An autoimmune disease that currently affects more than 100,000 people in the UK, it’s no surprise that some of the most famous faces in showbiz have been diagnosed with alopecia. Sometimes, knowing you’re not alone in going through something, and even stars are facing what you’re facing, can make your journey that little bit easier. In this blog, we shed light on just a few of the many celebrities who have alopecia and share their experiences.
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia, simply put, means hair loss. And whilst it’s normal to lose anything from 50 to 100 hairs a day, if you notice that you are losing more than this, it could be a sign of a medical condition, such as alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss and thinning hair. Unfortunately, there is no single treatment for alopecia, and whilst some people do find their hair grows back, many people are left with permanent hair loss, which can be highly upsetting.
Fortunately, in today’s ever-developing world, specialists are continually sourcing new ways to tackle the condition, and there are now things you can do to strengthen your hair, stimulate hair growth and boost your confidence along the way.
Discover our guide to alopecia which discusses the causes of hair loss and the best ways to deal with it.
7 Celebrities That Have Been Diagnosed with Alopecia
We have highlighted 7 celebrities who have spoken out about their condition and hope to inspire others going through a similar journey.
Female Celebrities with Alopecia
Jada Pinkett Smith
Possibly one of the most inspirational hair-loss advocates of today is Jada Pinkett Smith. After she first opened up about her diagnosis in 2018, the actress has embraced her newfound confidence on her social media ever since, saying
“I plan to take my hairstyle down to the scalp. Me and this alopecia are going to be friends… period!”
If there’s one thing we can all agree on from Jada, it is that bald is beautiful.
Olivia Bentley
Made in Chelsea’s Olivia Bentley is another celebrity who has taken to social media to share her experience with the condition. Having had alopecia for more than 10 years (diagnosed at age 16), the TV star explained
“At first, I thought I’d pulled my hair while tying it up or had caught it in my sleep or something. The last thing I thought was that it was alopecia.”
But since then, Bentley has become more comfortable showcasing her natural hair and is proud of the fact she sometimes wears a wig.
Jesy Nelson
Hair loss from stress is more common than you may think, and one celebrity who has had it, and come out the other side, is Jesy Nelson. At just 13 years old, Jesy first experienced hair loss and she said of that time:
“Stress can cause alopecia, and it wasn’t nice.”
Fortunately, this type of hair loss is usually temporary, but it can still cause much emotional trauma along the way, often leading to a vicious cycle of hair loss.
If you’re experiencing hair loss, here’s everything you need to know, and how wigs for stress-related hair loss can help you rebuild your confidence and emotional strength.
Male Celebrities with Alopecia
Matt Lucas
Reality TV host, Matt Lucas, has never been one to shy away from opening up about his experience with alopecia universalis. Having had the condition from a young age, he explained that he suffered during his childhood. However, he went on to say
“It’s important to get into perspective. Being bald has helped my career. Would I have had my big break as a baby in Shooting Stars if I had a full head of hair? My baldness has made me distinctive, yet also allowed me to transform myself. Stick a wig on and I’m someone else. Swap the wig and I’m now another person. Perfect.”
We think everyone should embrace their individuality, after all, life would be boring if we were all the same!
Louis Theroux
Early on in 2023, Louis Theroux spoke about his recent diagnosis with alopecia barbae (‘of the beard’). This condition has seen him lose patches of facial hair, particularly prevalent in his moustache and eyebrows.
Whilst Theroux has naturally had moments of insecurity during his recent diagnosis, fans have rushed to his side and shown their support, reassuring him throughout the transition. One reassured him:
“Eyebrows are overrated. What do they even do? If Madonna doesn’t need them, neither do you”
Whilst another fan posted
“Just as long as you don’t lose your flair and charisma”.
Whether you or a loved one has alopecia, having someone by your side to support you is crucial for helping you to regain your sense of self. Many people also turn to alopecia support groups, such as those provided by Alopecia UK, to speak to other locals who know what they are going through.
Celebrities with Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia is common amongst both men and women. However, you may better know it as female and male pattern baldness, often caused by hormone imbalances, medications, menopause and medical treatments. Here are some celebrities who we know to have androgenetic alopecia in 2023.
John Travolta
Like many others, John Travolta gradually lost his hair due to androgenetic alopecia. After struggling with his hair, and often seen sporting hairpieces and wigs, in 2019, Travolta decided it was time to embrace life as a bald man. After being in denial about the status of his hair for many years, he shaved the remaining hair off on a whim on a boozy new year. Despite the spontaneous decision, the bald look was here to stay after fans raved about his new look.
One fan took to social media to say:
“The icon of our generation! Bald or wigged, do whatever makes you happy.”
Rosie O’Donnell
American comedian, Rosie O’Donnell took to Twitter back in 2016 to highlight the bald patches of hair loss she was experiencing around her temples – a clear sign of female pattern baldness. Her signature short hairdo is strategically styled to minimise these patches being on show, although Rosie is equally proud of her natural hair, and is often seen au natural on social media.
After opening up about her experience, it was positive to see a flurry of women taking to the comments section to show their support and encouraged to open up about their experience.
One lady said:
“I feel your pain. That’s how my scalp looks!”
With approximately 40% of women experiencing female pattern baldness by age 50, androgenetic alopecia is still rarely spoken about, particularly given the number of people who are in a similar space. It’s positive to see famous faces, such as Rosie, taking to public forums to open up about their experience, with the hope of inspiring others.
Wearing Wigs for Alopecia
As shown by many of the mentioned celebrities above, one of the preferred ways of dealing with hair loss from alopecia is through wearing wigs. Wigs and hairpieces are a highly effective way to regain a part of your identity you may feel you have lost along the way.
Thanks to new, cutting-edge, wig technology, wigs for hair loss are now looking more natural than ever, with a plethora of human hair and synthetic wig styles to choose from. We are also seeing more and more headpieces purposely made with sensitive scalps from hair loss in mind, such as Gisela Mayer wigs, ensuring that there is a wig for every preference.
Explore Joseph’s Wigs Range of Alopecia Wigs
At Joseph’s Wigs, we understand that there is a lot to consider when buying a wig for the first time. We have 50+ years’ experience dealing with those in a similar position so we can ensure your experience is comfortable and not overwhelming.
Based in the heart of Surrey, book a private wig fitting appointment with us to discuss your personal needs. Claire will guide you through everything you need to know when purchasing a wig. You can also browse a range of stunning styles whilst learning how to fit your wig correctly.
Or you can visit our online store which stocks a multitude of ladies wigs, hairpieces and accessories. Order your perfect wig at the click of a button and get it delivered straight to your door.
