On the night of the Oscars, Will Smith slapped the comedian, Chris Rock, after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who experienced hair loss and balding. Jada Pinkett Smith had cut all her hair in December as she embraced her hair loss saying that she was suffering from autoimmune disorder alopecia. 

“So, it just showed up like that and this is going to be a little bit more difficult for me to hide,” she said on her Instagram video, “so I thought I’d just share it so y’all are not asking any questions.” 

In her Instagram video, she captioned, “Mama’s gonna have to take it down to the scalp so nobody thinks she got brain surgery or something. Me and this alopecia are going to be friends … period!”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith)

What is Alopecia?
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disorder that causes uncontrollable hair loss. There are two types of alopecia areata, one is the complete loss of scalp hair (alopecia totalis) and the second is all the hair in the entire body (alopecia universalis). 

Alopecia areata can happen to anyone, though it mostly happens to people, regardless they are male or female, below the age of 30. 

As of now, this autoimmune disorder has no cure at all. Though doctors might suggest some treatments for hair growth. The most common treatment is using corticosteroids, a powerful type of anti-inflammatory drug that can suppress the immune system. 

Other treatments that can be suggested by doctors are Minoxidil, Anthralin, SADBE, and DPCP. Do note that all treatment mentioned above is to promote hair growth, not prevent hair loss or baldness. 

Fortunately, alopecia areata is not harmful or contagious. Though it can affect someone’s mental wellness and self-esteem. 
 
What is the cause of alopecia?
Alopecia happens when the white blood cells start attacking the hair follicles cells, causing them to shrink and the process of hair production greatly slows down. Up to this day, it is still unexplainable why the white blood cells started to attack the cells of the hair follicles in this way. 

While alopecia areata can affect anyone, the biggest probability it can occur to a person is if they have a close family member suffering from alopecia areata. Some other research also said that someone suffering from alopecia areata has a family history of other autoimmune disorders. 

Contrary to popular beliefs, there is little to no scientific evidence that states alopecia areata is caused by stress. Mostly, it is caused by genetics.