Back in 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith opened up for the first time about dealing with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss
After recalling feeling petrified when her hair suddenly fell out in handfuls in the shower one day, Jada said on her past Facebook Watch show Red Table Talk that she learned to accept her alopecia diagnosis after putting things into a “spiritual perspective.”
In 2021, Jada posted a candid video showing a bald scalp patch that she’d developed as a result of her alopecia. “Now, at this point, I can only laugh,” she said as she showed the patch. “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. 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.”
But in 2023, Jada revealed that she was experiencing some hair regrowth, which can occur in certain forms of alopecia
If you didn’t know, there are several different types of alopecia. Some of the most common types include androgenic alopecia, a form of hair loss in men and women also known as male pattern baldness, and alopecia areata, which causes hair to fall out in patches, usually on the scalp.
And while some types of alopecia, like cicatricial alopecia, cause permanent hair loss, others, like alopecia areata, do not completely destroy the hair follicles, meaning that hair regrowth is possible.
Sharing past and present selfies that documented her hair growth, Jada said in 2023, “This here hair is act’n like it’s try’n a make a come back. Still have some trouble spots but — we’ll see.”
Fast-forward to this week, and Jada has once again shown her regrowth with a gorgeous Instagram selfie. In the photo, Jada’s hair was styled in a bunch of small, looped knots, with two longer braids that appear to be extensions visible in the back.
While many people gushed over how beautiful Jada looks, several Instagram users unfortunately accused her of lying about having alopecia. “I just don’t feel like she ever had alopecia,” one popular comment read, while someone else echoed, “Sorry, not convinced she ever had alopecia.”
Amid the discourse, licensed cosmetologist and hair trichologist* Bria Larine took to the comments to remind people that there are different kinds of alopecia, and that hair regrowth is certainly possible in some types. “Hey everyone! Cosmetologist and trichologist here. It’s different types of alopecia. Some forms can grow back, some can’t and some fall out and come right back. She can still have alopecia, it just depends on the type,” she wrote.
