Just when you thought John Cena couldn’t get any higher, the flamboyant fighter continued his hair-raising journey around the world, proving that the manliest men are the ones who can show their vulnerable side. However, a recent viral photo of “You Can’t See My Star” in which the 17-time WWE Champion took a bold step and went completely bold in public has everyone asking: what exactly is the “FUE” treatment?
John Cena’s hair loss journey and why it resonates with men
Cena, who is 49 years old and retired from WWE at the end of 2025, said People magazine that he tried to hide his hair at firstbut being in the spotlight meant that pro wrestling fans didn’t let it slide. “When I tried to hide my hair, the audience would light it up,” she said. “I saw their signs that said: ‘John Cena.’ They made me see what my options were.” Cena confirmed that he underwent a hair transplant last November. “I hate that if there wasn’t so much shame around it, I would have done it 10 years ago,” he said. “I thought I was the only one, but seven or eight out of 10 (men) suffer from thinning or graying hair.”
How does FUE hair transplantation work?
While hair loss affects both sexes, men are particularly vulnerable. For some men, hair loss can occur as early as adolescence, however 35 is the most common ageand two-thirds of Americans have experienced some level of loss by this age.
The purpose of the FUE procedure is to replace dead spots with healthy follicles taken from another location. Usually, the donor area of the scalp is seen and it is usually located at the back of the head, as this is where the most hair grows naturally.
Who is a good candidate for FUE hair restoration?
FUE is suitable for those with hereditary hair loss, but is generally not suitable for alopecia, because of the bald patches that this condition causes. And since it is a cosmetic procedure, it can be expensive. Average price a hair transplant costs from $4,500 to $12,000 and may take several attempts to achieve the desired look of a full head of hair. ) A regular scalp care regimen is also required to achieve success with FUE. “I have a routine now: red light therapy, minoxidil, vitamins, shampoo, conditioner,” Cena told People.
Round 2 of FUE treatments and this time I went all in for the best possible results. thank you @KenAndersonMD and the staff at Anderson Center for Hair for accompanying me on this journey! pic.twitter.com/0Gpareki5U
— John Cena (@JohnCena) June 29, 2026
How many cycles of follicular unit extraction are needed?
Most patients only require one or two FUE sessions to achieve greater hair density, because, incredibly, a standard FUE cycle collects 1500 to 3000 hair grafts in a single procedure of 8-10 hours.
While John Cena appeared bald in the photo taken on the day of his second session, it was only because his hair was shaved before the procedure. “2nd round of FUE treatment, and this time I got everything for the best results,” said the great man in his viral message, which reached millions of views in a matter of minutes. Cena also thanked his doctor, Ken Anderson MD, and the staff at Anderson Hair Center for their support.
Fortunately, Cena’s chances of success are high because he puts the same commitment to his skin as he does to all other areas of his life. “Your commitment to the process and the long-term health of the hair made all the difference,” Dr. Anderson responded.
While Cena’s journey to grow more hair is a deeply personal one, the fact that he’s opened up and shared the process with millions of similar sufferers around the world inspires men everywhere to be a little more vulnerable. Thank you, Super Cena!
