Let’s be real for a second. If you look at a photo of Colson Baker—better known as Machine Gun Kelly—from 2012 and compare it to him today, the math just doesn't add up. At 22, the guy was already dealing with a receding hairline that looked like it was in a hurry to leave. Fast forward to 2026, and he’s rocking thick, wavy, two-toned man buns and neon pink shags that shouldn’t be possible for someone who was thinning out over a decade ago.
Machine Gun Kelly hair is a case study in how to handle a glow-up without hiding the work.
He never issued a formal press release about it. He didn't have to. The "Hotel Diablo" head tattoo and the very visible FUT scar on the back of his scalp did all the talking for him. It’s kinda refreshing, honestly. In a town like Hollywood where everyone pretends they just drink a lot of water and get eight hours of sleep, MGK’s hair journey is a loud, unapologetic "yeah, I fixed it."
The Science of the Comeback
Most experts, like celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Linkov, have spent hours analyzing the shift in MGK’s density. The general consensus is that he didn't just stop at one procedure. Around 2013, you could see him wearing headbands or combing everything forward—the classic "strategic sweep" to hide a recovering hairline.
Then, the change became undeniable.
His hairline dropped. It got fuller. It became a canvas. We aren't just talking about a little bit of Rogaine here. We're talking about a likely combination of Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)—which explains the strip scar—and later, Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) to refine the density. It’s an expensive journey, likely costing north of $25,000, but when your image is your paycheck, it’s a drop in the bucket.
Why It Actually Worked
- The Donor Hair: He had a healthy supply at the back of his head. This is the "bank account" for any transplant.
- Timing: He caught it early enough to rebuild a foundation before he went completely bald.
- Maintenance: You can't just get the surgery and quit. He’s likely on a strict regimen of Finasteride or Minoxidil to keep the non-transplanted hair from jumping ship.
The Pink Era and the Death of "Natural"
Once the foundation was solid, he went wild. The "Mainstream Sellout" era was basically a billboard for bright pink dye. His stylists, Aaron King and Cassondra Kaeding, have been the architects behind his most aggressive color shifts.
People always ask how his hair hasn't fallen out from all the bleach.
The secret isn't some magical celebrity potion. It’s aggressive damage control. When you’re bleaching your hair to a Level 10 platinum just so a neon pink can "pop," you’re essentially melting the protein bonds in your strands. To keep Machine Gun Kelly hair looking like hair and not straw, his team relies on heavy-duty bond builders like Olaplex and overnight moisture masques.
He also doesn't wash it every day. Freshly washed hair is a nightmare for the kind of "lived-in" rockstar texture he goes for. He’s a big fan of dry shampoo and clay-based waxes that give that gritty, "I just rolled out of a tour bus" look.
2024 to 2026: The New Aesthetic
Relationships change, and apparently, so does the scalp. After his split with Megan Fox in late 2024, we saw another "breakup hair" moment. In early 2025, he debuted a two-toned look—black on one side, blonde on the other. It was a massive departure from the all-pink-everything vibe of the previous years.
By 2026, the look has shifted again. We’re seeing more length and even more experimentation with his natural texture. He’s leaning into a shaggy, "grunge-meets-modern-rock" style that utilizes the density he fought so hard to get back in his early 20s.
The Real Cost of the Look
Maintaining this isn't just about the initial transplant. It's a lifestyle.
- Toning: Bleached hair turns brassy fast. He uses purple shampoos and mineral removers to keep the blonde from looking like a rusty penny.
- Scalp Care: High-tension styles like man buns can cause traction alopecia. He’s been seen switching between loose, shaggy looks and tight styles to give his follicles a break.
- Nutrition: You can’t have rockstar hair on a junk food diet. Biotin and collagen are standard staples for anyone in his circle.
What You Can Learn From Him
MGK’s hair isn't just about vanity; it’s about brand. He proved that a receding hairline isn't a life sentence. But he also showed that if you’re going to do it, you have to do it right.
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Don't go for the "bargain" transplant. If the hairline is too straight or too low, it looks like a doll's head. MGK’s surgeons kept some of the natural irregularities, which is why it looks so "real" despite being surgically enhanced.
Your Action Plan for Similar Results
If you’re looking at Machine Gun Kelly hair and wondering if you can pull off a similar transformation, start with the basics before jumping into surgery.
First, get a consultation with a dermatologist to see if your hair loss is actually androgenetic alopecia. If it is, look into FUE procedures rather than FUT if you want to avoid that "strip" scar MGK has. Invest in high-quality bond-repairing treatments if you plan on bleaching, and never skip the toner. Pink hair only looks cool when it’s vibrant; once it fades to a muddy peach, the illusion is over.
Keep your hair healthy by rotating your products. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of the "rockstar" grit, then follow it up with a deep conditioning mask. It’s a lot of work, but as Colson Baker proves, the results can quite literally change your entire brand.
To keep your own hair in peak condition, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo immediately to preserve natural oils. If you are noticing thinning, start a topical treatment like Minoxidil 5% early to preserve the density you currently have before considering surgical options.