Alopecia: What is this disease in which Jada Pinkett Smith lost her hair?

Today’s Oscar will be remembered more for its scandal than for its costumes and winners. Will Smith took the stage during the ceremony and gave comedian Chris Rock a notable slap in the face for a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada, who since 2018 admitted her illness as alopecia and went out without a wig. almost bald head. Time will tell if the joke is appropriate and who is right in this situation. Although there were calls to deprive Will Smith of his first Oscar in his life.

Today we will talk about alopecia, a disease that women are primarily ashamed of. And it was Jada Pinkett Smith who drew attention to her.

In fact, the term “alopecia” refers to several different types of hair loss that always starts on the head but can eventually affect the eyelashes, eyebrows and beard.

The essence of the disease is simple – more hair falls out than grows. Therefore, sooner or later (there are types of alopecia that develop over the course of 15 years), a person is faced with the problem of hair loss and not always something can be done about it.

Alopecia has many causes. It can be both heredity and stress. No wonder some doctors now advocate the use of the term “pandemic” or “post-infectious” alopecia. After all, the number of calls to trichologists increased exponentially during the outbreak of COVID-19. Weakened immunity and peak stress paid the price.

It should be understood that alopecia is not harmful to health as well as psychologically.

What else is alopecia?

Jada Pinkett lost her hair due to an autoimmune disease. In this case, the body’s immune system literally starts attacking the hair follicles and shedding occurs in areas called foci. In this case, it is often impossible to restore the original density.

There is also traction alopecia, which causes very tight hair. Yes, if you pull the hair regularly, you can pull it out and new hair won’t have time to form.

Telogen effluvium can develop due to stress, severe emotional experiences, illness, or even childbirth. However, a significant amount of hair is shed and a large percentage (about 30) of the follicles go into resting mode. In a normal situation, there should be no more than 10 percent of such “calm” follicles. This type of alopecia is temporary and is usually successfully corrected by a trichologist.

The main problem of the disease is that it undermines the psychological state of a person who is not ready to accept what is happening. It is especially difficult for women. Many have been accustomed to hiding their baldness under a wig for years, just not to discuss this “embarrassing” problem. I want to believe that Jada’s courage will start to change the situation for the better.