Brian Scalabrine FUE Hair Transplant | Boston Celtics Champion

Brian Scalabrine spent 11 seasons in the NBA, appeared in four NBA Finals and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. Along the way, the 6’9″ forward with the unmistakable red hair became a fan favorite known throughout basketball as the “White Mamba.” After his playing career ended, Scalabrine stayed close to the game, moving into broadcasting and becoming a familiar voice to Celtics and NBA fans on NBC Sports Boston and NBC Sports.

The bright lights of professional basketball never bothered Scalabrine. He played in packed NBA arenas, worked as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors and spent years surrounded by television cameras and media. But when he moved from the basketball court to the broadcast booth, being on camera became part of his job in a different way. That was when he began paying more attention to something that had always been part of his identity. His hair.

When Scal started noticing hair loss

Scalabrine had been known for his red hair throughout his NBA career, but as he transitioned into television, he noticed thinning in the frontal area. At 6’9″, the camera often looked upward toward his face and hair, making the change particularly noticeable to him.

“I am six feet, nine inches tall, so the camera is almost always pointed up at me, placing more attention on my hairline. There is a certain amount of vanity in TV, and when people tune in, I want them to be focused on what I am saying, and not on how my hair looks.”

Scalabrine was not going to make a decision based on an advertisement or a quick sales pitch. Anyone familiar with his approach to basketball knows that he studies the details, and he approached hair restoration the same way. Before scheduling a consultation, he researched hair loss, hair transplant surgery and the treatment options available to him.

“I did the research. I got on my computer and looked everything up, and really became well informed before I made the first call,” Scalabrine said.

That first call was to Leonard Hair Transplant Associates.

Why Brian Scalabrine chose hair transplant surgery

In August 2016, Scalabrine met with Dr. Robert Leonard and Dr. Matthew Lopresti at Leonard Hair Transplant Associates to discuss his hair loss and what he hoped to accomplish. After examining his hair and talking through the available options, the doctors agreed on a treatment plan focused on the frontal area that concerned him most.

“Both doctors were extremely professional and supportive of my self assessment,” Scalabrine said. “It was comforting to know that they were in complete agreement about the best course of action for my hair loss.”

Two weeks after that consultation, Brian underwent Follicular Unit Excision, or FUE, hair transplant surgery at the Leonard Hair Transplant Associates office in Newton, Massachusetts. FUE is a surgical hair restoration technique in which individual follicular units are harvested from the donor area and transplanted into areas affected by hair loss.

For all the research that went into Brian’s decision, the actual day of surgery was considerably less dramatic. Scalabrine was awake and comfortable enough to spend the procedure watching two Iron Man movies.

“What’s better than that?!” he said.

What Brian was told to expect after FUE

Hair transplant results develop gradually rather than appearing immediately after surgery. Dr. Matthew Lopresti explained to Brian that the hairs within the transplanted grafts would initially grow and shed before new growth began over the following months. As the transplanted follicles entered their normal growth cycle, the new hairs would continue to grow and the cosmetic result would become progressively more noticeable.

That waiting period was part of the process. Scalabrine had spent years with basketball fans talking about his hair, from its color to its constantly changing length and style. His red hair had become almost inseparable from the White Mamba persona.

“People definitely noticed my hair. I will say that,” he said.

What Scalabrine tells people considering hair restoration

Brian’s endorsement has never been about telling every person experiencing hair loss that they need a hair transplant. His message is much closer to the way he approached his own decision. Understand the problem, learn what your options are and then decide whether treatment makes sense for you.

“I am not here to tell people to seek treatment because I did. But, I do encourage all men and women who have thought about hair loss to do the research and know there are options available,” Scalabrine said. “If you decide it’s a step you want to take, make the call. Visit with Leonard Hair Transplant Associates. They will be upfront with you and help you decide the correct steps to take.”

Brian Scalabrine underwent FUE hair transplant surgery at our Newton, Massachusetts office in 2016. Today, Chief Hair Restoration Surgeon Dr. Matthew Lopresti performs FUE and FUT hair transplant surgery for men and women from Boston, throughout New England and across the country.

Considering hair transplant surgery?

A complimentary consultation is the best place to start. We will take a closer look at your hair loss, talk about what you would like to accomplish and explain whether FUE, FUT or another hair restoration option may be right for you.

Leonard Hair Transplant Associates offers in person and Telehealth video consultations. Call 1-800-GET-HAIR to get started.