In the aftermath of the recent Oscar fiasco involving Will Smith, Chris Rock and that awkward slap, one important issue caught people’s attention, as they began wondering about the reasons behind Jada Pinkett Smith shaving her hair. While some probably considered it a craze, which wasn’t all that implausible, being that the actress looks beyond amazing even without her hair, others recognized their own problem on her. Namely, alopecia areata is more common than one might think and people around the world struggle with it on a daily basis. But what exactly is alopecia areata, who does it affect and what can you do about it? Here are some of the answers you might seek.
What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can occur in men, women and children of all ages. The disease results in hair loss, when your body recognizes your hair follicles as foreign tissue and your immune system begins attacking them. Your hair starts falling out in patches, which are usually small and often aren’t even noticeable. However, it’s not uncommon for these patches to be close together to the point where they connect, which makes them clearly visible. Other than losing hair from your scalp, you could also experience eyebrow and eyelash loss. Fortunately, in a high number of cases, the hair grows back after a while, although, in some instances, the condition may progress and end up in complete and irreversible hair loss on your whole body, which is called alopecia universalis.
How To Make Up for the Hair Loss?
Losing your hair won’t put your life in any real danger, but it can cause a lot of stress and lead to insecurity and complete lack of confidence. This may generate isolation and loneliness, which can then turn into depression or other types of mental illnesses. There are several ways to approach this particular problem. You can do what Jada Pinkett Smith did and shave your hair off, as there are many people out there who find it attractive and don’t mind being hairless for as long as necessary. Nevertheless, many women dread this and will do anything it takes to prevent it from happening. If that’s the case with you, you should strongly consider investing in some high-quality hair extensions, since they can conceal the patches, add to your hair volume and leave your hair looking as incredible as ever, or even more so. The best ones are made of human hair and come in a wide range of colors and in several lengths, to match your specific needs. They can be ordered online and then your hairdresser can do the rest. That way your appearance will remain unaltered as you do your best to treat the condition.
What to Do About Eyebrows and Eyelashes?
As mentioned above, losing hair from the scalp is merely a part of the problem for some. Losing eyebrows and eyelashes can be just as challenging, being that such changes on your face are evident to anybody who takes a single glance at you. Also, keep in mind that both eyelashes and eyebrows have a purpose other than the decorative one. Eyelashes keep dust, dirt and other sorts of debris from your eyes, while eyebrows do the same with water and sweat. If you lose your eyelashes, you can opt for false ones or you can start wearing glasses to keep your eyes safe from harm. In both cases, you’ll also manage to hide the problem to an extent. As far as eyebrows go, your dermatologist might advise you to take corticosteroid injections to get them to begin growing again. If not, you can now find stick-on eyebrows that can last for a few days, or you can get a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo, which is a more permanent solution.
Can Alopecia Be Cured?
The amount of hair loss, as well as whether or when it grows back is something that varies from one person to another, but the fact is that the cure for alopecia areata hasn’t been found yet. For now, there are only treatments that can help your hair regrow and sometimes prevent it from falling out again in the future. Some of these treatments are natural and they include aromatherapy and acupuncture, but also taking various supplements, probiotics or aloe vera drinks. It’s important to know, though, that none of these have been proven to be effective in treating alopecia-caused hair loss, which is why doctors will usually stick to the more reliable medical treatments. For instance, there are different topical agents they tend to prescribe, from Minoxidil to Anthralin to corticosteroids, but also steroid injections and oral treatments, including cortisone and immunosuppressants. Finally, some suggest light therapy to treat alopecia. The crucial thing is that you shouldn’t do or take anything without consulting your doctor first, just to stay on the safe side and avoid making the problem worse.
Alopecia can cause a whole plethora of complications for you, but it’s not the end of the world and it doesn’t have to lower your quality of life at all. If you think that you’re facing alopecia, visit your dermatologist and see what they’ll tell you. With proper treatment and some patience, you’ll be able to manage the disease and maintain a positive mindset through it.
Diana Smith is a full time mom of two beautiful girls interested in health and beauty related topics and alternative medicine. In her free time she enjoys long walks in the woods, hard exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.
