In the early hours of this Monday, Will Smith won the Oscar for best actor for Williams methodhowever her triumph was overshadowed by her unexpected backlash against Chris Rock, who made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s “shaved” head.
(Keep reading: Androgenetic alopecia: when the hair goes away earlier)
Without thinking twice, Will Smith got up from his seat and went to Rock to give him a slap that he tried to dodge before a speechless audience. Without a doubt, this aggression marked the 2022 film awards gala.
Pinkett has publicly acknowledged that she suffers from an autoimmune disorder of alopecia. Although it is a rare condition, at EL TIEMPO we tell you what alopecia areata is and how it can be treated.
(What’s more: Hair loss, another problem left by covid-19)
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease that causes hair loss in small, rounded areas of the scalpalthough, in some cases, it can also lead to generalized baldness, as is the case with Pinkett.
(Of your interest: The one-year-old boy who suffers from the strange ‘uncombable hair syndrome’)
According to studies, approximately 0.2% of the world population suffers from alopecia areata. The estimated lifetime prevalence of the disease is 1.7% and it is one of the common causes of abrupt-onset hair loss, although it occurs less frequently than androgenetic alopecia or telogen effluvium.
This alopecia seems to have its origin in the immune system. The deregulation of this system causes it to attack the follicles with growing hair in certain areas of the scalp. Because only growing hairs are attacked, follicles with non-growing hairs remain intact. In this disease, the ability to generate new hair or re-enter the hair production cycle is not lost.
With alopecia areata both sexes are equally affected. While the condition can occur at any age, the incidence among younger ages is higher.
On the other hand, it should be noted that alopecia areata is the most common form of alopecia that occurs among children and the family occurrence is approximately 15%.
There are topical or injectable treatments, or phototherapy, that can help reduce the negative effects of this disease more quickly. A dermatologist must carry out a specific evaluation of each case to determine the ideal treatment for each person.
(Also read: Learn about the benefits of biotin for your hair care)
However, the best treatment in many patients is to do nothing, especially in less severe cases. It has been proven that between 35% and 50% of cases, patients recover their hair in less than a year.
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