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Jaylen Brown is adding a new layer to his off-court story. The Boston Celtics star has partnered with Nutrafol, choosing to speak publicly about hair thinning while using his platform to challenge how athletes and fans talk about hair loss.
Brown, who turns 30 next year, told PEOPLE the issue started to surface roughly one to two years ago. He noticed increased shedding after taking out his braids and tried topical solutions like serums, but nothing delivered results. Cutting his hair followed, yet the stress tied to life as a franchise cornerstone in Boston only intensified the situation.
The Celtics’ championship expectations rarely ease. Brown described the environment as one where winning defines success and anything less invites scrutiny. After spending his entire NBA career in Boston since being drafted in 2016, that pressure has become familiar, though not harmless. Every game carries weight, and Brown admitted the emotional toll can show up in unexpected ways.
Viral Moment Turned Turning Point
That pressure collided with public attention on October 24, when a hair product Brown used left residue on a jersey during a game against the New York Knicks. The moment, involving Knicks forward OG Anunoby, spread quickly online.
Brown said he did not notice the mark in real time. When he eventually realized what happened, embarrassment surfaced briefly before frustration replaced it. He later leaned into humor, joking that opponents should feel honored to wear the “residue of a champion.” Similar moments followed in subsequent games, but Brown chose not to retreat.
Instead, he reframed the situation. Brown explained that uncomfortable moments can either shrink a person or sharpen their focus. He chose the latter. The response aligned with his broader mindset, one rooted in resilience and self-belief. Brown pointed out that public reaction actually fueled him, pushing him to lock in further rather than pull back.
“When embarrassment, failure, loss, anything like that happens, there’s two ways you can go. It can be spirit breaking, and you can go into a little shell and try to hide from it, or you can use it as fuel, get more focus, get more discipline, get more locked in, and go out and maximize your potential.”
“I’m the second one,” Brown continues. “I’m the maximize your potential type of guy. I’m going to level up every time. So when it happened and it felt like the whole world was chiming in, it just gave me more motivation to come out and do what I’m doing this season. And the very next game [after the Knicks] I had 40 points. It’s almost like I need the world to feel cold a little bit.”
Hair enhancements, Brown noted, remain common in barbershops. What made his case unusual was visibility. Few athletes compete at his level while dealing with such scrutiny, and even fewer address it openly. That reality helped shape his decision to partner with Nutrafol rather than stay silent.
Why Brown Wants the Conversation Public
Brown said he understands how hair thinning can affect confidence, especially for people without his resources or mental health tools. That perspective drove his decision to work with Nutrafol and share his experience publicly.
Nutrafol’s chief medical advisor, Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, told PEOPLE that hair thinning often stems from multiple factors, including stress. Elevated cortisol levels can disrupt normal hair growth cycles, leading to shedding that appears months after the triggering event. Nutrafol aims to address those root causes through a whole-body approach, with formulations tailored specifically for men and women.
Brown has already incorporated Nutrafol supplements into a wellness routine that includes recovery-focused habits like red light therapy and mindful nutrition. He described the process as simple and science-backed, noting that consistency matters as much as intention.
For Brown, the partnership extends beyond personal results. He hopes the visibility helps normalize conversations around hair loss and mental health, especially among men. Humor still plays a role. Brown joked about calling LeBron James on Twitch after the viral moment and even floated the idea of a trip to Turkey, known for hair transplants. Still, the message stays grounded.
As he approaches his 30s, Brown framed this chapter as part of a larger philosophy. He wants no space for fear, insecurity, or self-doubt. Hair loss, he said, became another challenge to meet directly rather than avoid.
“I want to attack any type of fear, any insecurity, any inch of doubt that I have within myself, full force. I don’t want it to have any space to live. So if I’m afraid of anything, I’m going after it. If I have one thought where I feel intimidated or I feel less or small, I’m going after it. I’m going into my 30s fearless.”
Burtland Dixon Burtland Dixon is a sports journalist covering the NBA and athlete culture for Heavy.com. A former Division II athlete turned journalist, he offers a unique blend of locker room perspective and storytelling expertise. He has more than eight years of experience in digital media and previously served as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with additional bylines at Idolator, Trend Chaser, and Buzznet. Burtland is based between California and New York. Instagram: @showmi_more More about Burtland Dixon
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