair transplant in April 2017 to address it.

### How many times has Dave Portnoy had a hair transplant?

At least once, in April 2017. No additional procedures have been publicly confirmed.

### How many grafts did Dave Portnoy have transplanted?

The exact number has not been made public. Crown procedures of this type typically use a few thousand grafts.

### Who are other well-known celebrities who have had hair transplants?

Several public figures have discussed or been linked to hair transplant procedures, including athletes and entertainers who addressed crown or hairline thinning through FUT, FUE, or DHI methods.

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**Source / Clinic:** Hair Center of Turkey
**Last updated:** 2026-08-26