The ace Hollywood actor, Will Smith, slapped comedian, Chris Rock, at the Oscars 2022 for joking about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair condition or rather her apparent lack of hair. This is not the first incident where he joked about her hair condition. He had done the same at last year’s Oscars as well. Her baldness is the result of a medical condition called alopecia areata.
As the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences condemned the role that the actor played in the 94th Academy Awards fiasco and has launched a probe into the incident, let’s take some time out to understand Jada’s medical condition alopecia areata. So, learn more and #BeALittleMore with your knowledge about this hair condition.
What Is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s own immune system attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s own immune system attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss. The kind and extent of hair fall varies among individuals. While for some, hair falls in small, unnoticeable patches. While for others, these patches may connect, making them very obvious. At times, the hair condition may make the hair come out in clumps in the shape and size of a quarter. Further, the hair may grow back for good, or grow back and fall again, or does not grow back at all. Not just the scalp, hair loss may occur from eyelashes, eyebrows, and face as well as other body parts. Currently, there is no permanent treatment for this medical condition.
Causes Of Alopecia Areata
Hair grows from hair follicles. When the immune system attacks it, they grow smaller and stop producing hair, which explains the reason behind hair loss.
As mentioned earlier, alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system of the body attacks healthy cells, mistaking these healthy cells as foreign invaders. In normal circumstances, it is the responsibility of the human immune system to protect the body against foreign substances like viruses and bacteria.
Hair grows from hair follicles. When the immune system attacks it, they grow smaller and stop producing hair, which explains the reason behind hair loss. However, researchers are yet to come out with conclusive evidence regarding the cause of this hair condition. It has been generally observed that the incidents of alopecia areata are more common among people with a genetic history of autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms Of Alopecia Areata In Females
Hair loss, in such cases, is not restricted to the scalp, but may extend to eyelashes and eyebrows as well.
The medical condition is more common among females than among males, although the reason is yet unknown. Hair loss, in such cases, is not restricted to the scalp, but may extend to eyelashes and eyebrows as well.
The hair loss may be confined to a restricted area, unlike female pattern hair loss, where the thinning of hair is gradual and extends over a large area. However, in certain cases, hair loss may happen all at once. In certain other cases, the area can expand gradually, causing even greater hair loss. Hair can fall out in small patches on the scalp, measuring often over several centimetres or less.
10 Home Remedies That May Be Helpful For Treating Alopecia Areata
Very little is known about effective home remedies for the hair condition. More importantly, there is still a question mark over whether the home remedies that are known to be helpful are actually helpful. Here is a list of 8 home remedies that are usually believed to keep the hair condition under check:
1. Peyaz (Onion)
Rich in sulphur, onions are known for stimulating hair growth. It is also known to fight against free radicals that may cause damage. Besides, they also improve blood circulation in the scalp.
2. Naryal Tel (Coconut Oil)
Coconut oil boosts hair growth and re-growth as it is laden with nutrients like iron, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Massaging coconut hair oil on the scalp and leaving it overnight might be useful for hair growth.
Hair Tip: A hot oil massage is both relaxing and beneficial to your hair’s health. Everyone, regardless of hair type, can benefit from applying hot oil to their hair.
3. Shehed (Honey)
Honey is synonymous with strengthening hair and again boosting the growth of hair. Try slathering some honey on the scalp to rid the impurities that may be clogging the hair follicles.
4. Lehsun (Garlic)
Garlic contains sulphur, calcium, and zinc that helps with hair growth. It also boosts blood circulation in the scalp, cleanses hair follicles, and encourages the production of collagen.
5. Lavender Oil
Yet another source of strengthening hair follicles and inducing hair growth, massage the scalp with this oil to experience the benefits.
6. Methi (Fenugreek)
Methi blocks the synthesis called dihydrotestosterone, a leading factor behind loss of hair. It promotes hair growth by controlling hair fall. Fenugreek hair mask for dandruff, premature ageing, hairfall and many more. Read the article here.
7. Eggs
Apart from nourishing hair, it greatly boosts hair growth. It is a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, biotin, and folate.
8. Aloe Vera Gel
This stimulant improves blood circulation of the scalp. Hence, you can try massaging aloe vera on your hair and then leave it for 20 minutes before washing it off.
9. Green Tea
Rich in antioxidants, saponins, and catechins, green tea may do wonders to the hair condition by acting as a stimulant for hair follicles. It is also known for promoting hair growth. What’s more, it aids in ridding free radicals that are the root cause of hair loss.
10. Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are also known for controlling hair fall and stimulating hair growth.
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