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HAIR TREK: William Shatner, 91, spotted leaving hair transplant clinic as $25k toupee rumors swirl

For years, fans have speculated about his hair, with published reports claiming he previously paid around $25,000 for a hairpiece

ENCINO, CALIFORNIA: Hollywood legend William Shatner turned 91 earlier this year and still looks vibrant! This week, the Star Trek legend appeared to be getting a minor makeover at his go-to hair transplant clinic in the San Fernando Valley. At the age of 90, the Canadian actor went into space last October, making history. 

On Monday afternoon, August 15, the Canadian actor paid a visit to Denise Johnson Originals, a well-reviewed hair replacement center in Encino, California. After his visit, the center proudly advertised "custom hairpieces, hairpiece repair, free consultation for hairpieces, and much more" online.

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Shatner, who famously played Captain James T Kirk, recently credited his love of horse riding and dog walking for maintaining his youthful appearance and healthy physique in an interview with Q’s Tom Power. He said, "But what does get me out of bed are my two Dobermans and my horses. I'll feed the dogs around 7.00 am and then pile them into my car for the half-hour ride to the stables. The hotter it gets here in California, the earlier I go. I take a bottle of water with me because hydration is so important as you get older." He continued, "On the way, I'll go to a drive-in café and order a large iced green tea and a twice-toasted grilled cheese sandwich. At the arena I'll let the dogs have a run about while I prepare my horse."

The father of three has been married four times and divorced his most recent partner Elizabeth in 2020. He was casually attired for the outing on Monday. He wore a purple collared shirt, black jeans, and sneakers.

For years, fans have speculated about his hair, with published reports claiming he previously paid around $25,000 for a hairpiece, but in 2008, the actor denied wearing a toupee, Daily Mail reported.

Over the years, Shatner's hair even rose to the status of an online celebrity in its own right, with several websites and blogs, including Shatner's Toupee, devoted to discussion of his hair, or lack thereof. Shatner, who is said to have started losing his hair early in his career, was seen with visible gaps in his hair in late 2020, about six months before he was first photographed visiting the clinic. 

Shatner even made fun of the attention his hair received in his 2009 autobiography, 'Up Till Now', writing, "While in my lifetime I've seen science make extraordinary inroads into solving the most complex questions of life, after all this time I admit that I am thrilled that there are some things that forever will remain a mystery. For example, do I wear a toupee?"

The procedure of hair transplant

A hair transplant is a procedure in which tiny pieces of scalp containing hair follicles are removed from a donor site and moved to the area of the head where hair is thinning. The procedure, which can cost between $4,000 and $15,000, uses grafts from the back of the head, where the hair is thickest. The transplanted hair stimulates growth in the balding areas before falling out and allowing new hair to grow in its place. The outcomes are intended to be permanent. 

One user on Twitter wrote, "BLACKERS' BIZARRE: Star Trek legend William Shatner, 91, treats himself to a minor hair transplant makeover - good for him!