Jada Pinkett Smith’s Hair Loss is Caused by Alopecia

Usually it is the red carpet fashions or the moving acceptance speeches that people are chattering about post-Oscars. However, this year’s main talking point undoubtedly surrounded the incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock, when the comedian presenter poked fun at Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, referring to her as “G.I. Jane.” The comment enraged Smith, as his beloved wife didn’t choose to shave her head as a fashion statement: She actually suffers from alopecia, a health condition that causes you to lose your hair. What exactly is alopecia and how has the actress embraced the autoimmune disorder? Keep reading to find out.

1. She Revealed Her Hair Loss in 2018

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The actress first opened up about her health condition during a 2018 episode of her talk show, Red Table Talk. “A lot of people have been asking why I’ve been wearing turbans. Well, I haven’t talked about it. It’s not easy to talk about, but I am going to talk about it,” she said, adding that she was facing “issues with hair loss.” “It was terrifying when it first started. I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands and I was just like, ‘Oh my god, am I going bald?’” she continued. “It was one of those times in my life where I was literally shaking in fear. That’s why I cut my hair, and why I continue to cut it,” she said. “My hair has been a big part of me,” she continued. “Taking care of my hair has been a beautiful ritual and having the choice to have hair or not. And then one day to be like, ‘Oh my god, I might not have that choice anymore.’”

2. She Shaved Her Head in 2021

In July 2021, Jada fully embraced her hair loss and opted to shave her head entirely. “Willow made me do it because it was time to let go BUT … my 50’s are bout to be Divinely lit with this shed,” she wrote in an Instagram post, showing off her new look.

3. She Has Been Open About Her Symptoms

In December 2021, the actress shared an update about her condition via Instagram, revealing a “sudden” new symptom she was coping with: A bald line patch. “Mama’s gonna have to take it down to the scalp so nobody thinks she got brain surgery or something😜” she captioned the video. “Me and this alopecia are going to be friends … period!😆” "Now at this point, I can only laugh. Y'all know I've been struggling with alopecia and just all of a sudden one day, look at this line right here. Look at that,” she exclaims with a smile on her face, pointing out the new manifestation of her condition. "So it just showed up like that and this is going to be a little bit more difficult for me to hide. So I thought I'd just share it so y'all are not asking any questions,” she said in the video. She also revealed how she was going to embrace the symptom with self-love. "But you know mama's going to put some rhinestones in there. I'm going to make me a little crown. That's what mama's going to do," she added.

4. Alopecia Is an Autoimmune Disorder

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The American Academy of Dermatology Association explains that alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that develops when the body attacks its own hair follicles, resulting in hair loss anywhere on the body. “Many people who develop alopecia areata develop a round or oval bald patch on their scalp,” they say.

5. There Are Three Types of Alopecia

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Per the AADA there are three types of alopecia: Alopecia areata, totalis, and universalis. The most common, areata, usually involves “patchy baldness,” most commonly manifesting itself on the scalp, beard area, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, inside the nose, or ears. Totalis, as the name suggests, causes an individual to lose all hair on the scalp. The rarest form, universalis, is where an individual loses all body hair. It can also occur in cycles.

6. It Can Be a Chronic Condition

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Unfortunately, there are many uncertainties when it comes to the condition, per the AADA. Sometimes hair will regrow on its own without treatment, and sometimes it won’t. And even if it does, it may or may not fall out again. Furthermore, it isn’t clear what causes alopecia, although there may be a genetic component. For more on the condition, see this report on our sister site Eat This, Not That! Health.

Selma Blair is celebrating her health! The actress and multiple sclerosis advocate enjoyed a recent getaway to Golden Door health spa in California, looking absolutely gorgeous and glowing in a black swimsuit. “A week of health and healing in a golden place,” she captioned the series of stunning snaps. “I wanna go there!! And btw You look absolutely vibrant and gorgeous,” remarked Juliette Lewis. “Gorgeous,” added Kendra Wilkinson. What are some of the 49-year-old’s most inspirational musings? Read on to learn about Selma Blair’s journey—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bikini Photos!

1. She Revealed Her Diagnosis in 2018

In October 2018 Selma first revealed in an Instagram post that she was battling MS. “I have #multiplesclerosis . I am in an exacerbation,” she wrote. “I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things.” "Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system)," says the Mayo Clinic. "In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves." Now in 2021, she says she's in a good place:

Selma Blair/Instagram

2. She Rocked Her Cane with Pride

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Selma made a major statement when she hit the red carpet of the Vanity Fair Oscar Party with a custom cane. The actress was successful in normalizing a cane not only as a health necessity, but an accessory, showing it off whenever she got a chance.

3. She Filmed a Documentary About Her Journey

Selma has been completely transparent about her health, documenting all of the ups and downs and sharing her symptoms with fans. In October, a documentary about her journey, Introducing Selma Blair, is coming to discovery+. “It can be very isolating when you get some diagnosis, for some people. For me, it wasn’t. It brought me out more. Because before I just thought I was batshit [crazy]. Which could still be the case, but batshit openly with MS and being symptomatic at times,” she told Deadline. “My humor’s a bit sticky… Like Carrie Fisher said, ‘If it wasn’t funny then it would just be true…’ I do like humor and sometimes very inappropriate [humor] and I ask everyone’s forgiveness as I go on this journey in life. Oh, I’m sure I’ll be cancelled many times.”

4. She Became Comfortable in Her Body

Selma learned how to be comfortable in her body. “I am aware my challenges affect other hopeful or isolated people—and a few of them may be joyful snobs like me,” Blair told Town & Country. “I’m very comfortable in my body, mostly because I am now making a deeper positive connection with it. I am fascinated by this body and this life. I am humbled and pleased to be any inspiration for people.”

5. She Is In Remission

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In August 2021 at the Discovery+ TCA panel, in which she discussed her upcoming documentary Introducing Selma Blair, she revealed she was in remission. "My prognosis is great. I'm in remission. Stem cell put me in remission," she said. "It took about a year after stem cell for the inflammation and lesions to really go down." She hopes that everyone can learn from her health journey. "To hear even just me showing up with a cane or sharing something that might be embarrassing, it was a key for a lot of people in finding comfort in themselves and that means everything to me," she said. "I'm thrilled that I have some platform. In no means am I saying that I'm speaking for all people in this condition or any condition of chronic illness, I'm speaking my story and I that helps normalize one thing to open the door for other people to be comfortable in telling their stories. I'm thrilled to have this here."