Callan Rydz’s distinctive hairstyle has sparked widespread attention among darts fans, with many speculating it conceals early hair loss. So is it just careful styling, or is Callan Rydz wearing a hair system? And what does this tell us about the impact of hair loss on athletic confidence? Find out all you need to know about Callan Rydz’s hair here.
Want to understand the fascination surrounding Callan Rydz’s hair? Find out whether Callan Rydz may be experiencing hair loss, and how athletes manage appearance-related pressures. Plus, learn about modern hair restoration treatments including hair systems and transplants, and discover how hair and appearance can be tied to athletic performance.
Key takeaways
Callan Rydz’s unique hairstyle has become a talking point among darts fans, inspiring crowd chants and plenty of online discourse.
While Callan hasn’t spoken publicly about his hair choices, his hairstyle may be intended to disguise a receding hairline or thinning hair.
Hair loss can affect athletes’ confidence, image, endorsements, and mental wellbeing. But more athletes are talking about their hair loss and hair restoration choices, reducing stigma around the topic.
Those who are concerned about a receding hairline have plenty of treatment options, including medical therapies, in-clinic treatments, and FUE and FUT surgery.
Callan Rydz’s bouffant hairstyle has captured the attention of darts fans everywhere, even earning its own chant.
But Callan Rydz didn’t always wear his hair like this; it’s a relatively new look that’s caught people’s attention. This is likely because he appears to have a lot more hair than he used to, and wears it in a pretty unique style, combed forward and across his head.
In fact, it looks like a pretty typical hairstyle to conceal a receding hairline. And because photos of a younger Callan Rydz show him with a much thinner, higher hairline, it seems like this styling choice is designed to detract from his hair loss, rather than enhance it.
So Callan Rydz’s hairstyle has attracted a lot of publicity, especially from his fans. But it hasn’t affected his game — in fact, he’s said he’s unbothered by the chants, and that the crowd support has helped him win.
Some commentators have called it a combover, but combovers are normally a bit sparser than Callan Rydz’s current hairstyle. It’s brushed forward from the crown and back of his head, then swept across the temples to create an almost unnaturally straight hairline.
Styling your hair to disguise progressive male pattern baldness is very common, and in the early stages of hair loss it can be very effective. However, as hair loss progresses, it becomes more difficult to effectively hide your hairline or thinning crown with your hair. That’s why many men turn to hair restoration methods to create fuller hair density.
Photos of Callan Rydz from earlier in his career suggest that he may well be experiencing hair loss, which began in his early 20s. The video below shows a younger Rydz at around age 23, with visible signs of hair thinning along his frontal hairline:
While it’s not unheard of to start getting a receding hairline around age 20, it’s not that common. According to the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence, around 30% of white men are affected by the age of 30 [1]. And when it happens almost a decade earlier, it’s very understandable to want to hide your hair thinning.
Callan Rydz’s hair doesn’t look like a typical hair system or toupee, which tend to create more upward lift rather than sweeping the hair across the hairline. It’s more likely to be a combination of styling and cosmetic products like hair fibres.
Other sports personalities have revealed their use of hair systems. Landon Donovan’s hair is the result of a hair system, demonstrating what a typical well-fitting system can look like:
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Landon Donovan (@landondonovan10)
A post shared by Landon Donovan (@landondonovan10)
Hair systems tend to look less organic than hair transplant results, since it’s hard to get an exact colour and texture match, and close inspection of the hairline usually shows that the hair isn’t natural. But they can provide good coverage for those who aren’t good candidates for hair transplantation, or if the procedure fails and you don’t have enough donor grafts left for further surgery.
Callan Rydz hasn’t spoken directly about his hair, but he has addressed the now-infamous chant from his fans:
“I’ll not cry about it. I’ve had worse off loads of people back home. My best friends, they rip the mick out of [my hair] all the time.”
Going bald can often lead to banter among friends, but it’s also a major cause of stress for many. A 2020 YouGov poll found that 55% of 18 to 34 year old men said they’re terrified of going bald [2]. So while it’s easy to dismiss derisory comments around Callan Rydz’s hair as banter, it’s important to consider that not everyone feels at ease about their hair loss.
Hair loss can be a major concern for many professional athletes, and it’s not just a case of aesthetics. An athlete’s public image can affect endorsement opportunities, fan perception, and competitive confidence, with research showing that self-image and appearance are often tied to confidence and performance [3-4].
For some, this involves tackling their hair loss, whether with specific styling (as in Callan Rydz’s case) or surgical hair restoration. FUE and FUT hair transplants are becoming increasingly common among athletes, thanks to the natural-looking results they produce.
At the Wimpole Clinic, we’ve performed hair transplants for England cricket captain Ben Stokes and Major League Soccer star Rob Holding, helping them enhance their hairlines to boost their confidence and self-image.
Speaking about his hair transplant, Rob Holding has said:
“I struggled so much with my hair and self-confidence. I have had so many messages about where I had my procedure. The Wimpole Clinic in London treated me so well and I am so happy with the results.
“I’ve had so many messages from other people affected by [similar] mental health issues and self-confidence issues, I couldn’t recommend this place enough!”
Here, Wimpole Clinic surgeon Dr Ismail Ughratdar discusses how you can achieve hair transplant results like Rob Holding:
These athletes are helping to normalise the issue of hair loss, as well as reducing the stigma surrounding the decision to get a hair transplant or otherwise hide your receding hairline. And at a time when athletes are expected to be role models, influencers, and entertainers as well as hardworking sports stars, these positive stories are really important for young men to hear, especially if they’re starting to see signs of early-stage hair loss.
Getting a hair transplant is one of the best ways to permanently restore your hairline. Hairline transplant surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can create lifelong results:
Hair transplants are ideal for replacing permanent hair loss, but they won’t stop pattern baldness from progressing. So you may need to take other steps to stop your receding hairline getting worse.
These non-surgical hair loss treatments are proven to help tackle a receding hairline:
These aren’t the only treatments for a receding hairline. Some natural hair loss remedies can also work, while other in-clinic treatments like platelet-rich plasma hair therapy and low level laser therapy are also proven to stimulate hair growth.
The best course of action depends on the speed and extent of your hair loss, as well as any underlying contributing factors. A free hair loss assessment is a fast and easy way to determine which treatments are likely to work best for you.
If you’re tired of trying to hide your hairline with careful styling every day, the Wimpole Clinic can help. As the fourth oldest hair transplant clinic in the world, we have the experience to get to the bottom of your hair loss struggles and create a bespoke treatment plan to restore your hair.
Whether you’re considering a hair transplant and want to discuss hairline design, or you’re looking for ways to stop the progression of hair loss without surgery, we’re here to assist. Book your free consultation at our award-winning hair loss clinic to see how we can support you to regain your hair and your confidence.
Find out more about Callan Rydz’s hair and athletic hair restoration in these frequently asked questions.
It’s impossible to say conclusively without an inspection of his hair and scalp, but Callan Rydz may be eligible for a hair transplant if he wanted a permanent solution to his hair loss.
However, surgery isn’t for everyone. While the procedure is mostly safe when performed by a skilled surgeon in a clinical environment, there are certain hair transplant risks to be aware of. So it’s for each prospective patient to weigh up the risks and benefits of a hair transplant.
In 2024, Callan Rydz’s hair drew even more attention than usual when a wasp landed on the back of his head during the World Darts Championship (though he seemed to escape unstung).
Wasps are common gatecrashers of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, possibly due to the green space and parkland surrounding the venue.
Hair systems aren’t hugely popular among sports personalities, with most turning to them in cases of failed hair transplants (this is why Landon Donovan eventually opted for a hair system). However, they do have a place for those who want the illusion of fuller hair but can’t or don’t want to proceed with surgery.
Hair transplants are generally more popular, with many athletes and footballers opting for hair transplant surgery, including the following:
Yes. Multiple studies have shown that hair transplantation can boost confidence and self-esteem in patients [5-6]. It’s one of the key reasons why people opt for surgical hair restoration.
Watch Ben Stokes discuss the impact of his hair transplant on his confidence and mental wellbeing in this video:
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Mr Log Murugesan MBChB, MSc, FRCS(Plast) Consultant Plastic, Cosmetic, Reconstructive and Hair Restoration Surgeon
Mr Log Murugesan (GMC: 6145557) is a hair transplant surgeon whose expertise in hair restoration surgery is deeply rooted in his background as a fully accredited, UK-trained Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Registered with the General Medical Council, he brings a level of precision and expertise to hair restoration that is shaped by his specialist training in plastic surgery.
Mr Murugesan’s interest in hair restoration began in 2010 while caring for burns patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. This passion evolved through his extensive plastic surgery training in London, where he honed his skills both academically and clinically at some of the UK’s most prestigious institutions. Seeking to refine his expertise further, he pursued sub-speciality fellowship training in Aesthetic Surgery under the guidance of highly experienced aesthetic surgeons in London. Additionally, his experience in Reconstructive Microsurgery at two of the world’s top-ranked cancer hospitals, Princess Margaret (UHN) in Toronto and The Royal Marsden in London, further enriched his surgical acumen.
Beyond his clinical work, Mr Murugesan has contributed significantly to medical education and research. He has taught anatomy at St George’s Medical School and earned a distinction for his laboratory work in regenerative biology at the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London. His commitment to academic excellence also led him to obtain a Master’s degree in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery from University College London. Recognised for his contributions to improving safety in aesthetic surgery, he was awarded the prestigious Hackett Memorial Award by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
With a meticulous and patient-centred approach, Mr Murugesan provides honest and comprehensive consultations, ensuring that each patient receives a tailored treatment plan aligned with their goals. His expertise encompasses hair restoration for all hair types and genders, including scalp, brow, and beard transplantation, as well as hairline-lowering procedures. Utilising both FUE and FUT techniques, he delivers natural and aesthetically refined results. With his advanced surgical knowledge, level of care, attention to detail and precision, patients can feel confident that their hair restoration journey is guided by rigorous standards of safety, skill, and care.
