August 12th 2024.
Actress Towanda Braxton is proving that alopecia doesn't have to hold you back. The 50-year-old star has been openly sharing her hair journey, hoping to inspire others who may also be struggling with the condition.
During the premiere of The Braxtons at the West Cultural Arts Center on August 8th, Towanda bravely opened up about her diagnosis. "I have alopecia, and I'm not hiding it anymore," she told People. She had discovered her condition through doctors, and although it may disproportionately affect Black people, according to Pfizer, she is determined to embrace it and raise awareness. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss in patches or even larger areas of the scalp or body.
For Towanda, finding out about her diagnosis was actually a relief. "I was like, 'Okay, I hate being right about that, but I was right about that,'" she shared. She also noted that there are various types of alopecia, each with its own unique effects on individuals due to the immune system's attack on hair follicles. She offered some advice to those who may also be struggling, saying, "Find out which type you have. That way, if you have children, they'll know how to treat it."
According to a 2023 report by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, almost 15% of Black women suffer from hair loss in the center or crown of their scalp, known as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Johns Hopkins Medicine also states that Black women are more prone to traction alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by heat, chemicals, and certain hairstyles like braids, weaves, and dreadlocks that can put too much tension on the hair follicles. Dermatologist Crystal Aguh, who specializes in hair loss, suggests opting for looser protective styles and taking breaks from extensions to give the hair a rest.
As for Towanda, she is currently rocking a clean-shaved head and loving it. "Being bald is amazing," she declared. However, in a recent interview with V-103 Atlanta, she revealed that she initially shaved her head in solidarity when her late sister Traci Braxton, who sadly passed away in 2022, became ill. "I shaved it then, and for the whole journey, I didn't have any hair, but y'all didn't know that," she shared.
Sitting next to her sister Trina Braxton, Towanda also revealed that fans will get an inside look at her alopecia journey on the new season of The Braxtons, airing on Aug. 9 at 9:30 p.m. on We TV. She promised exclusive footage of her hair patches and shared that she wants to use her platform to raise awareness and advocate for those who are also dealing with alopecia. Towanda's bravery and openness about her condition are truly inspiring, and she hopes to encourage others to embrace their unique journeys as well.
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