Living with hair loss: tips and inspiring stories
Hair loss does not discriminate, and can affect everyone, including celebrities and public figures. Many celebrities have opened up about living with hair loss, and strategies they use to cope. Many celebrities also deal with skin concerns, which can be helped by using innovative skincare solutions like these.
Here is a roundup of some celebrities who have spoken about their struggles with hair loss.
Jesy Nelson
The Little Mix singer is known for her signature long flowing wavy hair. But Jesy’s hair didn’t always look like that. Speaking to Fabulous magazine, she said she started losing hair as a teenager. She coped with cruel bullies as a result.
“I was probably about 13 when my hair just started coming out,” she said. “Stress can cause alopecia and it wasn’t nice. I got picked on because I’ve always liked to dress differently. I’ve never really wanted to fit in with everyone else.”
Stress and anxiety can cause temporary hair loss, but unfortunately the trauma from losing hair can lead to more stress-related hair loss, leading to a vicious cycle.
She said her bandmates supported her, and helped her become stronger because of her struggles. Fortunately, her natural hair is back to full strength now, and she embraces her curls and natural texture.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada is one of the most famous celebrities to public open up about struggling with alopecia. She was diagnosed with alopecia areata in 2018, and has faced considerable hair loss. She has spoken about trying steroid treatment and covering her hair with human hair wigs and head scarves. In 2021 she shaved off her hair and decided to embrace her new look.
She said: “It’s been such a freeing [experience]. I feel so much just lifted off of me. It just called me like, ‘The time is now.’”
Matt Lucas
Known for Little Britain and Doctor Who, Matt lost all his hair at the age of 6. According to his doctors, his alopecia was triggered by a car accident two years earlier. Trauma is a known trigger for alopecia totalis.
Matt has embraced his look, and made it part of some of his roles. But it hasn’t always been easy. Losing all your hair at such a young age is rare.
He said: “My baldness was a source of amusement, sympathy and revulsion for everyone. The fact that I looked different was made apparent to me from a very early age. People always commented on it so I think my way of dealing with it through the years was to disguise myself. It felt like a safe thing to do.”
Olivia Bentley
The Made in Chelsea star has opened up about dealing with hair loss as a teenager, first finding a bald spot on holiday at age 16. She believes that her alopecia came from taking the contraceptive pill, and she has worn wigs because of her insecurities around her hair loss.
In recent years Olivia has given up wigs and embraced her natural hair.
Gail Porter
The TV presenter lost her hair following her daughter’s birth in 2002. She developed alopecia universalis, resulting in the total loss of body hair. She has been an alopecia advocate for decades, deciding not to wear a wig or a hairpiece to raise awareness around the condition.
She famously appeared on Loose Women wearing a wig. She said: “I love being bald, and I’m so used to it”, she said. “But I thought it would be great to show other people that you can get [wigs] as real as this.”
Rob Holding
The Arsenal footballer has faced male pattern balding, leading to a receding hairline, which took a toll on his confidence. This kind of hair loss is the most common worldwide, affecting millions of people. Rob has since had a hair transplant, and is very happy with the results.
References:
https://wimpoleclinic.com/blog/12-celebrities-with-alopecia-dealing-with-hair-loss/
