Spin king's new battle

14 June 2005

He has claimed more scalps than any other Test cricketer but yesterday Shane Warne admitted his own was becoming dangerously thin.

The Aussie spin king became the latest high-profile sportsman to publicise his battle with baldness when he announced he had started a hair-replacement program.

"It's great," said Warne.

"My hair is growing back and my hair-loss has stopped." Warne is the latest recruit to Advanced Hair Studios, after advertising campaigns involving fellow former Australian Test spinner Greg "yeah, yeah" Matthews, Kiwi Martin Crowe and former English opener Graham Gooch.

AHS declined to say how much Warne had been paid to go public with his hair-loss program, which he began before leaving Australia three months ago for his new Hair Loss in Southampton, England.

But irrespective of his fee, Warne stands to gain if the treatment program works – even if he does provide England with fertile sledging material in the upcoming Ashes series.

Warne's commercial appeal to potential sponsors and advertisers was almost as much due to his iconic bleached-blond hair as his ability to mow down batting line-ups.

Ever since he burst into the spotlight in 1991-92, Warne has kept his locks bleached and clipped.

AHS managing director Carl Howell said Warne's repeated bleaching sessions would have had no impact on his hair loss.

"That was not the issue. He had a genetic problem – hereditary hair loss," said Mr Howell.

"With laser treatment we have reversed the hair follicle miniaturisation process."

"This program involves several components – firstly, rubbing in a topical solution hair re-growth pharmaceutical, as well as `Serenoa' serum, ingesting `Serenoa' capsules, using `Serenoa' shampoo and undergoing laser therapy weekly."

The treatment would cost less celebrated customers $4000 to $5000.