Bald & Beautiful: Alopecia, More Than Just a Hot Hollywood Moment
PUBLISHED May 4th, 2022 06:00 am | UPDATED August 21st, 2023 02:54 pm
Maybe that slap was kind of deserved? Okay hear us out. We’ve seen the headlines, we’ve seen the clips, and we’ve seen the memes. Whilst we don’t condone violence, there is just a tiny part of us that can’t stop thinking that perhaps Chris Rock’s “G.I. Jane Joke” was a bit out of line. If the unforgettable Oscar moment has also sparked your curiosity about Jada Pinkett Smith’s condition, you came to the right place.
More than just a viral TV moment, Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder affecting 147 million people around the globe. The disorder which affects hair follicles, causes hair fallouts in both men and women, often in spherical shaped clumps. The amount of hair loss is different in everyone and is known to be aggravated by emotional stress and can be associated with other genetic components, skin conditions and nutritional deficiencies. In recent years, the stress of the pandemic may also be a potential cause of hair loss.
Many men specifically deal with the disorder, as they lose hair with age because of changes in hormones. In Singapore, research has shown that 50% of men experience full or partial balding before they hit 50 years of age, with some as early as 15 or 16 years old. A survey conducted in 2019 also revealed that hair loss was the leading hair concern among Singaporean women, garnering votes from 44% of the respondents. In the African-American community, traction alopecia is most common form of hair loss, which occurs when hair has been pulled tight for too long.
The condition can be improved through treatments and medicines or even resolves on its own, but generally, there is no specific cure. Needless to say, this is a topic that needs more attention and discussion.
How Stress Affects Your Scalp
In a stressful situation, as our body enters its fight or flight mode it releases cortisol. The hormone is directly correlated to our hair follicles and pushes them into resting phase instead of growth phase, when we are anxious and stressed – causing hair loss. The course of action here is fairly simple – take care of yourself. Watch what you eat and increase intake of fruits and vegetables (especially those leafy green ones!), and decrease red meats, sodium, caffeine, and sugar intake. Committing to mindfulness and meditation during anxious moments can also improve your body and your hair situation.
But It’s Not Just Hair Loss
Another symbol of beauty, there is no denying that there’s mutiny and power in hair. It’s a huge part of our image and appearance and a crucial factor of our overall confidence level. Society’s obsession of long, full hair dates all the way back to ancient times with it being associated with femininity, fertility, youth, and beauty. So it’s no surprise loss of hair can initiate an emotional turmoil, especially in women who feel like they are losing a part of their identity.
When celebrities like Amber Jean Rowan and Jada Pinkett Smith openly embrace the challenges of their condition, it often inspires many other women and men struggling with the conditions too. As they share their journey and bring to light these seemingly taboo topics in an upbeat attitude, it can initiate conversation and awareness about these disorders all around the world. More so in black communities, where the connection between black women and their hair is a complex and passionate one.
So, Coming Back To The Oscar Drama
All this gets us thinking maybe above all, Jada Pinkett Smith is the one here who truly deserves an apology. After bravely letting go of her hair and creating her own unique standard of beauty, the tasteless comment by Chris Rock was completely disregarded her condition and disrespected her boldness and fearlessness. After all, words can be violent too.
Top Image: Ayodeji Fatunla on Pexels
