John Cena is known for strength, resilience, and confidence—but now he’s opening up about a deeply personal journey: hair loss. In a rare moment of vulnerability, the WWE icon and actor revealed the emotional and physical challenges behind his hair transplant surgery—and why he wishes he had done it a decade sooner.
From Bald Jokes to Real Change: What Pushed Cena to Act
In a new interview, John Cena, 48, shared that it wasn’t vanity, but fan feedback, that sparked his decision to undergo a hair transplant in November 2024. For years, Cena tried to downplay his thinning hair, but WWE fans weren’t letting him off the hook. Signs like “The Bald John Cena” pushed him to explore hair health seriously.
“They don’t let you get away with phoning it in,” Cena said, likening their honesty to the kind of tough love you’d expect from close friends. “As I was trying to hide my hair loss, the audience was bringing it to light.” That tough crowd became his motivation.
He eventually committed to a complete routine, combining red-light therapy, minoxidil, scalp vitamins, specialized shampoo and conditioner—and finally, a surgical transplant. Importantly, Cena emphasized that the transplant simply relocates his own hair from one area to another, making it a natural correction rather than a cosmetic cheat.
Yet his biggest regret? Not doing it earlier.
“I hate the fact that if there wasn’t so much shame around it, I’d have gotten it done 10 years ago,” he admitted. “Seven or eight out of 10 [men] suffer from thinning or baldness. I thought I was alone.”
The Emotional Toll and Why He’s Speaking Out Now
Cena didn’t sugarcoat the reality of recovery, especially during his WWE return in early 2025. The dormant phase following his surgery caused both the transplanted and existing hair to temporarily fall out—leaving him with an even more prominent bald spot.
“January, February, early March was my dormant phase. And boy, did [the fans] let me have it,” Cena recalled. Every live appearance became a challenge as he faced amplified scrutiny from audiences while his hair gradually started growing back.
Now seeing progress, he’s ready to talk openly. “Maybe we have curbed the shame and the guilt about somebody wanting to correct themselves,” Cena said, encouraging others to explore options without fear. “There’s no shame in that. It completely changed the course of my life.”
Aside from self-confidence, Cena also points out how the new look may expand his acting opportunities. “A different hairstyle can identify a part that can get me more work,” he explained. He’s currently preparing for the release of Peacemaker Season 2 on HBO Max (premiering August 21), and finishing his final WWE tour before retirement.
Cena’s renewed dedication to health also includes sun safety—he recently had a third skin cancer spot removed and actively uses sunscreen and skincare as part of his wellness routine. “A little bit of sunscreen and a little bit of minoxidil, some vitamins… those are good things,” he says. “I love life, and I got love in my life, and I want to keep all that stuff.”
That “love” includes his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh, whom he calls the “tip of [his] spear in life” alongside his health. Together, they’re building a future focused on longevity, well-being, and purpose.