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Publication date:
04/06/2022 • 50 minutes ago • 4 minutes read • Join the conversation 
Jada Pinkett Smith arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party during the 94th Academy Awards in Beverly Hills, California on March 27, 2022. Photo by Danny Moloshok /REUTERS
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The slam that’s been heard around the world may be calming down, but the reverberations around hair loss continue.
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Chris Rock’s tacky joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s condition – alopecia – sparked a violent reaction from her husband Will Smith and overshadowed Jada, who bravely rocked her shaved head at the 2022 Oscars.
Jada has shared her battle with alopecia and hair loss publicly over the years, and curiosity has been sparked about the condition – it’s a horrific condition that can cause devastating psychological trauma for those affected.
“When celebrities report illnesses/conditions, they help remove the stigma behind them and give those who feel they must suffer in silence, the courage to be heard and to feel less alone,” says dr Joanne Frederick, Mental Health Counselor at jflcounseling.org.
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according to dr Sanam Hafeez gives comfort to ordinary people when a celebrity comes forward with a physical or mental health issue: “Many put celebrities on pedestals believing that money and fame are enough to make people happy. Happiness cannot buy mental or physical health.”
Most recently, Bruce Willis came forward to say he suffers from aphasia, which Hafeez says will likely end his career as he has known it. Years ago, Michael J. Fox announced that he had Parkinson’s disease and continued to act while showing signs of the disease.
“Whether it’s these conditions or other, if those with influence speak up, it’s a collective conversation starter. It helps raise public awareness, so it makes it a little easier for a non-celebrity to say, ‘I have XYZ, just like an XYZ celebrity,'” says Hafeez, neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind at comprehendthemind.com.
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Frederick adds that stars like Pete Davidson, Chrissy Teigen and Demi Lovato have used their platforms to help make conditions like depression and bipolar disorder easier to talk about. And on the physical front, Kim Kardashian has openly battled psoriasis, Selena Gomez with lupus, and Lena Dunham with endometriosis.
According to Hafeez, alopecia areata is a common autoimmune condition that causes unpredictable hair loss. In most cases, hair falls out in small patches about a quarter size, but in others it can result in complete hair loss of the scalp, known as alopecia totalis, or in extreme cases, the entire body, known as alopecia universalis.
While alopecia is not life-threatening, it can have serious psychosocial consequences, causing intense emotional distress and personal, social, and work-related problems, says Hafeez. “Over time, feelings of unattractiveness, depression, and social anxiety build, so you may avoid social situations altogether.”
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Feeling unattractive on the inside affects the way you interact with people around you, she says. “And because people are attracted to happy, healthy, and confident people, balding individuals sometimes face social exclusion while also being seen as less attractive.”
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Unfortunately, society sees hair as our crowning glory. When hair is thinning, falling out, turning gray, or when a woman has a condition that causes her to lose it, such as: Whether it’s cancer treatment or alopecia, it can often be the cruellest blow to all but the safest of women because of the verdict. “Society and the media have conditioned us on values,” Hafeez says.
The haircare industry is a multibillion-dollar market — the average woman will likely spend $50,000 on haircuts, coloring, extensions, products and blowouts over the course of her lifetime, Hafeez adds. “For a woman in the spotlight like Jada Pinkett Smith, the pressure is intense to face the paparazzi and endure comments from bloggers, media outlets and those on social media who might take the opportunity to bully a celebrity , when she is is down.”
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Taste your words before they leave your mouth
What not to say to someone with alopecia:
- “My girlfriend lost her hair and she did it (insert specific medication/treatment here) and her hair came back! You should try.” Hair loss is different for everyone and can be caused by several other circumstances, says Dr. Sanam Hafeez. While it’s great that your friend was able to see results, it’s important to remember that he may already be tried / researched / thought about it.
- “I’m jealous! It must be so easy to get ready in the morning!” Someone who just lost their hair would probably trade their supposed extra half an hour in the morning for their hair, Hafeez points out Keeping lighthearted jokes can rub someone the wrong way by making them seem like they should be grateful for their hair loss.”
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- “You really don’t need to worry, it grows back, does it?” The person may not know what their long-term prognosis is, and that statement vaguely implies that the person should “hide” until their hair grows back, says Dr . Joanna Frederick. “It disempowers the person with hair loss.”
- “There are great wigs out there now, why don’t you get one?” Rest assured, this is a thought that has crossed the mind of almost every woman with hair loss, says Frederick. While some choose to wear wigs for specific occasions, they can be hot, heavy, and itchy on a daily basis. “When you say that to a woman, you may mean well, but it makes her feel that only with a wig is she presentable and acceptable.”
dr Sanam Hafeez advises people suffering from alopecia:
- Remember that hair loss, while scary, is not life threatening.
- Work with beauty professionals to find a hairstyle that flatters you; Depending on your condition, there may be ways to circumvent your hair loss.
- Consider therapy.
- Find an alopecia support group including the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation and the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
- Take care of your body and do things that make you feel beautiful and positive.
- Get inspired by celebs like Jada Pinkett Smith.
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