Gail Mabalane on alopecia: 'This is way more prevalent than we think'
You don't have to suffer alone! Gail Mabalane opens up about her battle with alopecia.
September is Alopecia Awareness Month and actress Gail Mabalane is sharing her personal experience with the hair loss condition.
The 37-year-old says alopecia is more common than people think.
"From receding hairlines to bald patches to hair loss that starts in the middle of the head to scalp sensitivity. We, (women especially) have just become so good at hiding it and “suffering” / fighting it in silence," she wrote on Instagram.
The mom of two shared a picture of what her hair looked like three years ago. She had a huge bald spot in the middle of her head.
"Yep! This was me 3yrs ago! #TrueStory," she confessed.
Gail, who is married to singer and pastor Kabelo Mabalane, says she shared the shocking picture during Alopecia Awareness Month to help encourage other women going through something similar.
"My wish, is for everyone who is experiencing hair loss to know that you are not alone. I know that the experience comes with a ton of emotions. When we work through them, we come out stronger on the other side."
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Gail created her own hair line after her experience with alopecia.
- Get help as soon as you see it
- Don’t wait to consult a dermatologist because early detection & treatment may prevent permanent hair loss.
- Identify “your tribe”. This can be an emotional journey. Find the people who offer support … we can’t do it in secret.
- Find products that support your regrowth process. I struggled with this, hence the birth of @ethnogenics
- Be conscious of what you put your scalp & hair through. A lot of the hair loss is self inflicted … so if we know better, we can do better.
- Despite of what society has taught us to believe … WE ARE NOT OUR HAIR … our hair is a part of us … but we are much more than that.
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Main image credit: Instagram/@gail_mabalane